4 Day Kruger Safari - Private River Lodge

Kruger Safari Highlights

• 4x4 Sunset-to-Night Game Drive in the lodge's Private Nature Reserve
• Guided full-day Kruger National Park Safari in an open 4x4 vehicle
• 4x4 Game Drives in a Big 5 Private Game Reserve of Greater Kruger Park

DAY 1: Johannesburg to Greater Kruger Park – South Africa

This affordable Kruger Safari kicks off 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. Your safari guide from the lodge collects you from here and drives you to the private river lodge nearby.

Settle in at the safari lodge and 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 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 African bush, we return to the safari lodge, using spotlights to search for nocturnal animals in the dark.

Back at the 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: Big 5 Kruger Safari – South Africa

Wake up bright and early for your exciting full-day safari in Kruger National Park. After a quick coffee at the private river lodge, 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 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 5 (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.

Back at the river lodge this evening, we have a delicious dinner and relax in the tranquil 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 & Blyde River Cruise – South Africa

Day three of our Budget Kruger Safari kicks off with a 4x4 game drive in a private game reserve of Greater Kruger Park. After our early morning coffee, we set off for the game reserve close to our safari lodge.

Your safari guide takes you on an exploration of the African bush, tracking down wild animals and taking in the marvels of this remarkable ecosystem. The private game reserve hosts large African mammals, including the Big Five of Africa, along with numerous birds, plants, and small creatures. Other animals that are frequently seen include hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, kudu, bushpig, crocodile, and blue wildebeest.

After our morning game drive, we have breakfast back at the intimate safari lodge. Then we drive to the Blyde River where we embark on a scenic boat cruise through the rugged mountains. This area has an interesting history and hosts unique geological features that the river guide can tell you more about. The river flows through the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest vegetated canyons in the world. Sit back and take in the grandeur of the unusual mountains and rock formations from the boat. Enjoy the quiet setting and watch for hippos, crocodiles, and birds along the unspoiled course of the Blyde River.

After our leisurely boat cruise, we return to the private lodge, tucked away in the indigenous vegetation. Take time out to swim and soak up the wild surroundings before feasting on a hearty dinner. Dine under the stars or in the inviting dining area. End the day off with a nightcap at the bar or sit out on the lantern-lit deck listening for lions in the distance. On cool winter nights, make yourself comfortable at the cozy fireplace in the lounge or sidle up to the campfire.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4: Greater Kruger Park to Johannesburg – South Africa

Wake up with the birds and enjoy a coffee beside the tranquil Blyde River. Then we take the final game drive of our Big 5 Kruger Safari in Greater Kruger Park.

Sit back and enjoy being out in the South African bush while your expert guide tracks down the animals and birds found in the private game reserve. Your safari guide can tell you all about the animals, insects, reptiles, birds, and flora of Greater Kruger Park as you go.

After our last exciting game drive, we head back to the safari lodge and have 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 affordable 4-day Kruger Safari to a close.

• Meals: Breakfast

About the Private Greater Kruger Game Reserve

The private game reserve that we explore on this Kruger Safari, forms part of Greater Kruger Park. Greater Kruger consists of over 20 private game reserves that share unfenced borders with Kruger National Park and/or each other. Thus, the wild animals in the game reserve we visit get to roam freely between Kruger National Park and the neighboring private game reserves of Greater Kruger.

Greater Kruger Park and Kruger National Park proper both form part of the even larger Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This truly huge wildlife park 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 visitors allowed into the private game reserves is limited.

Our safari lodge is one of few with access to the section of Greater Kruger Park that we explore. 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. The private game reserve has a traversing area of 2000 hectares in Greater Kruger Park. This includes 12 kilometers of river frontage along the Olifants River, as well as open bushveld and rocky outcrops.

Game drives in the private game reserve are all about experiencing the South African bush. Your safari guide takes you on an adventure of discovery that is as much about the small details of the ecosystem as the large animals. The game drives give you insight into the animals, birds, insects, and plants found here. The guides show you interesting tracks, dung, and disturbances that help explain animal behavior and identify species. Going on a wildlife safari here is a rich experience, that takes you beyond chasing the Big Five of Africa, even though they are all found here.

About the Greater Kruger River Lodge

The private river lodge that this Kruger Safari stays at, is located inside a private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger Park area. The safari lodge 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 safari 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. The private nature reserve the safari lodge is located in covers 3000-hectares of wilderness. It forms part of the larger Blyde Olifants Conservancy, incorporating 12000-hectares of bushveld in the Greater Kruger safari region. The lodge 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 regularly spotted at the safari camp. 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.

There is an exciting range of activities, including full-day 4x4 Kruger Safaris, available at the private river lodge. The professional guides also conduct open-sided 4x4 game drives in private game reserves of the Greater Kruger Park. Guests typically get to explore a private Big 5 game reserve as well as the private nature reserve surrounding the safari lodge. On this Kruger Safari guests also enjoy a boat cruise on the Blyde River. There are also mountain biking trails, ranging from 5 to 30 kilometers, inside the private nature reserve.

Accommodation at the Private River Lodge

Accommodation at the private safari lodge is in spacious tented suites along the Blyde River. Every tent has its own wooden deck with an outdoor area overlooking the bush so guests can sit back and enjoy the beautiful natural environment.

The canvas tents 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.

The tented 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. These well-equipped tents are tastefully decorated in neutral tones, natural textures, and high-quality fabrics. Natural wood, classical decor elements, and soft colors combine to create a comforting calm atmosphere.

Kruger Safari Note:

The order of the included activities on this Budget Kruger Safari may change due to weather conditions and availability, but you will get to experience them all!

Pre and Post Safari Lodge Rates:

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