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Kruger giraffes

3 Day Kruger Safari & Private Reserves Camping Tour

Tour Length3 days
Priced from pps $495 R9445 £393 459 A$763 C$674 NZ$831 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Africa Camping Safari

  • Max. Group Size 10 Travellers
  • Starts & ends in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Accommodation Standard Camping
  • Transport Microbus / Open 4x4 Game Viewing Vehicle
  • Wildlife Big 5, Elephant, Leopards, Lions, Rhino & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

This action-packed, short Kruger Safari explores the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa, camping in two private game reserves.

Highlights of this Kruger Safari & Private Reserves Camping Tour include:

  • Sunset game drive in the Big 5 Balule Private Reserve of Greater Kruger Park
  • Full-day Big 5 Kruger Safari in an open game-viewing vehicle
  • A guided sunrise bush walk with an armed ranger in a private reserve
  • Camping in permanent tents at safari camps in private reserves
  • Scenic highlights of Blyde River Canyon & the Panorama Route

This Kruger Safari stays in two private game reserves to provide an unforgettable, budget South African safari experience that is a step up from basic camping, but cheaper than Kruger lodge safaris.

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Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Johannesburg to Greater Kruger – South Africa

On the first morning of this 3-Day Kruger Safari, you are collected from your accommodation in Johannesburg or OR Tambo International Airport. From the bustling city, we head towards Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa.

Arriving at Greater Kruger Park we make our way to a lodge in Balule Game Reserve. From here we embark on a sunset game drive in the private reserve, followed by a bush barbecue (braai) at 17h00. While you relax around the campfire, your luggage is taken to the nearby safari camp where we spend the first night. After the bush braai, you will be transferred to the camp, escorted to your tent, and shown where the ablutions and tea/coffee station area.

  • Meals: Bush Boma Dinner
  • Safari activities: Sunset Game Drive

Day 2: Kruger National Park – South Africa

Today we set off on an all-day safari adventure. Guests will be collected with their luggage at around 06:45 am and taken back to the safari lodge in Balule Game Reserve for breakfast. After breakfast, we set off for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park in an open safari vehicle. The elevated safari vehicle is specifically designed to maximize wildlife spotting opportunities. There are no windows on the sides of the game-viewing vehicle, making it ideal for photography.

A qualified safari guide leads your full-day Kruger Safari. This experienced game ranger is an expert at finding wildlife in the African bush and identifying the birds and animals of Kruger Park. Your guide helps you to spot the wildlife and birds you encounter and can tell you more about them.

The Orpen and Satara areas of Kruger National Park support large herds of giraffes, zebras, and other antelopes, which in turn attract predators. The Satara region boasts one of the largest concentrations of lions in Africa. You'll soon see why Kruger is rated one of the best wildlife safari destinations in Africa.

After a full day of game viewing in Kruger, we head to our next overnight safari camp. A charming treehouse camp set along the Klaserie River in a private reserve.

Tonight we camp in permanent tents equipped with proper beds. A step up from basic camping. Bedding is provided as well as soap and towels. Your tent is even fitted with an electric fan and light. During the winter months (from about April to October) the nights can get chilly, so extra blankets and hot water bottles are available to keep you warm. Settle in and freshen up before enjoying a tasty dinner at the unique treehouse camp. Relax and soak up the African bush setting before retiring to your comfy tent along the Klaserie River.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Safari activities: Full-day Kruger Safari

About Kruger National Park

The world-renowned Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s best safari destinations and the premier game reserve in South Africa. Covering nearly 2 million hectares of untamed African bush the variety of habitats in Kruger Park are home to an unrivaled diversity of plants and animals.

Kruger is South Africa’s top travel destination offering superb game viewing, including massive populations of Africa’s famous 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.

Day 3: Greater Kruger to Johannesburg – South Africa

Wake up early on the last day of this short Kruger Safari and venture out on a guided walk.

We head into the private game reserve on a short bushwalk (weather permitting). The guided walk takes you up close to the flora and fauna, revealing the details of this remarkable ecosystem - from insects to animal tracks. Your expert guide zooms in on the microhabitat, showing you the important role that the small creatures and plants play in the larger ecosystem.

After about an hour, we return to the safari camp for breakfast. Then we drive via the Drakensberg Escarpment back to Johannesburg. Highlights of the drive back along the scenic Panorama Route of South Africa, include sections of the Blyde River Canyon, one of which is the Three Rondawels viewpoint.

We arrive in Johannesburg at about 17h00, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice or at the International Airport bringing this fantastic 3 Day Private Reserve & Kruger Safari to an end.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Safari activities: Guided bush walk in a private reserve

About the Camping Accommodation

The first night of this camping safari will be spent at a small camp located in the private Balule Game Reserve where we stay in permanent tents with bedding and linen provided. Accommodation on the second night of this very reasonably priced Kruger Safari is at a treehouse safari camp. The relaxed safari camp is located within the Motlala Game Reserve, which lies between two private game reserves, next to the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Motlala Reserve is home to various wild animals, including two of Africa’s Big Five - leopard and buffalo.

At the treehouse camp, accommodation is in permanent tents located along the Klaserie River. The tents are fitted with beds offering more comfort than basic camping. Bedding, soap, towels and electric lights, and fans are provided in these comfortable tents; and ablutions include two separate showers and two separate toilets.

This extremely affordable camp features an outdoor boma area for open-air dining, a bush bar, and a swimming pool. At night after a hearty South African meal, you can relax around the campfire in this unspoiled African bush setting, immersed in nature. Wild animals sometimes roam the campgrounds, including Nyala, impala, and monkeys, adding to your truly wild African experience at this unique safari camp. At night hyenas, jackals, bush babies, and other wildlife can be heard in the distance. Wake up to a cacophony of birds singing in the trees around you at this riverine camp, home to a variety of birds.

Pre and Post-Tour 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 tour booking upon request. The 4-star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. For information on rates follow the full tour pricing link.

Child Policy

This tour does take children.

While children from 6 years of age are accepted on this safari, there is a minimum age restriction of 16 years on the bush walk activities.

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+Included in the Tour Price
  • Camping accommodation (linen and bedding included)
  • Game drives in open safari vehicles
  • Bush Walk in a private reserve
  • Sunset game drive
  • Bush barbecue in a private reserve
  • Breakfasts and dinners
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • Lunches
  • Drinks 
  • Personal items
+Departure Dates

Scheduled Tour Departures
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