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Uncover the wild heart of Kruger National Park on this short break adventure

Answer the call of the Kruger, South Africa's vast and famous game park that is simply teeming with Africa's most iconic creatures. This four-day safari puts you right in the thick of the park's grasslands and forests, filled with birdlife and big game. Keep an eye out for grazing elephants, giraffes and wildebeest from your safari vehicle and try to spot prowling lions and leopards at night. This might be a short adventure, but it's certainly an action-packed and memorable one.

Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Destination
South Africa
Style
Basix
Theme
Short Breaks, Wildlife
Code
UBAC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 2, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Camp in pre-erected Dome tents with your own local field guide.

  • Take a memorable sunset safari in a private game reserve

  • Enjoy two full day game drives in the Kruger National Park

  • Relax by a camp fire under a starry African sky while listening to the sounds of the night

  • See the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and view the Three Rondavels on you return trip to Johanessburg

Is this trip right for you?

  • It is not uncommon for only you and your travel companions to be the only travellers stay at the camp. While it is very peaceful and relaxing there is not much to do once back at camp.

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

  • Our campsite is located in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve which is located within the Greater Kruger Park ecosystem. It’s about a 25 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Map of Wild Kruger Camping including South Africa
south africa kruger national park giraffe crossing road
south africa kruger sunset
south africa kruger national park zebras
south africa kruger national park group with local guides
Blyde River Canyon

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 campsite in time for lunch (570 km, approx 8-9 hours travel time including stops along the way).

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.
Our base camp for the next 3 nights is in the Timbavati Game Reserve which borders the Kruger National park.

After settling into camp we venture out into the bush in Manyaleti Game Reserve and track the wildlife of the African wilderness in open 4x4 vehicles. Our afternoon Game Drive lets us get up close to the animals and continues on into the night where with the aid of spotlights we are introduced to some of the elusive creatures of the night.

While at our base camp, we camp in pre-erected 2 man Dome tents. A camp bed and sleeping mat will be provided. However you will be required to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and sleep sheet if you require one. Please ask your booking agent about how you can book a sleeping bag for use on the ground. Campsite facilities include hot and cold showers with flushing toilets.
You will also have access to the neighbouring lodge facilities such as swimming pool and bar.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Private Game Reserve - Big 5 Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
Accommodation for this trip is in pre-erected dome tents with awnings and mosquito nets. A camp bed, and camp mattress will be provided. However you will be required to bring a sleeping bag, pillow ( and sleep sheet ) if you require one. Talk to your booking agent about pre-booking this service.

Due to safety regulations, Children under the age of 6 years are not permitted to participate on Game Drives conducted in open vehicles, in Big 5 Game areas. That applies to all of the Game Drives included on this itinerary.

After an early rise we depart our camp and enter the gates of the world renowned Kruger National Park. Our game drive takes us on one of the better game drive routes within the park, giving us the opportunity to view the varied landscapes, ecosystems and abundant wildlife that is unique to Kruger National Park. The entire day is spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes. You will take a break for lunch at one of the parks lunch spots along the way before continuing our Safari experience. Kruger National Park is reputed to have the continent's greatest variety of animals and its sprawling stretch of savanna offers one of the best safari experiences in Africa. After an exciting day’s game viewing head back to base camp to enjoy an evening of tranquility around the campfire. Tonight we enjoy a traditional Braai (Barbeque) listening to the sounds of the night.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kruger Park Conservation Fees
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Due to safety regulations, Children under the age of 6 years are not permitted to participate on Game Drives conducted in open vehicles, in Big 5 Game areas. That applies to all of the Game Drives included on this itinerary.

Spend another entire day game viewing for a chance to catch the most elusive animals before heading back to camp for the night.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kruger Park Conservation Fees
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Due to safety regulations, Children under the age of 6 years are not permitted to participate on Game Drives conducted in open vehicles, in Big 5 Game areas. That applies to all of the Game Drives included on this itinerary.

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). There's plenty of time to stop and explore 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
  • Timbavati Safari Lodge - Nature Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Due to safety regulations in Big 5 areas, children under 6 are not be permitted to participate in the morning bush walk.

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Transport

Minibus, 4X4 safari vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Private Game Reserve - Big 5 Game Drive
  • Kruger Park Conservation Fees
  • Timbavati Safari Lodge - Nature Walk

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. This trip departs early in the morning on day 1 and it is strongly recommended that you arrive at least one day prior.
2. You will be picked up on day 1 from the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
3. If you require pick up from another centrally-located hotel in Johannesburg, please inform your booking agent at least 14 days prior to departure.
4. Bedding is not provided on this trip. See the 'Packing' section of the trip notes for more information.
5. This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 4. Please do not book any flights until after 10pm this evening.
6. Please note that this trip requires a minimum of two depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. Please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.

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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