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Lion in greater kruger

4 Day Greater Kruger Safari - Budget Balule Tented Lodge

Tour Length4 days
Priced from pps $737 R14050 £584 683 A$1136 C$1002 NZ$1236 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Lodge Safari

  • Max. Group Size 8 Travellers
  • Starts & ends in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Accommodation Tented Lodge / Luxury Camping
  • Transport Open 4x4 Game Viewing Vehicle / Microbus
  • Wildlife Big 5, Elephant, Exceptional Birding, Leopards, Lions, Rhino & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

Slip away for 4 days of relaxation in the unspoiled African bush. Stay at a tented safari lodge in Balule Nature Reserve and enjoy exciting wildlife adventures in Greater Kruger Park. This 4-Day Greater Kruger Safari to Balule offers an authentic bush experience that won't break the budget.

Take 4x4 game drives in open safari vehicles and embark on a thrilling guided bush walk in the private game reserve. Explore a wildlife-rich area of Greater Kruger that shares open borders with other private reserves and the iconic Kruger National Park, enabling wildlife to move freely through the bush. Escape the crowds and experience unforgettable wildlife adventures with knowledgeable, professional guides. Between safari activities relax in the comfort of your tented accommodation at the unfenced safari camp with a splash pool and spotlit waterhole.

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Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Johannesburg to Greater Kruger National Park – South Africa

This Greater Kruger Safari departs from OR Tambo International Airport on the first morning. Leaving Johannesburg early this morning we drive northeast to Three Bridges restaurant in Limpopo in an air-conditioned shuttle vehicle. Your guide meets you there and transfers you to the tented safari lodge in Greater Kruger Park.

From Three Bridge we travel in an open, 4x4 safari vehicle to our safari camp inside the private Balule Nature Reserve. On this final section of the journey, you will most likely have your first sightings of the wildlife that roam this wild area. Arriving at the tented camp we settle in and sit down to a tasty lunch in the shady garden. Then you are free to relax and freshen up with a hot shower in your open-air bathroom or a dip in the splash pool, keeping an eye out for wildlife at the waterhole.

Later when the day cools down we embark on our first game drive in Greater Kruger Park. Boarding our open 4x4 safari vehicle we head out with our armed guides on the lookout for exciting wildlife activity. It's doubtful that you will be disappointed as the guides have an intimate knowledge of this area and the bush telegraph keeps them updated on any not to be missed sightings. They know all the best places to park to give you the best viewing spots and photo opportunities. With unfenced borders between Balule, Kruger National Park, and the other private game reserves in Greater Kruger Park there is a constant stream of wildlife on the move looking for the best grazing and waterholes. The Olifants River flows through Balule Nature Reserve and thirsty animals are drawn to its banks. Look out for the Big 5, antelope, giraffe, zebra, wild dog, spectacular birdlife, and many more species to add to your sightings list.

We stop to watch the beautiful African sunset and indulge in sundowners and snacks, but as darkness falls we drive back to the tented lodge with our spotlight searching for the nocturnal animals. Dinner awaits back at the safari lodge, served under the stars in the boma. Relax around the campfire and recount the adventures of your first game drive before heading off to bed to fall asleep to the sounds of the bushveld.

  • Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
  • Activities Included: Sunset game drive with sundowners

Day 2: Greater Kruger National Park – South Africa

On day two of our Greater Kruger Safari in South Africa, we explore the Maseke area of northern Balule Nature Reserve on open 4x4 game drives. Our day starts early, as this is the best time to watch wildlife. After a quick coffee and snacks, we climb aboard our safari vehicle, cameras close at hand, and head into the bush. Traversing the 9000 ha of Maseke we see firsthand the interesting landscape that attracts the animals. The elephant herds head for the thickets of mopane trees, while the antelopes, baboon troupes, and dassies gather in the rocky outcrops, which in turn attracts leopards. The open plains draw wildebeest, zebra, and other plains game. This varied, undulating landscape is an ideal area for wildlife viewing. Along the way, we pause for snacks and drinks out in the bush. If conditions are right we may take a short walk to look for signs of animal activity such as tracks and scat.

After our morning game drive, we return to the camp for breakfast which is sometimes served in a shady grove when the weather permits. Breakfast is followed by free time at the tented lodge. You can dip in the splash pool, take a siesta, and relax in the upstairs lounge while watching for wildlife at the waterhole. Later in the day, we have a light lunch. Then when the heat subsides, we embark on an afternoon game drive in the Balule Nature Reserve of Greater Kruger. This wildlife area is well-known for its regular lion sightings and abundant elephants. With luck, we may even spot klipspringer and sable antelope.

After witnessing another tranquil sunset out in the bush we return to the safari lodge, game viewing en route. Our short night drive brings us to camp where dinner and the flickering campfire await. End the day with a hot shower under the stars before lying back to listen to the sounds of nearby wildlife.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Activities Included: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Greater Kruger Park

Day 3: Greater Kruger National Park – South Africa

We rise and shine before sunrise on day three of our Greater Kruger Safari. By the time dawn breaks, we are heading out into the bush. A short drive in our 4x4 safari vehicle brings us to the start of our bush walk in Balule Nature Reserve. From here we explore on foot. On our guided walk, we scan the sandy roads for animal tracks to unravel the wildlife mysteries of the night and track down wildlife. Walking in the bush is an eye-opener and your guide will interpret the many signs and tracks left by animals going about their daily dramas of survival. As you walk he explains how to estimate the ages and times of the sequence of events.

