Overview:
A budget-friendly brief getaway to the renowned Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier safari locale.
This three-day Kruger National Park safari serves as an exemplary introduction to South African safaris and the varied wildlife of Kruger Park, encompassing Africa’s Big Five. Commence with a sunset-to-night game drive, followed by a full-day safari in Kruger Park, and conclude with a morning game drive in Kruger. All accompanied by qualified safari guides in open safari vehicles.
An exceptional budget retreat featuring excellent lodge accommodations near Kruger National Park.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park, South Africa
The 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari commences from Johannesburg early on the initial morning. Guests are retrieved from OR Tambo International Airport or from their accommodations located within a five-kilometer radius of the airport.
The shuttle leaves OR Tambo at 07:15, proceeding into the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. We proceed directly to our luxurious safari lodge in Hazyview, arriving in time for a light lunch. Post-lunch, unpack and acclimate at the lodge. Traverse the lodge’s verdant gardens on foot or indulge in a rejuvenating swim in the pool.
In the afternoon, at approximately 15:45, you commenced your inaugural game drive in Kruger National Park. This sunset game drive extends into the night, utilizing a spotlight to locate nocturnal species in the darkness. During winter, the nocturnal wildlife drive will afford you more time due to the early onset of darkness. During summer, one can observe the African bush more extensively and experience a magnificent sunset.
We return to our safari lodge at approximately 20:00 for a delectable dinner and relaxation.
Repasts: Luncheon & Supper
Accommodation: Safari Lodge adjacent to Kruger National Park
Day 2: Safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa
On the second day of our Kruger Lodge Safari, we rise before dawn for a comprehensive wildlife drive in Kruger Park. The resort offers packed breakfasts to facilitate our prompt departure.
A brief drive leads us to the entrance of Kruger National Park as the gates open. The game viewing adventure commences upon our entry. The early morning is an optimal period for seeing wildlife, as predators rest following nocturnal hunts while herbivores start to become active. The open safari vehicles utilized on this journey are state-of-the-art, guaranteeing optimal wildlife observation and photographic opportunities for all participants.
Following almost three hours of exploration, we pause for a breakfast intermission at a camp within Kruger Park. There will be an opportunity to purchase coffee and utilize the camp amenities. Following our intermission, the game drive resumes. Your guide will then halt at another rest camp within the park, where you may purchase lunch from one of the delis, stores, or restaurants available on-site. This is an opportunity for curio shopping or to unwind with a refreshing beverage.
We commence our departure from Kruger National Park in the mid-afternoon, reaching the lodge at approximately 16:00.
This provides you with some leisure time to unwind prior to enjoying a delectable dinner. Stroll around the garden, abundant with avian life, or immerse yourself in the shimmering pool to refresh after a day in the bushveld.
Repasts: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Safari Lodge adjacent to Kruger National Park
Day 3: From Kruger National Park to Johannesburg, South Africa
On the concluding morning of our three-day Kruger Lodge Safari, we commence one more game drive. On the second day, we rise before dawn and proceed directly to Kruger Park with packed breakfasts from the resort.
Your knowledgeable safari guide concentrates on locating the elusive wildlife species we may have overlooked yesterday. Fortunately, the informed guide is aware of the optimal locations in the park to observe wildlife, so we remain hopeful.
Following our recent open vehicle game drive in Kruger Park, we returned to the adjacent resort, arriving at approximately 11:00 AM. It is now time to prepare for departure and bid farewell. The shuttle car retrieves you at approximately 11:30 and transports you back to Johannesburg.
We anticipate arriving in the city between 17:00 and 18:00. The shuttle delivers you to your post-safari hotel near OR Tambo Airport or to the airport’s shuttle terminal, marking the conclusion of our unforgettable 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari.
Repast: Breakfast
Private Kruger Safari Alternative
The Kruger Lodge Safari, designed for small groups, is also offered as a Private Kruger Safari, which requires a minimum booking of four participants. For additional details regarding private safari tour alternatives, please reach out to African Budget Safaris.
Concerning Kruger Lodge Safari Accommodation
This three-day safari in Kruger National Park features comfortable and economical lodge accommodations in proximity to the park.
Participants in this exclusive tour reside at one of two meticulously chosen safari lodges in Hazyview. The chosen lodges are situated a 15-minute drive from the Phabeni and Numbi entrances of Kruger National Park. Both are privately owned safari lodges providing high-quality, budget-friendly accommodations suitable for Kruger Park safaris.
Accommodation consists of en-suite rooms equipped with air conditioning. Both safari resorts include swimming pools and offer exceptional cuisine and service. The safari guides at the resorts are licensed experts with expertise and enthusiasm for African wildlife and ecosystems.
Umbhaba Eco accommodation is the most often utilized accommodation for this Kruger Park Safari. It is an environmentally sustainable lodge situated in native gardens with aquatic features and reservoirs that draw abundant avian species. The lodge provides stunning vistas of the Lowveld and the distant Sabie Valley. It offers an ideal location for evening refreshments following an exhilarating day in Kruger Park. Each accommodation features a modest private balcony, and there is an inviting bar where guests may savor beverages with fellow safari participants.
Kruger National Park Safari Experience
Kruger National Park ranks among the premier game reserves globally for wildlife conservation. It is the foremost safari destination in South Africa and one of the most exceptional wildlife reserves in all of Africa.
Kruger National Park exhibits an extraordinary variety of animal and plant species, encompassing 148 mammal species and more over 500 bird species. The remarkable diversity is partly attributable to the extensive expanse of the national park. Kruger spans almost 2 million hectares, approximately equivalent to the size of Israel.
Typically, Kruger Safaris feature game drives lasting approximately three hours; however, this particular Kruger National Park Safari offers a full-day game drive. This prolonged game drive in Kruger Park affords additional time within the park, enabling greater wildlife observation and exploration of a broader expanse of the area. The extended game drive allows for greater observation of the various eco-zones inside the park, in addition to an increased sighting of animals and birds. Approximately 80% of prior visitors on this 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari observed all five of Africa’s Big Five wildlife.
This Kruger Park safari often emphasizes the southern sector, which supports greater game densities compared to the northern region. The southern region of Kruger contains protected valleys with arboreal species seldom encountered in other areas of the reserve. The granite slopes of southern Kruger Park harbor leopards, baboons, klipspringers, and numerous other species. This area of Kruger also supports robust populations of giraffe, zebra, impala, kudu, buffalo, rhinoceros, elephant, cheetah, and wild dog.