This Kruger & Private Game Reserves Safari takes you game viewing in both the premier Kruger National Park and Private Big 5 Balule Game Reserve - offering the best of both South African safari experiences!
Enjoy the perks of staying in private game reserves and exploring the world-famous Kruger Park.
This unforgettable Kruger Park & Kruger Private Game Reserves Safari is a step up from a basic budget camping safari. A quality, excellent-value-for-money Kruger Safari adventure.
This Kruger & Private Game Reserves Safari begins in Johannesburg. After collecting our guests from their accommodation in Gauteng or from OR Tambo International Airport we travel north, through the Lowveld to Greater Kruger Park. Our destination: a private game lodge in Balule Game Reserve, home to the Big Five.
Balule is one of the former farms that removed its fences so that it was incorporated into the Kruger Park. A number of farmers have joined this initiative, which has created an unfenced private game park of 35000 hectares where the animals roam freely. The Olifant's River flows through Balule and attracts many animals to its waterholes, as well as a variety of birds.
After settling into our accommodation we depart on our first game drive in the late afternoon. Common sightings in Balule include buffalo, lion, elephants, giraffe, wildebeest, hyena, zebra, hippo, warthog, mongoose, vervet monkey, and various antelope species, such as waterbuck, steenbok, impala, and kudu. We pause to watch the spectacular African sunset, then as darkness falls, we head out again to search for nocturnal animals, aided by the huge spotlights on our safari vehicle.
Dinner tonight is a South African traditional braai (barbecue), cooked over an open fire in the middle of the bush and served under the stars in a bush boma (open-air enclosure). After dinner we continue our game drive searching for animals as we drive back to our private game lodge, stopping to witness any wildlife action we may encounter on the way.
Back at our private game lodge guests may either unwind in the guest area or head off to bed in their comfortable, en-suite, air-conditioned chalets, safe in the knowledge that no wildlife may breach the electric fencing surrounding the lodge.
On day two of our Kruger Private Game Reserves Safari, we get an early start. We get up at sunrise and after coffee and biscuits, we head out into the Big 5 Balule Reserve to a more remote spot for our 4-hour bushwalk.
Exploring the African bush on foot allows you to experience the sounds and smells of Africa. Accompanied by an experienced and armed ranger, we learn the more intimate details of the wilderness. Our knowledgeable guide delights in teaching guests the secrets of the bush, as well as ensuring their safety.
Back at the game lodge we tuck into a hearty brunch and then relax around the pool or have a snooze.
Later, we embark on an afternoon game drive in the Balule Private Reserve. After spotting more wildlife in the private game reserve, we transfer to a unique Treehouse Safari Camp, where we stay for the rest of our Kruger & Private Game Reserve Safari.
At the treehouse camp, our accommodation is in permanent tents set along the Klaserie River. The tents are equipped with beds and bedding, as well as soap, towels, electric lighting, and a fan. Although the tents offer extra space and comfort compared to dome tents, it is still camping which means that winter nights can get chilly. Extra blankets and hot water bottles are however available to keep you snug in your tents.
We enjoy dinner together and overnight at the Treehouse Camp, which is located within Motlala Game Reserve.
Today we go game viewing in Kruger National Park, South Africa's flagship National Park. We spend a full day exploring Kruger Park in a custom-built safari vehicle. Arriving at Orpen Gate we transfer to our safari vehicle, which is elevated for maximum views and open at the sides for the best photo opportunities.
The grasslands around Orpen and Satara area support many grazers and browsers such as large herds of giraffe, zebra, and antelope. These in turn attract the predators and the area is well known for its high concentration of lion. Your qualified guide will help you to spot and identify the various wild animals and birdlife that make Kruger Park one of the top Game Parks in the world.
After our full-day Kruger Safari, we return to the Treehouse Safari Camp in the bush, where you enjoy dinner at the boma and relax around the fire, sharing tales of the day's wildlife sightings.
Up early, we join a gamer ranger for a short bush walk in the private game reserve (weather permitting) of the treehouse camp. This is a great opportunity to get up close to nature as your game ranger offers insights into the local ecosystem - pointing out smaller details, insects, scats, and animal tracks.
Back at the safari camp, we tuck into breakfast before we travel via the Drakensberg Escarpment back to Johannesburg. We take the scenic Panorama Route, well known in South Africa, for its spectacular views of the Blyde River Canyon and other attractions.
We arrive back in Johannesburg around 17:00 where you are dropped off at your accommodation or OR Tambo International Airport, bringing this amazing 4 Day Kruger & Private Game Reserves Safari to an end.
Our first night on the Kruger & Private Reserves Safari is spent in air-conditioned chalets at a relaxed and tranquil private lodge in Balule Game Reserve, Greater Kruger. This comfortable lodge accommodation, set in a lush garden, is easily accessible year-round. An electric fence encloses the private lodge property, to keep the roaming lion, elephant and buffalo out.
Accommodation for the remainder 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, situated next to the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Motlala is home to various wild animals, including two of Africa’s Big Five - leopard and buffalo.
Tour accommodation is in permanent tents fitted with beds, at the treehouse camp located along the Klaserie River. The tents are equipped with bedding, soap, towels, electric lighting, and a fan, with two separate showers and two separate toilets to share. Winter nights get chilly (between April and October), so extra blankets and hot water bottles are available to keep you comfortable.
This extremely affordable safari 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 often roam the campgrounds, including nyala, impala, monkeys, hyena, buffalo, and sometimes even leopard, adding to your truly wild African experience at this unique safari camp. At night hyenas, jackals, bushbabies, 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.
Please note that as a result of sustained fuel price increases a fuel subsidy has been added to this Kruger Safari. Hopefully, this will be a temporary measure to be discontinued should fuel prices drop. This small fuel subsidy ensures that the excellent quality of this Kruger Safari is maintained. To see the cost of the fuel subsidy, please view the full tour pricing.
Please note that we offer a convenient pre 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. Follow the link for information on rates.
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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