5 day Kruger Park Bungalow Safari

This 5-day Kruger Park Bungalow Safari travels into the heart of the world-famous Kruger National Park taking you thrilling morning, afternoon and sunset game viewing drives, in open 4x4 safari vehicles designed for optimal game viewing. On this excellent value-for-money Kruger Park Safari you stay inside Kruger Park at Skukuza rest camp in comfortable en-suite bungalows with air-conditioning. 

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger Park – South Africa

The five-day Kruger Park Bungalow Safari starts in the vibrant city of Johannesburg where you will be collected from your pre-tour accommodation (hotel/guesthouse) or from the OR Tambo International Airport between 7:00 and 7:30am. From Johannesburg we travel east to the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier game reserve, in an air-conditioned mini bus. We stop for lunch in a small town along the way, arriving at the famous Kruger Park at about midday.

Entering the game-rich Kruger reserve we make our way to Skukuza rest camp, located on the banks of the Sabie River in the heart of this nearly 2 million hectare national park. The game viewing begins as soon as we enter the gates of this diverse game park, heading to Skukuza, the largest rest camp inside Kruger National Park.

Upon arrival at Skukuza rest camp your safari guide will help you check into your air conditioned, en suite bungalow accommodation inside Kruger National Park, one of Africa's top Big Five national parks. The Kruger camps are all fenced in to protect visitors from the predators inhabiting the game park. Your safari guide will inform you of the game drive departure times and provide a brief orientation of the facilities at Skukuza camp, which features dining facilities, a shop, Internet café and swimming pools. After settling in at Kruger Park’s most popular rest camp we embark on our first game drive adventure into the African bush in search of the abundant wildlife inhabiting this expansive park. 

The afternoon game drive is conducted in an open 4x4 safari vehicle for optimal game viewing, although if you prefer a closed vehicle can be used. You will be in good hands as the safari guides taking you on the game drives on this Kruger Park Safari are all qualified and registered guides, as well as being experienced and knowledgeable about Kruger and its wildlife. The afternoon game drives in Kruger Park usually depart from Skukuza camp between 2:30 and 3:00pm and last for about 3 or 4 hours depending on the success of the birdlife and game sightings. The game drive ends back at the Kruger rest camp before the gates close for the night. 

Back at our Skukuza rest camp there will be some free time before dinner, which is served at the dining facility shown to you by the field guide in the morning. Dinner will be the hearty culinary treat of a traditional South African meal, giving you a taste of truly South African cuisine, prepared by your hostess. This tasty local meal includes fine South African wine or an alternative such as a soft drink, bottled water or beer, which can be arranged with your hostess. After dinner you can retire to your chalet for a good night’s rest or relax around the campfire recollecting the wildlife adventures of your first day of game viewing in Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s best game reserves.

Meals included: Dinner

About Kruger Park & Skukuza Camp

South Africa's flagship national park, Kruger National Park is world-renowned for its superb game viewing and is one of Africa's largest and best game reserves. Kruger National Park is home to an unsurpassed diversity of African wildlife (including the Big Five) and is considered a world leader in advanced environmental policies and management techniques. Skukuza is a well-vegetated camp set among big indigenous trees along the Sabie River inside the vast Kruger Park. Lions are frequently sighted in the Skukuza area, as well as a variety of other wild animals, including the Big Five, along with an array of bird species. Within Skukuza camp, which acts as the headquarters for conservation and research in Kruger Park, you can spot the nocturnal fruit bat as well as tree-climbing bush baby and genets.

Day 2: Kruger National Park – South Africa

An early morning wake up call from your safari guide gets the day started with the rising time depending on when the park gates open. The opening hours of Kruger gates vary in different seasons according to Kruger Park management practices. Once you are up you can head to the dining facility at the rest camp for coffee or tea and rusks (local tea biscuits). After the morning snack we set off on a morning game drive, an excellent time of day for game viewing, in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. The morning bush drive lasts for about three to four hours and follows routes that provide superb photographic and game viewing opportunities.

