This world renowned game reserve offers diversity, beauty and the unrivalled experience of viewing Africa’s wildlife close-up – an experience of a lifetime.

Giraffe

It was in 1898, that the then-president Paul Kruger opened the Kruger National Park.  In order to ensure the survival of the remaining animals in the part,  the area between the Sabi River and the Crocodile River was under Nature Conservation due to hunters having decimated the bulk of the orignallly rich game in this region. In 1961 the exteneded Kruger National Park was fenced in.

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers 18,989 square kilometres (7,332 sq mi) and extends 360 kilometres (220 mi) from north to south and 65 kilometres (40 mi) from east to west.  The Kruger National Park has some of the highest concentrations of the Big Five in the world

The Kruger National Park has something to offer for everyone.   For the more budget conscious traveller – stay in the quaintRest Camps situated within the park itself.  These camps are owned by South Africa National Parks,  and are ideal for the traveller on a self drive itinerary in a hire vehicle.   Accommodation is offered on a self catering basis, however, there are restaurants on the grounds of each of these rest camps.   Explore the Kruger National Park at your own pace,  plotting your route on a daily basis.  Nothing beats the thrill of spotting a pride of Lions from the safety of your vehicle.

Kruger National Park Safari Inspirations

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge

The Private Safari and Game Lodges within the Kruger National Park and also situated in private concessions bordering the park are ideal for those who want to experience a safari in     style.

The better known concessions are The Sabi Sands Game Reserve, famous for it’s Leopard Sightings ,  The Timbavati Concession – famous for it’s White Lions and the Mala Mala            Concession.

There are no fences between these private concessions and the Kruger National Park, allowing the game to roam freely between the Kruger and these concessions, known as the    Greater Kruger National Park.

These game lodges vary from the elegant to the Super Luxurious and are fully inclusive of all your meals and game activities.

Experienced game rangers take you on early morning and evening safaris in open Safari vehicles.  Trackers accompany the rangers,   following tracks of lions and leopards with their keen eyes –  and spotting seemingly invisible signs of a recent kill and animal movements.

These game drives allow you to experience the thrill of being taken to mere feet from the big cats and the African Elephants –  quietly watch a pride of lions with their cubs or just enjoy the quiet and amazing beauty and sounds of the African Bush.   Experiences that will remain a highlight in your memory for a lifetime.

Walking Safaris are most certainly also a unique way of experiencing the African Bush.   Certainly for the more adventurous, but be guaranteed that this is the closest you will get to nature.

Silently walk through the bush with your armed ranger, learning about animal tracks ,  interesting facts about flora, fauna and bird life.  Track herds of Elephants , Rhino and buffalo and perhaps even leopard – what could be more exciting.

Your rangers are the best that there are – highly experienced in the ways of the bush and animal behavior – you are in safe hands and rest assured, you will return back home with exciting stories to tell.

For those travelers with time constraints,  flying in and out of the Kruger National Park is ideal, however, for those travelers with more time on their hands  – take a leisurely drive from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park, enjoying the beauty and breathtaking scenery of the areas surrounding the Kruger National Park –  well known as the Panoramic Route.   Adventure activities and amazing photographic opportunities await on this route – from massive canyons, hiking, fishing and history.  Well worth a trip  !!

Let our travel experts advise you on the best Safari and Safari Lodge for you and you alone.  Whether on Honeymoon, experiencing a safari for the first time, or travelling with your  children – we will advise you on the best lodge to suit you specific requirements.

Each lodge is unique and caters to different travelers tastes.   All the private game lodges are of a minimum of a superior standard to your luxury or super luxury – they all offer an  amazing Safari experience.

Have a look through our suggested Kruger Safari accommodation and let us tailor make your

Safari Dream!

A safari to the Kruger National Park is easily combined with a trip to Cape Town , Victoria Falls or The Garden Route.  We will put it all together for you allowing a streamlined and  stress free trip to our lovely country.

Contact us now for your personalised Safari quotation !

There can be no greater thrill than introducing your children to the wonder of the African Bush !

Family safaris allow parents to experience the look of wonder and excitement on their children’s faces as they lay eyes on a giraffe or an Elephant for the first time or make new friends in an African village. African Welcome Safaris promises a family safari of a lifetime.

Many of us at African Welcome Safaris have children and have travelled extensively with them on safari, so we really do know from ground level what works, and what does not, when it comes to planning a family safari.

We know which safari lodges are child friendly, and which lodges include fantastic children safari programs, ensuring that the entire family are involved in the safari experience. Africa is not just about the wildlife, but also about unique experiences to enrich your family holiday.

