Fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit in the heart of South Africa's iconic Kruger safari region on this Luxury Kruger Lodge Safari. Experience five days of prime wildlife viewing in three top-class African game reserves. Explore Kruger National Park, Balule Reserve (in Greater Kruger Park), and Motlala Wildlife Reserve. Embark on thrilling sunset-to-night and morning game drives in these diverse African game reserves in open 4x4 safari vehicles designed for off-road tracking, the best views, and optimal photo opportunities.
Experience two safari camps located in private game reserves near Kruger Park. Indulge in luxurious safari lodge accommodation with excellent facilities. This short Big 5 Kruger Safari is sure to include many thrilling African wildlife experiences in South Africa's leading safari region.
At the start of this Luxury Kruger Lodge Safari, you will fly from OR Tambo to Hoedspruit's Eastgate airport where you will be collected and transferred to our game lodge located on a secluded piece of unspoiled land next to Kapama Private Game Reserve.
Arriving at our lodge, we acquaint ourselves with our surroundings, while enjoying a welcome drink. There's time to take a quick dip in our private pool before embarking on our first game drive in Motlala Reserve. This private game reserve is home to healthy wildlife populations, including two of the Big 5 of Africa - leopard and buffalo. Our game drive in Motlala is an excellent introduction to the scenic African bush, its magnificent animals, and varied birdlife.
The game reserve is relatively uncrowded and the animals are quite habituated to people. It covers varied habitats, including open grasslands and big, old trees. Leopard, buffalo, and numerous plains game species are regularly spotted in Motlala, which encompasses a variety of habitats with vegetation ranging from riverine forests to open grasslands.
Having spotted an array of Motlala's resident wildlife and watching a spectacular sunset, we return to the private tented lodge, on the lookout for nocturnal creatures. A hearty dinner is a welcome sight. Watch the stars, relax and chat in the bar, cool off in your plunge pool, and take in the sounds of the bush after dark.
This morning we have breakfast and set off for Kruger National Park, entering the park via the main Orpen Gate.
Our qualified safari guide takes us into Kruger National Park proper in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. We spend a full day in South Africa's premier national park, experiencing untamed Africa. Our game drive takes us in search of Africa's Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), as well as the dazzling array of other wildlife and birds inhabiting this massive game reserve.
We explore the open plains of the Satara region, an area known for its exceptional game sightings. The open bushveld of Satara is ideal for spotting animals in this game-rich part of Kruger. Plenty of antelopes, zebras, giraffes, and predators are frequently sighted in Satara, which is famous for its lion prides.
After a rewarding day of game viewing in Kruger National Park, we are ready to move on to our new luxury safari lodge. We collect our luggage, which has been transferred, and take a night drive, spotting nocturnal animals as we go. On arrival, we have time to refresh ourselves before tucking into our hearty dinner and an evening under the stars re-living the exciting events of the day.
Today starts with a fresh coffee and then we set off on a morning game drive in Greater Kruger Park.
Returning from wildlife watching in the wilderness we have breakfast at the lodge, followed by free time to rest and relax in comfort. After lunch at the lodge, there is more time for you to nap and enjoy the top-notch facilities that the luxury lodge offers. In the afternoon high tea is served before we set off on our sunset game drive in an open safari vehicle.
This exhilarating evening game drive is conducted by the expert staff of the luxury lodge, taking us in search of the abundance of wildlife found in Greater Kruger. After dark, we use a powerful spotlight to locate the creatures that emerge at night. Back at the lodge we tuck into a delicious dinner and unwind after a rewarding day in the African bush. Your hostess and the lodge staff ensure that you are pampered and enjoy personal service during your stay.
We enjoy another night of luxury lodge accommodation in Balule Nature Reserve on day three.
We spend another full day game viewing in the Big Five Balule Reserve with the well-trained and experienced staff of our luxury safari lodge.
Your safari guide and tracker will take you in search of any of the Big Five of Africa you may have missed so far, as well as other wildlife found in Balule. On the game drives, the safari guides stay in constant contact with each other via radio, improving your chances of sighting wildlife in this vast expanse of the untamed bushveld.
At the end of the day, we have dinner and unwind at the luxury safari lodge in Greater Kruger.
On the final day of this Big 5 Kruger Safari, we rise early for one more optional game drive in the Kruger Park Private Concession area.
After our optional sunrise game drive in Big 5 territory, we have breakfast back at the luxury lodge. At about 13h00 (depending on the time of your outgoing flight) you are transferred to the Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg in Gauteng.
This affordable Luxury Kruger Lodge Safari comes to an end back at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The first safari camp we stay at on this Luxury Kruger Lodge Safari is an exclusive African bush getaway. This semi-luxury lodge is located on the doorstep of Kapama Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger area.
The lodge has eight en-suite, tented chalets with private splash pools, making for an intimate safari experience. The lodge is nestled in a secluded natural area, where game and birds can be spotted.
Each chalet is raised on a wooden deck with a splash pool, offering views over the bushveld. Natural elements have been incorporated into the chalets, which have been designed to blend into the bushveld surroundings. The chalets have thatched roofs, sliding doors, and canvas walls with large canvas window panels. These well-appointed chalets boast indoor and outdoor showers and are air-conditioned.
