Other activities on the reserve and in the area and Specialised Safaris

Special celebrations and occasions
Guests can book a specialised safari or special occasion safari, these could vary from 50th birthday themed parties, photography/birding/yoga weeks. What ever the occasion might be we will be able to accommodate you.

Wine tasting evenings
This has become very popular. As South Africa can be proud of so many fantastic wine estates we would like to share this marvel with our guests and this is just one of the special extras we can add to your tailor-made day.

Specialised walking safaris:

Your guide
Johna Turner has been a freelance guide for a number of years. He left the corporate world and pursued a guiding career to fulfill his “passion for the wilderness” and share it with others. He is a registered national nature and birding guide, and in addition to guiding he has instructed nature studies and guiding skills. His passion for the wilderness on foot has given him wilderness experiences in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Alaska and Kakadu (Australia). He has guided in many parts of South Africa but particularly at The Outpost (Makuleke concession in the northern Kruger National Park) and the Lapalala Wilderness.

Walking safaris in Lapalala Wilderness
The beautiful 35 000 Ha Lapalala Wilderness is situated in the Waterberg Mountains, characterized by ancient sandstone cliffs, and deep valleys and gorges through which the crystal clear Palala and Blocklands rivers and other mountain streams flow.

The Lapalala walking safaris are based at the Lookout Lodge, a rustic tented luxury lodge situated high on a ridge with a panoramic view of the wilderness. From here the walking safaris explore the vast wilderness area on foot, travelling through the Waterberg Mountain Bushveld, comprising open areas and virgin bush, through deep valleys and gorges, and along the rivers and streams. The rivers are unique with beautiful riverine vegetation and animal life. The walking safaris operate for small groups thus ensuring personal attention and enhancing the experience of the guests.

Lapalala is home to the endangered black and white rhino, which guests may have the chance to see. The rivers contain the occasional crocodile and hippo. Many other animals and birds occur in the area. But besides seeing the larger animals and birds, the walking safaris are about enjoying all the sounds, signs and ambiance of the wilderness, big and small.

Walking distances are designed to suit the guests, but this is a relatively unexplored wilderness which seductively invites guests to sample its beauty and explore its vastness. The flexible daily schedule would be to venture into the wilderness after an early breakfast, and either take a packed lunch, or meet a prepared picnic lunch in a remote area, or return to the lodge. The afternoon walk or other activity will depend on our progress in the morning. Safe sections in the rivers allow guests to cool off while on a trail and Lookout Lodge has a plunge “pool with a view” in which to relax at the end of a hard day.

Lapalala walking safaris - a true wilderness experience
Rack rates (per person per night) - valid until 14 Dec 2012

Min of 2 guests for 2 nights.
2 guests - R 4600
3 guests - R 3600
4 guests - R 3400
5 guests - R 3000
6 guests - R 2900
Extra beds - R 1900

Rates include: all meals, all drinks, private guide, housekeeper and chef, game drives, game walks, mountain biking, swimming and fishing in the river, bush picnics, bushman art and archaeological site viewings.

Walking safaris at The Outpost in the KNP

The Outpost, overlooking the Luvuvhu River in the Makuleke portion of the Kruger National Park, offers walking safaris in this extremely beautiful wilderness.

The Makuleke concession rests between the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers, stretching from the KNP Pafuri gate to Crooks Corner, an area covering approximately 24 000 hectares. This region possesses some of the most diverse topography and vegetation in the KNP.

The walking safaris operate for 3 nights for small groups thus ensuring personal attention and an improved wilderness experience. Guests stay overnight at The Outpost - a truly beautiful luxury lodge in a spectacular setting - and undertake daily walking from the lodge or from a different location reached by open game viewing vehicle. The flexible daily schedule would commence the walk at sunrise after coffee and rusks, enjoy a snack break on the walk and return to the lodge after 3-4 hours for breakfast. The afternoon activity would either be a walk or game drive. The focus is on the broader aspects of nature or specific aspects (such as birding) depending on the interests of the guests. The area is home to the “big 5” and it is possible that these are encountered while on foot - a truly humbling experience. Walking areas are chosen to capture the diversity of topography, habitat and wildlife, both big and small.

The Makuleke area is recognised as one of the botanical reserves of the KNP, and as one of the premier birding locations in South Africa with over 350 species of birds having been recorded, including some special species.

Walking safaris in spectacular big 5 wilderness - something very unique. Rack rates (per person per night) - valid from 1 Oct 2011 to 30 Sep 2012

Please Note: Rates are subject to change without prior notice

The above rates include:

• Fully serviced, luxury accommodation
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Twice daily walking safaris/game drive in open vehicles with sundowners and snacks
• Transfers to and from the Pafuri landing strip for fly-in guests
• Teas and coffees

And exclude:

• Kruger National Park entry fees (ZAR 45.00)
• Bar bill, internet and telephone charges

For a really diverse wilderness experience,
these walking safaris can be booked
individually or can be combined with a
recommended 3 night stay at each destination.

Sculpting safari
Yes believe it or not, but you can learn to sculpt in the middle of the African bush. This is just one of many artistic expression you can learn to master with us. Other would include photographic or birding safaris

Night sky safari
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what the heck it is that you’re seeing? Well, in the UK the answer is mostly a lot of reflected street lights, but here in the Waterberg things are different. We have some of the darkest skies in the world, and clear cloudless nights to see them as well. The result? The full splendour of the universe is laid out before us. Using an advanced modern telescope I would love to introduce you to the amazing Waterberg night sky with my guided tour of its wonders

These are just some of the very exciting specialised safaris we offer. Please contact us for more information on any of them or if you have a special occasion of your own you would like us to plan.