Hoedspruit Safari Package
Information
7 Days / 6 Nights
Cussonia
1 night accommodation
Road transfer to and from airport (O.R Tambo Airport)
All meals, tea/coffee
RATES INCLUDE:
Accommodation in en-suite superior room with patio.
Full breakfast, light lunch and 3 course dinner. (tea, coffee, fruit juice and water)
Beverages include: water, soft drinks, local beer and house wine.
Early morning game drive/safari including hot drinks & Afternoon game drive/safari including one sundowner drink and snacks.
Experienced and knowledgeable guide and tracker.
Complimentary return transfers from the Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve entrance gate or Hoedspruit airport to
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Hoedspruit is more than a destination. It’s a gateway to one of Africa’s last true wildernesses. Bordering the iconic Greater Kruger National Park, this wild region offers a front-row seat to nature’s grandest spectacle. This isn’t just another safari, it’s a transformative journey curated by One Niner Expeditions and led by a team of seasoned conservationists deeply connected to the land.
Most clients arriving from America overnight near Johannesburg’s airport often face uninspiring accommodations before continuing their journey. To ensure your adventure begins in peace and comfort, you’ll stay at an exclusive country home nestled in a tranquil bush setting just 40 minutes from Johannesburg’s airport, an intimate retreat that perfectly sets the tone for your safari experience.
Explore the vast, rugged beauty of Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve. Nestled against the stunning Drakensberg Mountains, a sanctuary where wildlife roams freely and safari feels truly exclusive.
After thrilling game drives, unwind at one of the most luxurious and tranquil lodges in the area. Enjoy elegant suites with panoramic bush views, outdoor showers under starry skies, private plunge pools, and gourmet meals crafted from fresh, local ingredients.
Let the One Niner team guide you beyond the ordinary, into unforgettable moments and wild landscapes that will stay with you forever.
Black Mamba Patrol (Expedition ADD ON)
Experience this behind-the-scenes safari with the Black Mambas, the first all-female anti-poaching unit in Africa. This unique journey offers you rare access to one of the most impactful conservation efforts in the world. You’ll meet these courageous women, hear their powerful stories, and witness their daily operations as they patrol and protect wildlife in South Africa’s Oilfants West Nature Reserve. This once in a lifetime opportunity provides an intimate look into the heart of anti-poaching work and offers a deep dive into the real challenges of wildlife conservation.
After arriving in Johannesburg from your international flight, you’ll be met at the airport by our private shuttle service for a smooth and comfortable transfer to Cussonia Avenue, a peaceful country home tucked away in a quiet bush setting just 40 minutes from the airport. Here, your journey begins in comfort and calm. Settle into your room, enjoy a hot shower, and unwind after your long travels. A freshly prepared home-style dinner will be served, offering a taste of South African hospitality in a relaxed and intimate setting. In the evening, we’ll sit down together for a casual safari briefing, walking you through the adventure ahead, from what to expect on game drives to the wildlife you may encounter and the rhythm of your days in the bush. Afterward, you’ll have time to rest and recharge for the safari that begins in earnest tomorrow.
Land in O.R. Tambo international airport in Johannesburg.
Get picked by myself and shuttle to Cussonia Country Home.
Freshen up, relax and have dinner. (Menu Attached below, alcohol not included in price but provided at the bar).
See below for the menus at the Cussonia country home!
You’ll leave Cussonia and head back to the airport, fly from Johannesburg to Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit, a small regional airport just outside the Greater Kruger area.
Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our team and lodge staff for a private transfer to Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve. The drive takes you through open bushveld and into wild terrain where the safari experience begins the moment you’re on the road.
At Leopard’s Bend, check in and settle into your luxurious suite, complete with panoramic views, a private deck, and all the comforts of an intimate bush escape. Take time to unwind, enjoy a welcome drink, or simply take in the stillness and sounds of the surrounding wilderness.
In the afternoon, head out on your first game drive, guided by expert trackers who will introduce you to the rhythms of the bush. Pause for sundowners at a scenic lookout, soaking in your first African sunset.
Return to the lodge for a gourmet dinner under the stars, followed by fireside relaxation as the night comes alive with the sounds of the wild.
LEOPARD’S BEND BUSH LODGE FACILITIES:
• 100% Solar powered (20kva back-up generator), off the grid, eco-friendly
• Salt chlorinated swimming pool
• Chaise Loungers
• Swinging day beds
• Small gym
• Bar
• Dining room with fireplace
• Lounge with fireplace
• Jackalberry lounge
• Boma with fire pit
• Bush breakfasts (on request)
• Bush dinners (on request)
• Electrified Kenyan fence surrounding the perimeter of the lodge.
• Massage pavilion (massages on a request basis only)
• Bird hide overlooking a waterhole and mountain views.
