Exclusive Morning Game Drive Safari near Hoedspruit
Description
What a way to start a day in Africa? Watching the sunrise from the comfort of an open safari vehicle, nestled among the branches of a 1000 year-old Leadwood tree or hear the lions roaring announcing the start of a new day. There is a good chance to see Elephants, Rhino, Lions, Leopard, Hyena, African Wild Dog or Cheetah just to name a few. But the true beauty of an African safari lies in the opportunity to witness the incredible diversity of wildlife that calls this place home. The Drakensberg mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the savannah, framing every photo like a work of art. Every turn could reveal a new and wondrous sight, a reminder of the raw beauty and power of the natural world. As the sun cast it's golden light, it's hard not to feel a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of experiencing such a magical place. In the end, an African safari is more than just a vacation. It's a chance to connect with nature in a way that is both humbling and inspiring.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Experience the magic of the early morning on our safari – a testament to the proverb "The early bird catches the worm." As the sun gradually paints the canvas of our adventure with warm hues of red and orange, our quest for the majestic Big 5 begins. Encounter Elephants, Rhino, Leopard, Lions, Hippos, and more against the backdrop of a breathtaking landscape, creating a captivating spectacle for nature enthusiasts. Our expedition commences at the Leadwood gate within the privately owned Rietspruit game reserve. Along the way, savor a moment of tranquility and indulge in a coffee or tea stop, accompanied by traditional rusks for a delightful snack. Each sunrise holds the promise of extraordinary sightings and inspiring moments, making this morning game drive an unparalleled experience for those who cherish the wonders of nature.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(40)
I had no idea of what I was about to experience. We were met in a timely fashion for our 515 game run by Jakes. He greeted us warmly with the most amazing smile and ready laugh. He is an extremely talented tracker. His intuition led us to several encounters that were beyond even his expectations. We found two very rare sightings. Not only did he have an immaculate vehicle. He also taught us how to be safe in the bush. He showed us different vegetations and us many stories of Africa. One of the game Drive customs when you take a morning or an evening drive is to set up a little table, covered with a tablecloth with snacks and coffee drinks, and enjoy the sun up or sundown. It was very relaxing to have this unexpected custom. My very breath was taken away at our experience finding a big cheetah male. He stayed with us for almost a half an hour and typical Cat things like turning his back on us. We had two different encounters with African elephants. We also met a pride of lionesses and the male lion that was following in their wake. We had some very entertaining experiences with white rhinoceros. I learned what a midden means. Most of all, I appreciated the respect for my endless questions. I came away with a deeper meaning of South Africa and the animals that lived there. This was an experience that changed my life.
Wow, thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt review. Reading your words truly made my day. It was an absolute pleasure sharing the bush with you, and I’m so glad your first safari turned into such a memorable experience. Nature always has a few surprises in store, but those rare sightings, especially the cheetah spending so much time with us, are moments I’ll remember for a long time too. I’m delighted that you enjoyed learning about the wildlife, vegetation, animal behaviour, and even some of our little safari traditions. For me, a game drive is about so much more than ticking animals off a list—it’s about understanding and appreciating the incredible ecosystem we are privileged to explore. Thank you for your curiosity and for asking so many great questions. Guests like you make every drive rewarding, and knowing that your time here gave you a deeper appreciation for South Africa and its wildlife means more than I can say. I hope the memories of that sunrise, the lions, elephants, rhinos, and especially that magnificent cheetah, pangolin and aardvark stay with you forever. Regards to the rest of the family
Jakes was absolutely amazing. His knowledge of the area was incredible and we were able to see all of the big five and then some...even a pangolin! The experience of a lifetime.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was an absolute pleasure spending the week with you and your family Seeing the Big Five is always special, but finding a pangolin and aardvark as well, is something truly extraordinary and one of those rare moments that reminds us just how incredible the African bush can be. I’m delighted we could share that experience together. I hope the memories of your safari stay with you for many years to come, and I’d love to welcome you back for another adventure someday. Safe travels and see you in the bush!
What an incredible experience. Jakes and Collette at All or Nothing Adventures were incredible. Jakes will find animals anywhere. They are supremely professional and we learned more in a few drives with the than we had in years. I cannot recommend All or Nothing highly enough.
Thank you so much for your amazing review, Nick It was an absolute pleasure sharing our part of the bush with you. Tracking and finding animals is something I'm truly passionate about, and it makes it even more rewarding when guests get to experience those special sightings. Colette and I really appreciate your kind words and your recommendation. Thank you for choosing All or Nothing Adventures. We hope to welcome you back to Hoedspruit soon
Amazing experience ! We all had so much fun !
Thanks for the 5 STAR rating! Also enjoyed our safari together. Hope to see you back soon
With Jakes, our guide had some fantastic game drives from Leadwood Big Game Estate. He knows a lot about everything in nature and fine-tunes what you would like to see. Have seen many beautiful animals that he also takes all the time for. Would definitely do the safari again here in the future.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It really means a lot to hear that you enjoyed your time out on the game drives with me. I’m glad we could tailor the experience to what you were hoping to see, and that we had some great sightings along the way. Taking the time to appreciate each moment in the bush is what it’s all about. It was a pleasure guiding you, safe travels and hope to see you again in the future!
Fantastic beautiful nature park with all the wildlife you could want to see. Smaller scale than Kruger park and therefore clearer. Good rangers who do their utmost to let you enjoy the wildlife present.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! I'm really glad you enjoyed the beauty of the reserve and the variety of wildlife. The more intimate setting does make for a special experience, and it’s always our goal to help guests make the most of every sighting. It was a pleasure guiding you, and I hope to welcome you back again one day!
A wonderful game drive experience. Thank you Jakes and Colette for allowing us to experience the wonders of the African bush. We appreciated all the great insights and the fantastic service provided throughout our visit!
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful game drive experience and that we helped make it truly memorable. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the African bush soon!
Morning game drives with Jakes are very well organized. The animals are present and the sunrise is magnificent. Jakes offers us blankets if it's cold and the coffee at the end of the safari is a real pleasure. We made them as a family and we all loved them. we can only recommend without hesitation.
Thank you so much for your glowing review! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our morning game drives. It's always a pleasure to provide a well-organized experience and ensure that our guests are comfortable throughout the safari. I'm glad you appreciated the blankets and the coffee—it's those little touches that make the experience memorable. It warms my heart to know that your family loved the safaris as much as we loved having you. Thank you for recommending us, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Excellent Game Drives - able to get close to the animals and learn from experienced guides like Jakes. Also incredible learning of the wildlife and how conservation and protection are very important
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We're very happy to hear that you had an excellent experience on our guided tours. It's wonderful to know that you found the adventure truly amazing and magical. Hope our paths will cross again in future
Amazing experience, we had a drive scheduled for 6am they showed up about fifteen minutes early each day, eager to take us on our safari. Jakes, Jules and the whole teams are VERY knowledgeable about the animals, not just the large ones but even little things like the dung beetle, the spiders and the birds. We saw pretty much everything we hoped for except the leopard, but that was expected. Truly could not ask for a better experience or nicer people.
Thanks for taking the time to give us such a glowing review. Our team works hard to ensure that every aspect of your journey is top-notch, from punctuality to knowledge and, most importantly, unforgettable encounters with wildlife. We're delighted that you got to witness the playful nature of the baby elephant and the gentle curiosity of the adults up close. Our guides prioritize safety and respect for the animals while ensuring that guests like you have the opportunity to marvel at these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Thank you once again for choosing us for your safari adventure, and we hope to welcome you back for more unbelievable experiences in the future! Ps: Loved your mobile "photo-machine"
