Customised Safaris by Chris Bates Safaris

The Mission

Chris Bates Safaris can assist clients with customised safari packages to Kruger National Park, Pilansberg National Park, as well as other nature reserves around the country.

We offer the following services

GUIDED, PHOTOGRAPHIC & BIRDING SAFARIS

WALKING TRAILS

MEET YOUR GUIDE

Our destinations

North-West Province

- Pilansberg

- Madikwe

Limpopo Province (West)

Indicates walking safaris available

- Mabula

- Welgevonden

- Marataba

Limpopo Province

Indicates walking safaris available

- The Outpost, Return Africa Pafuri

- andBeyond Ngala

- Djuma

- Timbavati

- Selati

- Klaserie

Mpumalanga Province

- Lion Sands

- Sabi Sands

- Mjejane

- Kruger National Park

- Kruger Park Lodge

KwaZulu Natal Province

- Isimangaliso Wetland Park

TOUR OPTIONS

Customised Safaris

DAY SAFARIS

PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK

DAY SAFARIS

PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK

Included:

Return transfers from Johannesburg/Pretoria
Park entrance
Morning tea / coffee
Light breakfast
Lunch
Guiding fees

Excluded:

Alcoholic beverages
Curios
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature

Options:

Overnight accommodation can be arranged at various camps around the reserve upon request

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OVERNIGHT SAFARIS

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
ANDBEYOND NGALA
DJUMA
SABI SANDS
LION SANDS
TIMBAVATI
KLASERIE
PAFURI
SELATI
MJEJANE
KRUGER PARK LODGE
MABULA
SAFARI PLAINS
KWAFUBESI

OVERNIGHT SAFARIS

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
ANDBEYOND NGALA
DJUMA
SABI SANDS
LION SANDS
TIMBAVATI
KLASERIE
PAFURI
SELATI
MJEJANE
KRUGER PARK LODGE
MABULA
SAFARI PLAINS
KWAFUBESI

Included:

2 Safari activities daily with guide
Ensuite accommodation
Meals (Excludes Kruger National Park and Kruger Park Lodge)
Return transfers (if required)

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About Chris Bates

Chris started his career in the nature guiding industry after a life long love of the wilderness and its animals.

Chris has had lodge experience running Buffalo Thorn Lodge (a 5 star lodge) in the Black Rhino Private Game Reserve as well as guiding at various other lodges in the Pilanesberg National Park including Tshukudu, Ivory Tree & Shepherds Tree. Chris has also guided at Marataba Safari camp in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.

Chris has completed a professional field guide qualification, backup & lead trails, advanced rifle handling, tracks and signs level 2, birding and field observation courses and has achieved a wilderness first aid level 2 qualification.

He has had the privilege of walking in reserves such as Mashatu (Thuli Block, Botswana), Makuleki Contractual Park (Northern Kruger National Park), Selati, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Timbavati, Balule Private Nature Reserves and Karongwe Game Reserves (in the Lowveld) under the guidance of some well respected industry professionals.

With all this past experience, Chris is sure to provide an intimate wildlife experience to all guests that have the opportunity to be guided by him.

