Kruger Lion Expedition with the Little Lionman Steve Kelly

Kruger Lion Expedition with the Little Lionman Steve Kelly

Your guide, Steven Kelly, makes this a truly unique and once in a lifetime experience.

Steven has over 8 years experience working hands on with Africa's apex predators including Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Hyena and Wild Dogs.

It was only after Steven met his childhood hero Mad Mike who turned Steven's passion for captive animals into educating people on the importance of WILD LIFE!

Steven gave up his career in the captive industry as a big cat handler to take you out to go and witness Lions do what they do best - rule the open Savannah and all that inhabit it.

He will keep you entertained with his stories and also has the luck of the Irish when it comes to spotting Lions, and was the only tour operator in Pilanesberg to have 100% success rate in locating lions in 2018.

Steven has hosted some of South Africa biggest celebrities on tour due to his reputation as the little lion man - a nick name given to him by South Africas Biggest Rock Band - the Parlotones.

Itinerary

Day 1: The Journey Begins - Johannesburg to Kruger National Park

Stop At: Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park
Steven will collect you from any hotel or airport in Johannesburg or Pretoria at 05.30 am to begin the 587 km transfer to our first camp site ' the world famous Skukuza rest camp , During the drive we will drive through the Panorama route where we will drive through the beautiful mountain ranges through to Blyde River canyon before completing the drive through to Skukuza Rest Camp where we will check in , have a quick swim before heading through to the restraunt for a eagerly awaited dinner
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Skukuza Rest camp - 2 sleeper Chalets

Day 2: Signs and sounds - The Adventure Begins

Stop At: Skukuza, Skukuza, Mpumalanga
The journey begins , After a well earn't rest Steve will wake up the guests at 5.30 am with some coffee and rusks to prepare you for one of the highlights of the tour ,
We set off to the walking concession to go and search for the Lions of Skukuza , An area known for its high population of Lions, Leopards and the rest of the Big 5
With 2 qualified armed rangers escorting us we begin our 4 hour walk through the worlds most famous wildlife sanctuary learning about the flora and fauna that makes the Kruger such a diverse and special place, while Steve and the other guides teach you how to look for predator activity in the area .You will also learn from Steve and his fellow guides how so safely approach Big 5 on foot , all while respecting the animals boundary
( please note we have had over 3000 hours walking without incident, Steve and his guides know how to understand the wildlife we encounter, allowing you to get close safely to the majestic wildlife that call the Kruger home )
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Sabie, Sabie, Mpumalanga
After our walk where we hopefully had our first sightings of lion on foot , we head back for breakfast before packing up and heading on a slow 4 hour drive to our next camp, The best part in the park to see big cat, Lower Sabie - Known for it huge number of lion and hyeana ,
Once we arrive we settle into camp and relax for a few hours and have an early dinner before heading on our 1st night drive of the tour to go and find the Lions while they are most active, After a 2 hour night drive we head back to have drinks around a warm fire and listen to Steve's background on his work with Captive Lions and how he started the company with the World famous Mad Mike Penman from animal planets hit Tv show Mad Mike and Mark who was renowned for his work and filming of Wild Lions in Botswana
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner: Traditional South African Braai '' BBQ '' Prepared by Steve
3 Meats , Rolls, Corn on the cob, Salad
Accommodation included: Lower Sabie Rest Camp - Lions , Lions , Lions

Day 3: Lower Sabie - Crocodile Bridge

Stop At: Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park
We Wake up bright and early and have a Full English breakfast before heading on a 3 hour game drive through to our next camp , Crocodile Bridge , known for its Large pride of Lions known as the Vuremi Pride which consists of 22 females and 9 male lions
Also a White male lion has been spotted moving along with the pride recently
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Crocodile Bridge Rest camp

Day 4: Crocodile Bridge to Berg en dal

Stop At: Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park
We wake up at 6 am and have a light breakfast before packing up and heading back into the Park towards our final camp of the tour known more for its leopards than its lions but also have a large number of lions and buffaloes , Berg en Dal which is probably the one of the best camps for viewing big 5 from,
After a long 6 hour drive through to camp, we head to the pool for a swim before having another hosted braai by Steve to celebrate our final evening in the Park, After Dinner we go on our final night drive of the tour to try and watch the Lions and Leopards take advantage of the African night to stalk the abundance of antelope that hide at night
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner: Braai - 3 new meats , Potato and Noodle salad , Rolls, Corn on the cob , Desert
Accommodation included: Berg en Dal Rest Camp - Home of the Leopards

Day 5: The Journey Ends

Stop At: Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Greater Johannesburg, Gauteng
This is the Sad part of the tour- The ending - We wake up early to have a quick 2 hour game drive from 6 am to 8 am to hopefully get one last photo of the Lions and Leopards of Berg region . Before heading back for a Full English Breakfast.
At 9 am we load up the vehicle and begin the six hour transfer back to your hotel or airport
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.