THE GRAND GOLF SAFARI
15-Day Golf Safari: Pilanesberg & Greater Kruger National Park Itinerary Overview
DURATION: 15 days / 14 nights
DESTINATIONS: Johannesburg • Pilanesberg • Greater Kruger National Park
GOLF COURSES: 6 challenging courses, including designs by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player
DAY 1
Welcome to South Africa
Location: Steyn City Golf Estate, Johannesburg
Accommodation: Steyn City Hotel by Saxton
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Your golf tour begins at OR Tambo International Airport, where a member from the Savanna Greens team will welcome you and facilitate a seamless transfer to Steyn City Golf Estate. This Jack Nicklaus signature course and luxury development provides the perfect introduction to South African golf while preparing you for wilderness adventures ahead.
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Evening: Welcome dinner at the estate's premier restaurant, with fellow golfers and your guide team introducing the safari golf experience.
DAY 2
Championship Golf Debut
Morning: Golf - The Club at Steyn City
Start your safari with Jack Nicklaus's strategic masterpiece. This championship layout showcases the Golden Bear's course design philosophy. Built from an old rock quarry, this 90-hectare course has hosted several Sunshine Tour DP World Tour events.
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Afternoon: Leisure time and facilities exploration.
Evening: Sundowner drinks followed by a relaxed dinner.
DAY 3
Into the Wild
Morning: Transfer to Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Accommodation: Tshukudu Game Lodge
Leave manicured fairways behind as you journey into authentic African wilderness. Tshukudu Game Lodge sits within an ancient volcanic crater, home to the Big Five and countless other species.
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Afternoon: First game drive in Big Five territory.
Evening: An authentic South African dinner officially launches your safari experience.
DAY 4
The Lost City
Morning: Golf – The Lost City
After an early morning game drive through Pilanesberg, tee off at the Lost City Golf Course. The 18-hole desert-style course is surrounded by spectacular views of the bushveld, with wide fairways and a series of lakes that separates the ninth with the finishing hole. The infamous 13th is guarded by crocodiles – certain to encourage precision!
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Afternoon: Share stories over lunch at the clubhouse before returning to the lodge for sundowners.
Evening: Bush dinner experience.
DAY 5
Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Ancient Crater
Pre-dawn: Drift silently skyward on a sunrise hot air balloon ride, enjoying an unparalleled aerial perspective of diverse wildlife moving through their natural habitat in Pilanesberg below.
Morning: Champagne breakfast celebrating your aerial adventure.
Afternoon: Leisure time and lodge facilities.
Evening: Ground-level game drive for close wildlife encounters, followed by another authentic African dinner.
DAY 6
Gary Player Country Club
Home of the Nedbank Golf Challenge
Morning: Golf - Gary Player Country Club
Your Pilanesberg finale takes place at Gary Player's championship creation – a mammoth 7,315 meters (8,000 yards) of undulating kikuyu grass fairways and imaginative bunkers surrounded by the mountains of Pilanesberg National Park. Consistently ranked in South Africa's top 10, this strategic design has hosted major tournaments and represents one of the country's finest layouts.
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Afternoon: Leisure time, lodge facilities and departure preparations.
Evening: Farewell dinner celebrating your Pilanesberg golf experience.
DAY 7
Transfer to Kruger National Park
Morning: Charter flight to Kruger National Park
Location: Greater Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Camp Shawu
Traverse beyond Kruger National Park’s public access and into a private concession, where Camp Shawu is located. The five-star luxury lodge overlooks a bustling dam, where many animals come to drink throughout the day.
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Afternoon: Optional game drive introducing South Africa's greatest wildlife destination.
Evening: Dinner overlooking the dam.
DAY 8
Bushveld Golf
Morning: Golf - Kambaku Golf Course
Named after one of Kruger's legendary "Magnificent Seven" elephant bulls, this unique course runs through bushveld at the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers. Designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings, its most iconic hole runs parallel to the Crocodile River, where golfers are often treated to sightings of elephants, hippo or buffalo meandering near the fairway.
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Afternoon: Enjoy drinks at the clubhouse before returning to the lodge for some well-deserved downtime.
Evening: Late afternoon game drive followed by a traditional boma dinner under the stars.
DAY 9
Transfer to Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Accommodation: Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Located within a private concession, Narina Lodge sits high in the trees above the Sabie River, where you can watch elephants drinking from your deck while soaking in your private pool. The elevated position means wildlife feels close enough to touch, yet you're safely tucked away in what feels like the world's most luxurious treehouse.
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Morning: Enjoy a well-deserved lie in and a leisurely breakfast before transferring through the park to Lion Sand’s Narina Lodge.
Afternoon: A relaxed lunch
Evening: Late afternoon game drive followed by a traditional boma dinner under the stars.
DAY 10
World's Wildest Golf Course
Morning: Golf - Skukuza Golf Course
Play Africa’s only golf course located within a national park. This unfenced, 9-hole layout offers the possibility of wildlife encounters during your round.
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Afternoon: Choose between leisure time or an afternoon game drive.
Evening: Another gorgeous dinner under the African sky.
DAY 11
Slow Down, You’re on Safari!
Morning: Early morning bush walk followed by a leisurely breakfast.
Afternoon: Enjoy the lodge facilities throughout the afternoon, including a delectable lunch.
Evening: Hop into a game viewer for another opportunity to view the Big Five and soak up the sunset. Followed by another special dinner under the African sky.
DAY 12
Transfer to Jock’s Safari Lodge
Morning: Enjoy one final morning game drive and bush brunch before checking out.
Transfer: Scenic journey through Kruger to Jock's Safari Lodge with picnic stop.
Location: Jock's Safari Lodge, Greater Kruger
Arrive at one of Africa's most celebrated safari destinations. Named after the legendary dog from Sir Percy FitzPatrick's classic tale, this exclusive lodge combines literary history with uncompromised luxury in pristine wilderness.
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Evening: Sunset drinks on the deck followed by a delicious dinner.
DAY 13
Jocks’ Safari Lodge
Morning: Golf - Leopard Creek Country Club
Your golf safari crescendos at another Gary Player masterpiece, this time overlooking the Crocodile River. Consistently ranked as one of South Africa's top three courses, this championship layout borders Kruger National Park where crocodiles and hippos inhabit water hazards and wild animals roam the fairways.
Afternoon: Celebrate your final round at the Leopard Creek Club House before a leisurely game drive back to Jock’s Safari Lodge.
Evening: ‘Fines Night’ drinks overlooking the riverbed, followed by a special dinner at Jock's Safari Lodge.
DAY 14
Farewell to the Savanna
Morning: Last bush walk experiencing intimate wilderness sounds and sights.
Afternoon: Relax and enjoy the lodge facilities.
Evening: Final game drive as the sun sets over the African landscape.
Night: Special farewell dinner and ceremony celebrating your incredible memories.
DAY 15
Departure
Morning: Breakfast at Jock's Safari Lodge
Transfer: Nelspruit Airport for departure flights
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