Experience South Africa!
We will embark on a ten-day South African Wildlife Adventure of a lifetime with our families. On this adventure, we will spend our first day making our way to Kruger National Park enjoying a welcome dinner together, before embarking on three magical nights camping in the famous Kruger National Park and three nights participating on a mini ‘Family Safari Ranger’ adventure, and then a further three nights in Tshukudu Game Reserve.
Picture it, the daytimes will be spent in open safari vehicles in search of lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs on the biggest adventure of our lives. Seeing the “Big Five” in the wild is one of the most memorable things one can ever experience, imagine sharing that with your children.
In the evenings, smores around the campfire under the African stars listening to the sounds of the lions roar and monkeys chatter – a totally magical experience.
The African continent is the only place in the world where big game still roams freely in great numbers. By providing an inspirational and adventurous experience for the hearts and minds of both young and old, this will foster an interest and nurture opportunity and curiosity that will change the world.
This immersive experience blends adventure, conservation, and culture into an exceptional ten-day journey you’ll never forget!
Trip Highlights
Kruger National Park
Spend 3 unforgettable nights in the legendary Kruger National Park, surrounded by incredible wildlife and pristine landscapes.
EcoTraining
Working exclusively with Eco Training – the best field guides in the business, learning how to be mini rangers, identifying animal footprints and poo!
Tshukudu Game Reserve
Tshukudu Game Reserve is home to the ‘Big 5’ and is known for its wildlife rehabilitation work which could give you the opportunity to interact closely with rehabilitated animals like orphaned cheetahs.
Wild Animal Tracking
Track wild African animals through the bush on foot and in safari vehicles in search of the ‘Big 5’
Sleep Under the African Sky
Camp under a starlit sky and fall asleep under the stars to the sounds of roaring lions, snorting hippos and the soft croaking of frogs in the river
Elephant Conservation
Engage in a meaningful elephant conservation experience with the HERD Charity Trust, gaining insights into protecting these majestic creatures.
Best National Parks
Camping in the heart of the best national parks, meeting some of Africa’s top conservationists and having access to commercially unavailable places.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in South Africa - Let's go on Safari!
Meet the Wild Hearted Adventures team and embark on our African adventure
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will board a connecting flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMI) – to arrive by 12 noon.
There, our team will be waiting to transport you to Kruger where you will have the opportunity to meet us and prepare for an exceptional adventure.
In the evening, we will host a welcome dinner, providing an opportunity to meet the other families and share detailed information about the exciting days ahead.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience!
Accommodation: Camping in Kruger National Park
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 & 3 - Kruger National Park
Let’s go in in search of the ‘Big 5’!
Our days will commence early with a selection of tea, coffee, and biscuits in camp, followed by invigorating early morning safaris.
Guided by our expert Kruger guides, who bring both deep passion and extensive knowledge to their role, we will traverse the park’s tracks. They will offer insightful interpretations of the natural world around us, enriching our safari experience.
Winter in Kruger is particularly favored by bush enthusiasts, as the sparse vegetation and limited water sources draw animals closer to watering holes, providing us with exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.
The park is home to approximately 147 mammal species, 500 bird species, and 114 reptile species, ensuring a diverse and immersive wildlife experience.
In addition to the iconic Big Five, we will also hopefully have the chance to encounter cheetah, hyena, wild dog, giraffe, large herds of zebra and wildebeest, and a remarkable array of antelope.
We will return to camp for breakfast, where you can then take a refreshing dip in the sparkling camp pool or explore the picturesque river frontage, depending on the weather.
After lunch, we head back out in search for more wildlife before returning to the campfire, dinner and stargazing.
Accommodation: Kruger NP Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 - Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate
Head to Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, our new accommodation and enjoy a game drive followed by sundowners
Following breakfast, we will bid farewell to the team and embark on a scenic drive (4-5 hours) through Kruger National Park, making a stop at Satara Camp for lunch.
Upon exiting the park, we will transfer to the picturesque Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, where we will enjoy the next three nights. This estate, part of the conserved Lowveld Bushveld, is home to the more tranquil aspects of African wildlife, including impalas, giraffes, kudus, and warthogs.
Once we have arrived, we will receive a comprehensive briefing, orientation of the lodge, and an introduction to the dedicated staff.
