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Balule River Lodge & Zanzibar

Enjoy a real safari adventure in South Africa at Balule River Lodge combined with a relaxing beach holiday on the paradise island of Zanzibar, which is famous for its outstanding beaches.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Stay next to the Olifant’s River in a camp regularly visited by elephants
  • Visit Kruger, South Africa’s most famous national park
  • Our own intimate Danish-run lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park
  • Experience the beautiful island of Zanzibar, a real natural paradise
  • The clear, turquoise seawater, gently lapping on the shore.
  • Lovely, palm fringed beaches next to the Indian Ocean

Here you can make your dream African safari a reality. Balule River Lodge lies in the Greater Kruger National Park - a game reserve nearly the size of Wales! Your safari here will include both game-drives and a walking safari, and on top of this you can experience seeing many animals around the camp itself. Animals regularly wander through camp, close by your own terrace, where many of your incredible wildlife encounters may take place.

 

A fantastic combination of safari and beach holiday

The tour includes both a classic African safari and a lovely beach holiday next to some of the best beaches in the world. If you are the type that loves to swim and relax on the beach, then this tour to both Balule River Lodge and Zanzibar is just the thing for you!

Relaxing beach holiday on Zanzibar

After your visit to Balule River Lodge, this tour will take you on a relaxing beach holiday on the island of Zanzibar. The island lies in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, and has the most incredible beaches, protected by colourful coral reefs. There are many thing to do and see on the island, and very hospitable local people.

You could visit one of the many exotic spice plantations, which the island is famous for, or explore historic Stone Town, the centre of the island’s capital. You will also have the chance to swim with wild dolphins, or go for a walk in a beautiful tropical forest that is home to rare monkeys. Zanzibar can offer a wealth of exciting cultural and natural adventures!

Day to day programme

 

DAY 1: EUROPE - JOHANNESBURG

Depart from Europe in the afternoon on your overnight flight to South Africa

DAY 2: JOHANNESBURG - BALULE RIVER CAMP

Your flight will land in Johannesburg early in the morning. After a wait of a few hours you will fly to a regional airport, either Phalaborwa or Hoedspruit, close to Kruger National Park.

Here you will be greeted by one of Balule’s guides who will drive you to the camp. You will be welcomed in camp by a delicious lunch. There will be an information meeting then you can relax in your new surroundings.

DAY 3: GAMEDRIVES IN BALULE NATURE RESERVE

Saturday will include two game drives in an open safari vehicle in Balule Nature Reserve: a morning game drive at 06.00 and an afternoon game drive at 15.30.

Hopefully we will be able to spot zebras, gnu, elephants, giraffes, lions, warthogs, impalas, monkeys, rhinos etc., but as always the case with wild animals, there is no way of predicting what you will actually see. But one thing is absolutely certain: a safari like this is a unique experience, constantly following the animals, their tracks and their smells.

During the afternoon game drive we will make a stop in the bush to watch the sunset. Here we will be served a classic “sundowner”, while we enjoy the fantastic sights, sounds and smells of the bush and its fauna and flora, before we return to camp where dinner will be waiting for us.

DAY 4: GAME DRIVE IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Before sunrise, a light breakfast will be served in camp, then after an hour’s drive we will reach the state-owned part of Kruger National Park - just as the sun rises.

The park is the largest and most impressive game reserve in South Africa, covering an area of around 20,000 square kilometers.

In Kruger there is the possibility of seeing Africa’s wildlife up close, including the “The Big Five” - a traditional term used to describe the most sought after hunting big game trophies: leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant. We will drive in an open safari vehicle, while searching for these animals our ranger will lead the way, he knows exactly what we will be able to see. He knows the watering holes, where the animals often come to drink, and the plains where many different animal species can usually be found.

During our tour we will make a stop in one of the park’s rest camps, where we will be served brunch, prepared by our rangers. Along the way we will also stop at a number of places to stretch our legs and eat lunch.

We will leave the park just before sunset and arrive back at Balule River Camp, where a delightful evening meal will be awaiting us.

DAY 5: RELAXING IN BALULE NATURE RESERVE & OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Enjoy a relaxing day in Balule River Camp, where you can lie and relax by the side of the pool or sit on your terrace and watch the animals that live close to the camp.

You can also choose to book one of the many extra tours you can buy here, for example a balloon safari, a Olifant’s River Cruise or a visit to the Shangaan Tribal Village.

DAY 6: GAME DRIVES IN BALULE NATURE RESERVE

On Tuesday we will again start with an early morning game drive in the camp’s open safari vehicles. We will look for animals in Balule Nature Reserve while the bush wakes up and the sun slowly rises higher and higher onto the sky.  In the afternoon there will also be a game drive in Balule Nature Reserve, where we will have a really good chance of seeing antelopes, giraffes, rhinos, monkeys and many other different animals.

Along the way we will stop to enjoy the sunset and the classic “sundowner” while we enjoy the fantastic sights, sounds and smells of the bush and its fauna and flora, before we return to camp where dinner will be waiting for us.

