This 4-day Klaserie safari is the best-value Klaserie safari option in our Klaserie collection, giving you more time for Big Five game drives, optional guided bush walks and leisure time at Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge in Greater Kruger.
This Budget Kruger Safari to Klaserie Reserve Lodge kicks off in Johannesburg. Boarding our shared shuttle transfer, we say goodbye to bustling Johannesburg and head north-east into the wild African bush. The air-conditioned transfer shuttle takes you to the Eatsgate Airport in Hoedspruit, where you are met by a game ranger from the lodge.
Your game viewing adventure begins as soon as you enter the Big 5 Klaserie Reserve, so keep your eyes open for wildlife en route to your elegant home in the African bush. A warm welcome awaits you upon arrival at Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge, where you are free to settle into your private cottage and freshen up before lunch is served.
After lunch, there is time to relax at the upmarket lodge and take a swim in the pool overlooking a waterhole. In the late afternoon, you embark on a sunset game drive in an open safari vehicle. The safari vehicles are designed to provide the best views of the animals and great photographic opportunities.
A professional game ranger takes you out in search of the Big 5 animals and the many other species found in Klaserie Reserve. This exclusive private reserve forms part of the game-rich Greater Kruger Park. There are no boundary fences between Kruger National Park, Timbavati, and Klaserie, so the wildlife is abundant here.
As the sun sets, we stop for sundowners in the African wilderness. Enjoy a serene sunset out in the bush as you scan for wild animals and birds. Then, continue game viewing after dark, using a powerful spotlight to search for nocturnal wildlife.
Back at Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge, head to the outdoor boma for pre-dinner drinks around the campfire. Then a three-course dinner is served, under the stars or in the welcoming dining room (depending on the weather). Retire to your comfortable cottage suite and fall asleep to the sounds of Mother Nature at the end of your first exciting day in the African bush.
The next two days of our 4-day Klaserie safari follow a pattern of early-morning wake-up calls, eased with coffee or tea and confectionaries. Then we hop into our safari vehicles and head out as the sun rises over the bushveld. Getting an early start enables us to catch the wildlife and birds congregating at the waterholes.
Alternatively, you can embark on a guided bush walk instead of a morning game drive. These thrilling bush walks are led by experienced and armed game rangers. The morning bush walk is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn the secrets of the African bush from a knowledgeable ranger. As you explore on foot, the game ranger explains the mysteries of the spoor, the flora, and smaller creatures of the intricate bushveld ecosystem. The heart-stopping possibility of coming face-to-face with one of the larger African animals adds to the thrill of walking in the Big 5 Klaserie Reserve.
The Klaserie River runs through this 60,000-hectare game reserve, providing much-needed sustenance for the wildlife. Klaserie's landscape is wonderful, with bushwillow woodland as far as the eye can see. The gurgling sound of the Klaserie River in the background is the only sound in this tranquil paradise, occasionally interrupted by a call of the wild. This pristine private reserve is zealously protected from the human footprint, with limited numbers of guests allowed. Thus, it is unlikely that you will come across any other guests whilst enjoying the peace and serenity on your wildlife viewing drive.
Aside from the Big 5 animals - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo - found in Klaserie Reserve, other wildlife species include giraffe, zebra, warthog, spotted hyena, baboon, hippo, impala, kudu, waterbuck, and wildebeest. In addition, you may see African wild dog, cheetah, bat-eared fox, honey badger, porcupine, aardvark, civet, caracal, and serval. There's even the possibility of spotting the famous, rare white lion of Timbavati. The birdlife is prolific, with over 300 bird species identified - bliss for twitchers. The animals have become accustomed to the safari vehicles in the reserve, so it is possible to get as close as 10 meters to the action, which is really thrilling. After about 3 hours of game viewing, we return to Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge exhilarated and ready for brunch.
After a late breakfast, you have free time to soak up the wild surroundings and enjoy the luxuries of the authentic safari lodge. Lie back on one of the comfy loungers beside the pool and on the deck overlooking the active waterhole. Keep an eye open for visiting wildlife and birds. Take a siesta in your tranquil cottage or curl up with a book in one of the comfortable lounge areas.
