SAFARI ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES AT KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME
RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA
From Big Five Game Drives to Balloon Flights Above the Bush. Every day writes its own story.
At Karongwe, the rhythm of the land begins before sunrise. Some moments are quiet and reflective. Others are pure adrenaline. Track cheetah on foot. Drift above the Lowveld in a hot air balloon. Share a gin tasting under a fig tree. Plant saplings alongside local children. Each leaves an imprint, drawing you deeper into the life of this place. We invite you to explore what is on offer and let each experience become part of your story.
Game drives
The bush changes with every hour, and so do the stories it tells. Morning drives might bring fresh leopard tracks along the riverbank, giraffes grazing in dappled golden light, or a pride of lions shaking off the night’s cool. By afternoon, the air is softer, the colours richer — perfect for spotting elephants at the water or rhinos grazing the open plains.
Our rangers and trackers see the land as a living map, following spoor, listening for alarm calls, and knowing when to linger in silence. Vehicles are open and comfortable, giving you an unfiltered view and the chance to feel part of the scene. And when the sun dips, we pause for sundowners — a cold drink in hand, the sky painted in the palette of Karongwe colours.
Please note that morning and afternoon game drives are included in your rate.
Summer Season Itinerary
Morning Drive: 5:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Afternoon Drive: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Winter Season Itinerary
Morning Drive: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Afternoon Drive: 3:30PM – 6:30 PM
Kruger Excursion
Karongwe is perfectly positioned for access to one of the world’s great wildlife sanctuaries — the Kruger National Park. A full-day excursion takes you into its vast, varied landscapes: sweeping savannahs, riverine forests, and open plains.
Your guide knows the best routes for the season, the waterholes that draw in game, and the quiet loops where a leopard might melt into the shadows. Along the way you’ll learn the park’s stories, its history, its conservation triumphs, and the challenges it faces today.
Lunch is enjoyed in the shade, with a view worth lingering over. By day’s end, you return to Karongwe with cameras full and a deeper sense of Southern Africa’s enormous wild heart.
Hot Air Ballooning
Drift above the Sabie River and ridges as the sun rises. From the quiet above, the Lowveld stretches out in every direction: meandering rivers catching first light, herds threading slow paths across the plains, the Drakensberg ridges hazy on the horizon. You can see the patterns that only the sky reveals — hippo trails through a backwater, elephants grazing in loose, deliberate arcs.
As the sun clears the hills, colours bloom — the gold of grass, the deep green of riverine groves, the slate-blue folds of distant mountains. It’s a view you’ll carry with you long after landing, gentle and unforgettable.
This activity includes a champagne breakfast at the landing site and transfers when booked through Karongwe.
Photo credit: Suncatchers
Bush Walks
Bush walks at Karongwe are guided by experienced rangers who know the land and its moods, ensuring each step is safe, immersive, and unforgettable.
On foot, the bush feels different. Every sound is sharper — the chatter of starlings, the crack of a twig, the low sigh of wind through leaves. This is safari in close-up. You notice the shimmer of a dung beetle’s shell and feel the rough bark of a knob thorn beneath your palm. It’s a slower, more intimate rhythm, where the thrill lies not in the distance closed, but in the details revealed.
Bush Walks
Bush walks at Karongwe are guided by experienced rangers who know the land and its moods, ensuring each step is safe, immersive, and unforgettable.
On foot, the bush feels different. Every sound is sharper — the chatter of starlings, the crack of a twig, the low sigh of wind through leaves. This is safari in close-up. You notice the shimmer of a dung beetle’s shell and feel the rough bark of a knob thorn beneath your palm. It’s a slower, more intimate rhythm, where the thrill lies not in the distance closed, but in the details revealed.
Little Paws Programme
The Little Paws Programme turns a child’s first safari into an epic adventure they’ll carry for life. Under the guidance of Karongwe’s rangers, young explorers learn to read animal tracks, spot birds in the canopy, and understand how every creature, big and small, plays it’s part in the story of the bush.
