5 Days South Africa Safari – Kruger National Park and Cultural Tours

From $1,490 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
South Africa Safari Packages | Big Five Game Drives | Kruger Park Wildlife Tours

Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg – Transfer to Kruger National Park

Your South African safari begins with arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. A professional driver-guide will meet you and transfer you northeast toward Kruger National Park, a journey that takes approximately 5 to 6 hours by road or a short domestic flight to nearby Skukuza or Hoedspruit Airport.

Along the way, you’ll pass through Mpumalanga’s scenic countryside, including views of mountains, farms, and small rural towns. Depending on your arrival time, you may stop for lunch en route.

Check in at a safari lodge or tented camp bordering the park, such as Nkambeni Safari Camp, Skukuza Rest Camp, or a private game reserve lodge within the Greater Kruger area. Enjoy a welcome briefing about the park’s ecology and wildlife.

Dinner is served at your lodge, followed by time around the campfire.

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Kruger National Park

Wake up early for a full-day Big Five game drive inside Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. The park spans over 19,000 square kilometers and hosts nearly 150 species of mammals, including elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo.

Your game drive is led by an experienced guide in an open-sided safari vehicle, which allows for unobstructed views and excellent photography. Throughout the day, you’ll explore a variety of landscapes including savannah, woodlands, and riverbanks.

Stop at designated rest camps such as Satara or Lower Sabie for lunch and refreshments. You may also spot giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, hippos, and an abundance of birds, including hornbills, eagles, and storks.

Return to camp in the late afternoon for relaxation. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 3: Morning Bush Walk – Afternoon Game Drive or Spa Leisure

Start the morning with an optional guided bush walk, available in many lodges and private reserves. Accompanied by armed rangers, you’ll learn how to track animals, read signs in the bush, and understand the smaller details of the African ecosystem, such as plants, insects, and animal spoor.

Return for a late breakfast and enjoy free time at your lodge, where amenities such as pools, lounges, or wellness spas are available.

In the late afternoon, embark on another sunset game drive, when animals become more active and chances of spotting predators on the move increase. Evening drives may extend into early night, allowing for sightings of nocturnal animals like civets, bush babies, and owls.

Dinner and overnight at your safari lodge.

Day 4: Panorama Route Scenic Tour (Optional) or Final Game Drive

Today, you can choose between another half-day game drive or take a break from wildlife to explore the Panorama Route, a breathtaking scenic area just west of the park. Highlights include:

• Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world
• God’s Window, offering vast views over lowveld valleys
• Bourke’s Luck Potholes, rock formations carved by water erosion
• Graskop Gorge Lift or Lisbon Falls for photography and nature walks

The route offers a deep contrast to the flat savannahs of Kruger and a chance to engage with South Africa’s highland scenery and rural communities.

Return to your lodge in the late afternoon. Enjoy your final dinner in the bush, often accompanied by local music or storytelling depending on the lodge.

Day 5: Morning Game Drive – Transfer to Johannesburg

On your final morning, rise early for a sunrise game drive, giving you one last opportunity to track wildlife as the park begins to stir with activity. Return for breakfast and check out.

You’ll then begin your return transfer to Johannesburg, either by road (approx. 5–6 hours) or by domestic flight depending on your preferences and flight schedule.

This concludes your 5-day South Africa safari, offering wildlife, landscape diversity, and cultural insight in one of Africa’s best-known destinations.

Included in the Safari Package

• 4 nights’ accommodation in Kruger area lodges or rest camps
• Daily meals as per itinerary (full board or half board depending on location)
• Guided game drives in open safari vehicles
• Optional guided bush walk (included in some lodges)
• Entrance fees to Kruger National Park
• All ground transfers to and from Johannesburg
• Professional English-speaking guides
• Bottled water during game activities

Exclusions

• International flights
• Domestic flights (optional and quoted separately)
• Drinks, tips, and personal expenses
• Optional Panorama Route tour (quoted separately)
• Travel insurance