Activities in and around Game Reserves in South Africa

South Africa boasts a huge collection of wildlife regions and game parks - both public and private - encompassing every possible landscape from deserts to forests, mountains to coast, teeming with wildlife species - including Africa’s Big 5: Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhinoceros. And a huge range of adventure activities are available to tourists visiting South Africa

4x4 TRAILS
The Sabie Valley is criss-crossed by a number of off-road trails ranging from easy to near impossible. In the company of a professional driver/guide, visitors will climb steep inclines and navigate sand filled rivers where driving skills and vehicles are tested to the utmost. Drive along forested tracks through stunning scenery passing through villages and if time permits stop at a local shebeen for a well-earned drink.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
A river rafting experience suitable for novices, we travel along the scenic Sabie River through dense wooded vegetation and small rapids. On a full day rafting excursion the 'not-so-faint-hearted' can tackle a 350m abseil!
HELICOPTER ADVENTURES
The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is one of South Africa's most scenically beautiful areas, as its name suggests. Take a helicopter flip from Graskop to view the wonders of the Blyde River Canyon and the many spectacular waterfalls in this area.
MICROLIGHT ADVENTURES
Take an exhilarating 30 minute to 1 hour microlight flip over rural Hazyview, Dagama Dam, the Sand River and the spectacular waterfalls in the area.
BASS FISHING
Whether you're an experienced or novice angler the Sabie River Valley offers superb fishing on a variety of private, secluded dams. A fully-equipped Z-craft with fish finder, foot controlled bass motor and live wells. The experienced skipper will assist visitors with selecting the correct lure, landing fish and taking photographs.
BALLOON SAFARIS
Rising before sun up, travel to the launch site to help with rigging the balloon prior to launch. Piping hot tea will be served, whilst your balloon is prepared, as the morning sun begins to warm the earth. Then its up and away to soar with the birds - a truly unique experience. Your balloon ride itself usually lasts 1 hour, but the entire experience from sun up to touch down lasts approximately 4 hours.
QUAD BIKE TRAILS
A variety of exciting trails are offered, from farmland to forest and also within a private game reserve, where one has the extra thrill of being up close to wildlife. Experienced guides will lead clients riding either 300 or 400 cc quad bikes on the various trails, and clients may choose to ride solo or two per bike. The lengths of the trails vary from 1 hour in the Mvubu Game Reserve, to a two to four hour farm or forest trail.
LION TRACKING EXPERIENCE
Certainly not for the faint hearted! Professional rangers and trackers accompany clients on an interpretive bush trail, following fresh lion tracks, until visual contact is made. If a successful visual sighting is made guests will receive a certificate detailing the experience. If lions are not in the area then alternative 'Big' game will be tracked.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK OPEN VEHICLE SAFARIS
FULL-DAY DRIVE - Summer: 05h00 - 18h00 Winter: 06h00 - 18h00 (Apr-Sept)
MORNING DRIVE - Summer: 05h00 - 12h30 Winter: 06h00 - 12h30 (Apr-Sept)
AFTERNOON DRIVE - Summer: 13h30 - 19h00 Winter: 13h30 - 18h00 (Apr-Sept)
Experience a unique view of South Africa's largest and most famous game reserve, the Kruger National Park, in our specially designed open safari vehicles; accompanied by our registered guides who are all experienced game rangers. We will provide you with an exciting tour of the Kruger National Park, which is unrivalled in its variety of wildlife - 147 species of mammals and more than 500 recorded species of bird. Our rangers will enthral you with their passion and knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants.
PANORAMA ROUTE
FULL-DAY - (Lunch Included) - DEPARTS: Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat at 09h00
Spend a full day discovering some of Mpumalanga's most spectacular scenery. Your tour will take you to the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, to view stunning rock formations. Afterwards you will visit spectacular sites such as God's Window, Wonderview, Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes, which are deep cylindrical cavities formed by swirling waters. You will visit the quaint village of Pilgrim's Rest, which has been lovingly preserved since the gold rush and is now a National Monument. Your day will not be complete without a visit to some of the most beautiful waterfalls of the region.
PANORAMA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
HALF-DAY - DEPARTS: Tue, Thur and Sat at 08h00
For those with limited time, this tour provides you with an excellent opportunity to experience a few of the highlights of Mpumalanga. You will visit the charming village of Graskop and the spectacular view site of God's Window. En route back to Hazyview we will visit the beautiful Lisbon and Berlin Falls.
ENDANGERED WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
FULL-DAY (Lunch Included) - DEPARTS: Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat at 08h00
Enjoy an educational behind the scenes look at animal conservation. We visit the world-renowned Moholoholo rehabilitation centre, where experts explain rehabilitation techniques used on a variety of birds and animals. Lunch is served at Kapama Private Game Reserve before a tour of the breeding and research station. Kapama has several resident endangered species, including Wild Dog, King Cheetah and Aardwolf.
NIGHT SAFARI - KAPAMA
AFTERNOON AND EVENING TOUR (Dinner Included)
DEPARTS: Tue, Thur, Fri and Sat at 13h00
We start the afternoon with a visit to the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre, where we view endangered species such as the King Cheetah and Wild Dog up close. After learning about our conservation efforts, you depart for Kapama where you board open 4x4 Land Rovers for an exciting game drive with sundowner drinks in the African bush. We later continue to the 'Elephant Lapa' where you will enjoy a traditional South African dinner under a star-studded sky. Experience an exciting spotlight safari discovering the nocturnal animals of the wild before returning to your hotel.
INTERPRETIVE BUSH WALK & SAFARIS (DRIVE & WALK)
HALF-DAY (Breakfast Included) - DEPARTS: Daily on Request at 04h30
Guests are transferred from the Sabi Sands to the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. Tea and coffee is served before departing at 06h00 for your walk. The ranger will introduce clients to a number of skills including tracking, and plant, bird and animal identification. The walk normally lasts for 2 hours, before clients are picked up for the last part of the morning for an open vehicle game drive.
HORSE TRAILS AND ADVENTURES
HALF-DAY - DEPARTS: As required at 08h30 and 14h30
As an alternative to a walking trail, why not experience the thrill of game viewing on horseback! We take you into a local reserve where you can encounter a whole host of animal species including giraffe, zebra, hippos and wildebeest.
SHANGANA CULTURAL VILLAGE EVENING TOUR
EVENING (Dinner Included) - DEPARTS: Thur and Sun at 17h30
Venture back in time and spend an en-lightening evening with the Valleys original inhabitants, the Shangaan. The Village, situated high in the Sabie River Valley offers a fascinating insight into early tribal life and culture. The highlight of the visit is the display of traditional song and dance accompanied by a Royal Feast.