Baluleni Safari Lodge

This tranquil and peaceful Lodge on the shores of the Olifants River, in the 40 000 hectare Balule Nature Reserve inside the greater Kruger National Park, offers the splendour of the natural Africa Bush with breath-taking sunsets, wildlife which includes the Big 5, bird watching, safaris, bush walks, boma-dinners under the stars.

Enjoy a unique African Safari experience, go on guided open vehicle safaris, learn about the wilderness on a bush walk, listen to the sounds of the African Bush while dining under the stars, or simply relax at the Lodge by the pool side. 

The Lodge offers secluded and comfortable accommodation in five air-conditioned en-suite thatched chalets, two luxury en-suite tents with ceiling fans, and one air-conditioned en-suite thatched honeymoon cottage with full breakfast, high tea and dinners. These are served at a licensed dining/bar area or around the fire in the boma under the African skies. 

At the Baluleni Safari Lodge facilities include a licensed Dining/bar area and boma, full breakfasts and three course dinners are generally served in the dining area or outside on the patio. However, guests mostly prefer to enjoy a three course dinner under the stars around the fire in the boma. Guests enjoy sun downers on the patio or sharing a drink in the lounge while watching adventure wildlife DVD's. Early coffee and home-made rusks are available for guests at the accommodation. High tea with savories, snacks and cakes are served at the dining area. Guests also enjoy the swimming pool while relaxing with a cold drink in the shade. 

At the reception guests can arrange and depart for their three hour safaris in an open vehicle, an early morning Bush walk, a day tour in the Kruger National Park and other tours to different venues like Moholoholo, Cheetah Project, Panorama Route. 

The curio shop at reception offers a variety of the most sought after products made by local artists as well as signed copies of Elke's famous oil paintings and drawings. Guests also have access to internet and cell phone signal at reception.

Free secure parking and laundry services are available to guests.

Engela

Dullstroom, Mpumalanga

At 2097m above sea level, Dullstroom is one of the highest towns in South Africa. It has a sub-alpine climate, and is well known for its cool, often misty atmosphere. The town's stone lodges nestle along cool trout dams and streams, where bright yellow arum lilies and 120 other species of indigenous wild flower carpet the region in a kaleidoscope of color every spring. With its many pubs, restaurants, lodges and quaint village shops, this is one of the most appealing tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. 

Dullstroom is ultimately about relaxing, breathing fresh air, be it by fishing, hiking, dining out or snuggling up next to a cosy fireplace on a misty night. The town and vicinity offers a choice of accommodation, ranging from camping to well equipped, self-catering houses, up-market lodges and hotels.

Dullstroom dates back to the early 1880's, when Dutch settlers came to the area. The town derives its name from one Wolterus Dull, chairperson of the Dutch immigrants. The "stroom" (stream) refers to the abundance of water in the area: The Crocodile River, which runs through the Kruger National Park, has its origin in Dullstroom. Other major tributaries, like the Lunsklip, Klip River, Steelpoort and Elands River, do not only feed important rivers and marshlands, but have also become synonymous with some of the best trout fishing in the country.

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Dullstroom and surrounds is primarily a haven for family fun, fly-fishing and country fresh air. The wide selection of elegant hotels and a variety of country accommodation, eateries, shops and activities, have made this an appealing tourist destination and an ideal stopover on the way to the Lowveld and Kruger Park.

Dullstroom - a true paradise for the nature lover.

Daan's Place Bed & Breakfast

A small reasonably priced Bed & Breakfast establishment with all amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, in a beautiful area of South-Africa, close to all the sights and the Kruger National Park.

Daan's Place consists of catered and self-catering accommodation. Four comfortable rooms with either a double or 2 three quarter beds in each room, kitchenette with all utensils, room safe and shower or bath room. Heated splash pool for your enjoyment. Barbecue area and Lapa for bonfire nights. Good security with secure parking is provided Hav-a-Java Fully Licensed Coffee Shop, eatery and internet cafe, with PS3 gaming and entertainment centre with Skype Connectivity, Splash pool and pool service for food and beverage. Home of Lavazza Coffee, light meals and fully licensed to sell spirits, wine and beer. Internet Café – surf the web, phone home on Skype or Play PS3 games if you so wish. Wi-Fi available in all rooms and Business Service Offered. Rags - Coin operated Laundrette for washing clothes and coin operated dryers.

