4 Day Kruger Safari in South Africa (Budget Lodge Tour)

Kruger Safari Highlights

• 4x4 Sunset game drive in the lodge's private nature reserve
• Guided full-day Kruger National Park Safari in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle
• Morning 4x4 game drive in a private conservancy near Greater Kruger Park
• Afternoon 4x4 game drive in a private Big 5 game reserve within Greater Kruger Park
• Morning bush walk in the private Big 5 game reserve in Greater Kruger Park

DAY 1: Johannesburg to Greater Kruger Area – South Africa

This affordable Kruger Safari in South Africa departs from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Our shuttle driver will collect you from the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 07h00, or the designated collection point in Pretoria at 07h30.

Leaving the city bustle behind we drive east into the Highveld region of Mpumalanga. The shuttle stops at Guernsey Boom Gate outside Hoedspruit, where you are met by your safari guide. From there your guide will drive you to the nearby safari lodge where you will spend the next three nights. The safari lodge is located in a private nature reserve bordering Thornybush Nature Reserve in Greater Kruger Park.

Settle into your thatched chalet and enjoy lunch in the main dining area of the lodge where you can keep an eye on the busy waterhole. After a tasty lunch, it's time for our first 4x4 game drive in the Greater Kruger area. Hop on board the open-sided safari vehicle and head out into the private nature reserve the safari lodge is nestled within. Sit back and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the South African bush. Along the way, we stop at a scenic spot to watch the sunset with sundowners. Keep an eye out for nocturnal wildlife, as night falls. After our first peaceful sunset in the bush, we will return to the safari lodge, using spotlights to search for nocturnal animals in the dark.

Back at the safari lodge, we have dinner in the lantern-lit dining area. Then you are free to relax around the campfire in the outdoor boma area, unwind in the comfortable lounge, or have a drink at the bar. At the end of your first exciting day on safari in South Africa, retreat to your private chalet for a good night's rest.

• Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
• Safari activities included: Afternoon game drive in a private nature reserve

DAY 2: Kruger National Park Safari – South Africa

On day two, we get up early for our exciting full-day Kruger National Park Safari. After a quick coffee and some rusks at the exclusive safari lodge, we board our open-sided safari vehicle and head to the Orpen Gate of Kruger National Park.

The whole of day two is spent exploring South Africa's leading national park, on a guided 4x4 Kruger Safari. Your safari guide takes you in search of the stunning array of wildlife and birds found in Kruger Park. This morning, we pause at one of the rest areas in Kruger National Park to enjoy our packed breakfasts from the safari lodge.

After breakfast, our Kruger Safari adventure continues. As we explore your guide will tell you more about the untamed African bush and its rich habitats. At lunchtime, we head to a Kruger rest camp where you can stretch your legs and freshen up. There will be time to do a bit of curio shopping, take a nap in the shade, top up on snacks and cold drinks from the shop, and have lunch (own expense). Then we venture back out into Kruger Park on an afternoon game drive. Your guide takes you in search of the diverse wild animals, birds, and reptiles of Kruger National Park, pausing to observe interesting wildlife sightings and take photos.

Our afternoon game drive ends at one of the park gates where we exit the world-famous Kruger National Park of South Africa. We then make our way back to the safari lodge in the Great Kruger area. Back at the safari lodge this evening, we have a delicious dinner and relax in the unspoiled bushveld setting of the private nature reserve. Choose a comfy place to unwind - the lounge, the open-air boma, or the bar, take a night swim, or retreat to your comfy chalet with its own deck overlooking the wilderness.

• Meals included: Packed Breakfast & Dinner
• Safari activities included: Full-day Kruger National Park Safari

DAY 3: Private Nature Reserve & Greater Kruger Park – South Africa

Wake up early on day three to embark on an exciting game drive into the exclusive Blue Canyon Conservancy, an area between Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. All drives are conducted by informative, qualified field guides who are excellent wildlife trackers. This thrilling 3-hour game drive through the wild African bush offers very consistent sightings of big game like elephants, rhinos, lions, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, and other species. The endangered brown hyena is also found in this reserve. While on our game drive, we will stop for a coffee/tea break with light snacks before continuing our exploration.