In the afternoon, we will set out on a game drive within the Pridelands Conservancy aboard an Open Safari Vehicle, culminating in a sundowner experience under the expansive African night sky.
Dinner at the lodge will feature a selection of South Africa’s finest cuisine, promising a delightful and indulgent dining experience.
Accommodation: Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 - Tracks & Tracking
Introduction to tracks and tracking – Let’s learn about footprints and poo!
Today, we will embark on an exhilarating bush trail adventure, where you will master the art of navigation and orientation amidst the wild. Our journey will lead us to a scenic picnic spot for breakfast.
Prepare to delve into the fascinating world of tracking as we learn to read the subtle signs of the bush, including animal tracks and their “signs”—a fun and engaging experience for everyone, especially the children who will have the opportunity to identify animal spoor!
This interactive introduction to animal tracking will challenge you to locate your pre-transported lunch at a designated halfway point. Each group will be accompanied by a skilled guide to ensure a rewarding and educational experience.
After enjoying our picnic, we will set out on an exciting game drive, applying our newly acquired tracking skills to seek out wildlife. Let’s put your newfound expertise to the test and see if you can identify the tracks and signs you encountered earlier—who’s spoor belongs to whom?
Accommodation: Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 - Meet the Community & Game Drives
The Timbavati Foundation and more wildlife discovery
Today is our community day and we will be working with the Timbavati Foundation, an organisation dedicated to uplifting local communities and protecting the surrounding environment. Their projects focus on conservation, education, health, and social development, creating lasting connections between people and nature.
During the morning we will be taking part in a range of hands-on activities, including:
Planting trees to support greening initiatives and environmental sustainability.
Making bracelets as part of a creative and cultural activity.
Assembling period packs to empower young girls with essential supplies.
This experience offers the chance to give back, engage with local people, and contribute to meaningful projects that extend far beyond our visit.
In the afternoon, we will return to Hoedspruit for a game drive and sundowners to end the day.
As night falls, we will enjoy a traditional Bushveld dinner together.
Accommodation: Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7 - Jabulani Elephant Sanctuary & Reptile Park
Today We will be taking in two magical experiences – Sunrise at Jabulani Elephant Sanctuary and a visit to the reptile park before moving to a new game reserve.
Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, educated and enthused by this memorable opportunity to meet and learn more about the orphanages of rescued elephants, with proceeds going to the HERD Elephant Trust. We will learn about their behaviour, unique character traits, incredible stories and what it entails to take care of them. The experience takes place while the elephants are in their natural environment – it’s a very special experience the whole family will love.
Following breakfast, we will embark on the final part of our South African adventure and make our way to Tshukudu Game Reserve, stopping en route for an interactive session at the reptile centre before a delicious lunch out.
Upon arrival at Tshukudu Bush Camp, we will get comfortable in our new accommodation before heading out on a game drive around our new reserve and sundowners.
Our evening will finish around the campfire.
Accommodation: Tshukudu Camp
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8 & 9 - Tshukudu Game Reserve
The next two days we will spend at Tshukudu – Home of the ‘big 5’
One of the most unique aspects of Tshukudu is its dedication to wildlife rehabilitation. We hope to have the extraordinary chance to interact with rehabilitated animals, such as orphaned cheetahs and walk out into the bush with them, as they prepare for reintroduction into the wild—a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!
During the day enjoy time in the hide watching wildlife around the waterhole, taking a swim in the pool and joining in with a game of volleyball.
As our final full day starts to come to an end we will head out on a game drive and track the lion and the cheetah with telemetry – a tracking device.
As the sun sets, unwind in the tranquil atmosphere of the camp; we will gather around the campfire and the night will be brought to life with a traditional African drumming session, and you can savour the warmth of the fire while toasting marshmallows under a sky filled with stars!
This immersive experience blends adventure, conservation, and culture into an exceptional two-day journey you’ll never forget.
In the evening, we’ll have a farewell dinner and a chance to reflect on our incredible journey together.
Accommodation: Tshukudu Bush Camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10 - Departure
It’s time to bid farewell to the African bush and new found friends, or onwards to your next destination.
After breakfast, we’ll pack up and head back to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight home. We hope you’ve had an unforgettable adventure with us and that you’ll take home memories that will last a lifetime.
