Overview:
The Kruger Treehouse & Private Lodge Safari is essential for budget-conscious travelers seeking a distinctive Big 5 safari experience in South Africa.
Visit a private wildlife lodge within the prestigious Big 5 Balule wildlife Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Commence with a thrilling game drive from sunset until night, pursuing nocturnal wildlife. Pause for an unforgettable bush barbecue in the center of the private game reserve before resuming your 4×4 game drive into the night. Commence day 2 with an early morning bush walk along the Olifant’s River in Balule Game Reserve, followed by an exhilarating Big 5 game drive in the afternoon. Subsequently, proceed to the distinctive Treehouse Camp, nestled among the trees adjacent to the unspoiled Klaserie River within a private wildlife reserve. Drift into slumber amidst the sounds of animals at the unconventional treehouse resort – an authentic African safari experience! On the third day, a comprehensive full-day safari in Kruger National Park will be conducted in an open 4×4 vehicle. Conclude day 4 with a morning nature walk, followed by a ride along the picturesque Panorama Route back to Johannesburg.
Detailed itinerary:
DAY 1: Johannesburg to Balule Game Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park – South Africa
This distinctive Kruger Safari commences in Johannesburg, where you will be picked up from your accommodation or the Johannesburg International Airport. Departing Johannesburg, the City of Gold, we proceed eastward into the picturesque Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, via the Highveld grasslands en route to the Greater Kruger Park.
Our initial overnight accommodation is in a Private Game Lodge within the Balule Game Reserve of Greater Kruger Park. Balule Private Game Reserve is renowned for its rich avian and terrestrial fauna, including Africa’s Big Five.
In the afternoon, there is typically an opportunity to take a rejuvenating swim in the lodge’s pool, unwind at the bar, and appreciate the lodge’s verdant garden. In the late afternoon, we commence our inaugural game drive in the Balule Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park. Our twilight game drive seeks the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo, along with numerous other wildlife species.
The three-hour evening game drive, performed in an open 4×4 Landcruiser, serves as an exceptional introduction to our Kruger Treehouse & Private Lodge Safari in South Africa’s premier wilderness regions. During the Big 5 game drive, we observe our inaugural magnificent African sunset in the bush as we extend our exploration into the night. At night, we utilize spotlights to locate nocturnal wildlife in this private concession, including jackals, hyenas, and lions.
We pause for an unforgettable bush braai in the center of the private wildlife reserve. Dinner is cooked over an open flame at the Marula Tree Boma as the stars emerge. Following our leisurely braai in the wilderness, our exhilarating game drive extends into the night. We observe for predators lurking in the shadows, potentially encountering the elusive leopard.
Upon returning to the private wildlife lodge within the reserve, we relax and retire to our luxurious en-suite cabins equipped with air conditioning. The exclusive game lodge is situated within an exquisite subtropical garden adorned with water features and is secured by electric fencing to deter lions, elephants, buffalo, and other species present in the reserve.
Inclusions: Bush Barbecue (Braai) at Private Game Reserve
Safari Excursions: Sunset and Night Game Drive in Big Five Reserve Balule Game Reserve
Concerning Balule Game Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park
This 35,000-hectare private game reserve is unfenced from Kruger National Park, enabling various wild animals to traverse freely between two wilderness regions. The Olifants River traverses the Balule Game Reserve, drawing a diverse array of avian and terrestrial fauna throughout the year.
Balule is inhabited by the renowned Big Five of Africa, with buffalo, lion, and elephant frequently observed, occasionally even from the lodge premises. Commonly observed fauna at Balule Private Game Reserve comprises giraffe, wildebeest, hyena, zebra, hippopotamus, warthog, mongoose, vervet monkey, and several antelope species, including waterbuck, steenbok, impala, and kudu.
Nocturnal fauna, including civets, bushbabies, bats, hares, genets, wild cats, and porcupines, may be observed during nocturnal game drives. This region of Greater Kruger is home to several elusive wild animals, including cheetahs, African wild dogs, bat-eared foxes, badgers, caracals, serval cats, and various antelope species such as suni, roan, and sable antelope.
The Greater Kruger Park region include several private game reserves, like Balule, which have unfenced borders with Kruger National Park itself. Residing in a private game lodge provides an opportunity to evade the predominant influx of tourists, as the Balule Game Reserve is inaccessible to the general public.
This premium Kruger safari offers a more secluded bush experience, enhancing your connection to nature. Within the private game reserve, one traverses unpaved roads, encountering significantly fewer motorists during game drives. Off-road driving is authorized. An additional benefit of game viewing in the Balule private reserve is that your expert guides utilize two-way radios to communicate, so enhancing the frequency of wildlife sightings during your game drives.
DAY 2: Greater Kruger Private Game Reserve and Treehouse Camp – South Africa
Second day of our Kruger Treehouse and Private Lodge Safari commences with a morning coffee and rusks. Subsequently, we will drive to the Olifant’s River in Balule Private Game Reserve around dawn, where we will continue on foot.
