Explore South Africa's top game viewing area, Greater Kruger National Park, on this affordable Kruger Park Lodge Safari escaping the crowds to experience a genuine African bush adventure!
Embark on rewarding open vehicle game drives in the private Timbavati Game Reserve, sharing unfenced borders with Kruger National Park. Stay at a comfortable and exclusive safari lodge in game-rich Timbavati, enjoying the authentic bush setting and the excitement of getting up close to Africa's magnificent wildlife. Activities include early morning and afternoon-to-night game drives with sundowners in this Big Five wilderness area of Greater Kruger.
An excellent value-for-money budget Kruger Park Lodge Safari - ideal as a short wildlife getaway into the unspoilt African bush!
On day one of this affordable 3 day Kruger Park Lodge Safari you will be collected from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. From Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa, the shuttle heads east towards South Africa's premier game reserve, Kruger National Park. We travel to a popular bush pub near Greater Kruger Park, pausing to stretch our legs and admire the scenery along the way. From the bush pub you are then transferred to the safari lodge inside Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Arriving at the charming lodge, it's time for a tasty lunch. After lunch you have some free time to settle in - swim in the pool, take a nap or simply relax in the unspoilt natural setting. In the afternoon we embark on our first exciting game drive in Timbavati Game Reserve, sharing unfenced boundaries with Kruger Park. We take drinks along for sundowners in the untamed bush as we explore this exclusive Big Five game park. On our way back to the safari lodge we enjoy a night game drive using a spotlight to search for nocturnal wildlife.
Arriving back at the friendly lodge, dinner is served in the lantern-lit boma around an open fire or in one of the covered lodge areas. In the evening we get to relax and unwind at the authentic safari lodge taking in the sounds of nearby wildlife and marvelling at the star-studded African skies.
Today we get an early start rising at dawn for some tea and coffee with rusks (local tea biscuits) before venturing into Timbavati on a thrilling game drive.
We spend about three hours game viewing in the renowned Timbavati Reserve area of Greater Kruger, encompassing a variety of habitats that host a wide array of wild animals. If conditions are suitable, we may take the opportunity to do a guided bush walk this morning, by arrangement with your guide.
Returning to the bush camp after our morning game drive, we tuck into a hearty breakfast with hot and cold dishes, cereals, juices and fruit. The heat of the day is spent at the comfortable lodge where you can take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, relax in a shady spot or play board games and pool on the upper deck overlooking an active watering hole.
After high tea at the lodge, we head back into the game-rich bush in search of more of the wildlife found in Timbavati Game Reserve. In the evening we stop for sundowners out in the tranquil wilderness of this secluded area of Greater Kruger Park. Day two of this budget Kruger Lodge Safari ends with an exhilarating night game drive en route back to the lodge. Freshen up and enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a delicious dinner back at the private safari lodge.
On the last day of this budget Kruger Park Lodge Safari we set off on a final game viewing adventure early in the morning. Start with a cup of coffee or tea and snacks, before setting off into the wilderness with your experienced guide.
After our last game drive in search of wild animals and birds in the exclusive Timbavati Game Reserve, we return to the stylish lodge for a delicious breakfast. Then we leave Greater Kruger National Park, heading back to the bush pub where we catch our return shuttle to Johannesburg. The shuttle takes you to OR Tambo International Airport where this affordable Greater Kruger bush adventure comes to a close.
Collection and drop-off will be at the OR Tambo Bus Terminal Building. Transport to and from this pre-appointed location is not included in the tour price.
Shuttle departures are as follows:
Collection times on the first day:
Drop off times on the last day:
The safari lodge is located deep in the Timbavati Game Reserve of Greater Kruger Park, surrounded by the untamed African bushveld. This small lodge accommodates up to 16 guests, offering an intimate and exclusive bush getaway. The lodge is comfortable and friendly, combining elements of simple luxury and relaxed homeliness to create a welcoming environment. The lodge is family-friendly and affordable, yet stylish and tastefully decorated. The buildings have been carefully designed and built to blend with the natural setting and reduce environmental impact. The lodge runs on solar power and upholds principles of environmental sustainability.
Exclusive access to the privately-owned wildlife reserve ensures a leisurely and uncrowded game viewing experience - a genuine African safari adventure free from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Experienced rangers use their tracking skills to locate the Big Five of Africa and other wildlife on game drives in Greater Kruger National Park.
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is home to more than 40 mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. The reserve is world famous for its legendary pale lions (the White Lions of Timbavati) and today hosts a healthy pride of these unique lions. The White Lions of Timbavati are considered to be the ancestors of all white lions worldwide.
The Timbavati Reserve covers 53,392 hectares of savanna bushveld, hosting 360 bird species, nearly 80 reptile species, more than 80 tree species and even almost 50 fish species! The private Timbavati Reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, sharing unfenced borders with Kruger Park and neighbouring private reserves such as Sabi Sands. Sharing unfenced boundaries with Kruger Park and other reserves allows an impressive diversity of wildlife to roam freely between these conservation areas.
In addition to the Big Five, you can expect to see cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, impala, waterbuck and warthog; as well as hyena and the critically endangered African wild dogs in the Timbavati Reserve. Timbavati is ideally situated between Kruger National Park on the east, Klaserie Private Reserve and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves to the north, Sabi Sands to the south and Thornybush Private Reserve on the west.
One of the main attractions of Timbavati Reserve is that it remains a less crowded safari destination featuring a limited number of lodges. Due to controlled access there are fewer visitors and safari vehicles game viewing in this part of Greater Kruger Park, in turn ensuring healthy game populations. Since 1962 the non-profit Timbavati Association has been dedicated to maintaining species biodiversity in this wilderness area, ensuring that Timbavati has remained virtually unspoilt and has never had to restock its wildlife.
Please note that we offer a convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for before and after the Kruger Lodge 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.
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