Itinerary
Day 1 – Johannesburg / Cape Town → Umbabat Private Nature Reserve
Your safari begins with a scheduled transfer from Johannesburg or Hoedspruit Airport into the wildlife-rich Umbabat Private Nature Reserve.
Arrive at your luxury lodge (or upgraded stay at Simbavati River Lodge) and enjoy a welcome drink while settling into your elegant suite overlooking the river or bushveld.
Afternoon Game Drive
Your first open-vehicle safari begins mid-afternoon. Umbabat is renowned for:
• Leopard sightings (a regional hotspot)
• Lion prides
• Elephants & buffalo
• Giraffe, zebra, kudu & abundant plains game
Return to the lodge for a gourmet boma dinner under the stars.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Luxury Umbabat Lodge / Simbavati River Lodge (upgrade)
Day 2 – Morning Safari, Bush Walk & Sunset Game Drive
Early Morning Game Drive
Depart before sunrise for prime predator activity. Expect lions on the move, leopards returning from night hunts, and hyenas finishing their patrols.
Breakfast & Relaxation
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by relaxation at the lodge:
• Swimming pool
• Viewing decks
• Optional spa treatments (lodge dependent)
Optional Guided Bush Walk
Join professional walking guides to experience the bush on foot and learn about:
• Animal tracks & signs
• Birds, insects & plant life
• Traditional medicinal uses of flora
• Close-up wilderness awareness
Afternoon Game Drive
Search for elephants at waterholes, plains game, and seasonal wild dogs before returning for a romantic or fireside dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Luxury Umbabat Lodge / Simbavati River Lodge (upgrade)
Day 3 – Full-Day Big Five Safari Experience
Begin with a sunrise game drive exploring deeper areas of Umbabat’s pristine wilderness.
Possible sightings include:
• Leopards resting in trees
• Elephants bathing in riverbeds
• Lion prides on patrol
• Rich birdlife & photographic scenes
Midday at Leisure
Perfect time for:
• Poolside relaxation
• Spa treatments
• Reading or photography from your private deck
Sunset Safari
Your afternoon drive offers golden light, dramatic scenery, and heightened predator activity.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Luxury Umbabat Lodge / Simbavati River Lodge (upgrade)
Day 4 – Exploring Umbabat & Timbavati Ecosystems
Spend the day exploring the interconnected Umbabat and Timbavati regions (subject to wildlife movement).
Morning Game Drive
Track elusive predators with experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers, renowned for their tracking skills.
Lodge Leisure & Optional Experiences
- Bush breakfasts
• Private dining
• Photographic sessions
• Optional spa treatments
Afternoon Game Drive
Another chance for intimate Big Five encounters in an uncrowded, private reserve.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Luxury Umbabat Lodge / Simbavati River Lodge (upgrade)
Day 5 – Sunrise Game Drive & Departure
Enjoy your final sunrise safari, followed by breakfast at the lodge.
After check-out, transfer to:
• Johannesburg
• Hoedspruit Airport
• Or onward to another Greater Kruger lodge
Meals: Breakfast
End of Safari
