6 Days Budget Kruger Park Camping Safari

The 6-day Budget Kruger Camping Tour sets out from Johannesburg to Kruger Park, arriving at Skukuza Camp inside Kruger in time to embark on an afternoon game viewing drive in this world famous game park.

On this Kruger Safari we camp inside Kruger Park at Skukuza Rest Camp enjoying our meals and the facilities at camp between our game driving adventures. 

We venture out into the bush on a morning and sunset game drive in search of Africa's "Big 5" and other magnificent wildlife found in the vast Kruger Park on day two. We explore Kruger on morning and afternoon game drives returning to the camp for lunch and a rest on day three and four of this camping safari. We explore Kruger Park on foot taking a guided bush walk on day five and head back into the bush on an afternoon game drive.

On the final morning we take one last exhilarating game drive in Kruger Park, home to a staggering abundance of diverse plants, wild animals and birds. We return to Johannesburg via the scenic Panaroma Route where we stop to admire the impressive Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfalls and Pilgrims Rest.

An excellent value-for-money safari getaway camping inside South Africa's flagship Kruger National Park.

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park - South Africa

This 6-Day Kruger Park Camping Safari starts in Johannesburg, South Africa, departing from a selected lodge, your hotel or guesthouse, or OR Tambo International Airport early in the morning .

Leaving the vibrant city of Johannesburg between 07h00 and 07h30 we travel east in an air conditioned mini-bus to the Kruger National Park. We stop for lunch in one of the small towns along the way to Kruger Park entering South Africa's premier game park at about noon.

The game viewing adventure begins as soon as we enter the vast Kruger Park making our way to Skukuza rest camp inside the reserve. En route to our overnight campsite inside South Africa's flagship game park we keep our eyes open for the unbelievable diversity of wildlife found in this open African wilderness area.

Your safari guide will meet you at Skukuza rest camp inside Kruger Park and assist you with setting up your two-man dome tent. Your guide then gives you a brief tour orientation on where your meals will be served, camp facilities and when the game drives depart. Next you have some free time to freshen up and settle in at the campsite before we head out into the bush on our first exhilarating afternoon game drive.

The first game drive is conducted in an open safari vehicle and usually departs from Skukuza rest camp between 2:30 and 3:00pm in the afternoon. This game viewing drive lasts for about 3 to 4 hours depending on the wildlife or bird sightings, returning to Skukuza camp before the Camp gate closes.

Back at camp there is some free time to freshen up before dinner, which is served at the ideally located dining facility (pointed out to you in the tour brief). Dinner is a traditional South African meal, prepared by your host to give you a real taste of South African cuisine. A glass of complimentary wine is served with your dinner and you are welcome to buy your own drinks (wine, beer or other drinks) at the Park’s shop.

After dinner you can relax around the camp fire looking back on your rewarding day in the African bush or head off to bed for a well-deserved rest.

(Dinner included) 

Day 2: Kruger National Park - South Africa

On day two of this Kruger Safari your tour guide will wake you early in the morning, time dependent on the gate opening times. The day starts with morning coffee, tea and rusks (tea biscuits) available in the camp dining facility.

After the morning snack we head out into the wilderness on an exciting game viewing drive. Mornings are an excellent time for game viewing as this is one of the most active times of the day for many animals. Your safari guide takes routes in Kruger Park that offer the best game viewing and photographic opportunities. 

The morning game drive lasts for 3 to 4 hours followed by a hearty brunch served in the dining facility back at Skukuza rest camp. After breakfast there is time to enjoy a swim, visit the Skukuza museum, take a nap or visit the park shop to browse African curios and stock up on snacks and drinks. You are free to explore the camp in Kruger on foot, or simply relax at the restaurant's viewing platform overlooking the Sabie River.

We meet at a designated departure point at about 5:00 – 6:00pm (depending on the season and gate closing times), to set off on a 3-hour sunset game drive. Sunset night drives are conducted by the Kruger Park guides in Kruger safari vehicles, and are subject to change, availability and seasons.

We return to Skukuza rest camp after our sunset drive in time to freshen up before your evening meal to be served at the camp.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

Day 3 & 4: Kruger National Park - South Africa

Today your guide will give you another early morning wake up call. Your day starts off with a refreshing cup of coffee or tea before heading out into Kruger Park on the morning drive. 

After the morning drive you return to the Kruger camp where a tasty brunch will be served. There is some free time after breakfast for you to have a nap or enjoy the camp's facilities. Kruger’s Skukuza rest camp is a well-established camp inside the game reserve with large, old indigenous trees, hosting a variety of birds, reptiles and even bats.

In the afternoon at around 2:30 – 3:00 pm you head out into the wilderness of Kruger Park again on a game drive, returning to camp just before the gates close. Back at Skukuza rest camp, there is time to freshen up before dinner which will be served in the ideally situated dining area.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

Day 5: Kruger National Park - South Africa

Six days on safari in Kruger Park allows enough time to see an excellent variety of wild animals and also have time to go on a thrilling morning walk, which lasts about 3 to 4 hours. For guests that choose not to take the morning walk there is free time to relax at the camp until the afternoon game drive.

