African Travel Guides - Self Drive Routes - Accommodation - Car Hire

ADVERTISE IN THE 2010 SOUTHERN AFRICA TRAVEL GUIDE SERIES  |  HOME  

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  INFORMATION:
   KRUGER PARK | BLYDE RIVER NR 

 
Panorama Adventure Routes
Full day Panorama Tour
This wonderful full day tour includes sights such as God’s Window, Wonderview, Lisbon Falls, Bourkes Luck Potholes, the Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, historic Pilgrims Rest and Mac Mac Falls (time permitting). An excellent opportunity to see some of Mpumalanga’s most spectacular scenery. Lunch included. As an exciting addition to this tour we can include an awe-inspiring helicopter flight over the Escarpment (supplement applicable).
Approx. 8hrs

Panorama Highlights Tour
A half-day tour of the Panoramic highlights of the area including Graskop, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls, Mac Mac Falls and Sabie. No lunch included. This tour can be combined with a 4x4 eco-trail through man-made and indigenous forest in the afternoon.
Approx. 5hrs

Evening Safaris – Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Depart from your hotel in the early afternoon for the drive to the renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve (1-1½hrs) arriving in time for tea/coffee and homemade cake before boarding open 4x4 vehicles for an exciting game drive. Stop for sundown drinks in the bush before continuing the game drive by spotlight. Return to the lodge at around 19:30 for a sumptuous dinner in the lodges’ open-air boma (weather permitting). Arrive back at your hotel at around 23:00.
Approx: 9hrs (limited numbers)

Night safaris – Kapama Game Reserve
Depart from your hotel in the early afternoon for the drive to the Cheetah Breeding Project near Hoedspruit (1½hrs). Arrive for tea/coffee before an educational video and tour of the Research Station. See endangered species such as King Cheetah and Wild Dog. After the tour, boards open 4x4 vehicles for the game drive. Stop for sundown drinks in the bush before returning to the lodge for a traditional South African dinner in the Elephant lapa. At around 20:30 return to the open safari vehicles for an exiting spotlight safari. Arrive at your hotel at around 23:00.
Approx: 9hrs (limited numbers)

Moholoholo Rehab Centre and Shangana Cultural Village
Depart from your hotel at around 08:00 and drive to Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre near Hoedspruit in the Northern Province. Let their experts take you around the centre where some of the animals and birds might be handled depending on their condition. Depart Moholoholo and transfer to Shangana Cultural Village, an authentic Shangaan village just outside Hazyview on the Graskop Road. Your guide will take you to the Chief’s village and will explain the family’s customs and lifestyle. Visit the Sangoma to have your fortune told before visiting the market to buy homemade curios. Lunch is included. Arrive back at the hotel at around 17:00.

Endangered Wildlife Special
Depart from your hotel at around 08:00hrs and drive to the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre near Hoedspruit. Let their experts take you around the centre where some of the animals and birds might be handled depending on their condition. Depart Moholoholo and transfer to Kapama Game Reserve. On arrival, a picnic lunch will be served (weather permitting) before the educational tour of the breeding and research station. Kapama has several endangered species resident such as Wild Dog, King Cheetah and Aardwolf. Return to your hotel at around 17:00hrs

General Information
Our operators in the Valley of Adventure are the most professional in the area. They realise that some activities involve a certain amount of danger, as such they are fully insured, registered with Satour and their professional bodies and only use the most highly trained and qualified pilots and guides. Their goal is to ensure you have a fun packed memorable and safe adventure.

All specialist equipment is provided for your activity. However, we suggest plenty of sun block, comfortable shoes and neutral coloured clothing for walks or drives and plenty of film. And most importantly of course, your spirit of adventure.

Transfers to all activities if required can be arranged separately through Thompsons Indaba Safaris if required.

White Water Rafting - Operated by Hardy Ventures
Sabie River Half day
A river rafting experience suitable for the whole family along the scenic Sabie River. The journey takes you through dense wooded vegetation and small rapids.
Start time. 09.00
Finish Time approx. 12.30 lunch included
Minimum age. 10 years

Full day Sabie raft and abseil
A great day out on the river. Following lunch we tackle the 35-m abseil
Start time 09.00
Finish time 1700hrs
Minimum age12 years

Horse Trails - Operated by Mzuri Horse Trails
A unique horse riding experience based in Hazyview.
The one-hour Sabie Trail
Explore the beautiful Valley on horseback. Passing through the surrounding farmland, an easy ride suitable for novices. Start time. 09.00 or 15.00 Finish time 10.00 or 16.00 Age limit. Not recommended for children under 10 yrs Weight limit 100 kgs

Game Trails
2 or 3 hours
Your ride takes you through the scenic Sabie River Valley and then into Umvubu a private Game Farm on the outskirts of Hazyview town. Game viewing from horseback is without doubt a unique experience you may be lucky enough to see giraffe, eland, impala and most of our small plains game. On the longer trails stops are made at a lakeside pub for refreshments.
Start time 09.00 or 14.00
Finish time 2 or 3 hours later depending upon ride chosen
Age limit not suitable for children under 12.
Weight limits 100 kgs.

