joylucktravels

Does anyone know of good, inexpensive safaris near Jo'Burg? I might have jumped the gun in buying a ticket there and I have no idea where to go for safaris.

Right now, the itinerary is Capetown from 4/7-12 (we have friends who live there) and then Jo'Burg from 4/12-16 (this is where we have nothing planned!).

I shouldn't have locked myself into 4 nights in Jo'Burg but now we have to find a cheap enough safari who will take us!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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jeroenvm

The best option is to rent a car and drive the 2-3 hours north to Pilanesberg for 2 nights there (check the Golden Leopard Resort site, the chalets at Bakgatla camp are quite good). Then simply drive yourself around or book yourself on a daytrip with local operators for guidance. Cheap, nearby and a beautiful park with a good chance of seeing interesting animals.

Safari_Craig

What do you mean by cheap? What is your total budget or per person per day budget?

There is always Pilanesburg. If not, several companies run daily van shuttles to Hazyview from where you can go on cheap day safaris into the Kruger. Or you can fly from JNB to Nelspruit/MQP and rent a car and self drive in the Kruger?

For about $1800-$6000 total per person for three days you could fly round trip from JNB to several different lodges in the Sabi Sands.
$ Arathusa, Cheetah Plains, Elephant Plains
$$ MalaMala Main, Lion Sands River
$$$ Londolozi, MalaMala Rattrays, Lion Sands Ivory
$$$$ Singita, Londolozi private granite.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

euryscape

Contact Liese or Roger at Safari Lodge Shuttle - http://www.safarilodgeshuttle.co.za/ - they have packages and will arrange a custom trip for you. Their rates are very competitive and their customer service is outstanding. Tell them Cyndi Fleming and Eddie Alton referred you. Enjoy your trip!

pixelpower

For a "big 5" safari, with at least a good chance to see those same big 5, and while not paying too much, there are only so many options.

Basically, you could either go North from Jo'Burg and end up in Waterberg region & surroundings. There's quite a few reserves there, with all types of accomodations, but not a lot can offer the big five. At least not with a good chance to see them.

One place that comes to mind is Entabeni GR. There's also a ranger training center there. You'll certainly see a lot, but leopards are skittish and they only have place for one pride of lions. I'm not telling you this so you should dismiss the place, I'm just trying to show what you can expect as this is one of the bigger reserves in that area.

You'll have a bit (to a lot) more chance for a "big 5" safari if you go East of Jo'Berg. There's quite a few game reserves around Kruger that contain lodges who offer that experience. In general, reserves like Balule, Klaserie and Manyeleti are less expensive than Timbavati and certainly Sabi Sands. However, every reserve has exceptions to that rule.

But then there's two downsides as well;
- it's further away. You can cover that distance by a local flight, or you can rent a car and visit sites along the way (drakensberge, Blyde rivier canyon, the potholes, ...). I don't know what's the cheaper option as I always fly (having visited that drakensberge area with a tour, I don't see the point to do it again).
- it will be a bit more expensive. But I compiled a list of lodges that offer affordable safaris in the aforementioned reserves. Just look for it on this board.

A last tip; if you decide to drive, some drakensberge-lodges and lodges-in the-reserves-near-Kruger have combo-deals.

Success!

J.