The dining lapa and bar open out onto the barbecue (braai) area, creating a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. The game lodge staff are experienced and highly accomplished, providing superb service and a comfortable stay,
The second safari camp we stay at on this Big 5 Kruger Safari is located in Balule Private Reserve.
The camp lies near the Olifants River, a natural attraction for wildlife whilst the riverside trees provide shade for the camp. The design of the chalets and the communal area was inspired by their surroundings and consequently, the buildings blend into the landscape. There are never more than sixteen guests at the camp so the intimacy of being in a small camp in a private reserve that is closed to the public prevails. The thatched chalets are cooled by ceiling fans or air-conditioning, have en-suite bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities and guests sleep under a mosquito net in typical safari style.
Camp facilities include a superb outdoor guest area complete with a pool, shaded bar, outdoor lounge, and an indoor dining area. Dinner is served under the stars, around the campfire and the boma is lit by flickering lantern light. A wooden walkway leads to a viewing deck overlooking a waterhole and elevated viewing areas offer views of the reserve's landscape, a lovely spot to relax and listen to birdsong and the sounds of the Balule bushveld.
The friendly, professional staff at the camp are there to ensure your stay is comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable.
There are no fences separating this 35000-hectare private game reserve from Kruger National Park allowing numerous wild animals to roam freely between these wilderness areas. The Olifant's River flows through the Balule game reserve attracting a variety of birds and animals year-round.
Balule is home to the iconic Big 5 of Africa with buffalo, lion, and elephant being sighted the most regularly sometimes even from the lodge property! Other wildlife commonly sighted in Balule include giraffe, wildebeest, hyena, zebra, hippo, warthog, mongoose, vervet monkey, and various antelope species, such as waterbuck, steenbok, impala, and kudu.
Nocturnal animals such as civets, bushbabies, bats, hares, genets, wild cats, and porcupines can be spotted on night game drives. Some of the more elusive wild animals found in this part of Greater Kruger include cheetah, African wild dog, bat-eared fox, and badger, as well as caracal and serval cat and a variety of antelope species, such as suni, roan, and sable antelope.
The Greater Kruger Park area consists of various private game parks, such as Balule, that share unfenced boundaries with Kruger National Park proper. Staying in a private game lodge allows you to escape the main throng of tourists, as the Balule game reserve is not open to the general public. Balule is closed to the general public and we drive mostly on dirt roads encountering fewer safari vehicles - a more remote game viewing experience in untamed Africa!
On this exclusive safari adventure, you get a more secluded bush experience that brings you closer to nature. Another advantage of game viewing in the Balule private reserve is that your qualified guides communicate with each other via two-way radio, increasing the number of wildlife sightings on your drives.
Yet another perk of staying at a private lodge is that off-road driving is permitted in this exclusive game reserve area of the Greater Kruger Park, improving your chances of spotting wildlife in the bush.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s best safari destinations and South Africa’s premier game reserve. Covering nearly 2 million hectares of untamed African bush the variety of habitats in Kruger Park are home to a breath-taking diversity of plants and animals.
Kruger is South Africa’s top travel destination offering superb game viewing, including massive populations of Africa’s iconic Big Five - elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and buffalo.
This vast wilderness area is inhabited by a staggering 147 mammal species and 517 bird species, as well as a variety of other wild animals and 336 tree species. South Africa's flagship national park, Kruger Park is considered a world leader in advanced environmental policies and wildlife management practices.
Please note that we offer convenient pre-tour and post-tour lodge accommodation for before and after this Big 5 Kruger 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. Follow the link for more information on rates.
Children 12 years old and over at the same rate as adults.
All Johannesburg Departures | All Kruger National Park Tours | All Lodge Safari trips
This 4 Day Kruger Safari is an amazing value African bush camp safari to a private game reserve in Greater Kruger Park. An intimate safari lodge for an authentic African safari with game drives that maximise your chances of seeing the Big 5 of Kruger Park.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Experience exceptional private wildlife viewing on this 5 day budget lodge safari in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Highlights include private game drives and optional guided bush walks in Thornybush Private Nature Reserve.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve Safari to the best value Sabi Sands lodges. Enjoy guided 4x4 game drives in the Big 5 private game reserve teeming wildlife
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An excellent-value Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari in South Africa's Pilanesberg National Park, staying at the luxurious, family-friendly Bakubung Bush Lodge.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A great value 5 Day Kruger Park Safari to an authentic Bush Camp Lodge in South Africa's safari Mecca of Greater Kruger Park. Stay at an intimate safari lodge and enjoy morning and evening game drives to see the Big Five animals of Africa and more.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Experience Greater Kruger National Park from an authentic eco-camp in Klaserie Private Game Reserve, embarking on game drives to see the Big Five of Africa and more in the wild.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A exhilarating 5-day Kruger National Park Safari staying inside Kruger Park in en-suite bungalows with air-conditioning. Explore the Big 5 Kruger Park on thrilling 4x4 game drives in open safari vehicles.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
This 5-day Kruger Safari to a comfortable private river lodge includes a full-day 4x4 Kruger Safari, game drives in a Big 5 private game reserve of Greater Kruger Park and more.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A diverse lodge safari, the Kruger & Private Game Reserves Safari explores Kruger Park & private game reserves (Balule & Tshukudu) on game drives & bush walks.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
