Getting there
British Airways (www.britishairways.com) flies direct into Johannesburg. South African Airways (www.flysaa.com) also flies to Johannesburg. South African Airways offers discounted internal transfer flights with international flights.
Where to play
Roughly the size of Wales, Kruger spans more than 7,000sq miles in the north-eastern corner of South Africa, and as well as being home to wild game reserves and welcoming lodges, it contains some spectacular golf courses.
The Hans Merensky Hotel & Estate was the first port of call, the site of a quirky course where the wildlife is a feature. Animals have access to the course. Giraffes drink from the water hazards and herds of springbok roam the fairways. Most of the animals seem to be remarkably unconcerned by the golf going on around them and it's surprising how close they allow you to get. Hans Merensky's par-72 course reveals 6,741 yards of wide, tree-lined fairways. This greatly enjoyable course has a relaxed atmosphere – the holes aren't as straight forward as they look. Don't expect to play to your handicap here – this is a tough layout.
Leopard Creek was Gary Player's vision of Augusta in Africa. The fairways are emerald green, the views are breathtaking and each hole is a peculiar challenge. Featuring well-placed bunkers, uphill drives, diagonal, two-tiered fairways bisected by creeks, elevated greens and 207-yard drives over water hazards – home to hippos and crocodiles – Leopard Creek is not for the faint-hearted.
Skukuza is a proud nine-hole (18-tee) course that has played host to presidents and visiting dignitaries. This course is not pretty, its scrubby fairways will never adorn the pages of glossy brochures and it gives the impression of having been established in a clearing in the bushveld. But what it lacks in aesthetics it more than makes up for in layout and spirit.
Nelspruit is the busiest course in the region. The absence of fairway bunkers is made up for by the strategically placed trees with views strikingly similar to the British countryside.
Where to stay
The Malelane Sun Hotel on the banks of the Crocodile River is a little dated, though a fine hotel and the only way to play Leopard Creek.
Tinga Game Lodge has raised wooden decks winding through the trees revealing pretty, thatched chalets, each with a decked balcony and private plunge pool overlooking the hippos in the river below.
Jatinga Country Lodge is a colonial-style house set in 80 acres overlooking the White River and well positioned for a number of courses in the area.
Off Course
In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, the lodges provide pre, post and during game refreshments. God's Window lies 1,829m above sea level and offers wonderful views across to Lowveld and Mozambique.
The Lisbon Waterfall rises 82.5m high and looks like something from an Indiana Jones film.
You can go mining at Bourke's Luck Potholes – “there's gold in them thar hills” apparently.
Blyde River Canyon, the third deepest and only green canyon in the world is breathtaking. On a game drive look out for the Big Five: leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo and lion.
Contacts book
HANS MERENSKY HOTEL & ESTATE
www.hansmerensky.com
MALELANE SUN HOTEL
www.southernsun.com
TINGA GAME LODGE
www.tinga.co.za
JATINGA COUNTRY LODGE
www.jatinga.co.za
HANS MARENSKY
www.hansmerensky.com
LEOPARD CREEK
T: 0027 13 791 2000
SKUKUZA
www.park-sa.co.uk
NELSPRUIT
T:0027 13 744 0952
Out of Africa Travel can book personalised itineraries and provide chaperones if safety is a concern.
T: 020 8249 5919
www.outofafricatravel.co.uk
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