Leopard Lodge 7 night program
Welcome to our 7-night luxurious safari package in South Africa, at Leopard Lodge. Join us and visit this striking country, where we with a stay at our brand new leopard Lodge will make sure you have a magnificent and unique wildlife experience, while simultaneously getting a profound knowledge of the country’s diverse culture and astounding history.
The package is a 7-night package only with different tours and activities offered each day. Tours and activities not included in the package can be booked during the stay with us.
The day to day program including tour and activities (included and optional):
Day 1 – Arrival and transfer to Leopard Lodge
Following Arrival we will set course through the magnificent landscape to the lodge.
Ensuing lunch, there will be an opportunity to get settled in the pristine surroundings, take a dip in the pool and get acquainted with the lodge and personnel.
In the early evening, our hosts at Leopard Lodge will serve a refreshing cocktail and afterwards there will be a briefing regarding your stay with us. You will be instructed in how to respectfully live in the bush and which precautions to be aware of.
Following the manager’s reception and briefing dinner will be served in the restaurant.
Day 2 – Wildlife talk (incl.) and museum visit (incl.) Half day Big 5 safari (opt.),
After breakfast, we will go on a drive in the open Land Cruisers to the settings in the middle of the bush where the guides will give a wildlife talk in regards to which species of animals, birds and plants, we will find throughout the upcoming week. The guide will also explain the area’s history and what the scenery is like at the Reserve. After the wildlife talk we will set course back to the lodge where we will visit the museum and wine cellar before going back to the lodge where the chefs will be serving lunch.
In the afternoon there is a chance to experience the famous Big-5 animals in the beautiful African bush. We will be exploring one of the largest and most diverse private reserves In South Africa with more than 40.000 hectars of wildlife rich and beautiful surroundings. This area, is in one of the few UNESCO protected areas in the world, and in itself an amazing experience with breathtaking landscapes. Here we have the opportunity to find more than 50 different mammals including Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo. Besides the Big-5 we also have the chance to encounter some or the rarer and more unique animals such as the Brown Hyeana, Cheetas, Wild Dogs, Earth Wolf and more than 300 different kind of birds.
As a private reserve there are extensive restrictions to how many guests that can visit the area on a daily basis, ensuring clients an exclusive and intimate experience with a nature and wildlife in perfect balance. It does not get more authentic that this.
Leopard Lodge is an active part owner of this unique reserve and proud to work within such a groundbreaking environment. Besides the park staff there is also a large number of volunteers working and researching. The findings and results are openly shared with various Nationalparks and reserves throughout the country and beyond.
Day 3 – Safari (incl.) and Tribal evening (opt.)
After breakfast we will go on another amazing safari in the reserve. Most guests cannot get enough of the diverse wildlife in the wonderful surroundings and our guides will do their best to try and find and observe our favourite animals. Our guides will make sure to ensure that we can cross as many animals of our list as possible during the drive.
Tribal Evening
In the evening we are invited to a private dinner at our chef’s, which gives us the opportunity to experience how the indigenous black population once lived, and sometimes still do. This is an extraordinary chance to ensure that you gain some historical insight into African culture and lifestyle, in addition to a contemporary awareness.
The local culture and lifestyle are in many ways incredibly exciting, and we will be able to taste their unique food and beverages. We are also introduced to some of their customs and traditions. In many ways we should envy their way of life, they may not be rich in assets, but they are wealthy in human experiences and especially in respect for one another and their values.
The indigenous black population often expresses themselves through song and dance. Tonight we have arranged for children and young adults to come and entertain with dances and old traditions they proudly retain despite the colonial attempt to “change” them. The dancers who come to entertain us, are all part of a heritage foundation, which works to preserve the local traditions and culture.
Day 4 - Pilanesberg National Park (opt.)
Pilanesberg National Park, the third largest in South Africa, is a three hour drive from Leopard Lodge. A drive through picturesque mountain formations, developed through millenniums and which stretches through 600km’s/373mi’s of South African landscape. Pilanesberg covers an area of approx. 55,000 hectares/ 135,908 acres and was created through the gradual increase of merged plots.
Upon arrival in the park, we ascend the open safari vehicles and drive through the massive area while our professional guide shares their knowledge of the various wildlife.
All safari vehicles driving in the park are in constant radio contact, so we will immediately know if anyone else for example spots elephants and be able to make our way there shortly. This ensures the substantial likelihood that you will have a marvellous wildlife experience.
Pilanesberg National Park is a beautiful area. Situated in a volcanic landscape, its impressive mountain formations and open plains is home to a wide range of antelopes and one of the world’s largest populations of the endangered white rhino. Simultaneously, Pilanesberg offers “the Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard – in addition to giraffes, hippopotami, cheetahs, 300 species of birds and so much more.
