Safari Destination

Tucked into the northern reaches of Kruger National Park, on the banks of the Luvuvhu River, Return Africa Pafuri Tented Camp offers a very different kind of South African safari. Located in the remote Makuleke region of northern Kruger, this solar-powered tented camp is particularly appealing to travellers interested in birding, walking safaris, photography, landscapes and a quieter wilderness experience.

This visit was a particularly special one for me. My dad invited me to join him on his holiday, and I was very happy to accept. I’ve spent time in this part of Kruger before, including helping train guiding students here, but returning with him gave me the chance to experience this familiar wilderness in a very different way.

It also gave me the opportunity to experience Pafuri first-hand as a guest and to consider what makes this part of Kruger such a distinctive choice for a safari.

What began as a long-awaited reunion between friends who first met in medical school more than 40 years ago became an extraordinary journey across Southern Africa. From the iconic landscapes of Cape Town and Victoria Falls to elephant-filled waterways in Chobe and thrilling predator encounters in Botswana's Okavango Delta, this hosted safari combined remarkable wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and lifelong friendships. Join us as we relive an adventure years in the making, filled with unforgettable moments both on and off the beaten track.

As part of our commitment to our guests, we are continually exploring new safari lodges and partners throughout Southern and Eastern Africa. We make it a priority to experience select properties in the field ourselves, alongside insights from trusted industry partners, to ensure they align with our standards in guiding, hospitality, conservation, and overall guest experience before we recommend them.

This marks the beginning of our “Behind the Safari: Lodge Review Series,” where we share first-hand impressions from the lodges we are considering for our carefully curated portfolio of trusted safari partners.

Our first review takes us into the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, where we recently visited RockFig Safari Lodge.

Planning your first African safari is both exciting and overwhelming. East Africa and Southern Africa each offer extraordinary wildlife, beautiful lodges, and deeply memorable experiences, yet the feeling of travelling through these regions is very different.

The right choice depends on what you imagine when you picture Africa. Vast golden plains filled with migrating herds, or a private wilderness where your vehicle is the only one at a leopard sighting.

This guide will help you choose the safari that best matches your travel style, expectations, and priorities.

At Hylton Langley Safaris, we are committed to delivering unparalleled wildlife experiences and luxurious comfort for every client. To uphold this standard, Hylton and I regularly visit properties that we believe offer exceptional safari opportunities. Our recent two-night stay at MalaMala Main Camp confirmed why this reserve continues to be one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.