9 Days Of Romantic Kruger & Zimbabwe

Overview

This ultra-romantic, luxurious Big 5 safari to South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Zimbabwe’s hidden Malilangwe region offers the ultimate African journey or honeymoon. Immerse yourself in fine dining and exceptional settings, while enjoying an exclusive and personalised safari experience that promises to leave you with unforgettable memories.

Your adventure begins in the renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve in Kruger, celebrated for its exceptional leopard sightings and frequent encounters with the Big 5. A night in Johannesburg follows, giving you the chance to explore the vibrant city or enjoy a quiet evening in, complete with dinner at the hotel’s Chaîne des Rôtisseurs restaurant. Your final destination takes you to the untouched Malilangwe Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, where you’ll be captivated by the pristine landscapes, warm hospitality, and thrilling wildlife encounters.

Over the course of this 9-day journey, you’ll stay at luxurious accommodations and be hosted by some of the finest names in the safari industry. The hotel in Johannesburg is where Nelson Mandela lived while writing his memoirs. With air transfers throughout, you’ll have more time to focus on the wildlife and enjoy seamless travel between locations.

Highlights & Activities

• Ultra-luxurious accommodations and fine dining
• Exclusive, private safari experience
• Air transfers throughout
• Track the Big 5, including wild dogs
• Explore the famous Sabi Sands
• Discover an undiscovered part of Zimbabwe

Day 1-4: Exclusive Safari in Kruger National Park

Your journey begins at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where you’ll board a shared light aircraft for a scenic flight to the Singita Airstrip. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to the stunning Singita Ebony Lodge, your home for the next three nights.

Nestled in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Ebony Lodge offers an unparalleled safari experience. Sabi Sands is renowned as the birthplace of the luxury safari, ensuring exclusive game viewing with no crowds, exceptional service, and indulgent pampering. Here, spotting the Big 5 in a single day is a common occurrence, and the reserve is teeming with diverse wildlife, including hyenas, hippos, cheetahs, wild dogs, and numerous antelope species.

Mornings start early with thrilling safaris at dawn, when animals are most active, followed by romantic picnic breakfasts in scenic spots. During the midday heat, unwind by your private plunge pool, enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment, or explore the boutique and art gallery. After a relaxing break, venture back out on a 4×4 safari in the cooler afternoon, or take a night drive to witness nocturnal creatures in action. Evenings culminate with intimate candlelit dinners in the lodge’s elegant gold-and-black dining room, offering an unforgettable end to each day.

Day 4-5: Explore Johannesburg

Bid farewell to the Kruger and the Sabi Sands as you board a shared light aircraft flight back to Johannesburg, landing at OR Tambo International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be privately transferred by SUV to the prestigious Sandhurst neighborhood, where you will spend the night at the luxurious Saxon Hotel Villas & Spa – one of Johannesburg’s most exclusive and indulgent accommodations.

The Saxon has long been a favorite of prominent figures, including the late former president Nelson Mandela, who famously wrote his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom here. Your elegant and serene suite provides a peaceful retreat in one of Africa’s most vibrant cities. As a member of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, The Saxon is renowned for its culinary excellence, with fine dining restaurants that represent the pinnacle of South African gastronomy. In addition to a whiskey bar, several expansive swimming pools, and a state-of-the-art gym, the hotel offers a world-class spa for ultimate relaxation.

The lobby, adorned with a striking ostrich-egg chandelier, sets the tone for the rest of the hotel, where warm wheat and gold tones are complemented by a collection of original art and sculptures. The Saxon offers a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere, the perfect place to unwind before continuing your safari adventure.

Day 5-9: The Magic of Malilangwe

A private SUV will transfer you back to the airport for your direct flight to Buffalo Range International Airport in Zimbabwe. From there, a road transfer will take you to Singita Pamushana, nestled within the 100,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. Pamushana offers more than just luxury; as you enter the main lodge, you’re greeted by the sight of a stunning infinity pool overlooking Malilangwe Lake. The viewing deck offers a panoramic view of the unspoiled landscape, featuring mountains, rocky outcrops, ancient baobab trees, and vast acacia woodlands that create a profound sense of peace.

The Malilangwe region is rich with wildlife, including rare roan and sable antelope, as well as endangered black rhino. There’s an excellent chance to spot the Big 5, and for bird enthusiasts, the area is home to 14 species of African raptors. Safari activities include morning, afternoon, and night game drives, with opportunities to track a white rhino on foot. The lodge’s exclusive setting ensures that sightings are never rushed or timed, allowing you to leisurely follow a leopard through the bush if you wish.

Additional experiences include a tour of ancient 2,000-year-old San rock art, as well as visits to a nearby 9-hole golf course. After four nights at Pamushana, your Southern African safari comes to a close. You’ll be transferred back to Buffalo Range International Airport for your return flight to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where you can make onward travel arrangements.