Kruger is one of Africa’s great wildlife landscapes: vast, varied, ancient, and alive with movement. A good safari is not only about seeing animals; it is about understanding the bush as a living system — the tracks on the road, the alarm call in the distance, the movement of birds, the changing light, the riverine trees, and the quiet moments between sightings.
Cotter Safaris offers guests a guided Kruger experience with a strong emphasis on interpretation, comfort, and personal attention. Michael’s background as a trails guide and wildlife photographer allows him to share not only what guests are seeing, but why it matters.
Guests can expect a relaxed but immersive safari rhythm: early morning game drives, time to rest during the warm middle of the day, and afternoon drives as the bush becomes active again.
The tour is ideal for guests who want:
the excitement of Kruger without complicated logistics,
knowledgeable guiding from an experienced field guide,
small-group travel rather than large bus tourism,
a comfortable pace,
opportunities for wildlife viewing, birding, photography, hides, picnic stops, and camp visits,
the reassurance of travelling with a host who understands both the bush and the needs of older guests.
This is not a rushed checklist safari. It is a considered, ranger-led journey into Kruger, designed around comfort, good company, expert guiding, and the pleasure of being in the bush.
The first Cotter Safaris package is a five-night Kruger safari based at Skukuza Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park. The tour is designed for small groups of five to ten guests, beginning with Evergreen Val de Vie residents and other retirement community groups.
Guests fly from Cape Town to either Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport or Skukuza Airport, depending on availability and the final travel arrangements. Cotter Safaris handles the travel planning, airport transfers, accommodation arrangements, park logistics, and guided game drives.
Tour summary
Duration: Five nights
Group size: Minimum 5 guests
Accommodation: Skukuza Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park
Travel: Flights from Cape Town, with airport transfers arranged to Skukuza
Guiding: Personally hosted and guided by Michael Cotter
Vehicles: Staria minibus or alike
Pace: Comfortable, senior-friendly, and low physical activity
Price guide: From R38,950 per person sharing, subject to availability, flight prices, season, and accommodation rates
Itinerary
Day 1 — Travel to Kruger
Guests are collected from Evergreen Val de Vie and assisted with the travel process. The group flies from Cape Town to Skukuza, checks in at Skukuza Safari Lodge, and enjoys a first short game drive if time allows. The day ends with dinner and an introduction to the safari rhythm.
Days 2 to 4 — Full safari days
Each full safari day is planned around two main game drives:
Morning drive: 06:00–09:00
Afternoon drive: 14:30–18:00
Between drives, guests return to the lodge for breakfast, rest, personal time, and recovery from the early start. The pace is intentionally comfortable, with optional rest periods for those who prefer not to join every activity.
Depending on sightings, weather, mobility, and group preference, the days may include birding, photography, visits to hides, picnic sites, camp shops, museum stops, and exploration of the Skukuza region, Sabie River area, Lower Sabie routes, and other suitable Kruger landscapes.
Day 5 — Final full day in Kruger
The final full day allows guests to enjoy another morning and afternoon drive, with time to revisit productive areas, enjoy a slower photographic outing, or focus on specific wildlife interests such as birds, big cats, elephants, buffalo, or general bush interpretation.
Day 6 — Return travel
After breakfast, guests check out and transfer to the local airport for the return flight to Cape Town. Cotter Safaris assists with transfers and return arrangements.
Note: The exact itinerary may change depending on flight times, park conditions, weather, sightings, accommodation availability, and the comfort of the group.