The trip will finish at Hoedspruit Airport where you can fly back to Johannesburg (flights not included).
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 - 14 Rhino Rescue Extension: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Conservation Adventure
And if the first 10 days wasn’t enough and you are still up for one last adventure with us then get ready for an experience that goes far beyond ordinary travel—a life-changing 4 days at the world’s largest rhino sanctuary.
Here, you won’t just observe, you’ll roll up your sleeves and step right into the frontline of conservation. Imagine preparing food and hand-feeding orphaned rhinos, helping with vital bush clearing and habitat care, and monitoring these gentle giants as they grow strong enough to one day roam free again.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet the elite K9 anti-poaching unit, witnessing the incredible bond between dog and handler as they track and protect against threats—true heroes of the wild.
And in a rare and unforgettable moment, you’ll even have the chance to be part of a rhino dehorning, a powerful conservation measure that saves lives by making rhinos less of a target for poachers. This isn’t just volunteering—it’s adrenaline, purpose, and impact rolled into one.
You’ll walk away knowing you’ve been part of something extraordinary: giving rhinos a future, and giving yourself a story you’ll never stop telling.
** Places are limited
Accommodation: Rhino Sanctuary
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
** The itinerary is subject to changes. Whilst we do our best to keep to our planned itinerary, on occasions things do have to be altered.
Our Accommodations
Kruger Camp
Guests are accommodated in comfortable dome, canvas safari tents which take 2 people each. For larger families, you will be in tents less than 1m apart – it’s an amazing experience.
Everything needed will be provided. Clean flush toilets and hot showers are a short walk away. The camp is fully fenced and it is safe to walk around and explore the different viewpoints and attractions.
Visitors cannot but feel soothed by the view over the perennial Sabie River and the Lebombo Mountains beyond, which form the natural boundary and act as a highlight of the Kruger National Park.
Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate
Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate is a beautiful, conserved part of the Lowveld bushveld and the privileged few that own and live here on this exclusive estate enjoy the company of the gentler side of African fauna, impalas and kudu grazing around your house and warthogs snuffling for roots and tubers.
All rooms vary in size. Some rooms contain only beds, while others include beds along with additional sofa beds or floor mattresses for children. These are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tshukudu Bush Camp
Tshkudu Bush Camp offers seven thatched cottages with a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort.
All rooms differ in size. Some rooms have only beds, while others include additional floor mattresses for children. Rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Take a moment to unwind by their serene pool or indulge in some wildlife watching from our viewing platform, where animals gather to quench their thirst at the waterhole.
For our younger guests, a delightful playground awaits their energy and laughter.
Who is this trip for?
All families and adventurers 4 years and above are welcome on this South African trip.
If you and your family have just a little piece of wild in you, are curious, love the outdoors and are ready to immerse yourselves in the African wilderness, then take that leap – remember, we are here with you!
I can promise you, from the moment you step onto African soil, you will fall in love. That’s really how Wild Hearted began, 20 years ago when I made that very first visit to Africa, and now I just can’t stop.
That is why I wanted to take other families there too. To share the magic of Africa with you. To see you and your family’s faces light up as you become immersed in African wildlife for the first time!
FAQ
What's Included
- Airport pick up from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMI) no later than 12pm
- 9 nights accommodation
- All meals as per itinerary
- Entrance and conservation fees to the reserves
- Transfers throughout the tour as outlined in the itinerary
- Ranger Training
- Elephant conservation experience with the HERD Charity Trust
- Pre-Departure Support
- 24hr On-Site Support
- Airport Drop Off at Hoedspruit Airport
What's not included
- Airfares – International and Domestic
- Any extra trips, visits or activities NOT outlined in the itinerary
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any extra food, snacks or drinks
- Visas
- All items of a personal nature
- Gratuities and Tipping
- Travel Insurance
Your hosts
Anna Miller
Anna is the visionary founder of Wild Hearted Adventures, whose warmth, inspiration, and charm set the perfect tone for our retreat. Her boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm will inspire you to embrace every moment of this experience.
She is also a travel writer and the creative mind behind the popular family travel blog, Twins and Travels.
At times, unforeseen circumstances may require a change in your assigned host. However, rest assured that you’ll always be in the capable hands of a passionate, knowledgeable, and exceptional host from the Wild Hearted team, ensuring an unforgettable experience.