The bush walk gives you an opportunity to experience Africa in an intimate way. Exploring Kruger on foot is a different experience to being in a safari vehicle. The smells and sounds come alive as your senses are heightened and your nerves tingle with the thrill of the possibility of encountering wild animals on foot.

The bush walks are conducted by trained, professional SAN Parks guides with many years of experience in the bush as well as the necessary qualifications to successfully and most importantly, safely show you Africa at the ground level. 

After your walk, you return to the Kruger rest camp, where you can enjoy your breakfast/brunch. Then you have time to relax before your afternoon game drive, which will depart at around 2:30pm – 3:00pm.

As on the previous days, you return to camp from the Kruger game drive in the early evening where you can enjoy a well-prepared South African meal.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

Day 6: Kruger to Johannesburg - South Africa

Today we get an early start again, taking advantage of the early morning, an ideal for getting out there and spotting wild animals on safari.

We enjoy one last game drive as we leave Kruger Park keeping an eye out for any wildlife we may have missed on the previous drives and photographing animals en route. Departing Kruger's Skukuza rest camp in an air-conditioned mini bus we make our way through the bush to an exit gate and bid farewell to Kruger Park.

From Kruger National Park we travel back to Johannesburg or Pretoria, via South Africa’s renowned Panorama Route. One of the most scenic parts of South Africa, the Panorama Route, includes the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfalls and Pilgrims Rest, where we stop for lunch.

After lunch we complete our 4 to 5 hour journey back to Johannesburg arriving at your hotel, guest house, or at Johannesburg’s OR TAMBO International Airport where this Budget Kruger Park Camping Safari ends.

(Breakfast included)

About Skukuza Camp in Kruger Park

Skukuza Camp lies in the southern part of Kruger Park on the banks of the Sabie River. Skukuza, Kruger Park's largest rest camp, serves as the operational and administrative headquarters of South Africa's flagship national park.

Camping inside Kruger at Skukuza Camp one can expect to see a diversity of animal, bird and plant life both within the camp and in the surrounding bush. This popular camp overlooks the tree-lined Sabie River, home to hippos and visited by elephants. The trees along the river host Chacma Baboons and Greater Galagos are heard calling at sunrise and sunset.

Skukuza is one of the best Kruger camps for game viewing, especially for sighting the Big Five of Africa - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo in the vicinity, as well as a variety of birds and other wildlife.

Game drives and bush walks in the Skukuza area of Kruger provide an excellent opportunity for watching some of the abundant wild animals and birds found here, from warthog and hyena to the Purple–crested Lourie. Thick-tailed Bush Babies climb the trees in the camp and Fruit Bats hang under the eaves of some of the thatched roofs at night.

Skukuza offers a wide range of safari activities, including riverside walks, bush hikes and game drives. This accessible Kruger Camp also features numerous facilities:

• Public Telephone, Cell phone reception and Post Office
• ATM and Deli with Internet Café
• An outdoor amphitheater showing free wildlife documentaries
• 2 Swimming pools in camp (for overnight residents only)
• 2 Restaurants
• Communal ablutions and a Laundromat
• Cafeteria and Communal Kitchens
• Skukuza Indigenous Nursery (located about 5km outside camp)
• A 9 hole (18-tee), Par 72 golf course

Skukuza Camp was established in 1898 as part of the original Sabie Game Reserve and features historical sites such as the dogs’ cemetery, Selati Rail Museum, bell tower, old pontoon bridge, train bridge and Campbell Museum.

The name, Skukuza, comes from the Tsonga word Sikhukhuza, the Zulu nickname given to the park's first warden James Stevenson-Hamilton. Stevenson-Hamilton cleared large groups of poachers and outlaws from the area, earning the nickname Sikhukhuza which means ‘a new broom’ locally. The Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Museum at Skukuza houses many interesting artifacts, including the knife used by legendary ranger Harry Wolhuter to single-handedly kill an attacking lion to save his life. 

Pre and Post Tour Lodge Accommodation:

Please note that we offer convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for before and after the Kruger Camping Safari, which can be added to your tour booking upon request. The 4 star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and the rates include transfers between 08:00am and 8:00pm. The guest lodge rates also include breakfast.

Lodge Rates: 1 October 2010 - 30 September 2012

• R400 per person sharing
• R550 per single booking

Please Note:

On this budget safari we use camping facilities and accommodation located inside Kruger National Park. We do not stay outside Kruger Park, unless forced to do so because of availability.

This is not a private safari, which means that there will most likely be other guests joining you on the game drive vehicles, air-conditioned mini bus transfer vehicles and in the dining facility.

All times given in the itinerary serve as a guideline only and are subject to change.

Guests flying out of OR Tambo Airport on the last day of the safari are requested to book any flights after 19h30 so that we have enough time to get you to the airport. We recommend an extra night in Johannesburg after the safari if possible.

Please Note:

This six day Kruger National Park Safari package is also available as a three day, four day and five day camping safari option. For more information please contact African Budget Safaris.

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