Access to Blue Canyon Conservancy is restricted, ensuring a more private, exclusive safari experience. You may see members of the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard) and maybe the endangered wild dog and brown hyena who live here as well. The nature reserve is home to a prolific birdlife of about 400 bird species, plenty of plains game, and an array of predators.

After our safari drive, we will return to the lodge for a well-earned breakfast. Then you are free to rest and relax - Cool off in the pool, nap in your private chalet, or visit a viewing deck to watch wildlife and birds at the waterhole.

After a delectable lunch, served in the dining area opening onto the lush gardens, we set off on our afternoon 4x4 game drive safari, this time in the Big 5 Manyeleti Game Reserve. This private game reserve borders onto the Kruger National Park and as there are no fences between the game parks, wildlife can roam around freely. Your chances to encounter the Big 5 are excellent, even spotting the elusive leopard along with other wildlife. Photographers and birdwatchers will have plenty of opportunities to indulge their passion.

Our rewarding 4x4 game drive in Manyeleti is followed by a delicious dinner back at the lodge. Sit back and enjoy your final evening at the charming lodge in the wilderness.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Safari activities included: Morning & afternoon 4x4 game drive

DAY 4: Greater Kruger Area to Johannesburg – South Africa

Day four of our budget Kruger Safari starts with an early morning coffee and rusks at the lodge. Then we embark on an exciting bush walk in the private nature reserve surrounding our lodge, one of the top highlights of our Kruger Safari in South Africa. Guided by an expert, you'll explore the African bushveld, potentially spotting wildlife and birds. The reserve hosts varied birdlife, plains game, and predators like leopards. More than just a Big 5 pursuit, this bush walk offers a chance to immerse yourself in the unspoiled African bush and learn about its unique flora and fauna from your guide.

Post-walk, we return to our lodge for a hearty breakfast before heading to the Guernsey Boom Gate outside Hoedspruit for our shuttle back to Johannesburg or Pretoria. In the city, you'll be transferred to the O.R. Tambo International Airport (18:00-19:00), marking the end of this affordable Kruger Safari.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Safari activities included: Morning Bush Walk in Greater Kruger Park Area

Pre and Post Kruger Safari Lodge Rates:

Please note that we offer convenient pre-tour and post-tour lodge accommodation for before and after this Kruger Safari in South Africa, which can be added to your safari booking upon request. This 4-star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

About the Private Nature Reserve of the Safari Lodge

On this Kruger Safari, guests stay at a safari lodge inside a private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger Park area.

The private nature reserve covers about 400 hectares of prime bushveld. It includes a variety of ecosystems that provide diverse habitats for wildlife and bird species found here. Of the Big 5 animals, this private nature reserve is home to leopards and buffalos. In addition to leopards, there are also African wild dogs, honey badgers, African wild cats, genets, and civets here. The game reserve also hosts other large mammals such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and other antelopes like kudu, klipspringer, and impala. The birdlife is also impressive with over over 200 species of birds recorded in the reserve.

The safari lodge and private reserve are located a 30-minute drive from Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate and about 30 minutes from Hoedspruit. It borders Thornybush Game Reserve, which is a Big 5 private game reserve in Greater Kruger Park. The lodge is thus ideally located for exploring the Kruger safari region and its many attractions.

Safari activities offered at the lodge include full-day 4x4 Kruger National Park Safaris, 4x4 game drives, and guided bush walks. Guests typically get to explore a private Big 5 game reserve in Greater Kruger Park, as well as the private nature reserve surrounding the safari lodge.

About the Safari Lodge in the Greater Kruger Area

The safari lodge is nestled in a leafy valley in the heart of a private reserve. It is surrounded by the jackal berry, marula, knob-thorn, and leadwood trees of the bushveld savannah. This scenically located private safari lodge provides understated luxury in a peaceful bush setting.

The lodge is next to a busy watering hole that attracts a variety of animals and birds. Three wooden viewing decks provide an excellent vantage point for watching the creatures at the waterhole while enjoying drinks. The nearby water tower is the ideal spot for sundowners, offering panoramic views over the bushveld. There is a swimming pool and lush garden with an outdoor boma area for evenings around the campfire. The main lodge features a lounge, dining area, and bar. A laundry service is available and there's complimentary WiFi.