Before tonights dinner our guides will invites guests for a cocktail in leopard bar and our bartenders will be ready with tonights wine recommendations for tonights dinner.
Day 5 – Safari with Champagne bush brunch (incl.) and Safari including observation deck (incl.)
Immediately following sunrise, we leave the lodge and begin our safari.
Our best chance at spotting wildlife up close is during the early morning hours. The antelopes move through large areas to find the best browsing, but also to find the best protection against leopards, hyenas, caracals and other predators. We drive around in an open Land Cruiser, which ensures the best possible view and photo opportunities.
Later in the morning, when hunger arises, we end our safari at Kudu Rock. Here we will serve a wonderful, traditional and lavish African Champagne Brunch, while you enjoy the magnificent view of the African bush.
Afterwards we return to the lodge, where you will have the opportunity to relax and reflect on the many impressions garnered throughout the morning and previous days.
In the afternoon our guides will pick us up in one of the Land Cruisers for a game drive that will also take us to Christina’s Wallow, or rather some of the way there. To have the least amount of impact on the wildlife, we will make some of our way there by foot. Christina’s Wallow is a hide, where you will have a direct view of a watering hole which is used by many different species of animals, such as mere cats, giraffes, impalas, wildebeest, etc. In other words, it is important to have your camera ready as you are almost guaranteed, beautiful viewings of African wildlife.
After about 45 minutes of observation from the hide, we leave Christina’s Wallow and continue on a safari in the Land Cruiser before returning to the lodge. Before dinner our bar manager invite guests for a happy hour in the bar.
Day 6 - Half day big five safari (opt.) and Safari with Sunset Rock (incl.)
For those clients that wants the last ultimate safari experience of the week this is a chance for yet another half day big 5 safari allowing good opportunity to find Africa’s most attractive species in their natural element. A fantastic experience that is continuously amongst our most popular tours at Leopard Lodge.
Mid-afternoon we will go on another amazing safari which will end at Sunset Rock. A place and an experience, former guests have said to be one of the absolute highlights of the entire tour. This is where we will enjoy a glass of bubbly, chilled champagne, while the sun slowly sets over the Waterberg Mountains in a cascade of red and orange colours.
Right here in the middle of the grandiose African landscape, at a time of unending beauty, you will feel as if no time is passing – and wish it never would. This is truly the epitome of overwhelming happiness, the African way.
Following sunset, we return to the lodge where our accomplished chefs are ready with yet another feast.
Day 7 – Walking trail (incl.), and Night Safari (opt.)
Following a hearthy breakfast we will commence our walking trail. En route our experienced guide will relate the characteristics of the Waterberg Mountains, in regards to the impressive fauna south of the equator and the distinctive surrounding nature. Simultaneously, you will gain some insight into the animal breeding- and feeding areas, an insight which will be especially exciting when learning more about antelope behaviour. After a couple of hours we will return to the lodge for a bit of relaxation and a well deserved lunch.
Night Safari
At dusk, when the sun sets over the African bush, we depart Leopard Lodge.
It is a spectacular experience to watch how the bush changes and how a completely different animal kingdom emerges. Night Safari takes place in open Land Cruisers, where we use powerful spotlights. We must use all our senses, in particular our eyes and ears, as suddenly the spotlight will detect a pair of eyes reflected in the light. This is an intense experience and something you should not miss out on.
Our guide will, throughout the safari, whisper different information about the wildlife we encounter here in the dead of night. On a night safari, we may be lucky enough to spot animals which we do not usually see during the day. Animals such as leopard, caracal, bush baby, porcupine, antbear, etc. The quietude is a characteristic of the African night, it may seem spooky and suddenly you may hear something that sounds as though the bush is ‘crying’. Such sensory perceptions are a strong characteristic of a night safari.
En route we will stop at “Flintstone Cave”, where the light from the fireplace will greet us. The chef has prepared a lovely three course dinner, and beautiful tables have been set for you. To sit in the middle of all that darkness with the fireplace illuminating your surroundings, enjoy an exquisite dinner and a glass of red wine is truly a world-class experience. When everyone has finished, we will continue our safari through the bush. The phenomenal experience should not be omitted, as it completes your safari adventure.
Day 8 - Airport transfer and on-route historic and cultural experiences (incl.)
Following an English breakfast, and perhaps a final dip in the dipping pool, it is time for one of the hardest moments of our tour; a final farewell to Leopard Lodge.
While the staff waves goodbye (and hopefully “see you again sometime”) we head for Johannesburg and Pretoria. Depending on season and availability our drivers and guides will try to include as much cultural and historic indsights of this magnificent country and stop at relevant points of interest. It can be a visit to the Apartheid musem and Hector Pieterson Memorial or perhaps the Voortrekker monument and parliament building of Pretoria. Last stop of the day will be at the airport where we say goodbye to all our guests.