Rhino Route Walking Safari
THREE NIGHTS INCLUDING OPTIONAL SLEEP-OUT, $$
Explore nature’s hidden wonders in the far south of the Kruger National Park on foot. Lap up the exclusive 12,000 hectares private wilderness concession with excellent game viewing ensuring an unforgettable safari.
Experience the thrill of hearing the rasping call of a female leopard echoing down the riverbed returning to her cub after a night’s hunt, whilst tracking through the bush in search of the endangered rhino of Africa.
You will spend two nights in the comfort and tranquility of a 19th century naturalist’s retreat— luxury African explorer-style tents overlooking the spectacular Timbitene plain and waterhole— and one adventurous night at the remote Sleepout Camp.
To enquire about this itinerary click here
ITINERARY DETAILS
K2C Co-owner Ian Kruger guiding
Day One
Upon your arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, you will be met by a Kruger2Canyons representative, who will assist you in your transfer on to KMIA or Skukuza airports, and deliver your canvas-bound personalized itinerary. A short flight to the Lowveld permits stunning views out of the cabin, as the urban landscapes of Johannesburg and Soweto are gradually replaced by the open vistas of the bush.
You will be met at Hoedspruit by your professional guide, host for the duration of your African journey. All of our guides have extensive experience, and are passionate about their calling. They will ensure that your interaction with the African bush is all you dreamed it would be and more.
A short road trip, during which your game viewing commences, brings you to Plains Camp. The camp is built in authentic pioneer tradition and is raised on wooden decks. Stylishly decorated, the 8-bed camp offers the tranquility of a 19th century naturalist’s retreat. A collection of four, luxury African explorer-style tents overlook the spectacular Timbitene plain and waterhole and a main lounge with equally tranquil views filled with antique treasures and an Africana book collection, nostalgically reminiscent of a golden era.
Main Area
In keeping with the ethics of “treading lightly on the land” at Rhino Plains, no trees were cut down in the construction of this camp. No concrete was used– all structures are canvas and wood. This camp was specifically designed for low energy consumption and makes use of solar power and limited generators for its power needs.
Plains Camp is the ideal place for your Walking Safari. The camp is in the middle of a 12,000 ha private wilderness concession, where it seems the rest of the world no longer exists, and guests routinely witness superb game sightings.
Buffalo on the Rhino Route
The concession is within the world-renowned Kruger National Park and offers a wildlife experience second to none. At nearly 2 million hectares, it is the largest game reserve in South Africa, stretching 350km along the Mozambican border and is, on average, 60km wide. It is unrivalled in its diversity of species and is a recognized leader in environmental management techniques and policies.
After settling into your luxurious tent and enjoying a scrumptious high tea, you will set out on your first wilderness walk.
Walking in the bush is a completely different experience to a game drive. A well-known wilderness guide once wrote, “A game drive is like seeing the movie, while a walk is like reading the book”. His words sum it up quite well.
Rhino Route Elephant
On foot the bush comes alive: the trees are taller, the grass more textured, and, of course, when you are sitting watching an animal behave as it normally would, it is a privilege like no other.
Return to camp for dinner in a typical African setting, a drink with your guide around the fire, and then retire to the comfort of your tent ready to rise with the bright African sun.
Rhino Route Camp
Overnight: Rhino Plains Camp
Day Two- The Sleep Out
For the real enthusiasts, days in the bush begin with the sun rising and a steaming cup of coffee. The morning walk is an opportunity to witness the awakening of the world around you and an awakening within yourself. You feel like the person to tread that path, to see the glistening web of a golden orb and the startled flight of the Francolin.
Your morning will be spent tracking the endangered African rhino, exploring the area while unravelling and interpreting the signs left during the night. Return to camp for a delectable brunch and a chance for a siesta.
Rhino on Open Plains
After high tea you will set out for an afternoon walk, only this time you’ll be carrying a small rucksack containing the items you need for a single night’s sleep out. The sleep out spot consists of raised sleeping platforms, an elevated dining area, and two bathrooms with hot showers.
This is the only place in Kruger National Park offering this unusual accommodation. You will arrive in the early evening carrying a lightweight rucksack within which you’ve packed a change of clothes and refreshments, the basics for a night under the open stars and a sleep you will never forget.
Sleep-out Deck
After hanging up mosquito nets, fly sheets (if necessary) and preparing beds (guests participate in every aspect of this unique bush experience), sundowners can be enjoyed on the platforms overlooking a waterhole.
While dinner is being prepared on an open fire, your ears will be in delight as the orchestra of an evening out in the open terrain tunes and begins its performance—the rumble of elephant passing by or the roar of lion at the nearby waterhole. You’ll enjoy sounds and sensations heightened by the wilderness at night.
Sleeping under a blanket of stars to the tunes of the night is an incredible experience.
Overnight: Sleep Out Camp
Please note that the Sleep Outs are highly dependent on weather conditions- should the weather be unfavourable on the day (heavy rain) or if there have been downpours in the days preceding, you will stay in camp instead. The platforms will be inaccessible.
Day Three
Watching the sunrise from your sleeping platform, mug of fire-brewed coffee in hand, what more could one ask for? Today your guide will take you on an exploration of the relationship between man and the bush, interrelationships within the environment while tracking down the big and little five. This morning’s walk concludes where it started the previous afternoon—back at Plains Camp in time for brunch.
Rhino Plains
You will have a full day to relax, unwind, and enjoy the treasures around the camp. Take time to absorb sights and sounds around the camp, cool down in the plunge pool while keeping an eye out for game on the plain and near the waterhole, or just simply sit back on the big leather couch and enjoy a book.
High tea will be served before you set off for your afternoon game viewing activity. The afternoon is reserved for a drive in your open safari vehicle to explore the eastern basaltic and gabbro plains, where large herds of buffalo roam, in search of the elusive black rhino. This is an area of the Kruger unusually reminiscent of the large open spaces of East Africa.
Rhino Route Elephants
After catching the sunset over the plains from a high lookout point or along a dam where hippo begin to rise from the waters, return to camp for dinner, a drink with your guide around the fire, and eventually retirement to the comfort of your tent where you’ll sink into bed and prepare for the next day’s early morning.
Plains Camp Tent
Overnight: Rhino Plains Camp
Day Four
Your last morning shall be spent tracking along the Mutlumuvi riverbank and floodplains before returning to camp for a much-deserved brunch.
After your final meal at Plains Camp, you will be transferred by road to Hoedspruit Airport in time to catch the flight transfer to Johannesburg.
To get a quotation and check availability click here
TESTIMONIALS
From Katherine, US, June 2007 visitor:
Hi Ingrid,
I'm going great, thanks. Back in the States. The Rhino Route was wonderful, my Dad and I absolutely loved it! It was more than what I thought it was going to be.
The flights were great and it was so nice not having to try and organize them myself. Accomodations were perfect, actually more than I anticipated. We LOVED our guides! Bernard is a character but my goodness, does he know a lot. And, in stride with everything else, the meals were delicious. Overall, we had a marvelous time, learned a lot and saw all that we could see. Thank you so much for putting this together for us at such short notice.
From a UK couple celebrating their 50th birthdays with us:
Rhino Lodge was another great place, once again lovely people. Here we had a lady ranger and saw a wide variety of animals, not least the two lionesses with cubs stalking a huge herd of zebra and the elusive leopard who crossed the road ahead of us. As you said in our itinerary we were certainly reluctant to leave.
Thank you once again for arranging the trip for us, I’ll certainly be recommending any of our friends and colleagues who may venture out to South Africa to contact you for advice!
