Map of Wild Kruger Camping including South Africa

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 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take a memorable sunset safari in a private game reserve

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

  • Relax by a campfire under a starry 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?

  • Our campsite is located in the Guernsey Private Game Reserve which 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.

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

Itinerary

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 Guernsey Private Game Reserve on the edge of the Kruger National park.

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.

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 - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Dinner
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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (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.
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 National Park - Full Day Game Drive
Optional Activities
  • Kruger Lodge - Massage Treatment - From - ZAR480
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
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
  • Kruger Lodge Reserve - Morning Nature Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Transport

Minibus, 4x4 Safari Vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Private Game Reserve - Open Safari Vehicle 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 Wild Kruger Camping 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. Bedding is not provided on this trip. See the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information for more information.

4.This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 4. On arrival in Johannesburg you can be dropped at the airport or at our finishing point hotel. 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.

View Essential Trip Information

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