Activities are hands-on and age-appropriate, mixing gentle walks with fun lessons on conservation, storytelling around the fire, and even a bit crafting and cooking. Parents can join in or take the opportunity to relax, knowing their children are safe, engaged, and discovering the wonder of the wild in their own way.
GIN TASTING AT KARONGWE
Our gin experiences showcase a curated selection of exceptional gins, from celebrated local distillers to distinctive international labels, many infused with botanicals that echo the scents and flavours of the Lowveld such as wild herbs, citrus and fragrant indigenous spices. Guided by your expert host, you will learn the nuances of each pour, experiment with mixers and garnishes, and discover how the landscape itself inspires these distinctive blends.
MOHOLOLO RESCUE CENTRE
Moholoholo is a sanctuary where injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife are given a second chance. Leopards, eagles, honey badgers and vultures are cared for by a dedicated team who share their stories on guided tours. Visitors learn how snares are removed, wings are mended and animals are released, while others remain as ambassadors, raising awareness about conservation. Every visit is moving and educational, revealing the resilience of the wild.
INTERACTIVE COOKING
Join the Karongwe chefs as they share the secrets of Pan-African dishes, from fragrant curries and slow-braised game to fresh breads and seasonal treats. Guests chop, stir and taste while hearing stories behind ingredients, many sourced from nearby farms and local suppliers. The relaxed setting often spills outdoors, with meals cooked over open flames as herbs mingle with night air, blending flavour and culture into a shared celebration of place and people.
Photographic Hide
From inside the hide, the world slows and narrows. It is just you, the lens and whatever steps into frame. Built at water level, it places you in the perfect position to capture the quiet drama of the bush: elephants easing down to drink, a pied kingfisher hovering before its plunge, impala reflected in still water. Here, wildlife arrives on its own terms, close enough to study every detail without ever disturbing the moment. It is a rare kind of access, safe and unseen, where each frame becomes a lasting reminder of the privilege of being there in that moment.
Helicopter Flip - Blyde River Canyon
Lift off for a thrilling flight over the world’s third-largest canyon. From above, the scale of the Blyde River Canyon is breathtaking, with sheer sandstone cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and the famous Three Rondavels standing guard over the valley. The emerald river winds far below as you follow its path through one of South Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, a rare opportunity to take in the escarpment from a perspective few ever see.
Helicopter Flip - Oliphants River Gorge
Soar above the Olifants River as it cuts its way through a rugged gorge that has shaped the landscape for millennia. From the air, the river glitters as it twists between dramatic rock formations and deep forested slopes. Elephants and hippos often gather along the banks, their presence reminding you of the life that depends on this powerful waterway. It is an exhilarating flight that combines natural spectacle with the quiet drama of the bush.
Community Visit & Tree Planting
Step beyond the reserve and into the neighbouring villages where many of Karongwe’s team live. Here, you will meet community leaders, artisans and farmers whose daily lives are woven into the story of the land. Conversations flow easily about family, traditions and the ways that conservation and regeneration support opportunity.
As part of your visit, you will plant an indigenous tree, a simple act that leaves a lasting impression on the land. Each sapling strengthens the link between people and the environment, providing shade, food and habitat for years to come.
It is an exchange of stories and goodwill, a reminder that every Karongwe safari is connected to the lives and futures of the people who call this place home.
Terms & Conditions
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When booking the Kruger Excursion, guests forfeit both of their included Karongwe game drives for that day.
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During the Hot Air Balloon Ride, guests miss the morning game drive. This activity includes a champagne breakfast at the landing site and transfers when booked through Karongwe.
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Moholoholo Tours run at scheduled times. Depending on the chosen slot, guests forfeit either the morning or afternoon game drive.
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The Community Visit is only available midweek during school terms, as the community centre is closed on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays. Availability is subject to confirmation.
Please note: Morning and afternoon game drives are part of the standard package. When selecting additional activities, the relevant drive will be forfeited. Standard terms and conditions apply.