5 Day Budget Kruger Safari Tour (Accommodated)

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park, South Africa

We will pick up guests between 6:30 am and 6:45 am from various lodges and hotels within a 5 km radius of the OR Tambo International Airport, and then we will depart from the shuttle and bus terminal between 6:45 am and 7:00 am.

Our clients have the option of flying directly into Skukuza Kruger National Park, or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airports, and being picked up by their guide at no additional cost.

The day before the tour, please confirm your pickup details. It should be noted that these are shared departures. Upon arrival in Hazyview, we will travel directly to our lodge. We expect to arrive between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

A light lunch will be served, and guests will have time to unpack, relax, and enjoy a swim or walk around the beautiful Lodge and walking trail. We depart from the lodge at 15.45pm for a sunset – night safari in the Kruger National Park. As the sun sets later in the summer, one will experience longer night drives in winter when the light is just perfect, but every safari is unique and special in its own way. Once the temperatures drop in the afternoon, wildlife begins to move and your guide will assist you in finding the best sightings, before returning to the lodge around 20.00 pm for a lovely dinner and a good night’s sleep before your full day safari.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Kruger National Park, South Africa

In Mpumalanga, which means the place of the rising sun, all safaris begin before sunrise. The best part of the day is when you are not sure what to expect, as we enter the park gates and your guide will be able to tell you where you can find the best wildlife including the Big 5 and plains game. This is the best time of the day to observe predators.

Breakfast packs will be provided by the Lodge and your guide will stop after approximately three hours for a breakfast and bathroom break, as well as the opportunity to obtain a cup of coffee. Our safari continues in Kruger National Park as we visit rivers and watering holes as well as plains and bushveld areas.

Our next stop will be a rest camp for lunch, where this meal is on your own account. Time to do some curio shopping or enjoy a cold beverage awaits us. Afterwards, the guide will continue the safari towards the lodge, we will arrive between 15.30 and 16.00 pm, giving us time to relax, swim, and enjoy an enjoyable dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Panorama Safari, South Africa

Discover God’s Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon (the world’s third largest canyon), Lisbon waterfall, and the three rondavels.

In the morning, we begin with a delicious hot breakfast at the lodge at 7:30 am, followed by a meeting with your guide in an air-conditioned vehicle at 8:00 am. A 45 minute drive from Hazyview leads to the Panorama route, which climbs almost 1000 meters in elevation to the Northern Drakensburg Mountain range. Since we will be doing some lovely walks outside Hazyview, we recommend that you bring a jacket and comfortable walking shoes.

During our visit to God’s Window, one can view as far as Kruger and beyond from the escarpment and 1 000 meter drop below. You will need to wear comfortable walking shoes since there are paths and trails connecting the various lookout points to the view points. An average person will take between 15-20 minutes to reach the top, but it is well worth the walk through a natural rainforest environment.

During hundreds of years of erosion, Bourkes Luck Potholes have developed into a stunning natural formation. Bourke’s Luck potholes are formed in the red sandstone by the confluence of the Treur River and Blyde River. They have round carvings and holes with varying sizes. Your guides will provide you with a brief overview of the region’s history. Visitors can cross the chasms using small footbridges and observe the water flowing through the cracks and holes. A number of small but beautiful waterfalls can also be found in the area; we spend about one hour hiking 1 km in total.

It is the third largest canyon in the world, the Blyde River Canyon. It has a length of over 40 kilometers and a depth of 1 200 meters. As a result of the many rivers and dams that make up the canyon floor, it is home to a great deal of plant life. Another highlight of the Panorama Tour is the opportunity to view the 3 Rondavels – These 3 outcrops stand prominently in the landscape due to their resemblance to the Rondavel houses which are typically found in Africa.

Lisbon Falls will also be visited, a beautiful waterfall with a strong flow of water throughout the year. We will stop in the Highveld town of Graskop for lunch and some shopping. Graskop has some great small shops and guests will have time to stroll through the town. After a successful day, return to the lodge around 4 – 5 p.m., enjoy a drink, a swim and dinner before an early start the next morning for an exciting safari in Kruger National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Kruger Park National Park

Since predators are most active in the early hours of the day, we always depart before sunrise, which is the best time to view wildlife. You will have an opportunity to observe animals and regions that have not been seen or covered by your guide yet. The Kruger National Park is home to 148 mammal species and over 500 bird species, so no safari is ever the same.

Due to Kruger’s extensive road network, guides will safari in different areas of the park at different times of the year, offering clients the opportunity to see more animals and to enjoy the beautiful wildlife and vegetation.

Returning to the lodge around 11 a.m. we are free to swim, enjoy some walks around the lodge, try our local bears, or just take advantage of our pleasant African weather. At the lodge, you will be served a light lunch and a delicious dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Kruger to Johannesburg, South Africa

Today we have your last safari in the great Kruger National Park, a great opportunity to just enjoy the bush or find your elusive leopard. There is no doubt that our guides have years of experience and knowledge, which will ensure that your safari is one to remember.

After a brief stop for breakfast and coffee, we will continue the safari returning to our lodge around 11 am, where you will say goodbye to your guide and freshen up before returning to Johannesburg. The shuttle picks up clients at approximately 11.30 am, and we return to Johannesburg OR Tambo shuttle terminal and lodges within a 5 km radius between 17.00 and 18.00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.