We pause often to inspect the small miracles of the bush and listen to bird calls and other sounds. Your guide tells you more about the birds, plants, and insects you encounter. He can also explain the fascinating vegetation and its traditional medicinal uses and folklore surrounding some plants. This area also has fascinating geology. Walking in Big 5 country has risks so the guide will be armed and competent in protecting guests, however, no children under 16 may go on the walks. With luck, we will come across some animals on our bush walk.

Back at camp, it's time to unwind. Relax with a book, catch some rays, take a dip in the splash pool, find a spot near the waterhole for more wildlife viewing, or take a nap in the comfort of your tented room. There's still another foray into the bushveldt to be taken after a light lunch so relax and re-charge during the hottest part of the day. We head out on a 4x4 game drive in the late afternoon, adding to our list of animal sightings and photo collections. Once again we toast the sunset before heading back to camp in the darkness, using a spotlight to search for nocturnal animals. Tonight we tuck into a hearty dinner and share exciting stories with our fellow travelers around the campfire. Then we retire to our comfy beds under canvas listening to the sounds of the African bush at night.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Activities Included: Morning Bush Walk & Afternoon Game Drive in Greater Kruger Park

Day 4: Greater Kruger Park to Johannesburg – South Africa

Day four kicks off early with a pre-dawn coffee and light snacks at the campfire. As the last calls of the nocturnal creatures fade, we climb aboard our open safari vehicle and head out on a final game drive.

We head out on our three-hour drive armed with cameras ready to capture each exciting moment. Your experienced guide ensures you get the most out of your last chance to spot wildlife in Greater Kruger Park. After your thrilling morning game drive, we return to camp for a delicious full breakfast and a refreshing hot shower. Then your guide drives you back to Three Bridges restaurant where the shuttle awaits to transfer you back to Johannesburg. This 4-Day Greater Kruger Safari to Balule Nature Reserve ends upon arrival at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg.

  • Meals included: Breakfast
  • Activities Included: Morning Game Drive in Greater Kruger Park

About Balule Nature Reserve

On this safari, we explore the Balule Nature Reserve from our tented camp in the northern region, called Maseke Game Reserve. Maseke is approximately 9000 hectares in size and is part of the Greater Kruger Park. This wilderness area consists of privately owned game reserves with Maseke bordering on the Olifants' north reserves. The terrain is undulating with prominent mountain ridges and rocky outcrops which make it an interesting area for wildlife viewing drives. The Olifants River courses through the reserve attracting wildlife to its banks. All of the private reserves in Greater Kruger share open borders with each other and with Kruger National Park, which creates a vast landscape traversed by a huge collection of wildlife, including the Big 5. Open plains attract wildebeest and zebra while elephant herds crowd forests of tall mopane trees. Rocky outcrops are home to rare klipspringer antelope, baboon troops, and dassies - a magnet for leopards. All in all a diverse area that makes for an interesting, exciting safari.

About the Tented Safari Lodge in Greater Kruger Park

Our safari camp, located in Balule Nature Reserve, offers simple tented accommodation in a wild environment. The tented camp provides a genuine African bush experience with basic facilities. It is an unfenced bush camp where animals can roam freely. The camp overlooks a flood-lit waterhole visited by wildlife and birds, day and night. This is the ideal place to get close to nature and immerse yourself in the African wilderness.

Camp facilities include a small splash pool and hammocks, and a shady, thatch-roofed lounge area set on a platform. As often as possible meals are served al fresco, either in the lantern-lit boma around the campfire or in the well-established garden under shady trees. There is a cash bar available for drinks. The experienced, professional guides offer nature walks if there is time available, noting that only guests sixteen years and older may participate. And if you can't bear to be separated from the outside world, there is wifi available at the camp.

Guests are accommodated in Meru-style tents with electricity. Each has a private bathroom adjacent to it and a small patio area under canvas. The patios have two comfortable hand-made chairs and overlook the waterhole. These are walk-in tents under canvas, in traditional African safari style. Each tent has its own open-air (yet private) bathroom where you can take a hot shower under the stars. The bathrooms have basins and flush toilets, with towels and amenities provided. The tents have two windows with mosquito netting to allow the breeze in but keep the insects out. The tents are fitted with sturdy beds with quality linen, and basic furnishings (side tables, bedside lamps, luggage racks, and mats).

Greater Kruger Safari Shuttle Transfers

Collection and drop-off will be at OR Tambo International Airport (Bus Terminal Building). Transport to and from this pre-appointed location is not included in the tour price.

Collection times on the first day:

  • 07h30 OR Tambo International Aiport

Drop-off times on the last day:

  • 17h30 - 18h00 OR Tambo International Airport

Pre- and Post-Safari Lodge Options:

Please note that we offer 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.

Child Policy

This tour does take children.

Children over the age of 10 years are permitted on this safari. The minimum age that young adults may participate in bush walks is 16 years old.

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+Where does the tour go to?
+Included in the Tour Price
  • Meals as per the itinerary
  • Tea, coffee, and filtered tap water
  • Transfers from Johannesburg to the camp and back
  • Morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicles
  • Knowledgeable and experienced guides
  • Tented safari accommodation
  • Game Reserve Conservation Levy
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • Beverages from the bar
+Departure Dates

This tour departs daily with a minimum of two guests.

Scheduled Tour Departures
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If you do not see departures listed for your dates, please do contact us for further info.

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