Kruger Park and Greater Kruger Safari – Four Day

Overview

Countries visited: South Africa

Experience some of Kruger’s most beautiful natural sights, as well as the abundance of wildlife before travelling into the Greater Kruger. The trip includes a free optional excursion where you will be taken on the Panorama route, which includes stops at the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfalls and God’s Window.

Combine the authentic Kruger park experience with a night of luxury at one of the selected luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger or Sabi Sands. Accommodation in Kruger in comfortable, air conditioned, African style rounds huts. Scrumptious 2 course breakfasts and 3 course dinners with wine included. Morning and afternoon game activities as per itinerary. Finish your safari with a bit of pampering and exceptional game viewing with a night at a luxury lodge.

Perfect for couples, groups of friends, romantic getaways, wildlife and photographic enthusiasts.

*Minimum of 2 people needed to depart, extra single departure supplement of R2500 will apply for single departures. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at the Kruger National Park

We depart from Johannesburg between 06h00 – 07h30 to allow for various collection points. Our route takes us through the wide open spaces of the Highveld, down the escarpment and through the scenic Lowveld area. We stop for lunch en-route (own expense) and reach the Kruger National Park and Skukuza Rest Camp in the afternoon.

After settling in to our accommodations (twin bed chalets with en suite bathrooms), you go out on your first game drive which is a SAN PARKS sunset drive. A sunset drive affords you the opportunity to see nocturnal animals that are more active at night and the Park’s rangers are allowed to return after the normal gate closing times. Note that these drives take place in one of the Kruger Park’s vehicles with a Park’s ranger. This is not a private game drive and there may be other guests on this drive. (Children under 6 years of age are not permitted on open vehicle drives.)

Dinner is a three course meal, served al fresco at our private camp within Skukuza. Wine is served with dinner but guests are welcome to bring along additional / alternative drinks which can be purchased at the shop.

Day 2: Private Game Reserve

After an early wake-up call (the time varies according to the seasons and park gate opening times) we have tea or coffee & rusks (dried biscuits to be dunked in your coffee or tea). Our morning safari will take approximately 3 hours. Your guide has an intimate knowledge of the park, which contributes a great deal towards brilliant sightings!

Directly after breakfast at our camp, we head to one of the world renowned Private Game Reserves adjacent to Kruger in our closed, air conditioned tour vehicle.

We arrive in time for lunch and have some time to freshen up before departing on your afternoon game drive in one of the lodge’s open game drive vehicles. This drive generally takes about 4 hours and tends to extend into the early evening. The Private Reserves are particularly famous for its close sightings of predators. Although we cannot guarantee these sightings, your chances of seeing these magnificent animals are very good!

Dinner is served under the stars (weather permitting). The day ends with discussions around the open fire about what you saw today and the plans for tomorrow.

Day 3: Private Game Reserve 

Private lodges offer two game drives per day, during which your experienced game ranger and expert local Shangaan tracker will share their extensive knowledge and love for the African bush with you. Due to a carefully planned and managed habituation process, animals and birds in the reserve have become used to having the game drive vehicles in close proximity, without feeling threatened. This allows us to get really close to them and forms part of the appeal of the Private Game Reserves!

After breakfast guests are welcome to join the morning walk. The rest of the day is spent at leisure, relaxing in your room or at the pool. Lunch is served around 14h00.

Meal times are a sociable affair, with dinner served under the stars (weather permitting). Only the freshest produce is used and this is served with the local wines which South Africa is famous for.

Day 4: Last day on your Africa Wildlife Safari

An early wake-up and coffee starts your last day on your Africa Wildlife Safari. One last opportunity to experience the magic that only the African Bush can offer!

After your morning Game Drive breakfast is served. Directly after breakfast we begin our journey back to Johannesburg. We stop en-route for lunch (own expense).

The drive back to Johannesburg takes at least 6 hours and guests are advised to sleep over in Johannesburg on this night.

(Breakfast included)

Optional Excursion (free of charge)

On offer an optional excursion to visit select attractions along the Panorama Route. Depart camp at 06h00 stop in one of the small towns en-route for breakfast (included) and visit attractions such as the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfalls and God’s Window. This excursion is available free of charge and will replace the morning game drive. You will be at your Lodge in time for lunch. This excursion will be co-ordinated while you are on safari with. (Kindly note that this excursion is only available on the day that you leave Skukuza Camp for the Private Lodge due to time constrictions)

Accommodation

Combination safaris stay in the Kruger, at either Skukuza, Pretoriuskop or Letaba camp, as well as either Nkorho or similar, all dependent on availability.  Greater Kruger lodges are also included in the combination stay, at either Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Buffalo Camp or Pondoro – Balule, all dependent on availability.

More Info

Price includes:

• Professional drivers / guides (FGASA registered – Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)
• Meals as specified per itinerary
• All day / night drives in the Private Game Reserve in an open 4 x 4 game drive vehicle
• All entry fees and daily conservation levies
• Accommodation as per chosen option
• Select Panorama Route attractions
• Return transfers from Johannesburg

Price excludes:

• Meals not specified in itinerary
• All drinks
• Items of a personal nature
• Gratuities
• Optional extra activities, such as spa treatments

Important Notes

It is important to note that this is not a private safari and more than likely there will be other guests joining you on the game drive vehicles, air-conditioned mini bus transfer vehicles as well as in the dining facility.

The child policies vary from lodge to lodge. Some lodges do not accept children under 12 at all, while others gladly accept children but do not allow younger children on the open game drive vehicles for safety reasons. These lodges offer babysitting services at a nominal extra charge. Please be sure to enquire about this before making your reservation.

Guests flying out of OR Tambo Airport on the last day are reminded to not book any flights earlier than 19h00 (domestic) or 20h00 (international) in order to give us enough time to get you to the airport. We recommend that you rather stay over in Johannesburg if possible. Since we cannot guarantee our arrival time in Johannesburg on the last day we will not be held responsible for reimbursements of flight tickets, should we arrive later than expected. Guests flying out of Nelspruit on the last day may, depending on their flight details, not have enough time to see the Panorama Route. Private transfers for guests with early flights can be arranged in advance at an extra charge.