Key on family safaris is variety which is why we will suggest, that you combine your safaris with a visit to other areas, such as Cape Town or the Garden Route on your holiday. Even the most wildlife-crazed child will get bored sitting in a vehicle for days on end so we’ll put together an itinerary with a good mix of safari, cities and beaches,  with a range of different activities.  Most areas in South and Southern Africa are within easy reach of each other so it’s very simple to add on some time relaxing by the sea or similar, either pre or post-safari.

There are now many Private Safari lodges who accept children under the age of 12 years old, and these lodges provide family friendly accommodation, meals and activities.

Some lodges offer family units, which are more like a home away from home, a self-contained unit which is exclusive to your family. These lodges will tailor make your safari experience around your families requirements during your stay, allowing for flexiblity and creating your personal African Safari of a lifetime.

An African Safari makes a great family holiday – there is simply so much to do and see, to ensure each and every member of the family, from the adventurous to the timid, from the oldest to the youngest, will have a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.

Family Friendly Safari Accommodation 

Safari Lodges offering child friendly accommodation, not only provide family accommodation or inter-leading rooms, but also  offer a host of fascinating and entertaining activities for children , bringing alive the magic of an African safari.

The specially designed children’s safari programmes teach children to appreciate and preserve our planet. Every minute is supervised by rangers and camp staff, who provide hours of amusement and invaluable information to the children in their care.

The Junior ranger programmes offered by the lodges provide an array of activities for your younger ones, where your children can help the chef cook breakfast in the bush, and where the guides will play baseball with elephant dung balls bats made from sticks.

Rangers will take children on bush walks in safe areas pointing out animal tracks and show them how to identify different mammals, insects and birds.

A family safari experience in South Africa offers both young and old alike a fascinating opportunity to discover the finer details of the African bush in a fun and interactive way. Children can enjoy fun-filled safari days in the company of their ranger or guide, filled with special game drives just for them, fishing trips, baking, birding, tracking and pod and seed collecting.

Where to go for a Family Safari ? 

The Kruger National Park remains a first choice for a family safari in South Africa.  This area offers a huge choice of family friendly accommodation and safaris, and being the largest game reserve in South Africa, your whole family will experience exceptional Game Viewing.

The Kruger National Park is a Malaria area, and if you prefer to not take young children into a Malaria area, then we would suggest a safari in one of the Malaria-free areas in South Africa, such as Madikwe Game Reserve or the Eastern Cape.   That being said, don’t let the fact that the Kruger is a Malaria area put you off this amazing safari option.  A mere tablet will protect you against Malaria, and as long as you take precautions such as using insect repellant and wearing long sleeve clothing in the evening – you will be fine.

Remember also that not all Mosquito’s carry Malaria, and if you go on Safari in our Winter Months,  this is a very low risk time of travel.

Our Winter Months are also considered the best time to go on Safari, when it is cooler and the grass is lower, allowing for better game viewing.  The Kruger National Park should therefore remain a good option for a family safari.

What Can You Expect on Your Safari ?

Your days on Safari will be far removed from your hectic and busy everyday lives  –  you will be busy , but at a slower pace – a pace that exists only the the African Bush. So get your Camera ready  – your binoculars out –  and prepare yourself for an adventure of a lifetime !

Early Morning Game Drive

You will be woken up gently with hot coffee and rusks by your ranger.  Bundle up in your warm jacket and beanie, and get ready for your Early morning game drive into the bush

These game drives are conducted in the early morning  [ times differ dependent on the time of the year ] as it is cooler and the animals are more active.

You will spend  approximately 3 hours in your open 4 x 4 land rover with an experienced ranger and tracker.  These rangers know the bush intimately and can track animal prints and spoor – knowing if a hunting lion was in the area or perhaps a family of Leopard.

Nothing beats the excitement of spotting your first animal – and you may even be lucky enough to spot a family of lion cubs.

During the course of your morning game drive, you will stop at a scenic viewpoint for refreshments and snacks – returning to your game lodge for a hearty breakfast.

Bush Walks

After enjoying your breakfast, the activities for the rest of the morning remain optional.

You can either relax in your sparkling plunge pool, or sip cocktails on your viewing deck  -perhaps a Spa Treatment appeals to you – nothing like some pampering in the bush.

For those more adventurous –  depart on a morning bush walk with an armed ranger [ no young children allowed  ].

These bush walks give you a totally different perspective on safari, on the ground you can see the smaller animals and insects and inspect the local flora and fauna.

