This Big 5 Kruger Safari explores Balule Private Game Reserve, in the Greater Kruger Park of South Africa. Spend two nights at an authentic safari lodge in the intimate Big 5 game reserve, where the focus is on personal service and relaxation.
Balule Private Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park, is known as prime Big 5 territory. There are no fences between Balule, other private game reserves, and Kruger National Park, so Africa's Big 5 and other wildlife move freely within this vast wilderness area. In the private game reserve, 4x4 game drives are limited to guests staying in the reserve, which means fewer tourists and a more exclusive African safari for you.
Exploring the untamed bush with trained guides, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa undisturbed... Who could ask for more?
This Budget Kruger Safari begins with an early morning collection from the OR Tambo International Airport, at 07h00. From OR Tambo we make our way north to Pretoria and the second designated pick-up point for this safari. After collecting passengers in Pretoria, at 07h30 we proceed to Balule Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger Park.
This scenic route passes the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve before descending the Magoebaskloof Mountains into the Kruger Lowveld region.
Arriving at Balule Private Game Reserve a representative from the safari lodge collects you. Settle in and enjoy an afternoon tea before we set off on our first game drive in the Big 5 Greater Kruger Park.
Our afternoon game drive provides the ideal introduction to this beautiful wilderness area and our first sightings of Africa's incredible wild animals and birds. We take a break on our game drive to watch the sunset and savor some snacks with sundowners. Darkness quickly follows sunset and as we make our way back to our safari lodge, we look out for the nocturnal creatures, as they emerge for their nightly hunt.
A four-course dinner is served back at the safari lodge around the campfire under the vast African night sky, filled with stars. It's time to relax, listen to the sounds of the night, and recount your day's wildlife adventures with fellow travelers.
Day two of our Big 5 Kruger Safari begins at sunrise and after pre-dawn coffee and rusks, we set off into the bush to watch the African bush come to life. This is the time that many wild animals and birds are most active, in the cool of the morning. If we're lucky, we may even see the aftermath of a predator kill from the night before. On the game drive, the guides keep in contact with each other so that all are aware of any exciting activities. They are able to drive off-road in their 4x4 safari vehicles, a privilege not permitted in Kruger National Park.
Exploring in an open-sided 4 x 4 safari vehicle creates an experience of getting close to nature and seeing, hearing, and smelling all its wonders - from the fauna to the fluttering birds to the enormous African elephant.
As the day heats up, we return to camp and enjoy a big breakfast. During the heat of midday, we can relax at the safari lodge, enjoying the wild scenery and making good use of the swimming pool, before retiring for a siesta.
After afternoon tea, we head off into the unspoiled bush in open safari vehicles on our evening game drive. Our guides will use their superb skills to ensure the best game-watching experience possible. As the sun sets in Africa, we will enjoy a sundowner out in the bush before getting onto the safari vehicles to enjoy an exciting night game drive.
Back at the safari lodge, we enjoy dinner and the age-old tradition of sitting around the campfire discussing the day's wildlife sightings.
After coffee and rusks, we set off on our final early morning game drive in Greater Kruger Park.
Your guide takes you in search of the Big 5 of Africa and other wildlife on your wishlist. Then we return to the safari lodge for breakfast. Sadly this spectacular 3 Day Kruger Safari in Balule Private Game Reserve has now come to an end and it's time to say goodbye to the African bush. At 11h30 the shuttle collects you from the gates of Balule and transfers you back to the designated drop-off point in Pretoria at 17h00 and then OR Tambo in Johannesburg at about 18h00.
Pick-up and drop-off are at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and a designated location in Pretoria. For more details and times please enquire. Transport to and from these set locations is not included in the tour price.
Collection times on the first day:
Drop-off times on the last day:
Perfectly located on the seasonal Mohlabetsi riverbed in the Balule Private Game Reserve, the game lodge is a dream African safari destination. It's the perfect spot for a comfortable, yet affordable Greater Kruger Safari in a Big 5 private game reserve.
The central lodge has a comfortable lounge with a fireplace, shady verandah, sun deck, and swimming pool, offering a perfect place to relax, regardless of the weather. Designed to fit into the surroundings, the raised recreational areas of the safari lodge allow for spectacular views across the African bush.
Meals are served either in the dining room or around the campfire in the traditional boma, under the star-scattered African sky.
Accommodation is in fully-equipped luxurious units set far enough apart to ensure your privacy and sense of space. Each one has a bedroom, en-suite bathroom with shower, and private patio overlooking the seasonal riverbed.
Balule is a 40 000 hectare reserve that makes up part of the Greater Kruger National Park. The entire area is unfenced, allowing the free flow of the animals. This is prime Big Five territory.
The major advantage of staying in and exploring this wildlife area is that it is private and secluded. Unlike Kruger Park, no day visitors are allowed, meaning that you won't be huddled around a lion kill with a hundred other people in cars. This is the real bush experience, enjoyed in solitude, as it should be.
Please note that we offer convenient pre-and-post-tour lodge accommodation for before and after the Greater 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. View the lodge rates for more details.
This tour does take children.
Children 12 years and older are permitted on game drives.
All Johannesburg Departures | All Kruger National Park Tours | All Lodge Safari trips
A short Budget Kruger Safari in South Africa. This Budget African Safari (Backpackers Tour) stays at affordable safari lodges for budget travel without camping
More on this 3 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An affordable short Pilanesberg Safari in South Africa's Big 5 Pilanesberg National Park, staying at the luxurious, family-friendly Ivory Tree Lodge.
More on this 2 Day Budget Lodge Safari
This 4 Day Kruger Safari is an amazing value African bush camp safari to a private game reserve in Greater Kruger Park. An intimate safari lodge for an authentic African safari with game drives that maximise your chances of seeing the Big 5 of Kruger Park.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An intimate 4 Day budget safari to Greater Kruger National Park staying at a tented safari lodge in Balule Nature Reserve.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
This 4-day budget Kruger Park Lodge Safari offers a genuine African bush adventure at exclusive yet affordable safari lodge in Timbavati Game Reserve - a private Big Five reserve sharing unfenced borders with Kruger National Park.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A budget-friendly South Africa Safari in the Pilanesberg National Park, staying at the luxurious and family-friendly Ivory Tree Lodge.
More on this 3 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An affordable 3 Day Greater Kruger Safari in Balule Nature Reserve, staying at an unfenced tented safari lodge in the wilderness.
More on this 3 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Spend three days inside Kruger National Park on this tented camping safari based at Pretoriuskop Rest Camp and embark on 4x4 game drives with expert guides.
An excellent Budget Kruger Safari Tour to a Private River Lodge in the Greater Kruger Park area. Explore Kruger National Park & a Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger on Big 5 game drives.
More on this 3 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
