This trip was booked 3 times before it finally happened thanks to the pandemic and border closures etc. Alice from Discover Africa was with us for the entire 3 years – from planning, cancelling, and rebooking. She stayed in touch and communicated with us regularly during the entire 3 years. Her insights and suggestions helped make this trip one that will be very difficult to top.

In terms of the actual holiday … Words fail me! Someone was watching out for us because we had multiple sightings of the Big 5, Magnificent 7 and Super 8 plus all of the other animals – small (mouse) to big (elephant). Pretty special when you consider that includes two sightings of Wild Dogs when there are only circa 400 in total in Kruger! I appreciate that’s completely outside of anyone’s control but worth mentioning. Going in September meant that the bush wasn’t at full height, so we were able to see the animals.

The lodges were great – Thornybush and Jock’s Safari Lodge They were luxurious without being pretentious. We were well taken care of and well fed! Gallo Manor Lodge in Johannesburg was very comfortable, and we were well taken care of again – the Director, Angel, chauffeured us to and from the golf course which was unexpected and very kind.

This holiday combined golf with safaris. The golf was good too. Hans Merensky course is well laid out and an interesting course to play. It does need some investment (as well as the hotel). Leopard Creek was an experience! Old world golf club and an interesting course (unfortunately we didn’t see any wildlife like we did at Han Merensky). We really enjoyed the Rocklands Course at the Johannesburg Country Club and had a lovely meal afterwards looking over the course.

Thanks to Alice at Discover Africa for putting this holiday together for us.

Michelle travelled to South Africa in October

The trip included: Thornybush Game Reserve Kruger National Park Johannesburg Big Five Safaris in Africa Luxury Safaris in Africa Walking Safaris in the Kruger National Park Thornybush Game Lodge Jock Safari Lodge