The smells fo the bush and knowing you amongst the Big Five creates the ultimate sense of adventure

Afternoon – Evening Game Drive

Late afternoon brings another game drive with your ranger !  This game drive allows you to enjoy spectacular African Sunsets  – sipping sundowners and watching the red African sun sink beneath the trees.

As the sun dips and darkness falls  – the nocturnal animals come to life.  Prime hunting time for predators, you may be lucky enough to see a Lion Kill !   Your game ranger will now turn on the spot light on to allow for better viewing

See the glowing eyes of Hyena’s hunting in the dark, and the sounds of crickets and the smaller night animals -whilst you keep warm in the safety of the game drive vehicle bundled up against the night chill.

Return to your lodge to hot chocolate to warm you up and prepare for dinner.

Many dinners at game lodges are served in outside areas called “Boma’s” – with crackling fires and the wide open star lit sky above you.

Share you day’s safari experience with fellow travellers over a glass of excellent Red Wine  –  already looking foward to the following days adventure

Mokoro Safaris – Botswana

The mokoro is a flat-bottomed canoe traditionally dug-out of a ebony or sausage tree..  Each mokoro can take two passengers, and is piloted by a poler who stands at the back of the craft, much like punters on the Cam.  Mokoro Safaris are unique to Botswana and conducted in the Okavango Delta region.

The serene motion of a mokoro as it makes it way down the water ways of the Delta is a welcome change after the dusty off-road game drives experienced on land based safaris.

When the water levels are at their highest  [ May to September ] you have access to areas that land rovers cannot reach.

Gliding along the water, you can almost touch the Elephant drinking and have close views of the Big Five  – a photographic opportunity for all.Your game viewing in the Delta is more focused on your bird and water life  – adding value to your entire Safari experience.Mokoro Safaris should be on any travellers bucket list when going on Safari in Botswana

A Botswana safari promises to provide you with the safari you have always dreamed of !

Hosting exceptional game viewing ,you will spend your days game viewing in open safari vehicles,  bush walks with trackers and Mokoro Safaris in dug-out canoes, making Botswana a complete safari destination.

A country of dramatic contrasts from the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the large elephant herds in the Chobe National Park,  Botswana is an unforgettable safari destination.

The Okavango Delta is a magical oasis – with the vast grassy floodplains hosting an array of wildlife , waterlife and birds – a photographer’s dream !  Float gently down these water ways in a Mokoro [ dug out canoe ] and get close to nature.

Chobe National Park is famed for having Africa’s largest single concentration of elephant herds and if predators are what you are looking for  – look no further – Leopards, Cheetah, Lion or Wild Dogs await you.

As Botswana comprises of a variety of areas – all offering something unique and special, you can easily spend anything from 4 – 7 days on safari, combining a couple of nights in each area.  Consider adding on a couple of nights in Victoria Falls, creating a perfect African safari experience.

Offering intimate and exclusive lodges in this vast unspoilt region of Africa, Botswana is a perfect destination of the diserning traveller and a Honeymoon in Botswana remains a popular choice.

Easily combined with other top destinations such as Victoria Falls,  The Kruger National Park or Cape Town  – We design tailor made Botswana itineraries providing easy flowing connections between all your desired areas.

Botswana offers not just your big game but also hosts a wide variety of other animals, such as Buffalo, Antelope, Zebra, Wildebeest to name but a few  – making this area also great for family travel.  Botswana is not however suitable for very young children

Let African Welcome Safaris make planning your Botswana Safari easy  – our safari experts will recommend hand-picked lodges to suit your requirements, length of stay and your budget, making your Botswana Safari dream come true.

Why a Safari in Botswana?

• Vast stretches of untouched and unfences wilderness
• Unrivalled game viewing
• One of the largest game populations in Southern Africa
• Luxury and intimate lodges
• Mokoro Safaris ( dugout canoes ) on the crystal waters of the Okavango Delta
• Easily combined with other top destinations in Southern Africa
• One of the largest Elephant Populations in the world

Top Areas in Botswana 

• Chobe National Park  – hosting one of the world’s largest Elephant populations
• Moremi Game Reserve – one of Botswana’s largest reserves with incredible game viewing
• Savute Game Reserve  – Annual Zebra migration and Africa’s Big Cats
• Makgadikgadi Pans National Park  – situated on the banks of the Boteti River
• The Okavango Delta – Mokoro Safaris hosting amazing bird and water life

Contact our Botswana safari experts now and let us create your ultimate Botswana Safari