3-Day Kruger Safari from Johannesburg (Bungalow Stay)

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park – South Africa

This 3-day Kruger National Park safari departs early from Johannesburg. Your driver will collect you from OR Tambo International Airport or a nearby hotel (within 5 km of the airport).

Optional collection is available in Nelspruit for guests joining the safari there. From Johannesburg, you travel to Kruger National Park in a comfortable, air-conditioned tour vehicle (Toyota Quantum or similar), with comfort stops and a lunch break en route (own account).

On arrival at Kruger National Park, you transfer to an open 4x4 safari vehicle and begin your first game drive. Wildlife viewing starts immediately as you enter this world-famous reserve, with excellent opportunities to spot the Big 5 and other iconic species. Your afternoon drive takes you to your well-equipped rest camp in southern Kruger.

After arrival, your guide assists you with check-in at your air-conditioned en-suite bungalow.

The fenced rest camp offers a safe and comfortable base inside Kruger National Park, with facilities including a shop, restaurant, and swimming pool. After a short orientation, settle into your bungalow and freshen up before dinner.

Dinner is served at the camp’s restaurant or private dining area, offering traditional South African cuisine. After your meal, relax around the campfire and reflect on your first exciting day on safari.

• Meals included: Dinner
• Accommodation: En-suite, air-conditioned bungalow at a top Kruger Rest Camp
• Safari Activities: Afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park

Day 2: Kruger National Park Safari – South Africa

Your full day on safari begins early with a wake-up call from your guide, followed by coffee or tea and traditional rusks at camp.

You then head out on a morning game drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle, when wildlife is most active and viewing conditions are at their best. Your experienced guide selects routes based on recent sightings and conditions, maximising your chances of seeing the Big 5 and other iconic species.

Game drive timings and routes are flexible and adapted to wildlife movements, weather conditions, and group preferences. Depending on group consensus and sightings, your safari may include a full-day game drive, returning to camp in the late afternoon.

Each safari vehicle is equipped with shared binoculars for wildlife viewing, although guests are welcome to bring their own for personal use.

After your morning activities, brunch is served back at the rest camp, followed by leisure time to relax and enjoy the facilities. You may choose to swim, browse the camp shop, dine at the restaurant, or rest in your air-conditioned bungalow.

In the late afternoon, you depart on another guided game drive, an excellent time for photography and predator sightings. After returning to camp, you have time to freshen up before enjoying dinner at the restaurant or private dining area.

• Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
• Accommodation: En-suite, air-conditioned bungalow at a top Kruger Rest Camp
• Safari Activities: Morning & afternoon (or full-day) game drive in Kruger National Park

Day 3: Kruger National Park to Johannesburg – South Africa

Your final day on safari begins early with a last guided morning game drive, offering one more opportunity to spot wildlife in the cool, active hours of the day. After a light coffee or tea, you head out in an open 4x4 vehicle to explore new areas of this vast national park.

Following your morning game drive, you return to camp for breakfast before preparing for your journey back to Johannesburg. As you exit Kruger National Park around mid-morning, keep an eye out for any final wildlife sightings along the way.

You then transfer to your comfortable, air-conditioned tour vehicle and travel back to Johannesburg via Nelspruit. Arrival is typically between 16h00 and 17h00, with drop-off at OR Tambo International Airport or a nearby hotel, bringing your Kruger safari adventure to a close.

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Safari Activities: Morning game drive in Kruger National Park

Kruger Safari Bungalow Accommodation

This affordable Kruger safari includes comfortable, en-suite bungalow (chalet) accommodation at well-established rest camps inside southern Kruger National Park.

Guests typically stay at Skukuza Rest Camp, Lower Sabie Rest Camp, or Pretoriuskop Rest Camp, depending on availability. These popular camps are well located for wildlife viewing and offer convenient facilities such as swimming pools, restaurants, cafeterias, and small shops.

The bungalows are air-conditioned and serviced daily. Each unit is furnished with two or three single beds, fresh linen, towels, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet, and basin. All rooms include a small fridge, kettle, and mosquito-screened windows and doors for added comfort.

Kruger National Park Safari Information

This is a shared small-group safari, with a maximum of 9 guests per vehicle to ensure a more personal and enjoyable wildlife experience. Larger groups are split across multiple vehicles and guides.

Night game drives can be arranged in advance at an additional cost and are conducted by SANParks rangers. These optional excursions offer a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife.

Unlike many entry-level budget tours, this safari operates as a closed group. Guests joining on different dates do not rotate between vehicles, helping maintain consistency and comfort throughout the trip.

Tailored & Private Kruger Safari Options

This safari is also available as a private tour at an additional cost. Private departures can be arranged on most dates, subject to accommodation availability, with a minimum of two guests.

Private safaris for groups of 2 to 5 people are quoted separately. For private groups of 6 or more, pricing is usually comparable to that for scheduled departures.

During peak travel periods such as Easter, school holidays, and December, accommodation inside Kruger is limited. Early booking is strongly recommended.

Private itineraries can be customised to include night drives, Panorama Route excursions, or stays in Greater Kruger private reserves.

Private safaris may also be arranged for families travelling with children under 8 years of age.

For personalised pricing and availability, please contact African Budget Safaris.

About Kruger National Park – South Africa

South Africa’s flagship conservation area, Kruger National Park is world-renowned for its exceptional wildlife viewing and diverse ecosystems. It is home to the Big 5 and one of the richest concentrations of mammals on the continent.

Covering nearly 20,000 km², Kruger is one of Africa’s largest protected areas. It supports thriving populations of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, rhino, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and numerous antelope species.

Longer Kruger Safari Options

This 3-day Kruger safari is also available as a 4-day Kruger Safari and 5-day Kruger Safari Package, offering more time for game viewing and relaxation.

You can also browse our full range of Kruger Park safaris to compare longer and alternative itineraries.

Pre- and Post-Safari Lodge Accommodation & Transfers

Optional pre- and post-safari lodge accommodation near OR Tambo International Airport can be arranged on request. These 4-star lodges are located approximately 10–15 minutes from the airport and provide a convenient start or finish to your safari.

For current rates and availability, please follow the tour pricing link or enquire with our team.

Optional Panorama Route Extension

You may add a scenic Panorama Route tour to your Kruger safari at an additional cost. This popular extension includes an overnight stay and visits to highlights such as the Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Graskop Gorge.

To include this extension in your itinerary, simply request it when booking your Kruger safari.