A fantastic one-week South African Safari Tour taking in the best of Kruger National Park and top KwaZulu-Natal game reserves - Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, plus St Lucia. This excellent value-for-money safari adventure is all about seeing Africa's wildlife and experiencing the untamed bush!
This Budget South Africa Safari includes affordable yet good quality lodge accommodation, most meals, and all game viewing activities.
On day one of this Budget South Africa Safari, you are collected from either your hotel in Johannesburg or from OR Tambo Airport by our shuttle service. Setting off on our journey we travel through Highveld grasslands to the small town of Dullstroom, where we have a lunch (own expense). Then we make our way down to the subtropical Lowveld region, home to many of South Africa’s top game parks.
We head to our safari lodge in the Balule Game Reserve of Greater Kruger National Park. This private game reserve prides itself on being home to healthy populations of the Big 5 animals, with wildlife moving freely between the private reserve and Kruger National Park itself. You will have some time to enjoy the bar, pool, and lovely gardens at the lodge before we depart on an open 4x4 Land Cruiser for an exciting 4-hour game drive.
Experienced guides will inform you about the wonderful African plants and animals you encounter. These may include the Big 5 - lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant. Sunset in the bush is an exceptional experience and is followed by a short night game drive, using spotlights to point out the nocturnal animals on our way to the boma. Dinner will be a barbecue (braai) prepared over an open fire at the boma out in the private reserve. Before we retire there will be yet another chance to spot animals in the dark as we drive back to the safari lodge. We retire to rustic chalets with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning for your comfort.
Day two of our safari in South Africa starts early as we drive to the nearby Olifants River for a special four-hour exploration of the bushveld on foot. Experienced armed rangers will ensure your safety in Big 5 animal territory while sharing their expert knowledge of the veld.
After our bush walk along the Olifants River, brunch will be served at the safari lodge and you will have time to relax. A late lunch will precede our 4-hour afternoon game drive through the reserve. We explore the private reserve, looking not only for the Big Five but also for antelopes, birds, and the smaller mammals that form part of the complex ecosystem. Back at the bush lodge, we enjoy dinner together before retiring for the night.
Located within the Greater Kruger Park in South Africa, Balule Nature Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary renowned for its Big 5 population. Spanning 23 000 km² (88800 mi²) along the Olifants River, it shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. Balule offers affordable safari experiences with expert guides, thrilling game drives, and bush walks. Immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes of Limpopo province and go in search of elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, and more.
Today is set aside for an exhilarating full-day safari in Kruger National Park proper. This is one of Africa's finest and largest game reserves, comparable in size to Belgium! It spans two of South Africa's provinces (Limpopo and Mpumalanga) and borders Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Established in 1898, it is home to an amazing number and variety of animals. These include the Big 5 of Africa, and also some very rare and endangered species like the African Wild Dog.
Entering at Orpen gate, we explore the national park in an open-sided safari vehicle. During our full-day Kruger safari we stop for lunch (own expense) at one of the rest camps in the park. The area of Kruger we explore is renowned for its abundance of lions attracted by big herds of herbivores that include antelopes, giraffes, and zebras. Close encounters with wildlife and the bushveld will ensure a memorable day, after which we return to our safari lodge in Greater Kruger for dinner.
Kruger National Park is one of the continent's largest and most diverse game reserves. Spanning a staggering 19 485 km² (7523 mi²), it provides sanctuary to an impressive array of wildlife, including the iconic Big Five - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo. Yet, the park's biodiversity doesn't end there, with over 500 bird species and 100 different reptiles also calling this park home.
Aside from its rich fauna, Kruger National Park is steeped in history and culture. South Africa's premier national park houses numerous archaeological sites, providing insights into the ancient civilizations that once inhabited this region. From Iron Age artifacts to San rock paintings, these historical remnants tell a fascinating story of human life and evolution in Africa. The park's varied landscapes, ranging from dense forests to vast grasslands, further add to its allure, making Kruger National Park a must-visit destination for any nature or history enthusiast.
On day four we have an early breakfast at the lodge and depart by 7h30. Leaving Greater Kruger behind we drive into northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, making our way to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve area. Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery on this full day of travel from one outstanding South African safari region to another.
Look forward to a well-deserved dinner and overnight stay at a private bush camp, bordering the False Bay section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Settle in at the camp which is built in a unique forest, amongst the tall trees and lush vegetation. This quiet and peaceful setting inside a private game reserve attracts a large variety of birds and smaller antelope, so keep a lookout for visitors.
After breakfast on day five of our South Africa Safari, we drive to the nearby Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Spend the day on safari in the wild bushveld of Zululand exploring this prestigious game reserve.