Later in the day, we set out on a sunset game drive in the private Klaserie Reserve of Greater Kruger. The game rangers are passionate about the African bush and always do their best to share its beauty with guests. Your ranger may even drive off-road to get up close to animals in the bush. While out on the game drive, we stop to witness another spectacular sunset in the bush with sundowners.
As night falls, we make our way back to Baobab Ridge, enjoying a night game drive with the spotlight en route. Back at the safari lodge, drinks and dinner are served in the open-air boma or cozy dining room. Sit back and relax after an action-packed day of wildlife adventures in the African bush.
This morning, we take a final game drive in the Big 5 Klaserie Reserve after a fresh coffee or tea and snacks. This is the last chance to spot the wildlife of Greater Kruger and gain insight into the African bush from your experienced game ranger. After about three hours of exploring in the open safari vehicle, we return to the game lodge for brunch.
After brunch, there is time to relax at the game lodge while you wait for the private transfer to arrive. At around 10:00 am you will be transferred back to Johannesburg on a private transfer, where this excellent-value 4-day Greater Kruger safari comes to an end.
The idea of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve was born in 1969 when three farmers discussed combining their privately owned farmland along the Klaserie River to create a nature reserve to protect the natural landscape. The idea bore fruit in 1972 when a group of farmers had committed, a board had been elected, a game warden employed, and the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve was officially proclaimed. From the outset, the board was passionate about conservation, and today, the reserve is involved in several wildlife projects, including the Ground Hornbill Project, Rhino Protection, the "Tembo" project, currently studying buffalo, and the Elephant Project.
With no fences between Klaserie, Kruger National Park, and Timbavati Reserve, wildlife roam freely between these Big 5 game parks. Spanning 60,000 hectares on either side of the Klaserie River, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife. Inhabitants include the Big 5 - lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard, whilst other regular sightings include giraffe, zebra, warthog, spotted hyena, baboon, hippo, impala, and kudu.
The number of bush camps and game lodges in Klaserie is limited. This means fewer tourists at a time for an exclusive African safari experience away from the more crowded national parks. The Klaserie safari lodge you stay at on this safari offers game drives and guided bush walks with an experienced game ranger. This includes night game drives and off-road driving at times.
This best-value Klaserie safari stays at the small, 4-star Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge that offers high-quality accommodation at an excellent price.
This affordable upmarket lodge is located inside the prestigious Klaserie Private Game Reserve, and the lodge has traversing rights to 6,000 hectares of pristine bushveld within Klaserie. Guests are thus treated to varied landscapes and high chances of spotting the Big 5 animals.
Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge is a family-run establishment with a laidback atmosphere that is known for its warm hospitality and friendly staff. This intimate Greater Kruger safari lodge features seven guest cottages tucked away in the bush. Each free-standing cottage is set on a raised wooden deck and has its own private lounge and plush en-suite bathroom. The cottages are open-plan and equipped with luxurious facilities and fittings. The decor is classical and elegant, incorporating neutral tones and natural elements with splashes of color. They boast verandahs with sitting areas overlooking the African bushveld surroundings.
The main lodge includes a comfortable lounge and bar, a small library, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. There is an open-air boma with a fire pit for drinks and dinners out under the stars, a swimming pool and an expansive wooden deck overlooking a permanent waterhole that attracts a variety of wild animals and birds. The outdoor areas are scattered with comfy loungers, ideal for watching the comings and goings of visiting wildlife.
Guests are transported from Johannesburg in shared luxury, air-conditioned vehicles on this 4-day Klaserie safari. The return journey to Johannesburg is conducted as a private transfer
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: 06h45 am at OR Tambo Bus Terminal Building
Drop off times on the last day: 17h00 - 18h00 pm at OR Tambo Bus Terminal Building
Speak to one of our travel experts if you wish to fly to Hoedspruit airport instead of driving from Johannesburg.
Short on time? See our 3-Day Klaserie Safari at Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge
Want even more time for game drives and bush walks? See our 5-Day Klaserie Safari at Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge
Please note that we offer convenient pre and post-tour lodge accommodation for before and after this Klaserie Safari at Baobab Ridge Safari Lodge, 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.
Pre- or Post-Tour Safari accommodation rates.
If you are looking for an excellent-value Kruger National Park safari, this 4-Day Kruger National Park Safari spends four days exclusively game-viewing within the Kruger National Park.
This tour does take children.
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