Accommodation is in stylish chalets tucked away in the trees. Each thatch-roofed chalet has a private wooden deck where guests can sit back and watch visiting birds and wildlife. The chalets have high ceilings and wooden floors. Expansive windows let in the light and showcase the natural scenery. The chalets have been tastefully decorated in calming, natural tones with touches of vibrant color and African art. Each chalet has a private bathroom with a shower. Wooden walkways connect the chalets with the main lodge and outdoor areas.

This is a tranquil and elegant lodge offering understated sophistication in nature. It provides a classical African safari experience that is simple, yet comfortable.

About the Big 5 Greater Kruger Game Reserve

The private game reserve that we explore on this South Africa Safari, forms part of Greater Kruger Park. Greater Kruger consists of over 20 private game reserves that share unfenced borders with Kruger National Park and/or each other. This enables the wild animals in the game reserve to roam freely between Kruger National Park and the neighbouring private game reserves of Greater Kruger Park. The movement of people between the different game reserves and national parks in this region is, however, restricted.

The number of visitors allowed into the private game reserves of Greater Kruger is limited, so they provide a more exclusive safari experience. Our safari lodge is one of few with access to the section of Greater Kruger Park that we explore. You are therefore unlikely to see other safari vehicles while out on your game drives. Another advantage is that you get to take your time watching the animals without having to share wildlife sightings or make way for other vehicles and onlookers.

The private game reserve incorporates 23,000 hectares of bushveld bordering Kruger National Park. This lesser-known Big 5 game reserve lies between Sabi Sands and the Timbavati Game Reserve. With no fences separating these private game reserves from each other or from Kruger National Park, wildlife moves freely through the region. The Big 5 animals are regularly sighted on game drives here, including the shy leopard. But, exploring the private game reserve takes you beyond chasing the Big 5 of Africa, even though they are all found here. Game drives in the private game reserve are all about experiencing the South African bush. Birders can look forward to spotting some of the over 300 bird species found in the private reserve.

About Kruger National Park in South Africa

Kruger National Park is South Africa's premier safari destination. This massive national park covers about 19 485 km² of wilderness, yet it offers outstanding game viewing because of the abundance of wildlife found here.

There are about 147 species of mammals alone in Kruger National Park! Then there is the multitude of birds, plants, insects, reptiles, and even fish! The large mammals of Kruger include impressive populations of Africa's Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo). Common wildlife sightings include herds of elephants, antelopes, buffalos, lion prides, packs of hyenas and wild dogs, hippo pods, and basks of lurking crocodiles. Giraffes, zebras, monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and impalas are very commonly seen.

On this Kruger Safari, your guide takes you on an adventure of discovery that is as much about the small details of the ecosystem as the large animals. The game drives give you insight into the animals, birds, insects, and plants of Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger area.

About the Private Conservancy near Greater Kruger Park

The Blue Canyon Conservancy provides exclusive access to our safari partner, which ensures a very private and peaceful game-viewing experience. This private conservancy offers a traversing area of 9500 hectares and is beautifully situated in a prime game viewing spot, between Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. It also boasts some of the richest biodiversity in the whole of Africa. The park's unrivalled natural beauty and the rich and varied wildlife make this an unforgettable safari destination. The topography includes dramatic mountains, deep valleys, lakes, and bushveld plains

There are no fences between the conservancy and neighbouring parks, so the animals move around freely. You may see elephants, rhinos, lions, and the much shyer leopard and cheetah. Highly endangered species like the African wild dog and brown hyena are also found here and the fact that they've started breeding is exciting news. The big game species are frequently sighted along with smaller species. About 400 bird species can be observed including the rare ground hornbill.

All game drives (in 4x4 safari vehicles) are conducted by qualified, experienced safari guides and trackers. The guides keep in radio contact with stations around the reserve to ensure you won't miss exciting wildlife sightings. The game drives are 3 hours long and include a break for tea, coffee, and light snacks.