On arrival in Johannesburg, after clearing customs and immigration, collect your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall. Here you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative who will assist you to your scheduled charter flight to Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge where you will stay for three nights. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon activity.,

Enjoy two full days of game viewing activities at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge.

An early morning call from the Ranger will wake you before first light, while the kitchen brews hot coffee or tea, and prepares cool fruit juices with a muffin, rusk or other freshly made delicacy. So begins the morning safari.

The bush is already alive, the air filled with birdsong as the rising sunlight dances off beads of dew on spiders’ webs. Nobody, not even the tracker who can read the bushveld like a book, knows what’s in store. He will watch the road for spoor, leaning forward intently to find any print left by a predator during its hunt in the dark. There may be hushed discussions in Shangaan between Ranger and Tracker, and brief radio interactions from one vehicle to another. Sharing information ensures that the occupants of each Land Rover have the best chance of a wide range of sightings during their drives – and also ensures control and responsible behaviour as the vehicles move in close to the animals.

Renowned for luxury experiences, Sabi Sabi isn’t all about phenomenal game drives and exceptional dining. Opportunities for education and adventure are definitely on the cards for those interested and energetic. On the morning safari walk you can be part of a small group that sets out on foot after breakfast. The walk is an opportunity to feel the pulse of Africa through the soles of your feet and experience the bushveld at close quarters.

Sabi Sabi boasts approximately 350 different species of birds, a paradise for birdwatchers. Raptors are plentiful, including 11 species of owl, the seldom seen cuckoo hawk and rare bat hawk. There is an endless diversity of trees, shrubs and flowering plants, and whatever the time of year, no two walks are ever the same.

Evening falls and you prepare for the night safari. As the fierce heat of the day cools, the inhabitants of the bush become restless, and the animals move out of the shade of the trees. The call of the crested francolin reverberates through the bushveld and birds increase the volume of their song. You will be aware of colors softening to the beautiful, gentle hues that vary with each season. New scents fill the air and as the sun dips behind the horizon your Ranger will choose a spot where you can stretch your legs and enjoy sundowners alongside the vehicle. Watch in awe as the sky turns to the sensational vibrant reds, golds and oranges typical of an African sunset. There is a lull as the animals sense the transition into a time of increased danger. It is during evening safaris that the nocturnal hunters start stirring, and their prey needs to be alert for survival through the night.

During your safari you may be lucky enough to watch lions prepare for their evening hunt. Their long bodies stretch to ease muscles cramped from lying in the shade during the day; sinews are lengthened and claws sharpened against a tree; the vegetation is marked with scent, and the wind checked for smells; only then do they set off in a slow, loose-jointed, arrogant amble. There are numerous nocturnal hunters and on your evening safari, with the help of a spotlight, a leopard’s eyes may reflect back from a nearby tree. Or you may be lucky enough to spot another smaller predator, a genet, African civet or African wild cat. One can come across scenes at night that become etched in memory: elephants moving heavily but silently in the moonlight; the incredible flying leaps of bushbabies from treetop to treetop, and the red shine from a lion’s eyes as it looks up from its kill. A Sabi Sabi evening safari will never be forgotten.

After breakfast and a morning activity you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Johannesburg. Connect with your scheduled charter flight to Mateya Safari Lodge where you will stay for four nights. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game activity.

Enjoy three days of activities at Mateya Safari Lodge. Experience the thrill of encountering the Super 7 – elephant, White and Black rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and Wild dog, in addition to which the Madikwe Game Reserve boasts among the best array of plains game on the continent, and over 250 species of birds. Accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers, you can venture on morning afternoon and night game drives in custom-built 4×4 vehicles, or track on guided walking safaris through the reserve.

Tackling the African bush in 4×4 game drive vehicles offers you the thrill of getting close to game and tracking over vast distances. With a maximum of four guests per drive each guest is assured the personal care and attention of our rangers who will introduce you to the intricate and wonderful features of the reserve. Mateya’s vehicles are equipped with binoculars, shade cover and side flaps offering protection against wind and rain and comfy warm blankets in case of cold weather.

The Xoi San (Bushmen) of the Kalahari were considered to be masters in the art of tracking. Specialist rangers and trackers at Mateya offer you a similar experience, opening the door onto a unique wildlife encounter. You will have the pleasure and thrill of viewing animals close up, as well as have a better understanding of how nature works in perfect harmony to sustain the delicate ecosystem that continues to thrive at Mateya. The rangers will also enlighten you with the cultural heritage of tracking, as passed down over the centuries through the rich aural tradition of African Folk Lore.

Experts on the natural intricacies of the Madikwe Game Reserve, the rangers and trackers reveal to you, a world rich in ecological and cultural history, opening your mind to a truly unique and fascinating safari experience.

Each excursion will be planned around your specific interests, thereby ensuring you enjoy the full value of fulfilling your ideal safari experience.

Between activities, the lodge’s health therapist is on hand to offer a complete range of full body relaxation therapies, enjoyed in the comfort of your own suite (additional charge). You can also stroll one of the world’s finest collections of African art, embodying the spirit of the continent and reflecting a plethora of cultures an artistic traditions.

After breakfast and a morning activity you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Johannesburg Connect with your onward flight arrangements (not included).