Regent Safaris

Despite being city dwellers for most of our lives, John and I (Ann) fell in love with Kruger at first sight. So much so, that our passion for its incredible fauna and flora inspired us to qualify as registered THETA guides and start our company Regent Safaris well over a decade ago. Originally from the UK, today we’re fortunate enough to live just outside the Kruger National Park and have, over the many years that we’ve been here, built up invaluable knowledge of the area and its surrounds.

With an elevated view, open Land Rover safaris are a true ‘Out of Africa’ experience. From the moment you settle into your comfy individual seat equipped with a blanket for chilly early mornings, a waterproof poncho to keep you dry if there’s a sudden summer storm and a pair of quality binoculars for special sightings, you know you’re in for a treat. What’s more, our vehicles are equipped with 2-way radios, which means if there’s an extraordinary sighting, we’ll hear about it. Our professional and qualified guides have been carefully selected and their incredible knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants will enthral and entertain you. If you’re in need of refreshments, complimentary mineral water and fruit juices are provided.

Nothing can compare to the feeling of coming face-to-face with a wizened elephant, or the breathtaking thrill of seeing a leopard stalking its prey. There’s birdlife in abundance and antelope in every shape and size. Whether you see Africa’s animals in dense riverine thickets, in the light of a golden-red sunset, or traversing plains lush with grass, at Regent Safaris, we’ll always do our best to ensure your experiences become memories that you’ll treasure for life.

We believe we have to be equal to the beauty that nature provides. It’s why our exclusive wildlife experiences are all about providing personalised and friendly service of the highest standard. We’d like to think it’s one of the reasons we were presented with an award in recognition of exceptional service in the South African Tourism Market at the 2011 Welcome Awards. But rather than take our word for it, see what our safari guests (many of whom we’ve been honoured enough to welcome several times) have had to say about us.

Kruger National Park

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience second to none. At nearly 2 million hectares, it is the largest game reserve in South Africa, stretching 350km along the Mozambican border and is, on average, 60km wide. It is unrivalled in its diversity of species and is a recognised leader in environmental management techniques and policies. It is home to 147 mammals, over 500 species of birds, 336 trees, 49 fish and 35 amphibians.

PRIVATE GAME LODGES

We have included in our portfolio exclusive private game lodges in the Sabi Sand Reserve, an area well known for its spectacular game viewing, and two private concessions in the Kruger National Park. For the ideal wildlife experience, combine our safari with a private Sabi Sand safari.

ROAD TRANSFERS

Competitive transfer rates from Nelspruit MQP airport to hotels and lodges in the Mpumalanga area. Road transfers are arranged from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to Hazyview, a journey of approximately 5 hours, whilst an internal flight takes only 55 minutes.

TOUR GUIDES:

Tour Guides are qualified and registered with THETA (Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education & Training Authority) and have incredible knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants. As one guest wrote (see August 2012 comments), ‘our guide was excellent, whatever we wished for he managed to fulfill, we even witnessed a leopard killing an impala at the waters edge. His expert knowledge was never ending, nothing was too much trouble for him, he was very professional and we really enjoyed his company, I'd recommend Regent Safaris to anyone who is fortunate enough to be visiting Kruger, hopefully someday we will return’. At Regent Safaris we’ll always do our best to ensure you leave with memories to treasure for life.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation in the Kruger National Park is in en-suite air conditioned rondavels / chalets. For a wildlife experience enhanced by superior comfort, good amenities, extensive menu choices and quality food, we recommend our popular Kruger Boutique Safaris. Situated just a few minutes from an entrance gate, accommodation is far superior with better amenities, extensive menu choices and good quality food. On enquiry, information with descriptions and photographs will be forwarded on all options.

MEALS

Enhance your Safari experience, under the magical African skies, by enjoying choice food prepared by your hosts, and complemented by excellent South African wines (private tours only). Two meals a day are provided on overnight safaris in the Kruger camp restaurant (regular tours). As Kruger Boutique Safari lodge menus are normally al a carte, the tariff is on a bed & breakfast tariff with dinner settled on departure. We provide complementary mineral water and fruit juice whilst on board the vehicle on all safaris.

PICK-UP POINTS

Daily departures are on request from Hazyview hotels and lodges. Transfers arranged from Johannesburg OR Tambo airport and Nelspruit MQP airport. The road journey from JNB is approximately 5 hours, whilst a flight from JNB to Nelspruit takes only 55 minutes.

TRANSPORTATION

Kruger Open Land Rover Safaris are a true ‘Out of Africa’ experience. Road transfers are in comfortable 7 to13-seater air conditioned vehicles. All vehicles have the necessary transport permits and insurance.

WILDLIFE SAFARIS TO THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARk

Our exclusive wildlife experiences are all about providing personalised and friendly service of the highest standard. Whether you select a safari staying inside the Kruger or select one of our Kruger Boutique Safaris, we will do our best to ensure your experiences become memories that you will treasure for life. A typical 2 night Kruger itinerary: an afternoon Kruger on day 1, full day on day 2 and a morning safari on day 3.

We can design Kruger Boutique Safaris to your exact requirements so you can experience a variety of other activities on offer, i.e. Blyde River Canyon and Moholoholo & Endangered Wildlife Tours, Cultural Tours, Elephant Interaction with these gentle and incredibly intelligent animals with an optional ride, scenic hot air balloon flights and spectacular helicopter flights over Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and waterfalls.

DAY SAFARIS TO THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Our professional and personable guide will meet you 15 minutes before the gates open and welcome you on board our comfortable and well-equipped open Land Rover. Before long, you’ll enter Kruger through the southern section, where elephant & buffalo herds, lion, cheetah, rhino and a variety of general wildlife including giraffe, zebra and various antelope species are often seen. Along the way, your guide’s incredible knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants will enthral and entertain you, and if you’re in need of refreshments, mineral water and fruit juices are provided at no extra charge. As our vehicles are fitted with 2-way radios, enabling communication of the best wildlife sightings, who knows... you could witness one of nature’s rare sightings such as the ‘Battle at Kruger’ – the most watched wildlife clip in the history of YouTube and now a National Geographic documentary.

Awards

South African Tourism Welcome Awards 2011 – Ann Evans, Winner in the Regional / Local Tourist Guides Category 2011

ACCREDITATIONS