4x4 Trails - Operated by Mashona 4x4 Trails
Morning, Afternoon or full Day trails
The Sabie Valley is criss-crossed by a number of off road trails ranging from easy to the near impossible. In the company of your professional driver guide you will cross rivers, climb steep inclines and navigate sand filled rivers where driving skills and vehicles are tested to the utmost. We drive along forested tracks through stunning scenery passing through villages and perhaps stopping in the local shabeen for a drink.
Start time. Trails depart at either 0800. Or 1200 
Finish time trails vary in length from 3 to 4 hours on half days to 5 to 7 hours on a full day depending upon weather and obstacles
Age limit not recommended for children under 10 years.

Helicopter Adventures - Operated by NAC Aviation
The Fabulous Falls
Departing from Graskop we fly to the Lisbon Falls, the Berlin Falls, onto God’s Window and along the Escarpment before returning to Graskop.
Departing daily on request
Duration 10 minutes
Age limit none
Maximum 4 passengers

Mac Mac Magic
Departing from Graskop through the Gorge, then over the Mac Mac Falls and Pools. From there we fly past the Kowyn’s Pass, slowly over the Pinnacle, God’s Window and back to Graskop.
Departing daily on request
Duration 15 minutes
Age limit. None Maximum 4 passengers

The Blyde Canyon Blower
Departing from Graskop, this really is a mind-blowing experience. We fly to the Pinnacle, then onto Gods Window. After the Wonderview we head north for the most exciting flying of the experience, The Three Rondavels and Blyde River Canyon, over flying Blydepoort Dam. To round off the adventure we fly low and slow over the Berlin and Lisbon Falls before returning to Graskop.
Departing daily on request
Duration 35 minutes
Age limit none
Maximum 4 pax

Microlight Adventures - Operated by The Air Experience
Join us for “the air experience”. , Departing from the Drome Z flight centre near Hazyview we offer flights of either 30 minute or an hour. Although we are not allowed to over fly the KNP, the micro light experience over the valley takes in Hazyview, Dagama Dam, the Sand River and the spectacular waterfalls of the area. Flights are of one hour or half an hour in duration
Departing daily 0800 or 1600 
Returning either 30 minutes or 60 minutes after take off.
Age limit 12 years
Weight limits 100 kgs.

Bass fishing - Operated by Bass Fishing Charters
Whether you’re an experienced or novice angler the Sabie River Valley offers superb fishing on a variety of private, secluded dams. We use a fully equipped Z craft with fish finder, foot controlled bass motor and live wells. All equipment is supplied and our experienced skipper will assist you with everything from lure selection to lunch.
Departing Daily Morning sunrise trip. Sunrise to 11.00
Afternoon 14.00 hours to sunset.
Age limit not suitable for children less than 10 years

Balloon Safaris - Operated by Balloons Over Africa
Ballooning over the Sabie River Valley is a unique experience. Rising before sun up, you travel to the launch site and assist in rigging the balloon prior to launch. Morning tea is served, and then it’s up and away over some of South Africa’s finest ballooning terrain. The duration of the flight is normally one hour. The whole adventure is 4 hours in duration. The flight is followed by breakfast at one of the local lodges.
Departing daily at sunrise, returning mid morning… wind permitting
Age limit no children under 12 years of age.

Interpretative Bush Walk Safaris {drive & walk} Operated by Lion Sands Game Lodge
Guests are transferred into the Sabi Sands to the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. Tea and coffee is served before departing at 06:00 am for your walk. The ranger will introduce clients to a number of skills including tracking, plant, bird and animal identification. The walk normally lasts for 2 hours, before clients are picked up for the last part of the morning, an open vehicle game drive.
Departing daily
Duration 3 hours excluding transfers
Age limit no children under 12 years
Maximum 8 clients.

Lion Tracking Experience - Operated by Lion Sands Game Lodge
Certainly not for the faint hearted. Accompanied by armed ranger and tracker clients are briefed during breakfast on the basic rules and dangers involved. The walk starts after breakfast following fresh tracks, until visual contact is made. If a successful visual sighting is made guest will be given a certificate detailing the experience. The walk is approximately 2.5 hours finishing at Lion Sands for lunch. If lion are not in the area then alternative Big game will be tracked
Departing daily 
Duration 3 hours excluding transfers 
No children under 18 years
Maximum 4 adults.