• Luxurious game drives in an open 11-seater Toyota Landcruiser
• Borehole water with purification plant and reverse osmosis (safe drinking water)
• Eco friendly Calcamite tank
SUITE FEATURES:
• 5 intimate en-suite superior rooms, each thoughtfully designed with your comfort in mind.
• Indoor shower and outdoor shower.
• Tea and coffee making facilities.
• Hairdryer
• Bathroom amenities
• Double doors opening on to a patio facing the swimming pool.
• Electronic safe
• Top quality 6-speed fans to ensure that guests can appreciate the sounds of nature.
• Baboon/mosquito proofing on all opening doors and windows.
RATES EXCLUDE:
• Premium brand alcoholic beverages and those not mentioned above.
• All items of a personal nature.
• Laundry
• Massage – please pre-book 24 hours in advance, subject to availability.
• Activities in the area, which include:
o Boat trips on the Blyde Dam
o Day trips to the Kruger National Park
o Elephant Whispers
o Graskop Glass Lift
o Helicopter Flips in the Blyde Canyon
o Hiking trails
o Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
o Hoedspruit Reptile Centre
o Hot air ballooning
o Jessica the Hippo
o Local community and village interactions
o Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre
o Panorama Route
o Quad bike safari
ABOUT THE LODGE
✓ 100% Solar powered
✓ Off the grid, eco friendly
✓ 20kva back up generator
✓ Borehole water with water purification plant
✓ Reverse osmosis (safe drinking water)
✓ Calcamite sewerage tanks, environmentally friendly
✓ Surrounded by electrified Kenyan fence
✓ Cashless environment
✓ Luxurious game drive vehicle with blankets & hot
water bottles (weather dependent)
ACCOMMODATION
✓ 5 En-suite superior rooms
✓ Twin or king size beds
✓ Inside & outside shower
✓ Tea & coffee making facilities
✓ Double doors opening onto a patio facing the swimming pool
✓ Electronic safe
✓ 6 Speed fan
✓ Hairdryer
✓ Bathroom amenities
✓ Superior rooms are non-smoking
✓ Superior rooms are serviced daily
✓ Evening turndown service
FACILITIES FOR GUESTS
✓ Salt chlorinated swimming pool
✓ Rustic massage pavilion
✓ Boma with firepit
✓ Dining & lounge area with open fireplaces
✓ Jackalberry Lounge
✓ Swinging day beds
✓ Bird hide overlooking a waterhole & mountain views
✓ Small gym(will be complete by end March 2025)
THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA
✓ Boat cruise on the Blyde Dam
✓ Day trips to the Kruger National Park
✓ Hot air ballooning & Quad bike safari
✓ Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC)
✓ Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
✓ Panorama Route tour
✓ Magoebaskloof Adventure
✓ Scenic helicopter flights in the Blyde Canyon
Once you arrive at Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve, your journey into South Africa’s wild heart truly begins.
Each day unfolds with the rhythm of the bush:
Morning Game Drive: Wake to the quiet hush of dawn and the aroma of fresh coffee served at the lodge before heading out. As the sun rises, you’ll venture into the reserve with expert trackers and rangers, seeking out the Big Five and other incredible wildlife. Partway through, pause for a coffee stop in the bush, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a world waking up.
Bush Breakfast & Leisure Time: Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast made with fresh, local ingredients. The late morning is yours to relax: unwind by the pool, enjoy a spa treatment (available on request), or simply take in the stillness from your private deck.
Lunch & Midday Rest: A light, delicious lunch is served, followed by quiet hours to read, nap, or cool off in your private plunge pool just as the wildlife retreats to the shade.
Afternoon Game Drive & Sundowners: As the day cools, set out on your second game drive. The bush comes alive in the golden afternoon light elephants graze, predators begin to stir. Your guide will stop at a scenic viewpoint for sundowners a traditional safari ritual of enjoying a drink while watching the African sun dip below the horizon.
Dinner Under the Stars: Back at the lodge, enjoy a gourmet dinner served outdoors or in the open-air dining area. Evenings are relaxed and intimate gather around the firepit, sip a nightcap, and listen to the distant calls of nocturnal wildlife under a brilliant canopy of stars.
Throughout your stay, the One Niner Expeditions team ensures every detail is thoughtfully curated, blending immersive adventure with effortless comfort, all in one of South Africa’s most exclusive wilderness regions.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, savoring the last moments surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness.
After packing your belongings and bidding farewell to the friendly lodge staff, you’ll be transferred back to Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit for your flight to Johannesburg.
From Johannesburg, you’ll connect with your international flight home, carrying with you lasting memories of incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and the deep connection to the wild that only a One Niner Expeditions journey can offer.
May the spirit of the African bush stay with you until your next adventure.
