3-Day Kruger Safari at a Private River Lodge

Why Choose This Kruger River Lodge Safari?

• Perfect for first-time safari travellers or short trips
• Exclusive River Lodge safari only available through African Budget Safaris
• Beautiful riverfront safari accommodation
• Big Five game drive in Kruger National Park
• Private reserve safari drive with fewer vehicles
• Small group safari (max 10 guests)
• Return transfers from Johannesburg

Day 1: Johannesburg to Greater Kruger Park – South Africa

This affordable Kruger Safari starts in the big city of Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa. In the morning our driver collects you from the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. From there we drive east into the rugged Highveld region of the Mpumalanga Province. Our first stop is at a bush bar in Hoedspruit where your safari guide from the lodge then collects you and drives you to Rukiya Safari Camp nearby.

Settle in at this private safari lodge, soaking in the riverfront setting. Enjoy lunch beside the peaceful Blyde River. Then, it is time for our first 4x4 safari adventure in the Greater Kruger area. Hop on board the open-sided safari vehicle and venture out into the Wild Waters private nature reserve surrounding the river lodge. Sit back and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the South African bush, encountering wildlife and birds as you explore.

Along the way, we stop at a scenic spot to watch the sunset with sundowners. Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially leopards, as night falls. After watching your first beautiful sunset in the bush, we make our way back to the safari lodge, using spotlights to search for nocturnal animals in the dark.

Back at your private river lodge, we have dinner in the spacious dining area or in one of the lantern-lit outdoor dining areas. After dinner you can have a drink at the bar, sit around the campfire, or head straight to your comfortable tented suite next to the river for a good night's sleep. Gaze up at the stars and tune into the nighttime sounds of the bush after your first eventful day on safari in South Africa.

• Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Kruger Safari – South Africa

Wake up bright and early for your exciting full-day safari in Kruger National Park. After a quick coffee, we board our open safari vehicle and head to the Orpen Gate of Kruger Park.

The whole of day two is spent exploring South Africa's most famous national park, on a guided 4x4 Kruger Safari. Your guide takes you in search of the dazzling array of wildlife and birds found in Kruger Park. Sit back and relax as you experience the untamed African bush and its rich habitats. Before long, we stop at one of the rest areas in Kruger National Park and tuck into our packed breakfasts from the safari lodge.

Then our Kruger safari adventure continues, until our lunch break at one of the park's rest camps. There will be time to do a bit of curio shopping, snooze in the shade, buy some snacks and cold drinks from the shop, and have lunch (own expense). After lunch we return to the rugged bush, searching out the multitude of wild animals, birds, and reptiles of Kruger Park and pausing to take photos of exciting wildlife sightings.

Kruger National Park is massive at about 19 485 km², yet the game viewing is superb because there are so many animals here. Mammals alone number at 147 species! And that includes big populations of Africa's Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo). Common wildlife sightings include herds of elephants, antelopes, and buffalos, lion prides, packs of hyenas and wild dogs, hippo pods, and basks of lurking crocodiles. Giraffes, zebras, monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and impalas are very commonly seen, with leopards and cheetahs being less ubiquitous but present.

Back at riverside Rukiya lodge this evening, we have a delicious dinner and relax in the unspoiled natural setting of the private nature reserve. Choose a comfy place to unwind - one of the lounges, the open-air boma, or the bush bar, take a night swim, or retreat to your comfy tented suite with its own deck overlooking the Blyde River.

• Meals included: Packed Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Greater Kruger Game Reserve to Johannesburg – South Africa

Day three of our affordable Kruger River Lodge Safari kicks off with an early morning coffee beside the tranquil Blyde River. Then we set off on our final 4x4 game drive in Greater Kruger Park.

On this last game drive, you get to explore the exclusive Balule private game reserve near the lodge. Balule forms part of Greater Kruger Park and hosts large African mammals, including the Big Five of Africa. It is also home to numerous birds, plants, and small creatures. Other animals that are frequently seen here, include hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, kudu, bushpig, crocodile, and blue wildebeest.

Your expert guide tracks down various animals and birds found in Balule and shows you the fascinating details of this wild habitat. Sit back and enjoy being out in the South African bush, discovering the marvels of this remarkable ecosystem. This safari adventure is about more than chasing the Big 5 of Africa, it provides an immersive African bush experience. Along the way, your safari guide can tell you all about the animals, insects, reptiles, birds, and flora that make Greater Kruger Park so special.

After our last rewarding 4x4 game drive, we head back to Rukiya for a tasty breakfast. Then it is time to return to the bush bar in Hoedspruit, for the transfer back to Johannesburg. Back in the bustling city, you are transferred to the O.R. Tambo International Airport (between 18:00 and 19:00), bringing this short Budget Kruger Safari to a close.

• Meals: Breakfast

About Greater Kruger & Balule Private Game Reserve

Balule Reserve forms part of Greater Kruger Park, which consists of over 20 private game reserves that share unfenced borders with Kruger National Park and each other. Thus, the wild animals in the game reserve we visit roam freely between Kruger National Park and the neighboring private game reserves of Greater Kruger.