Upon our return from the morning drive brunch will be served at one of the dining facilities at Skukuza rest camp. Brunch is followed by leisure time at the Kruger camp during which you are free to enjoy the camp facilities or take a rest. Facilities at Skukuza rest camp include a museum, swimming pools and a shop selling African curios, food and drinks. Otherwise you could relax on the restaurant viewing deck overlooking the Sabie River or explore the bush camp on foot. 

At about 5:00 or 6:00 pm, depending on gate closing times and the season, you will depart from a designated meeting point for an exciting sunset game drive. This evening game drive takes about three hours and will be conducted by a trained Kruger Park safari guide in a Kruger Park safari vehicle. Sunset drives are an excellent time for spotting and photographing wildlife in the African bush. Please note that the sunset drives in Kruger Park are subject to change depending on seasonal changes and availability. After the game drive you have time to freshen up at your en-suite Kruger camp chalets before dinner, which will be served in the centrally located dining facility. 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Kruger National Park – South Africa

Day three of the Kruger Park Bungalow Safari starts with another early morning wake up call from your safari guide. The day again begins with a refreshing coffee or tea before we embark on an exciting morning game drive in the African bush. 

The game viewing drive is followed by brunch back at the rest camp, after which you are free to rest or enjoy Skukuza camp and the facilities available. 

The afternoon game drive takes you back into wilderness to encounter the diverse wildlife of Kruger Park. The game viewing drive departs at about 2:30 or 3:00pm from the dining facility and lasts for about three to four hours, returning to Skukuza camp before the camp gates close. Back at our Kruger camp there is time to freshen up before dinner, which will be served in the centrally located dinning facility.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner 

Day 4: Kruger National Park – South Africa

On day four we wake up early and head into the African bush on foot for an exhilarating morning walk in Kruger Park, lasting for about three or four hours. One of the advantages of spending more time exploring Kruger Park on safari is that you have enough time to encounter the flora and fauna up-close on an exciting bush walk. 

Bush walks offer visitors the opportunity to appreciate the smaller animals, as well as the diverse plant and birdlife found in Kruger Park, whilst learning more about the Kruger Park habitats and its inhabitants from the trained safari guide. The safari guides are experienced and knowledgeable, showing visitors signs of animal activity and tracking animal movements in the African bush. Your guide will be armed to ensure your safety on this thrilling walk amongst Africa’s wild animals. 

This intimate safari experience gives you a real feel for this remarkable wilderness area and its fascinating wildlife. You get to truly see and smell the African bush, listening to its sounds and appreciating it on the ground. If you prefer not to join the morning bush walk then this time is free for you to rest and enjoy the facilities at Skukuza camp at your leisure.

Having worked up a healthy appetite on our bush walk we return to the Kruger rest camp for brunch. After breakfast you are free to rest and relax at camp, until around 2:30 or 3:00 pm when we venture out on an afternoon game drive in search of Kruger Park’s diverse wildlife.

We head back to Skukuza camp in the early evening to enjoy a delicious South African meal and rest after another satisfying day on safari.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner 

Day 5: Kruger National Park to Johannesburg – South Africa

On the final day of this 5-day Kruger Park Safari we get an early start so that we can enjoy one last game drive in an air-conditioned mini bus as we leave the game park. The game drive from Skukuza to one of the Kruger exit gates gives you a chance to photograph and check off any of the African wildlife that you may have missed on the previous game viewing drives. 

We depart Kruger National Park returning to Johannesburg or Pretoria via one of the most scenic parts of South Africa, the Panorama Route. This beautiful journey includes the viewpoints and attractions of Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfalls and a lunch stop at Pilgrims Rest. We arrive back in the bustling city of Johannesburg at about 6:00pm when you will be dropped off at your hotel or guesthouse, our lodge accommodation or at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. 

Meals included: Breakfast

Please Note:

This five-day Kruger National Park Budget Safari is also available as shorter three-day or four-day safari options or as longer six or seven day safari packages. Check out more Kruger Park Safaris with African Budget Safaris or read about Kruger National Park. For more information about your budget Kruger Park Safari options please contact African Budget Safaris.

Pre and Post Tour Lodge Accommodation:

Please note that we offer convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for before and after the budget Kruger Park 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

• R 400 per person sharing
• R 550 per single booking

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