This exclusive Big 5 Safari is based on 4 people (adults) travelling together. The 7 day journey includes accommodation in private villas, 3 nights at Thornybush Kamara House and 3 nights at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge Amber Villa. You will get your own private vehicle at the lodges to customized your safari experience. This is a great way to travel with special friends and/or family, to celebrate an occasion, time to bond and let yourself be pampered while you get the opportunity to see some of the best game viewing in South Africa.
** The safari is based on 4 adults travelling **
Private Villa Big 5 Safari in Thornybush and Sabi Sand Video
The trip starts at Johannesburg OR Tambo where you take the flight to Hoedspruit. On arrival you are met by the lodge for the short transfer into camp. Your safari is starting at the special Thornybush Game Reserve and you check in at the Kamara House, your private villa for the next 3 nights.
Chat to your guide in order to scheduled your game drives, as per your preferences. With a steady stream of the Big Five roaming freely under the vast skies of the Greater Kruger Park, you will enjoy thrilling sightings of these iconic animals. From giraffes and zebra, hippos, hyenas, wild dogs, antelope and hundreds of bird species, to name a few, the diversity of wildlife in this area is astounding.
You’ll get close to them all with your expert guide-and-tracker team, who has a deep understanding of the bush and an inherent knack for finding the action. Your meals are all included on a private basis, all local drinks are also included. Seat back and relax, experience spectacular game viewing, eat delicious food and spend some time to relax at the lodge with a book by the pool.
You’ll wake with the birds and feel the sun warm the earth, and sleep to the sounds of nature as the night sky dances silently with the stars.
Includes & Excludes
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Drinks: (Local Brands) Included
Activities: Included
Transport: Included
Day 4-6
Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
After breakfast, you are met for the road transfer to the Sabi Sands, this drive takes about 4-5 hours and...
After breakfast, you are met for the road transfer to the Sabi Sands, this drive takes about 4-5 hours and you will arrive at the lodge on time for a late lunch. Alternatively you can fly hop from lodge to lodge (additional cost).
Arrive at Earth Lodge and the warm welcome of the magnificent Amber Villa, reflecting both privacy and space. The 2-bedroom villa boasts an expansive master bedroom with elegant en-suite bathroom, dressing room and a private fitness area. The second bedroom comfortably accommodates two people and also has a dressing and vanity area. Leading from the sizeable living area is a terrace lounge complete with oversized couches and leather hanging sling chairs. The private plunge pool adds the finishing sparkling touch. You will have your own private vehicle and guide for some of the most rewarding game viewing in the Sabi Sands and enjoy the most delicious meals prepared by the local chef. Dine under the stars, in the award-winning wine cellar or the privacy of your suite, the choice is yours.
You will have the best chance to view the Big 5, you will get very close to animals and fully appreciate the magnitude of their beauty. The height of a giraffe lumbering past the game vehicle, the whump of an elephant fanning its ears, or the earthy scent of a hyena den are experiences one never forgets.
Includes & Excludes
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Drinks: (Local Brands) Included
Activities: Included
Transport: Included
Day 7
End Of Itinerary
Today is the last day on safari, enjoy breakfast at the lodge before the transfer to the airstrip and the...
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Day 7
End Of Itinerary
Today is the last day on safari, enjoy breakfast at the lodge before the transfer to the airstrip and the scheduled charter flight to Johannesburg OR Tambo. Time at leisure until your own onward flight or contact us to extend your trip. You can combine this safari with a stay in Cape Town and the Winelands, or fly to Mozambique for some beach time, for example.
Travel with Confidence
With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you choose the perfect African safari for your adventure.
FAQs about Private Villa Big 5 Safari in Thornybush and Sabi Sand
Light, neutral-colored clothes are recommended
Bring layers and pack smartly
A rain jacket that is both light and waterproof
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and lip balm are all good options for UV protection
Walking shoes that are both comfortable and stylish
Binoculars, camera, lenses, extra batteries, and memory card
A medical kit for personal use
If you are planning on visiting South Africa, you may hear that South Africa is a beautiful country and that it is the most developed country in Africa. South Africa is big and if you stick to the main cities of South Africa it is safe to travel.
A Safari in South Africa is a popular choice for wildlife enthusiasts. All major safari animals can easily be seen at any of South Africa's National Parks.
The scenic KwaZulu-Natal parks are best for seeing rhino
Kruger National Park offers excellent general wildlife viewing
The main attraction in Sabi Sand is seeing the Big Five and it is well-known for its habituated leopards
Safari lodges have guest rooms similar to a hotel with en-suite bathrooms. They are comfortably furnished with facilities normally associated with a hotel rooms, except your rooms are normally set in beautiful wilderness settings, with nature and wildlife around.
Tented lodges have rooms which are tents on a platform and with a roof and also have en-suite facilities with showers, flush toilets and hot water. Basically all the amenities of a hotel room, except canvas walls and roof.
The boutique lodges and camps can be very stylish and smart in terms of design and decor, often with very spacious rooms and even going so far in some cases as having plunge pools for each room.
Eco-camps and smaller tented camps have insect-proof tents with en-suite facilities including a safari shower and flush toilet. They give a more authentic safari experience but the tents are comfortably furnished with proper beds and you don’t need to bring your own sleeping bag! The emphasis is usually on having excellent guides and great wildlife viewing away from the crowds. Guests often eat together and people travelling alone usually say that they found the atmosphere friendly and enjoyed meeting other like-minded travellers around the campfire in the evening or at dinner.
The Adventure Camps are a budget option with guests bringing their own sleeping bags and towels. Accommodation is in small dome tented with a mattress on the floor. Each tent has its own nearby cubicle with a flush toilet, safari shower, and wash basin. The Adventure Camps are suitable only for those who don’t mind “real camping” and can put with some degree of “roughing it”. Apart from the accommodation in simple dome tents, the meals and the guiding are the same standards as the higher quality camps and game drives are in 4x4 safari vehicles. For those on a limited budget, the Adventure Camps are a good alternative to the big tourist lodges and minibus tours for those for whom the safari experience is more important than hotel accommodation.
Most lodges and hotels will have safes for your valuables either in your room or at the reception.
The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). There are numerous currency exchange outlets and the main credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners) are normally accepted everywhere.
Most petrol stations and toll roads take credit cards, but always have a small amount of cash on you for tips etc. Numerous ATMs can be found in all the big towns.
GMT +2
No vaccination is mandatory for entering South Africa except for yellow fever for passengers arriving from areas affected by the disease.
The best time to visit Royal Natal National Park is during the summer rainfall season of March to April.
The term ‘Big Five’ refers to five of Africa’s greatest wild animals namely; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino - Originally coined only by hunters. Hunters ranked African animals as to how dangerous they were to hunt, the Big Five were the most difficult animals to hunt on foot in Africa to the degree of danger involved.
It's important to take activities into account instead of weather when planning a South African holiday. If you're planning on going on safari, it's best to visit during the dry winter months of May to October. Game viewing is outstanding during this period as the foliage is much less and wildlife will congregate around waterholes in order to stay hydrated. If you want to spend some time relaxing on one of South Africa's sun-kissed beaches, then a visit during the hot summer months of November to March is ideal.