5 Day / 4 Night Kruger & Cultural Excursion

DAY 1 ART AND GOLD We'll depart camp early and head to the The Ribola Art Route, a melting pot of Tsonga, Venda and Shangaan cultures. We'll participate in a Tsonga Symbolic Batik Cloth making workshop and then visit various artists. Lunch will be a new-to-you experience from a traditional flame-grilled chicken roadside restaurant! Click Here For Ribola Art Tour Info

From there, we'll overnight in the historical little town known as Leydsdorp. Leydsdorp is a former gold rush town and a favorite place of Paul Kruger. Leydsdorp is also known as a ghost town and even has a haunted room where the bravest of brave can stay the evening to see if there are really ghosts present. Leydsdorp History Click Here

DAY 2 THE DOORSTEP OF KRUGER Early morning, we'll go on a game drive up the mountain or visit one of the surrounding farms with special sightings. After breakfast, we'll leave Leydsdorp heading to Phalaborwa. En route we go through another town called Gravelotte where we'll visit the popular butchery for biltong. There is also a taxidermy in the same area that we can visit if you so desire. Once in Phalaborwa "the doorstep of Kruger National Park," we will lunch and visit the famous Marula company where you will learn about this important and delicious commodity.

After settling in to our lodge near Kruger, we'll head into the Park for a special night drive with a KNP Ranger. This is a unique experience as the Park does not allow self drives after dark. This is your best chance to spot the big cats as they are very active during these drive times so bring your camera! Click Here For Our Night Drive Footage SOUND ON!

DAY 3 KRUGER SAFARI We'll leave the lodge early to enter Kruger National Park with preferred access. We’ll see the sunrise and safari all day long, taking breakfast and lunch in the bush, African style. Back at the lodge, a Phalaborwa chef will prepare and serve a traditional bush meal. This is a wonderful opportunity for any foodies in the group!

DAY 4 CULTURAL IMMERSION We'll have a special outing for breakfast on the famous Olifants River, then we'll be off to the local community to spend some time getting a feel for the culture. We'll take foodstuffs and art supplies to the orphanage and visit the "traditional ladies" and workshops of the craftspeople.

A boxed lunch will be enjoyed while we are traveling to our next adventure. This is always fun and feels like a school field trip! Arrive at Baleni Salt late afternoon to stay overnight at their traditional culture village. We'll visit with more locals enjoying sunset and simply experiencing a normal afternoon in the community. The day will end with a traditional dinner celebration including dancers and music from the area.  Watch Baleni Video Here

DAY 5 SACRED BALENI AND BACK TO CAMP It’s coffee and rusks first thing, then we head out with the Baleni matriarchs that still practice the ancestral technique of turning mineral rich riverine deposits into white gold – Baleni Salt! We'll pass the hot spring and stop at the ancient Motswiri (leadwood tree), participating in the ritual, we'll make a small offering of coins, asking the ancestors for permission to let us enter this ancient sacred site. We will then observe the process the salt must go through to become the renowned product that has sustained this village for centuries.

We'll say goodbye to the Baleni people and depart around noon to go back to camp just in time for dinner with the boys. It's always fun reuniting and swapping our ecotouring adventures with the hunters who recount their challenges and successes while we've been away. They are always happy to receive biltong and treats picked up along our trips!

Priced Upon Request This Very Special Package is Based on Number of Participants & Availabilities. Included in Package: 4 Night accommodations, coffee/tea, rusks & other South African snacks, mineral water & fruit juice, professional field guide, fuel & daily fuel allowance, daily conservation fees & entrance fees for Sanparks, all activities entry fees, & transport to & from Ken Moody Safaris camp. Excluded in Package: Gratuities, purchases of personal items & curios, additional snacks & meals, additional excursions, spa services, or hard liquor requests which will all be the responsibility of the client. Bring Rand, plastic and Dollars are not accepted in most places. *Rates are based on availability and number of participants.

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