5 Days Classic South Africa Safari
Sabi Sands & Timbavati
Overview
5 Days Classic South Africa Safari
A 5-Day safari incorporating 2 private concessions of the Greater Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands and the Timbavati Private Game reserve Umlani Bush Camp in Timbavati accommodates guests in traditional African reed and thatch huts as well as an Eco Rondavel, which all blend naturally with the environment and provide pure comfort.
All accommodation options have en-suite facilities including open-air bush showers for the ultimate stargazing experience. They also offer comfortable beds, crisp white linen, soft towels, mosquito netting, insect repellent, and standard bathroom amenities. Umkumbe Safari Lodge is owner managed and run; ensuring guests enjoy a personal, rustic and real South African safari experience.
THE LODGE CONSISTS OF TEN CHALETS/ROOMS WITH MOST OVERLOOKING THE SAND RIVER. GUESTS REGULARLY SEE ELEPHANTS, HIPPOS, BUFFALO AND ANTELOPE GRAZING IN THE RIVER BED.
Travel logistics
Start / Finish
Start
- Johannesburg
- JNBO. R. Tambo International Airport
Finish
- Johannesburg
- JNBO. R. Tambo International Airport
Highlights
What Makes This Safari Special
Big Five game viewing
Guided walking safari
Sunset drives & sundowners
Panorama Route sightseeing
Explore Greater Kruger
Explore Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Day by Day
Your Itinerary
A professional driver who will pick you up in Johannesburg on the morning of your departure. All transfers are done in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle, where you will be transported via the Panorama Route to Sabi Sands.
Panorama route includes God’s Window, Lisbon Falls and Graskop and all entrance fees are included in the package. There are numerous stops along the way for comfort breaks and photo moments. Arriving at Umkumbe Safari Lodge or similar, you will be greeted by the friendly lodge staff and have time to settle in and rest before embarking on the afternoon game drive.
Sabi Sands has a high concentration of wildlife and is known for the predators, especially the cats. Although the Sabi Sands is a private reserve and is a more exclusive safari experience, it forms part of the Greater Kruger Park with its borders being unfenced with the national park. Late afternoon and into the evenings is a great time to spot wildlife, after which you will make your way to the lodge for dinner and an opportunity to have a relaxed evening.
You will be greeted with a cup of coffee before heading off for the morning game drive in a 4x4 safari vehicle, hopefully with an opportunity to spot the Big Five waking and roaming in your path. There is an alternative to go on a morning bush walk rather than the drive if you so prefer. Upon return from your safari, you will be served a leisurely breakfast and have the remainder of the morning at the lodge to catch up on sleep or resting at pool. Lunch will be served and there will be some more time to unwind before returning for an afternoon/sunset safari drive with your guide. Sunset will be spent in the bush, after which you will be returned to the lodge for dinner and the evening at your leisure.
An early morning rise again to head out for your morning game drive to spot the animals that have been eluding you on your safari experience. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out, where our driver will be waiting to transfer you to The Timbavati Game Reserve. Arriving at the Eco Umlani Bushcamp, refresh and why not go relax in a hammock on the river bed until High tea is ready. After high tea, you will embark on another sunset game drive. Dinner is served at the lodge.
Another early morning call and sunrises await. Today you will head out on two game drives. One morning and one sunset game drive. You will return during the day to enjoy breakfast and lunch. Why not spend some time by the pool? Don’t want to sit in a vehicle twice today? No problem speak to your profession game ranger about doing a short bush walk. Dinner served at the lodge.
Waking up early, enjoy a cup of coffee and soak up the lodge's atmosphere before embarking on the final game drive of your safari package. Return back to the lodge, freshening up and enjoying a good breakfast before your professional driver picks you up and takes you back to Johannesburg.
Gallery
Photographs
Where You Stay
Handpicked
Retreats
Every lodge and camp is chosen for its location, character and comfort, so the place you rest is as memorable as the adventure itself.
What's Included
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section
Not Included
- Conservation Fees
- Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Travel insurance and medical repatriation
- Items of a personal nature
Questions
Frequently Asked
The price covers all activities (unless labeled as optional); all accommodation as stated in the itinerary; a professional driver/guide; all transportation (unless labeled as optional); all Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section. Budget separately for conservation Fees; tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day); personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.). Your personalized quote confirms the full breakdown line by line.
The prime months for this itinerary are May, June, July, August, September and October. That said, South Africa rewards visitors in every season. Tell us your travel dates and we'll advise exactly what to expect.
This is a private, tailor-made safari for your own party of 2 to 12 guests. You won't be grouped with strangers. The itinerary, vehicle and guide are yours alone.
You'll stay at Umkumbe Safari Lodge and Umlani Bush Camp, as laid out in the day-by-day itinerary. If availability requires it, we substitute properties of a similar or better standard and always confirm before you travel.
Send an inquiry through the form on this page and our safari experts will come back with a personalized quote within 24 hours, free and with no obligation. Once the plan feels right, we lock in your dates and lodges.
Absolutely. Treat the 5-day program as a starting point. We can adjust the pace, upgrade or change lodges, add days, or combine it with other destinations. Tell us what your ideal trip looks like and we'll shape it around you.
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