Safari

From Hoedspruit: Half-Day Big Five Safari Experience at Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve

Set out on an approximately 3-hour game drive through Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve in an open safari vehicle with a qualified game ranger.

Start and end your safari with convenient pickup and drop-off at your hotel or lodge in or near Hoedspruit.

Keep watch for the Big Five and other wildlife as you explore a 12,500-hectare private game reserve between Greater Kruger and the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve.

Enjoy drinks and snacks during your safari, including coffee and rusks on the morning drive or a sundowner drink as the sun sets on the afternoon experience.

Choose a morning or afternoon drive to experience the reserve at different times of day, from the awakening bush at sunrise to a spectacular African sunset.

3-hour safari drive

Pick-up and drop-off at a hotel/lodge in or near Hoedspruit

Expert game ranger

Drinks and snacks

Sunrise or sunset safari departure [as per option selected]

Gratuities

Personal expenses

TOTAL DURATION4 hours 50 minutes - 5 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Van
Timeline
Map
Start point
Hoedspruit
Get direction
7 min by a/c van
8.1 km
1. Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve
Tickets included
3 hr
2 activities
Vehicle tour, Sightseeing & Guided tour
Spend around three hours exploring a Big Five reserve in an open safari vehicle, where a qualified ranger helps you read tracks, interpret animal behaviour and spot wildlife in the bush. The reserve’s mix of grassland, thickets and mountain scenery adds variety to the drive.
Things to do
Guided Open-Vehicle Game Drive
Included in price
Big Five Wildlife Spotting
Included in price
Morning Coffee & Rusks (Sunrise Option)
Included (based on selection)
Sunset Sundowner (Sunset Option)
Included in price
7 min by a/c van
8.1 km
End point
Hoedspruit
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 41 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Explore Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve on an approximately 3-hour open-vehicle safari from Hoedspruit, with a qualified ranger, refreshments, and the choice of a morning or sunset drive.

Getting started

Your experience begins with pickup from your hotel or lodge in or near Hoedspruit. Meet your qualified game ranger and board an open safari vehicle before setting out into Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve.

What to expect

Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve

Set within a 12,500-hectare private reserve between Greater Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, this safari offers an approximately 3-hour game drive in an open safari vehicle with a qualified game ranger. Choose a morning drive to see the bush awaken or an afternoon drive to experience the reserve around sunset.

Features

Travel through the 12,500-hectare Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve, formed from several private properties between Greater Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve.

Opt for a morning drive as the bush awakens, when the changing light creates a striking African landscape and some nocturnal predators may still be active. Alternatively, choose an afternoon drive and stay out until sunset.

Keep your eyes open for opportunities to spot some of Africa's iconic Big Five in their natural habitat. Your qualified ranger will help you understand the wildlife and interpret what you encounter along the way.

On a morning drive, pause beneath the shade of a large tree for coffee and rusks while taking in the surrounding bush.

If you choose the afternoon drive, stop for a sundowner drink as the sun sets across the reserve, adding a memorable finish to your safari.

Wrapping up

After approximately three hours in the reserve, return to your original accommodation in or near Hoedspruit. Whether you choose the morning or afternoon option, your safari combines open-vehicle game viewing with the changing light and atmosphere of the African bush.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing: Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers. A windbreaker or jacket, hat, scarf, and sunscreen are recommended.

Sun and insect protection: Bring sunscreen and insect repellent for time spent outdoors.

Camera and binoculars: Bring a camera and binoculars if you'd like to capture or get a closer look at wildlife during the game drive.

Identification details: You don't need to carry your original passport or ID for entry, but keep your passport or ID number handy for the reserve's indemnity form.

Money: Bring cash or a credit card for personal purchases or gratuities.

Accessibility

Open safari vehicle: The experience takes place in an open safari vehicle. Guests should be able to board and travel comfortably in this type of vehicle.

Additional information

Pickup: Pickup is available from your overnight accommodation in or near Hoedspruit. You'll be transferred to the entrance gate of Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve, where you'll meet your guide and board the open safari vehicle.

Entry requirements: Original passports or IDs are not required to enter the private reserve. However, you'll need your passport or ID number for the reserve's indemnity form.

Safari duration: The game drive lasts approximately 3 hours. Choose a morning safari or an afternoon/sunset safari when booking.

Sunrise safari: If you're taking the morning safari, check whether your lodge can provide a packed breakfast, as you may return after 9am.

Smoking and littering: Smoking and littering are not permitted during the experience.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.