nearby game lodge from Johannesburg
 

Just made last minute reservations for a 20 day trip to SA with Grand Circle Travel, leaving on Nov 9th. On some of their dates you could do a 5 day pretrip option to Entabeni Game Reserve but it is not availablefor this date. I would like to try to do a lodge or game reserve for 2 days before joining the tour. We will be doing some game drives in addition to other experiences, our itinerary:

Johannesburg • Kruger National Park • Swaziland • Hluhluwe • George • Stellenbosch • Cape Town

Would something like this be feasible for such a short time and such last minute?
Thanks for any thoughts.

Karen

You could go to Pilanesberg, about 2 hours fom Joburg. Hire a car and drive yourself or get a transfer.

Can you meet up with the tour in Kruger? I’d add time in Kruger because that tour does very limited game drives (very limited). Contact the tour co to see if it’s possible. Then just stay at one of the many private reserve lodges and arrange a transfer to the tour hotel after your lodge. Availability will be limited but if you share a budget, we can help with options.

Entabeni is fun but not nearly as good as any of the Kruger lodges for wildlife. No, it won’t be too long in Kruger. Promise. :)

If not, maybe Pilanesberg or head to Entabeni on your own. It’s about 3-4 hours north of JNB on almost all excellent highway. Entabeni has availability at Lakeside and Ravenside lodges but not at Wildside which is where most groups stay. A little nicer but not a lot more expensive.

But try for Kruger!

Thank you so much for the responses!!!My 48yr old younger son is accompanying me so I would not be subjected to any single supplement.

When my father passed I used some money I received to take husband and my two sons to Tanzania, gorilla trek in Rawanda and one day in Nairobi in 2008.

Really want to do more safari time but this trip covered varied experiences, also it was a Last Minuet Trip, originally $3295 on sale for $1795!!!

This will be my 12th trip with GCT/OAT and hubby and I love them.
Airfare on my own direct from JFK is $960, so entire trip from Nov 10 arrival to Nov 29 departure is only $2795.

I do want to experience Johannesburg though but am sure GCT wouldn't care if we joined them in Kruger. Here is link to trip:

https://www.gct.com/trips/land-tours...17/itineraries

Should I contact someone in Johannesburg to find available lodgings or do it myself?

At my age I feel more comfortable with a group in case I break a hip and someone will get me to hospital but once I get to where we are going I like to go off on my own frequently.

I don't think we can overdo game drives and with the savings realized with this trip I wanted to try for more on my own.

I think budget would be around $300 per night,per couple if possible or am I dreaming?

Thanks again!

Karen

Get travel medical insurance any time you leave the country. Then you have cover and evac ins in case you “break a hip”. Your son is with you, so don’t worry. I use GeoBlue and get the $1,000,000 cover, no deductible. For 2 of us in our 50’s, it’s less than $100. We NEVER leave home without it. Check www.insuremytrip.com for more options. For just medical ins, put $0 in the trip cost box.

You can experience Johannesburg. The HopOn HopOff bus with Soweto is a perfect overview of the historic city. Easy to do on your own at the front end or the last day before your evening flight home.

Yes, you’re dreaming for under $300 per couple per night at a lodge. At this late date, few lodges have availability. Check nDzuti, Africa on Foot, nThambo, Umlani, Shindzela. There are others but few affordable ones. Maybe the lodges in Balule?

If you might be into it, you could easily just fly to Skukuza, check availability at Skukuza rest camp, rent a car and do your own game drives in Kruger. Tons of fun and very inexpensive! We go out dawn to dusk, add a bush walk or evening ranger led game drive, eat in the restaurants or shop in the camp stores to have a braai (bbq) out in the bush. It's not as difficult as you might think. And the best value of anywhere I’ve ever been! So fun!

See www.sanparks.org for info and availability. Get accommodations with a bathroom and kitchenette/utensils included. Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Berg en Dal, Pretoriaskop are convenient main rest camps (they have restaurants and shops, even pools) and great wildlife viewing.

My previous reply was never submitted. Here is where I am at.(posted also on other site)

Found this place with availability in the guest house with 2 bedrooms on the 10 and 11. My son is joining me in JFK from a 6:30am flight from North Carolina for a 10:30am direct 14h flight to Johannesburg. We would then have to fly to Phalaborwa airport and shuttle to Casaert where we have to checkin after 2pm, Seems like we would be exhausted by then to enjoy the evening game drive. http://www.casartgamelodge.com/

From Casart we could either go to Masodini https://www.masodini.co.za/ on the 12 and 13 then join tour at Nkambeni on 14th, meaning not seeing Johannesburg at all, or eliminate Masodini going back to Johannesburg to join tour from Casart on the 12th. Or eliminate Casart giving us time to acclimate and also see Johannesburg.

I can't decide if the different areas of game drives would ensure better sightings, my main reason going back to Africa is to see the animals, or if I don't want to miss seeing Johannesburg. I have had problems making decisions in the past so it would help getting your opinion.

Thank you.

Karen