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gathering at a watering hole in pafuri
Love Safari, but want to escape the hoards that swarm at the very sniff of big game? It’s time to head into the wilderness: South Africa’s most remote wilderness in fact. Start off camping in the wild to get up close to some rare animals, and then head for luxury in the Sabi Sands: the ultimate way to see the Big 5.
a new style of safari
In the extreme northeast of South Africa, bordering Zimbabwe and Mozambique, lies the Kruger National Park, in the north of which sits Pafuri, a park of extremes. Think stunning mountains, deep chasms and gorges, gigantic Fever Trees, vast savannah, little streams and huge rivers. With such amazing landscapes and excellent wildlife (we’re talking far more diverse than just the Big 5), we’re surprised Pafuri isn’t swamped.
From Johannesburg, hop into a 4×4 to Pafuri, where you have a choice of accomodation: lodge comfort or tented camp adventure.
camp or indulge: the choice is yours
a baboon in pafuri
The east African style tented suites at the main Pafuri Lodge are rustic, comfortable and beautifully decorated, with colourful fabrics made by local craftspeople and natural wooden floors. Sit back on your private decking, and you can literally watch Buffalo and Nyala drinking at their nearby watering hole. Spend your days on open-top 4×4 drives, ogling at hippos, elephants, lions, leopards and antelopes, and take a night drive for rare, nocturnal and camera shy creatures. Walking tours are ideal for bird-spotting; Pafuri is an ornithologist’s dream, with a hugely rich range of bird-life, including the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl.
And for the next intrepid step, why not do something unique on safari? Forego Pafuri Lodge and take to the Pafuri Walking Trail for an amazing 3 night adventure in the wilderness. Sleep in comfortable domed tents, and spend your days exploring this magnificent area on foot. This is, without a doubt, the best way to wildlife-spot on safari. You’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the shy Yellow Spotted Rock Hyrax and maybe Sharpe’s Grysbok, earning you outstanding bragging rights back home.
safari-luxe at it’s best
only the best at the sabi sands reserve
Next, leave Pafuri and transfer to the super luxurious Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. Sabi Sands is universally held to be one of the best areas for game viewing in the world, and fondly known as ‘leopard country’. The big five live here in abundance and Sabi Sands contains several rivers, meaning this area contains the highest and most diverse wildlife population in Africa. Think lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, impala, antelopes, and you’ve only scratched the surface.
You will be sleeping in the lap of luxury in Leadwood Lodge, a secluded camp with just 4 lavish suites for an intimate experience. Take game drives and bush walks with the most knowledgeable and charming guides imaginable by day, and by night become an armchair animal enthusiast: snuggle up in front of your private fireplace and watch the nocturnal wildlife pass by your window. Bliss.
For a taste of intrepid with a splash of luxury, not forgetting the Big Five and much, much more, what more could you want on your safari experience?
