In the realm of predators
Immerse yourself in fascinating territories where lions, leopards, and cheetahs reign supreme.
Duration
8 days (flexible)
Places
Makalali Reserve Klaserie Reserve
Price
From €3,250* / person*price based on 8 people
South Africa - 8 days
Safari description
An extraordinary stay in two reserves renowned for their very high concentrations of predators. You will have the privilege of staying in a first lodge entirely private to you, as well as in a second, truly unique lodge. As night falls, only the glow of candles will illuminate your experience, for a sensory immersion in the heart of the bush, as authentic as it is spectacular.
South Africa - 8 days
Your safari day by day
itineraire
South Africa Safari
Makalali and Klaserie reserves each offer a unique experience, blending diverse wildlife with breathtaking landscapes. In Makalali, immerse yourself in a biodiversity sanctuary where African wildlife thrives amidst savannah landscapes and verdant rivers. In Klaserie, be transported to a wilder, more authentic atmosphere, right in the heart of Kruger National Park's renowned ecosystem.
Day 1: Johannesburg Airport / Hoedspruit - Makalali Reserve
Welcome to South Africa!
You will be met upon arrival at Johannesburg or Hoedspruit airport (depending on your flight) by a private shuttle that will take you to the Makalali Reserve. The journey takes approximately 5 hours by road from Johannesburg or 1.5 hours from Hoedspruit.
Installation au lodge.
The lodge is located in the middle of the bush on the banks of the Makhutswi River in the Makalali Nature Reserve (in the Limpopo province of South Africa) and will be entirely private for you and your group. This 25,000-hectare reserve is located 60 km from the town of Hoedspruit.
The reserve is home to the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, and white rhinoceros) as well as the cheetah, African wild dog, spotted hyena, brown hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus, and zebra. Numerous species of antelope and mammals, along with a wide variety of reptiles, inhabit the Makalali Reserve. For birdwatchers, over 300 different species of birds also reside within the reserve.
Departure in the late afternoon for a first safari in search of our first animals.
The lodge can also be entirely privatized, which is ideal for getting together with family or friends.
Days 2/3/4: Makalali Reserve
You will go on 2 safaris per day in an open vehicle: one in the morning at sunrise and one in the afternoon.
We will return to the lodge at nightfall, allowing you to experience night safaris in search of nocturnal animals under one of the most beautiful starry skies in the world!
You can also go on walking safaris if you wish, for a very different approach to the fauna and flora.
Day 5: Makalali Reserve - Klaserie Reserve
After a final morning safari in the Makalali reserve, we will head towards the Klaserie reserve. The journey between the two reserves takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.
This 60,000-hectare private reserve, open to the Kruger National Park, is home to the Big 5 and is renowned for its many large predators as well as its unusual red earth landscapes.
The intimate and luxurious lodge can accommodate a maximum of 12 people and overlooks the Leopard River. In the evening, the lodge is lit only by lanterns to make the experience even more natural and extraordinary. You might even be lucky enough to hear the distant calls of lions or leopards crossing the night!
Departure in the late afternoon for a first safari in the Klaserie reserve.
Day 6/7: Klaserie Reserve
We will conduct 2 safaris per day in an open vehicle: one in the morning at sunrise and one in the afternoon.
We will return to the lodge at nightfall, allowing you to experience night safaris once again in search of nocturnal animals under one of the most beautiful starry skies in the world!
Please note that other people may join us in our vehicle during our safaris. The lodge can potentially accommodate additional guests.
Day 8: Klaserie Reserve - Johannesburg Airport / Hoedspruit
Unfortunately, this is your last day in South Africa.
We will conduct an early morning safari to observe our last wild animals before taking a private shuttle to Hoedspruit or Johannesburg airport depending on your flight.
Back in France, and hoping you will keep wonderful memories of your stay!
What's included in your safari
This safari includes:
- 7 nights' accommodation in carefully selected lodges.
- Three meals a day
- Travel in a private 4x4 vehicle, offering comfort and flexibility throughout the stay.
- Permits and activities included, covering all safaris.
- Accompaniment by a French safari guide, for total immersion and personalized support.
And what if we imagined your next adventure with Fundis'Africa?
Book a time to chat with us to discuss your desires, ask your questions and imagine together a safari that suits you.
Makalali and Klaserie: two iconic private reserves of Greater Kruger
This 8-day itinerary focuses on two reserves that Fundis'Africa knows intimately: Makalali, where Alexis guided his first professional safaris in 2022, and Klaserie, one of South Africa's largest private reserves. It's the South Africa itinerary with the most direct, on-the-ground knowledge.
Makalali: Alexis' reserve
Makalali is a private reserve in the Greater Kruger area where Alexis spent his early years as a professional guide. This intimate knowledge of the territory, the leopard habitats, the lion movement corridors, and the elephants' preferred watering holes produces a quality of observation that theoretical knowledge cannot replace. It was in this reserve that Ruzuna, Makalali's most iconic female leopard, lived, and whom Alexis observed regularly for three years.
Klaserie: one of the largest private game reserves in South Africa
Klaserie covers over 60,000 hectares, making it one of the largest private reserves in the country. Its size ensures drives with few vehicles and uncrowded areas, even during peak season. Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo are present in large numbers. Night drives are possible, and approaches off marked tracks are permitted.
Night Drives and the Big Five
The 8-day Makalali-Klaserie combination offers a very high probability of seeing all the Big Five. Night drives significantly increase the chances of observing leopards hunting. The rhinoceros is often the last species to complete the list, making it the most motivating target in the final days.
This itinerary is led by Alexis Frangoulis, a certified FGASA NQF2 guide. Let's discuss your project.