DAY 7: GAME DRIVE IN BALULE NATURE RESERVE + “BUSH BRAII”

Today it will again be possible to book one of the extra activities, for example, an extra safari, a river cruise or a flight in a hot air balloon.

In the afternoon there will be a game drive in Balule Nature Reserve.

If the weather is good, the afternoon drive will end with a traditional South African barbecue, a “bush braii” at the viewpoint known as Lion View. Here we will enjoy a delicious dinner under the starry African sky.

A wonderful atmosphere arises when the delicious smells of meat cooking on the grill begins to spread, the red wine is poured into your glass, and the waiters lay the table with candles and a white tablecloth. All to the sound of singing cicadas and lions roaring in the distance.

DAY 8: BUSHWALK AND GAME DRIVE IN BALULE NATURE RESERVE OR EXTRA ACTIVITIES

We start early in the day with a bushwalk. This type of safari is a wonderful experience, where you can really feel the intense presence of South Africa’s wildlife and get really close to the animals in their natural surroundings. On this activity, which will take place in Balule Nature Reserve, you can meet a selection of the animals that live in the South African Bush, for example, giraffe, warthog, impala, waterbuck, baboon, zebra, and - if you are lucky- elephant and hippo. You will naturally be led by an experienced guide, who knows the area and its animals. The guide will tell you about the animals, from the mammals to the insects, the vegetation, climate and much more.

The afternoon is at your own disposal. It is possible to book one of the extra activities or simply relax by the pool or in the lodge.

DAY 9: FRIDAY: BALULE RIVER CAMP - JOHANNESBURG

You will depart from Balule River Camp in the morning, and arrive in Johannesburg in the early afternoon.

Your flight to Zanzibar leaves on Saturday morning, therefore you will stay in an airport hotel close to O.R.Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

DAYS 10 - 17: ZANZIBAR

Depart from Johannesburg Saturday morning and arrive in Zanzibar during the afternoon, local time.

You will be met at Zanzibar’s airport and transferred to your hotel by car.

Arrival and check-in at your hotel, where the hospitable staff will be ready to welcome you.

7 full days on exotic Zanzibar, where you will have plenty of time to relax in your wonderful beach hotel, with its lovely palm fringed beaches, as well as explore this exciting island.

There are a multitude of activities and guided tours available on the island offering a wide range of both cultural and historic attractions and lovely nature.

Whether you stay at the hotel or explore the island, you are certain to meet the locals who are open, friendly and very helpful.

DAY 17: ZANZIBAR - EUROPE

Your fantastic holiday is drawing to an end, and after being taken from your hotel to the airport, it will be time for you to fly home.

Car transfer from the hotel to Zanzibar’s Airport.

Depart Zanzibar for Europe

DAY 18: ARRIVAL HOME

After catching a connecting flight (if necessary), today you will arrive back at your home airport.

Accommodation on the tour

 


Attractions on the tour

The Price Includes

  • Flights- N.Europe - Phalaborwa, Phalaborwa- Johannesburg, Johannesburg - Zanzibar, Zanzibar - N.Europe
  • Reception in Phalaborwa Airport and car transfers to Balule River Lodge
  • 7 nights in Balule River Lodge in a shared standard double room
  • Full board in Balule River Lodge, excluding drinks *
  • 2 morning game drives in Balule Nature Reserve, one finishing with a “champagne breakfast” in camp
  • Full day safari in Kruger National Park
  • 2 afternoon game drives in Balule Nature Reserve including a “sundowner” in the bush
  • Game drive in Balule Nature Reserve with “bush braii”
  • Bushwalk  in Balule Nature Reserve
  • One night in an airport hotel close to O.R.Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg
  • Return transfers ZanzibarAirport - hotel
  • 7 nights in Hodi Hodi*)
  • Full board

 

* Hodi Hodi is a Silver standard accommodation. It is also possible to choose a Gold- or Bronze standard accommodation. If you choose our Gold standard accommodation Ocean Paradise Resort, the tour will be somewhat more expensive, and if you choose our Bronze standard accommodation, the Langi Langi Beach Bungalows the tour will be cheaper. Phone or write to us for prices for Ocean Paradise Resort or Langi Langi Beach Bungalows

The Price Does NOT include

  • Beverages*
  • Gratuities
  • Travel/cancellation insurance
  • Extra excursions book on site
  • EU-Liability Insurance: EUR 10,- pr. person
  • Everything else not list under “The Price Includes”

 

* It is possible to purchase a drinks package, so that your holiday becomes All Inclusive. The drinks package costs Eur 265- per adult per week, and Eur 95- per child under 18 years of age. The drinks package includes the house wine, beer, soft drinks and locally produced spirits list on the bar card.

GOT ANY QUESTIONS?

Linda Bertelsen

Telephone 63 21 43 04

Ulla Fregerslev

Telephone 63 21 43 02