5 Day Classic Kruger Park Safari (OS05)

For guests flying into Nelspruit airport, we advise guests arrange their flights to arrive around 11h00 on the morning their safari starts, where your guide will pick you up off your flight and continue your Kruger safari.

We depart from Johannesburg between 07h00 and 07h30 in the morning and make our way to the Kruger National Park, arriving around 12h00. Before entering the Kruger we will stop for lunch in one of the small towns en-route to the park.

Our first afternoon will be spent driving inside the Kruger searching for wild animals, accompanied by a professional guide, who gladly divulges information to you, on the parks amazing diversity of wild and plant life.

We get to our first camp in the late afternoon where you check into your accommodation and have enough time to go for a swim, purchase necessary items at the camps shop, or simply take a stroll around the camp to stretch your legs after a long days driving.

Your guide begins preparing the evening meal, situated just outside your chalet, under the stars and served by candlelight. Apart from the cooking your guide is of course available to identify all the nocturnal sounds you hear, and possibly entertain you with some amazing experiences encountered over many years of guiding in Africa. Wine is served and included in evening meals. Dinner included.

It's your first morning in the bush, your guide wakes you on time, as arranged and prepares you a cup of coffee and some snacks, after packing the vehicle and you begin your early morning drive. It's still really early in the morning, nice and cool, and a perfect time to spot elusive predators whom at this time of the day are still very active.

After a successful morning drive you stop at a picnic spot to enjoy a relaxed breakfast.

After the morning drive and picnic breakfast you return to camp and have an opportunity for a midday siesta or just general relaxation time.

Kruger's camps are well established with large, old indigenous trees, housing many different bird’s reptiles and even bats. So it's nice at this time of the day to also enjoy what the camps have to offer.

In the afternoon you head out again on a drive, returning just before the gates close.

In total you will do about 6-7 hours driving each full day in the Kruger. This allows us enough time to show you many different animals and birds.

Once again your guide cooks your meal out under the stars. Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 3: Kruger National Park

Like clockwork, your guide gently knocks to indicate another early start. As the day before, you start off with a fresh cup of coffee before heading out on the morning drive.

Time spent on game drives increases your chances of seeing unusual and spectacular animals, but we do not only cater to guests wanting to see the best Africa has to offer in terms of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) For us, it truly is all spectacular from the huge elephant's and giraffe down to common antelope such as impala and kudu. Not to mention an amazing diversity of birds.

The privilege of being out in the African bush is not something we take for granted or are blasé about.

This passion and dedication to Africa will be evident in your guide's behaviour and enthusiasm.

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) are usually seen on our safaris and are common in the Kruger National Park. After breakfast we continue driving, searching for animals. You will find your guide to be a wealth of knowledge not only concentrating on animals but also identifying birds, trees, insects and explaining some of the parks fascinating geology.

After a full morning's driving we reach our next camp where you check in and have a couple of hours to relax during the hottest part of the day, when animals are generally less active and hiding from the midday sun. All the camps we use also have restaurant facilities so you will be able to purchase lunch.

In the late afternoon you embark on sunset/night drive which gives you an opportunity to spot some of Africa's elusive, nocturnal animals such as hyena, leopard, owls, nightjars, civet, genet etc.

Upon your return, your guide has already prepared your evening meal. And has corked the wine which is now sufficiently aired and at the perfect temperature. Sitting outside on a balmy African night listening to lions roaring in the distance, or the whoop of a hyena is a fantastic experience and one which often brings our guests back to Africa. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Five days in the Kruger allows us sufficient time to show you many animals but also afford you the opportunity to go on an exciting morning walk, which lasts about 3-4 hours.

When water is available lions will usually drink at least once a day. The walk gives you an opportunity to experience Africa in a way different to being in a vehicle. Smells and sounds come alive as your senses are heightened and nerves are tingled at the possibility of encountering wild animals on foot.

Walks are conducted by trained, professional guides with many years of experience and the necessary qualifications to successfully and most importantly, safely show you Africa from ground level.

After your walk, you return to camp, your guide prepares breakfast and affords you some time to relax before an afternoon drive. As on previous days, you return to camp in the early evening where your guide prepares dinner. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Safaris are all about early mornings, getting out there and seeing animals. This morning is no exception and whilst you are leaving Kruger today, there is still time for a couple of hours drive in the hope of seeing and possibly photographing animals you have not yet seen. Your guide knows the Kruger intimately and will focus on areas he knows produce animals you still need to see, it's not guaranteed but you stand a good chance.

Impala (Aepyceros melampus) are the Kruger Parks most common large animal and this sighting we guarantee! As common as they are they are still very beautiful and a delight to photograph. Sadly after a couple of hours we depart Kruger and make our way back to Johannesburg. But not before showing you some of South Africa’s most spectacular scenery.

The panorama route includes Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfalls and Pilgrims Rest, where you stop for lunch.

After lunch it's a good four hours drive back to Johannesburg and you arrive back at the Outlook Lodge or your hotel around 18h00. Breakfast included

Included:

Transport for the duration of your safari

Pick up and drop off in Johannesburg/Pretoria

Professional guides

Meals as indicated in the itinerary

All day drives in the Kruger National Park

All entry fees and daily conservation levies

Accommodation with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning (accommodation is also mosquito proofed)

Sunset/ night drive

Morning walk

Bottled mineral water during the day

Wine with evening meals

Panorama route on the last day

Excluded:

Drinks other than bottled water and wine

Walks are included on our 5, 6 and 7 day Kruger Park Safaris.

Of course walks are available on our 3 and 4 day safaris but as an optional extra.

Those guests flying out of Johannesburg International on Day 5 are reminded to not book any flights earlier than 19h30 so that we have enough time to get you to the airport.

Please note however that we cannot guarantee our arrival time in Johannesburg on the last day and can therefore not be held responsible for re-imbursements of flight tickets, should we arrive later than expected

Guests flying out of Nelspruit on the last day may, depending on their flight details not have enough time to see the panorama route.

On our safaris, we make use of facilities and accommodation situated within Kruger National Park, and do not stay outside Kruger, unless forced to do so due to availability.