Overview

Join us on a mind blowing wilderness tour from 14 – 18 December 2011 where we stay in the Manyeleti, Letaba Ranch and Makuya Park sectors of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (un-fenced tented camps in Big 5 country).

Space limited to 8 participants – shared accommodation with self catering & own bedding.  Bikers must be experienced in gravel driving, and dual purpose bikes are required.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Thursday 13 December

Recommended accommodation – not part of the official tour although we will depart from this venue at 07:00 tomorrow morning when the tour commences.

Arrive in your own time at Lakenvlei Forest Lodge, which is situated 10 km outside Belfast on the road to Dullstroom

Accommodation: Lakenvlei Forest Lodge (catered or self catering) for own account. (Accommodation has been provisionally booked. Please confirm at the time of booking for the tour if you will be using this option.

Day 2 – Wednesday 14 December

The tour officially departs from Lakenvlei Forest lodge at 07:00

Depart Lakenvlei. Ride via Lydenburg and the spectacular Long Tom Pass to Sabie where we will stop to refuel. From Sabie we will use alternative gravel routes to Klaserie where we will stop for at Timbuktu lunch.

From Klaserie we ride to the Manyeleti Sector of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), which is situated just south of the KNP’s Orpen Gate.

Our bikes will be left in a safe parking area at the gate and we will be transferred to the camp in an open game viewing vehicle.

Arrive in camp, settle in, meet around the fire and forget about the stress of modern day living as we watch the embers turning red & enjoy the wilderness.

Accommodation: Ndzaka wilderness camp – self catering & own bedding.

Day 3 – Thursday 15 December

Manyeleti – early morning game drive in open safari vehicle in this Big 5 area – who knows what we will see on this 3 hour game drive? After brunch we depart & return to the gate, collect our bikes and head for the Letaba Ranch sector of the GLTP.

The route takes us past Hoedspruit, where we will refuel and buy refreshments & provisions to cook and enjoy around tonight’s camp fire. We continue our journey and after another hour or so we arrive at the main gate to Letaba Ranch.

After formalities we ride our bikes into the Park and proceed to Ntomeni wilderness camp, which is situated on the banks of the Great Letaba river. Once settled in we board an open safari vehicle to experience another exciting sunset game drive. Return to camp to spend our second evening around our campfire – listening to the night sounds & enjoying the African wilderness.

Accommodation: Ntomeni wilderness camp – self catering & own bedding.

Day 4 – Friday 16 December

Depart from Ntomeni and the Letaba Ranch. We now ride further and further north through the land of the Shangaan people before we cross the Luvuvhu river into Venda. Continue riding accross the Thamavudzi mountains to the Main Gate of the wild Makuya Park sector of the GLTP.

We enter Makuya Park and after completion of formalities ride our bikes to Singo camp, with its magnificent view overlooking the Luvuvhu river.

Another evening of utter bliss in this pristine wilderness.

Accommodation: Singo Safari Lodge – self catering – bedding provided.

Day 5 – Saturday 17 December

Depart Makuya Park.

Keeping to gravel roads in rural Venda we visit the magnificent “Big Tree” known as the largest Baobab in the Southern hemisphere!

From here we continue further west to the Nwanedi Game Reserve. We will once again ride our bikes to our campsite, which is the magnificent Eclipse camp.

We end our tour in this shady camp where swimming, relaxing & chilling and loads of fun will be the main activities for the rest of the afternoon and evening!

As a grand finale our catered dinner will be served on the deck!

Accommodation: Eclipse tented camp. Dinner will be is catered & bedding provided.

Day 6 – Sunday 18 December

Depart & refuel at Tshipise. Travel via the N1 back to Pretoria = 500 km.

ETA in Pretoria = 17h00

Location

Map of the trip

Ethos of the trails

- The purpose of the Trails is to afford trailists an intimate encounter with the wild-side of this remote area. Your guide will, within reason, adjust the pace of the journey to accommodate the group’s interests but trailists are reminded that the distances and topography of the area are challenging. 

- You are embarking on a “wilderness experience” and the privilege of encountering special game viewing moments needs to be mentioned.

- It is the holistic experience of travelling through this remote area, feeling its solitude and witnessing its recovery that will imbue you with the spirit of “bygone pioneers”.

Weather

- Conditions during the summer months can be very hot and humid with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.-Participants on the trail must be well prepared for the climatic conditions and should be reasonably fit.

Gallery

Rates

Cost: R 2995.00 per person (minimum 6 x participants)

 Trail prices includes

Guide on BMW R 1200 GS Adv; Shared accommodation; Dinner on the last evening; Game drives x 2; Park entrance fees

 Trail prices excludes

Lakenvlei accommodation; Catering except dinner on the last evening; Bedding; Back-up vehicle; All other incidentals.

Payments

- Payments for gratuities etc may be made in Rands, US$ or Euros.

Cancellation Policy

- Within 30 to 15 days of departure, 50% forfeiture of total booking value.

- Within 14 days of departure, 90% forfeiture of total booking value.