Both Greater Kruger Park and Kruger National Park proper, in turn, share unfenced borders with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique forming a massive wildlife region, called the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This huge wildlife park is still expanding and provides an enormous range for Southern Africa's wildlife to roam freely.

The movement of people between the different game reserves and national parks in this region is, however, restricted. This means that the number of vehicles is limited. Our safari lodge is one of few with access to Balule. You are therefore unlikely to see other safari vehicles while out on your game drives. Another advantage is that you get to take your time watching the animals without having to share wildlife sightings or make way for other vehicles and onlookers.

About Rukiya Safari Camp - private river lodge in Greater Kruger Area

The private river lodge that this Kruger Safari stays at, is located inside a private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger Park area. Rukiya Safari Camp is set on the banks of the Blyde River which attracts an abundance of wild animals and birds. It is an intimate and eco-friendly tented safari lodge tucked away in old indigenous trees.

This ideally located private river lodge offers guests understated luxury in a peaceful, wild setting. The shady trees, tranquil river, and mountain views combine to create an idyllic bush getaway. Rukiya is located in the Wild Rivers Private Nature Reserve, 3000-hectares of wilderness. It forms part of the larger Blyde Olifants Conservancy, incorporating 12000-hectares of bushveld in the Greater Kruger safari region. Rukiya safari camp is 500 meters upstream of the confluence of the Blyde and Olifants Rivers. The nature reserve is home to a variety of wild animals and prolific birdlife is regularly spotted. Wildlife species include leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, jackals, mongeese, civets, genets, zebra, giraffe, hippo, and various antelope species.

There is a big infinity pool and poolside deck with sun-loungers for relaxing in the dappled shade. The spacious dining room and lounge open out onto an expansive shared deck with outdoor seating. An outdoor fire pit (boma) and casual bar area complete the picture. The game lodge has WiFi and electric outlets for guests to charge their devices.

The canvas tented suites are set on timber platforms nestled in the shade of the riverine trees, providing a cool retreat from the African heat. There are only six tented suites set apart in the natural vegetation to give guests privacy. Two of the tented suites sleep four people in two inter-leading tents making them ideal for families with children. Four of the tented suites overlook the Blyde River and the two family tents offer views over the bush. Large windows and doors, fitted with mosquito netting, enable guests to immerse themselves in nature and watch visiting birds and animals.

The tented rooms are all connected to the main lodge areas, pool, and each other by wooden walkways with lights. Each of these permanent safari tents has an en-suite bathroom, separated by a zippable canvas door. The en-suite bathrooms are fitted with a shower, toilet, and basin, stocked with fresh towels and complimentary bath products. Rooms feature standing fans and comfortable beds with high-quality linen and bedding. Sustainably made and locally sourced wooden furniture and beds have been used throughout to reduce the environmental impact of the safari lodge.

There is an exciting range of activities available, and extensive game drives in the Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger reserves. Guests typically get to explore Balule private Big 5 game reserve, as well as the Wild Rivers private nature reserve surrounding the river lodge. On this Kruger Lodge Safari guests also enjoy a boat cruise on the Blyde River. There are also mountain biking trails, ranging from 5 to 30 kilometers, inside Wild River.

About Kruger National Park in South Africa

Kruger National Park stands as South Africa's premier safari destination and a true natural marvel. Spanning an impressive 19,485 km² of untouched wilderness, this expansive landscape is brimming with wildlife, offering exceptional game-viewing opportunities that showcase the incredible diversity of the region.

As a sanctuary for approximately 147 mammal species, Kruger is a biodiversity hotspot. In addition to its remarkable mammal population, the park is home to a rich array of birds, plants, insects, reptiles, and even fish. Among the large mammals, you’ll find thriving populations of Africa's Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo. Expect to encounter majestic herds of elephants, elegant antelopes, powerful lion prides, and lively packs of hyenas and wild dogs. You may also spot groups of hippos lounging in the water and crocodiles basking in the sun, along with a host of other wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and impalas.

On your Kruger National Park safari, an expert guide will accompany you on a captivating journey of exploration. Each game drive invites you to discover not just the iconic large animals but also the intricate details of the ecosystem. You’ll gain valuable insights into the diverse array of animals, birds, insects, and plant life that thrive within Kruger and the surrounding Greater Kruger area, making each outing a unique adventure filled with wonder and discovery.

Pre and Post Safari Lodge Rates:

Please note that we offer convenient pre-tour and post-tour lodge accommodation for before and after this Kruger Safari, which can be added to your booking upon request. The 4-star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Why Book This Kruger River Lodge Safari with African Budget Safaris?

• Best-value safari combining Kruger National Park & a private reserves of Greater Kruger
• Carefully selected lodge and safari experience curated for African Budget Safaris
• Designed for travellers with limited time
• Carefully structured short safari with varied wildlife experiences
• No hidden costs (conservation fees included)
• Get expert advice from experienced safari specialists

Want more time?

See our 4-day Kruger River Lodge Safari - visiting the same locations, but with more time for a fuller wildlife immersion.

Kruger National Park Safari

If you are looking for an excellent-value Kruger National Park safari, this 4-Day Kruger National Park Safari spends four days exclusively game-viewing within the Kruger National Park.