"Authentic Bush South Africa"
A seven-day bush safari in the legendary "Fifth Quarter style" on the banks of the mighty Olifants River in northeastern South Africa, not far from the borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Our private, exclusive bush camp is tucked away and unfenced in the Balule Nature Reserve, home to the iconic "Big Five." Wild animals roam freely and intersect our camp life and game drives by day and night – by open-top jeep and by boat...
Prices & dates at the bottom of this page

Baluleni
Baluleni - means "a place where water flows".
Our camp is located directly on the Olifants River, which has water year-round and is therefore vital for the survival of flora and fauna. This continuous water supply ensures fascinating wildlife sightings in spectacular natural surroundings throughout the year in the camp and the surrounding biosphere reserve. The camp deliberately has no fences; wild animals roam the campsite as part of their natural habitat – day and night.



Respect & Distance
...and yet still up close. The Fifth Quarter team is equipped with a HIKmicro Habrok Pro HX60LN thermal imaging camera , night vision goggles , and binoculars at all camps. This means you'll experience animal sightings not only during the day, but also during natural, unobserved behavior in the pitch-dark of night. The thermal binoculars make animals visible even in daylight when we can't see them with the naked eye due to their natural camouflage.
Baluleni Lodge
The lodge, run by our German partners and friends Heike & Andreas, is not only a place dedicated to the preservation of nature and the protection of South Africa's wildlife habitat, but also a culinary hideaway amidst the South African wilderness. Here, the soul slows down and the body recharges. The camp pool and lounge bar provide external and internal cooling and inspiration.


our camp at the Olifants River


Braai Boat
On the "Kombaku," our braai boat, we observe the wildlife from the Olifants River. Chilled wine, ice-cold beer, South African fynbos gins, and tonics—everything's on board. Roland prepares snacks over the wood fire, The Fifth Quarter style.
Bush Cooking
Outdoor cooking (braai) is the order of the day – meals are cooked almost exclusively over an open wood fire – even on the wooden boat on the mighty Olifants River! Traditionally, regional meat, game, fish and shellfish from the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic coast, and vegetables from local farms are prepared daily, all accompanied by a magnificent selection of wines from the Cape Wine Kingdom and South African fynbos gins.
logfire food
Cottages in the bush
You'll stay in eight authentically and stylishly furnished bush cottages, each with its own terrace and small lounge. The comfort of air conditioning in each cottage provides a relaxing rest and sleep after hot and dusty days in the South African wilderness.

Overnight stay in the bush camp
over the bush
A sunrise hot air balloon ride and a bird's eye view of the bush against the breathtaking backdrop of the mighty Drakensberg Mountains is another perspective-change for ambitious nature lovers and adventurers. This impressive thrill is available as an option for our guests and concludes with a traditional bush breakfast.

in front of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains
Our safari camp AUTHENTIC BUSH SOUTH AFRICA takes place on fixed dates, but can also be booked individually for closed groups
3,495 € per person all inclusive (without flights), transport, accommodation, all food & drinks "unlimited", private driver, game drives, braai boat on Olifants River, airport service Hoedspruit
- Travel to Hoedspruit via Johannesburg or Cape Town
We deliberately keep the group sizes small, max. 10 participants per group
Minimum number of participants: 5 people . Up to 4 people we charge 3,695 € per person.
The next dates
All our trips can also be booked on individually arranged dates
Authentic Bush South Africa
February 7 - 14, 2026
February 24 - March 3, 2026
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