Standard Breakfast: 2 Eggs, 2 Rashers of Bacon, Slice of Grilled Tomato and 2 Slices of Toast. Farmhouse Breakfast: 2 Eggs, 2 Rashers of Bacon, Slice of Grilled Tomato, Fried Mushrooms and 2 Slices of Toast. Grande Breakfast: 2 Eggs, 2 Rashers of Bacon, Slice of Grilled Tomato, Fried Mushrooms, Boerewors and 2 Slices of Toast. Mince and Cheese Omelette: Omelette filled with Mince and Cheese, Served with 2 Slices of Toast Ham, Cheese and Mushroom Omelette: Omelette filled with Ham, Cheese and Mushrooms, Served with 2 Slices of Toast. Assorted Cereals: All Bran Flakes or Corn Flakes, Served with Hot or Cold Milk. Muesli: Muesli, Served with Plain Yoghurt. 

Address: 27 Monument Street, 1270 Graskop, Mpumalanga, South Africa

The freelancer

Foot Safaris in the Kruger National Park

Foot safaris offer you unforgettable encounters with creatures both great and small. From stalking a herd of Giraffe to discovering the mysteries of a Termite mound, these experiences become far more meaningful when you feel Africa through the soles of your feet. There is something extremely humbling about sizing up a White Rhino who is glaring at you and wondering whether there is a tree close enough to scale out of danger …

A professional guide will brief you fully on the “do’s & don’ts” before you set off, to ensure safety and a rewarding walk. He will instruct you to tune all your senses, because each and every one of them will come into play during the next few hours. The ramble will focus on the patterns of nature, the intricacies of stalking, the inter-dependant relationships of organisms and, along the way, your trail leader with demonstrate his encyclopaedic knowledge of mammals, birds, plants plus any other item of interest that you may stumble upon … including Big Game!

The walk doesn’t focus on how far you can go but rather what you can absorb – the beauty of birdsong, the frenetic activity of Harvester Ants collecting seeds or the patience of a Green-backed Heron as it hunts for fish.

Brief rest periods become productive as you discuss issues that have come up – it’s amazing what putting one foot in front of the other along a game path does to clear the mind. The twinge of adrenaline also heightens the senses.

And there is always a need for adrenaline – the “fight or flee” response is bubbling at the surface. However, a good guide will put everyone at ease because he is so in tune with the bush and his surroundings that his confidence exudes calmness. The local Shangaan Ranger team has been living in this environment cheek by jowl with these animals their whole life, so the only unknown for them are the trailists that they are leading. Their collective stories would fill a journal and their observations come not from formal education but their own experiences and shared stories. When they discuss the medicinal properties of a tree, bush or shrub, you can rest assured that they have used it themselves. When they describe the uses of a piece of wood, be sure that they have put it to good use before.

So, therefore, time spent on foot in a Wilderness area is the very embodiment of a memorable safari experience. 

Engela

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The Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s oldest, largest and best-known wildlife conservation area, home to a huge variety of wildlife and most famous for its ‘Big Five’ viewing opportunities. Visitors have an excellent chance of seeing lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino among the enormous variety of wildlife, including over 140 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.

The park had its beginnings in 1898, when President Paul Kruger established a protected area for wildlife after hunters came close to wiping out the rich game of the region. The Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) stopped further progress until the development of the Sabie Game Reserve by the British, which later expanded into today’s Kruger Park. The park was opened to visitors in 1927, and at present stretches for 236 miles (350km) from the Crocodile River in the south up to the Limpopo River, and is about 40 miles (65km) wide; roughly the size of Israel.

Situated on South Africa’s north eastern border, Kruger is a primary destination for international tourists, and is visited by more than half a million local and international people every year who are attracted by the different safari options as well as the park’s excellent range of visitor facilities and choice of accommodation, from luxurious game lodges to cottages and camping. The park is criss-crossed by over a thousand miles of roads and offers excellent opportunities for self-drive safaris as well as guided drives. Bush walks with armed and experienced rangers offer a more thrilling safari option where animals like lion and elephant are tracked through the bush on foot. Visitors may only traverse the park between sunrise and sunset; when darkness descends it is best to be safe in a fenced rest camp.

This vast sanctuary is a must-see for every visitor to the country. The south is teeming with wildlife and as a result is the most popular area, while the remote northern region is little visited by game or people, but provides some of the best birding opportunities in southern Africa as well as an abundance of historic iron-age and Bushmen (San) sites. Rivers interrupt the extensive grassy plains towards the centre of the park, and the region provides an excellent setting for predators and bird-life.

Engela