COLLABORATIVE COMPANIES

CLIENT FEEDBACK

This was an incredible journey. We saw so much of Pilanesberg and Chris was so knowledgeable. Thank you so much.
Valery Galasso
What an awesome experience – I will recommend Chris to all of my clients for the future. Very informative & professional. Well done!!
Nizar Taylor
Excellent tour. I learned a lot and saw loads of animals. I will definitely be back!
Benjamin Wilkinson
A wonderfully refreshing & informative day out in Pilanesberg – Chris was a fantastic guide, very knowledgable and relaxed.
Ruth Reinecke
Chris is a great guide. Plenty of knowledge and particularly good when photographers are on board.
Keith Smith
The most wonderful way to safari. Excellent guide. Thrilling in every way.
Susan K
Best one day adventure, very informative and good company – 10/10!!
Brad Gaertz
Dear Chris Once again, thanks so much for the wonderful trip to Pilansberg and letting me experience awesome wildlife. I will still need some days to process all the impressions. You are an amazing guide and sharing your knowldge about the animals , the vegetation,…… etc. makes the trip even more special. Comment from a colleague of mine this morning, when I was talking about yesterday (and believe in me – I couldn’t stop as as I am still super excited about it) was just: next time you come back, you need to do a 4-5 day walking tour in Krueger National Park. And he is so very right. Looking forward to the pics. Many Thanks and Cheers
Bettina Lindner
We had Chris take us on an all day Safari to Pilansburg and highly recommend him. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and delivered superb service!
Erin Haney Emery
Chris was recommended by a friend and he was an amazing guide. I did a day trip to Pilansburg and the whole experience was wonderful. Coffee on pickup, meals, logistics – everything was perfectly arranged. Most importantly, Chris is very knowledgeable. He knows about animals, signs they might be around, vegetation and he knows many people in the park to ask what they’ve seen that day. All around a great experience and would definitely recommend him to anyone!
Angela Baker
Thanks to Chris Bates Safaris and Mix FM for the awesome prize of a 1-day trip to the Pilanesberg. Chris collected us all from home at 5am and drove us to the Pilanesberg where we had a really superb day. Chris’s knowledge was excellent and we all thoroughly enjoyed every moment.and experience before he drove us back arriving home at 19h30. The food that he provided on arrival in the park was great and we all enjoyed standing around chatting and then snacking as we drove around. An excellent safari and a huge thank you to Chris for the overall experience, all the bush info and the photos after the trip – a very special experience and a great start to Christmas. THANK YOU CHRIS
Julia Morris and Family
Our family of 4 were lucky enough to experience 3 days of private safari guiding by Chris in the Pilanesberg National Park and we cannot recommend this experience highly enough. Chris’s knowledge, experience, attention to detail, animal spotting and driving skills made for an amazing and unforgettable 3 days! I would not hesitate to recommend Chris to anyone planning a safari trip to this area of SA. Thanks again Chris for a wonderful experience.
The Spackman’s
We were extremely lucky to have had Chris as our guide in Pilanesberg in August. Chris’ passion for the bush and wildlife were evident from the beginning making each game drive with him extraordinary. The incredible sightings, his knowledge and delicious guinea fowl recipe will never be forgotten. Chris is a true professional who showed a profound respect for animals, the bush, his colleagues and guests. Our time with Chris was invaluable and we look forward to him guiding us again very soon.
Katina & Alex Schopper & Nelson Cates
We did not yet get to tour with Chris, but we will someday, God willing. We were shopping at Cape Union Mart in preparation for a safari we had already booked. Despite knowing we could not book with him this time, he spent a long time sharing his knowledge and helping us choose our attire. What an amazing man. Thank you Chris
Rick & Sherry Berg
I know Chris since our training together, fantastic guy! A fanatic birder and so much more.
Wilderness Guide Jelmer
Amazing tour. Amazing Chris. Tea break in the park, surprize that left me speachless. And all the knowledge Chris has, made this trip so educational and special. Well done! So whenewer you have a day free in Pretoria or JBurg, ask Chris and he will show the beauty of wildlife in all the splendor.
Janis Jaksts
From the planning of our safari to the actual day was perfection. I want to thank Chris for going beyond our expectations and making sure that every small detail was taken care of. My guests from Europe were pleased and amazed that we had seen all of the BIG 5. Thank you again Chris.
Brett Duchesne Meadway
Chris ist ein klasse Guide-wir werden ihn bestimmt wieder buchen! Wir hatten tolle Beobachtungsfahrten mit ihm.
Holger Domdey
Chris is an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and keen to show you the best of what nature has to offer. Very professional and attentive. Can’t wait to go back!
Nelson Cates
Good luck Christopher! You are so knowledgeable! Lucky people to be able to go on one of your trips!
Margaret Lancaster
Absolutely amazing guide!
Sian Braithwaite Wright
Chris is any amazing guide. The tour was just perfect and great experience. It was very well organized from first contact to dropp-off. I will definitely come back for another trip. You also learn a lot about animals' habits, the vegetation around etc. from Chris - education and learning by experience.
Bettina Lindner
His knowledge and professionalism
Julia Morris
Great experience! Chris has a lot of knowledge about the bushes and animals, interesting facts! Great camera for taking the pictures! Thanks a lot!
Arne Drabbé
Chris was recommended by a friend and he was an amazing guide. I did a day trip to Pilansburg and the whole experience was wonderful. Coffee on pickup, meals, logistics - everything was perfectly arranged. Most importantly, Chris is very knowledgeable. He knows about animals, signs they might be around, vegetation and he knows many people in the park to ask what they've seen that day. All around a great experience and would definitely recommend him to anyone!
Angela Baker
My wife Tina and I have been on two trips organized by Chris Bates Safaris, one to Hoyo Hoyo and one to Imbali in the Kruger National Park. It is not often in these days that you get the excellent service that we got from Chris, from bookings, communications and attention to detail. Both trips went off without a single hitch and the lodges recommended were full value for money. Both trips were really wonderful with great game viewing, accommodation and food. Chris is a very knowledgeable guide and a true professional and we would recommend him without hesitation
Tony and Tina Routledge