Hluhluwe is the oldest game reserve in Africa, proclaimed in 1898. The game reserve is famous for saving the white rhino from extinction, a fete to be proud of. This is a safe haven for both the white and black rhino, important members of the Big 5 family. Enjoy a rewarding full day of exciting Big 5 game viewing in Hluhluwe and the neighboring Imfolozi Game Reserve. Look out for the main predators of this area, including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. Lunch will be enjoyed at an open picnic spot or hide. Experience an unforgettable African sunset and return to the bush camp for a scrumptious dinner and relaxing evening around the campfire. Sit back and listen to the cry of the resident bushbabies and hyenas whooping in the distance before falling asleep.
Located in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is a symbol of rich biodiversity and conservation success. Renowned for being the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa, this park spans 960 km² (370 mi²) of hilly topography, offering an expansive habitat for an array of wildlife species. The park is especially celebrated for being home to the African Big 5, making it a significant destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
The history of Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is as fascinating as its inhabitants. Established in 1895, the park stands as a testament to successful wildlife preservation efforts over the years. It's not just a haven for fauna, but also houses diverse flora across its grasslands and forests. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or an adventurous explorer, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park offers a unique window into Africa's natural heritage and conservation history.
Day six of our South Africa Safari kicks off with breakfast at the bush camp before we drive to the world-famous St Lucia Estuary. This morning we explore the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s very first World Heritage Site, proclaimed in 1999.
The vast lake St.Lucia is the centerpiece of this protected area, home to hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds like pelicans and flamingos. Isimagaliso encompasses magnificent protected beaches, dune forests, most of South Africa's swamp forests, and Africa’s largest estuarine system! Here fishing still gets done in the traditional way that dates back 700 years. At St Lucia there is time for a special swim in the warm Indian ocean. After a picnic lunch, we explore this amazingly quaint subtropical village of St Lucia. The highlight of the day is our boat cruise to spot hippos, crocodiles, other wildlife, and bird species. Seeing animals up this close is a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Another adventurous day in Africa ends with a delectable dinner at our private bush camp. End the day with drinks in the boma, swapping stories around the campfire, and listening to the night sounds of the bush.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, located along the coast of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, is a remarkable testament to natural diversity and conservation. Spanning an impressive 239,566 hectares, it's one of Africa's most significant wetland and coastal sites. The park is centered around the expansive Lake St. Lucia, a hub of aquatic life and a magnet for birds.
Beyond its abundant wildlife, the park is also recognized for its astonishing variety of habitats. From the Ubombo Mountains to the region's sub-tropical coastline, iSimangaliso offers a unique blend of terrestrial, marine, and wetland environments. This World Heritage Site is not only a sanctuary for nature but is also a fascinating exploration ground for those captivated by the intricate workings of diverse ecosystems.
The final day of your South Africa Safari starts with an early morning nature walk in the private game reserve.
Soak up the fresh air and enjoy being out in nature on foot. Keep an eye out for the many special and endemic birds of this area, such as the crowned hornbill, trumpeter hornbill, crested guineafowl, Livingstone’s touraco, and Narina trogon. If you are lucky, you may spot rare antelope species like red duiker and suni, not found in Kruger National Park. After this great start to the day, it’s time to hit the road for our last destination, Durban.
We drive to King Shaka International Airport near Durban arriving at around 11h00. If you prefer to return to Johannesburg at the end of this South Africa Safari, you can opt for a transfer to Dullstroom from where our shuttle vehicle takes you back to the city.
The budget-friendly safari lodge in Balule Nature Reserve offers excellent value for money in Greater Kruger Park, making for an accessible and affordable Kruger Safari experience. Accommodation is simple, yet clean and comfortable with basic amenities and rooms.
The safari lodge comprises 18 thatched chalets and a two-bedroom guest house, all rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. The en-suite bathrooms have a shower, toilet, and basin. There are tea and coffee stations in the chalets and the windows are fitted with mosquito netting for peace of mind. Each bed is also fitted with an overhead mosquito net.
There is a swimming pool in lovely tropical gardens and an open-air boma. At the nearby waterhole, a variety of animals and birds can be spotted. Electric fencing also ensures the safety of guests, but does not keep out the vervet monkeys that are regular visitors, along with birds!
Please note that we offer convenient pre- and post-tour lodge accommodation before and after this South Africa 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 Full Tour Pricing Information for the rates.
This tour does take children.
While children from 6 years of age are accepted on this safari, there is a minimum age restriction of 16 years on the bush walk activities.
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