Package 1
7 nights
24th June 2008: Arrival at Entabeni
Participants arrive at Johannesburg airport and are transferred to the Entabeni
game reserve. After checking into the respective lodges, and enjoying some sandwiches
and snacks, it is time for the first of several exciting game drives. These drives
will provide the opportunity to experience an authentic African safari in serene
surroundings. The Entabeni Game Reserve offers diverse wildlife, open safari vehicles
and relatively few tourists creating an ideal wilderness atmosphere
25th & 26th June 2008: Entabeni Game Drives
Days two and three of the programme are dedicated to exploring the game
reserve through daily game drives and a bush walk. During these days you will get
accustomed to the park’s geography, and climate, and you will slowly begin to look
forward to the big event: The Red Cross Big Five Mara-thon®. During these two days
there is one daily game drive included in the programme, which will take place either
in the early morning or in the late afternoon. Also a bush walk is included on day
3. The early morning game drive typically takes place between 0600hrs and 0930hrs.
During these early hours you will enjoy the cool African morning, spot spectacular
wildlife, and most probably work up an appetite. Upon your return from morning safari
you will be richly satisfied by the over-whelming breakfast buffet that awaits you
at the lodges!
The afternoon game drive begins around 1600hrs, arriving back at the lodge in time
for dinner around 1930hrs. Similar to the morning game drive, the afternoon drive
provides great wildlife ex-periences. Moreover the afternoon drive offers you the
opportunity to experience a genuine African sunset in ideal settings: enjoying a
cold drink on the savannah, while admiring the changing colours of the darkening
evening sky. The afternoon drive then turns into a night safari, where you will
get the chance to spot the fascinating nocturnal wildlife with a spot light.
Over the last few years the reserve’s wildlife has become increasingly accustomed
to the visiting tourists. It is therefore not uncommon to see elephants, giraffes
and different species of antelopes grazing in close proximity to the safari vehicles.
A pride of lions even occasionally holds up traffic, lying lazily across the track.
We use open 4x4 safari vehicles, which provide us with an excellent op-portunity
for viewing the wildlife in safety.
As an alternative to the game drives, the lodge offers "Bush Walks" that allows
you to examine the surroundings on foot in the company of an armed ranger with extensive
tracking experience.
During the stay, the participants will have a number of park rangers allocated:
one for approximately every ten participants. The rangers ensure your safety, drive
the safari vehicles, provide competent guiding, coordinate the events with the race
management, and are at your disposal around the clock. Everything is done for you
to have an unforgettable experience.
27th June 2008: Route Inspection
After breakfast all the participants are transported from their respective
lodges to the starting point of the marathon. It is now time for the route inspection:
all safari vehicles follow the route in a con-voy, allowing the participants to
examine the different running surfaces, note the locations of water posts, and assess
the overall difficulty of the route.
After the route inspection a large lunch buffet will be served for all the participants.
This is the time where everyone is gathered – the participants, technical staff,
medical staff and race co-ordinators - for a formal introduction to the event, and
a presentation of the practical issues surrounding the marathon.
28th June 2008: The Red Cross Big Five Marathon ®
The big day has come. Today you will be met by a challenge that will be
worth remembering: The Red Cross Big Five Marathon®. In the morning all the participants
will be transported from the vari-ous lodges and camps to the starting line in time
for final preparations. The marathon is planned to start at 0800hrs, however the
exact time will be dependent on the location of the local pride of lions, as they
are often found at the foot of the Entabeni ridge, where the route is going. Good
luck!
29st June 2008: After Marathon party
Today you will experience yet another fantastic game drive followed by
our After MarathonParty. There will be great food, live entertainment, prize ceremonies,
and partying under the African skies.
30th June 2008: Entabeni
On the final day at the Entabeni Game Reserve you will have one last game
drive either in the morn-ing or in the afternoon. Those interested will also get
the opportunity to stretch their legs on one final bush walk. In the evening farewell
dinners will be held at the respective lodges.
1st July 2008: Depart for Johannesburg
After breakfast transfer to Johannesburg Airport.
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