The 2.5-hour guided bush walk provides an excellent opportunity to intimately explore the micro-ecosystems of Greater Kruger. Your knowledgeable guide escorts you along the river, highlighting notable animal trails, flora, avifauna, and diminutive fauna. The guide will be equipped to guarantee your protection in the event of an encounter with large wildlife in the wilderness.
Following our enjoyable stroll in the private wildlife reserve, we return to the safari lodge with robust appetites for a delectable brunch. In the afternoon, we return to the bush for a game drive in the Balule Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger Park, abundant with species. Following our Big 5 game drive, we leave the Private Game Lodge and proceed to our next destination – a distinctive Treehouse Camp.
The Treehouse Camp provides a unique alternative to conventional safari lodging, featuring captivating treehouses in a pristine bush environment.
Repasts: Breakfast and Dinner
Safari Activities: Morning Bush Walk and Afternoon Game Drive in Balule Game Reserve
DAY 3: Safari at Kruger National Park & Treehouse Camp – South Africa
Today, we proceed to the Orpen Gate of Kruger National Park, where we will transition to a specially equipped game-viewing vehicle.
This bespoke safari vehicle features open sides, optimizing vision for game observation and immersing you in the scents and sounds of the African wilderness. The safari van is raised and lacks windows to enhance photographic opportunities in Kruger Park.
The area of Kruger National Park that we investigate features one of the largest densities of lions in Africa, along with various other predators. The Orpen-Satara-Nwanedzi region of Kruger features expansive grassy plains that draw substantial populations of herbivores, including vast herds of zebra, giraffe, and many species of antelope. The prevalence of grazers in this region naturally accounts for the elevated density of predators as well.
During our game watching drive, we will frequently pause to observe wildlife and take breaks at Kruger camps, picnic areas, and sites of archaeological or historical significance.
Upon concluding our full-day safari in Kruger National Park, we will return to our delightful treehouse accommodation, which provides exceptional value.
Repasts: Breakfast and Dinner
Comprehensive Full-Day Safari in Kruger National Park
The Private Treehouse Camp offers lodging in rustic, thatched treehouses situated among the woods along the unspoiled Klaserie River or with views of the camp’s illuminated waterhole frequented by buffalo and various wildlife. Ten bungalows are elevated on stilts in the forest and feature en-suite bathrooms. Two of the delightful units are elevated in the trees, featuring individual restrooms on the ground.
These raised treehouses are constructed using wood, reed, and thatch, minimizing the environmental impact on the surrounding dense vegetation. The treehouse lodging is rudimentary; however, the cabins are equipped with electric fans, beds, and mosquito nets, and provide linen, towels, and soap to guarantee your comfort.
Each treehouse includes a wooden viewing deck, providing an immersive natural experience akin to camping, although enhanced by additional charm. In winter (about April to October), nights may get cold; therefore, additional blankets and hot water bottles are provided to ensure warmth, despite being in close proximity to nature without the need for camping. At night, one can hear the sounds of wild creatures from the security of your treehouse, providing an authentic African bush experience.
Concerning Kruger National Park in South Africa
Kruger National Park, globally acclaimed, is one of Africa’s foremost safari locales and South Africa’s leading game reserve. Spanning almost 2 million hectares of pristine African bush, the diverse habitats of Kruger Park host an unparalleled array of flora and fauna.
Kruger is the premier travel destination in South Africa, providing exceptional game watching, including substantial populations of Africa’s renowned Big Five: elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and buffalo. This extensive wilderness region is home to 147 mammal species, 517 bird species, several other wild animals, and 336 tree species. Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier national park, is regarded as a global leader in sophisticated environmental regulations and animal management strategies.
DAY 4: Private Treehouse Camp to Johannesburg, South Africa
On the final day of this exceptional Kruger Treehouse & Private Lodge Safari, we rise early and embark on a foot expedition into the bush, contingent upon weather conditions.
The brief bush walk provides an opportunity to observe indicators of wildlife activity and the smaller organisms and flora frequently neglected during game drives. This early morning walk is an exceptional opportunity to explore the intricate nuances of the bush and gain insights into the captivating flora and wildlife of the private reserve. Your knowledgeable ranger will identify animal tracks and droppings encountered during the walk, along with birds and insects residing in the game reserve.
Upon returning from our guided morning stroll, we partake in breakfast prior to departing the captivating treehouse camp. We traverse the scenic Panorama Route en route to Johannesburg, stopping to appreciate the Three Rondawels and the magnificent Blyde River Canyon.
In the late afternoon, we arrive in Johannesburg, concluding the memorable wildlife expedition of this Kruger Safari.
Repast: Breakfast Safari Activities: Supervised Morning Bush Walk & Panorama Route Drive
Kruger Safari Fuel Subsidy
Due to persistent fuel price escalations, a fuel subsidy has been incorporated into this Kruger Park Safari. This is intended as a temporary measure to be revoked if fuel costs decrease. The modest gasoline subsidy guarantees the preservation of the exceptional quality of this Kruger Safari. For the fuel subsidy cost, please consult the complete pricing for the Kruger tour.