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Map of Kruger Lodge Experience (3 days) including South Africa

Head out into the wilds of Kruger National Park in comfort

No holiday to South Africa would be complete without a safari - a chance to spot Africa's Big Five and to wander the vast open savanna. Join us as we heed the call of the Kruger and embark on a magical journey into this vast, game-filled national park. Search for lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants during the day, and then relax in a comfortable lodge at night. This is the perfect way to see the spectacular Kruger National Park without sacrificing creature comforts.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Destination
South Africa
Style
Comfort
Theme
Short Breaks, Wildlife
Code
UBAI
Physical rating
Ages
Min 6
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Experience a private game reserve after dark in an open top 4x4 vehicle

  • Enjoy traditional South African cuisine while dining under the stars

  • Try to spot the Big Five in Kruger National Park on a full day game drive

  • Stay in a comfortable safari lodge in a communal setting with friendly hosts

  • Visit the awesome Blyde River Canyon and view the Three Rondavels on your return trip to Johannesburg

Is this trip right for you?

  • This itinerary starts and finishes in Johannesburg and includes 2 long travel days.

  • This is one of our Short Breaks and is slightly different to our group tours. There is no group leader but rather a local guide with the idea being that you maintain a level of independence during down time. You'll most likely travel on a join-in basis, which means you may or may not be joined by others for activities and transportation, depending on demand.

  • The transport to and from Kruger National Park will be in a 13-seater minivan. This is a shuttle service that departs daily. You may be sharing this shuttle ride with other travellers booked on different trips and itineraries to you.

  • Our lodge is located within the Greater Kruger Park ecosystem. It’s about a 50 minute drive to Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate. On this itinerary you will have Game Drives in both the Kruger National Park and neighbouring Private Game Reserves.

  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

  • Regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country. In particular, South Africa suffers from load-shedding: rolling blackouts that are engineered specifically to share out available power in the region.

Giraffe stands with bird resting on its head in Kruger National Park
Pair of elephants graze in Kruger National Park
Mountains and landscape of Blyde River Canyon
Rhino stands in trees in Kruger National Park

Itinerary
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Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your Kruger Short Break starts very early this morning to get you to Kruger for a late lunch. If staying at the Holiday Inn Rosebank you will be picked up at 6am. If you are staying at alternate hotel (and advised us prior to departure) you will be picked up from 5:30am onwards. The exact time of pick-up for alternate hotels will be communicated to your hotel reception in the afternoon prior to day 1 of your itinerary. Please verify this time with reception the evening prior to your start day.

We depart Johannesburg, the 'City of Gold' and head off on an adventure of a lifetime. A truly unique African experience unfolds as we enter the Greater Kruger National Park ecosystem arriving at our Lodge in time for lunch (570 km, approx 8-9 hours travel time including stops along the way).

After some time to settle in, head off on a 3 hour afternoon game drive in open 4x4 vehicles in a private game reserve. Enjoy the thrill of spotting a impala, zebra, giraffe or lion, among other animals. Here you're likely to see any of the species that one may encounter in Kruger, since there are no boundary fences between the reserve and Kruger itself. Mid way through the safari stop for drinks at one of the waterholes before continuing the game drive into the early evening.

Located in the greater Kruger, your accommodation is wonderfully intimate, with limited permanent safari tented rooms. Rooms are tastefully decorated and comfortably appointed with private ensuite. The lodge also offers a comfortable lounge, perfect for chatting with the other guests over a drink or two. There is also a swimming pool, shaded deck area, dining tent and WiFi.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Private Game Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Our lodge is located within the Greater Kruger Park ecosystem. It’s about a 50 minute drive to Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate. On this itinerary you will have Game Drives in both the Kruger National Park and neighbouring Private Game Reserves.

Please note if the lodge is full you will be accommodated in a similar lodge in the same area.

One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog.
An early rise, as we make our way to the Kruger.

Our wildlife experience begins as soon as we enter the park, heading into prime game viewing areas where we hope to catch a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found inside the park, including the Big Five.

Enjoy breakfast at one of the picnic spots before continuing through the park. Our entire day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes en route.

We depart the park in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day Game Drive
Optional Activities
  • Kruger Lodge - Massage Treatment - From - ZAR480
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
You may notice businesses offering optional visits to HESC (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre) and Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. We ask all Intrepid travellers to avoid these as they are contrary to our Animal Welfare Guidelines and commitment to responsible travel. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and to not include venues where animals are in captivity.

Rise early and head out on a morning bush walk. Guided by a qualified nature guide, we learn about nature's finer details like bird, tree and spoor identification.
Transfer back to Johannesburg (600 km, approx 9-10 hrs). Along the way take in amazing views at the viewpoint over the awesome Blyde River Canyon and view the Three Rondavels.
On arrival in Jo'burg you can be dropped at the airport or any nominated Johannesburg or Pretoria hotel. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Johannesburg. Please ask at time of booking.

Please don't book any international flights until after 10pm this evening.
Included Activities
  • Kruger Lodge Reserve - Morning Nature Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

4x4 Safari Vehicle, Minibus

Accommodation

Lodge (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Private Game Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day Game Drive
  • Kruger Lodge Reserve - Morning Nature Walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Kruger Lodge Experience (3 days) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip starts and ends in Johannesburg. We depart between 5.30am and 6:30am on Day 1 so it is essential that you overnight in Johannesburg the day before the tour. If you want to explore Johannesburg at either end of the tour, please allow additional days.

2. You will be picked up between 5.30am and 6.30 am on Day 1 of this itinerary. Our preferred Joining Point Hotel is the Holiday Inn Rosebank and pick up time if 6.00 am. If you require a pick up from another centrally-located hotel or airport hotel in Johannesburg, please advise your booking agent at least 14 days prior to departure. Our local operations team will advise the relevant Hotel reception of the exact pick up time 24 hours prior to pick up.

3. If you require pick up from another centrally-located hotel in Johannesburg or OR Tambo Airport Hotel, please inform your booking agent at least 14 days prior to departure.

4. This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 3. Please do not book any flights until after 10pm this evening.

5. Please note this is a join in adventure and you will travel with a group of like minded Intrepid and non Intrepid passengers during transfers and game drives.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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