KNP09 - 5 Day Kruger Park Budget Safari

A 5 day game viewing experience in the Kruger National Park region that lets you enjoy a sunset drive, and two days of game viewing in Balule Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park on open game viewing vehicles. You will also have the opportunity to visit The Endangered Species Project and Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Hoedspruit before you travel along the Blyde River Canyon back to Johannesburg.

           
Briefing before a guided morning game walk - Balule Private Game Reserve.

The Route
Johannesburg - Balule Game Reserve - Kruger National Park - Panorama Route - Johannesburg

Departures
Scheduled Tours (almost daily departures)

Guests
Minimum 2 - Maximum 12



Day 1 of the Kruger Park tour
As a guest, you will be collected from your hotel, guesthouse or private home in Gauteng as well as from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. We drive via the Highveld farmlands to the picturesque Lowveld and onwards to Tremisana Game Lodge. After arrival you will have a short break, allowing you to rest in your room, have a refreshing dip in the sparkling pool, unwind at the bar or even relax in the beautiful gardens. Roundabout 17:00, you will board an open Landcruiser for a Sunset Drive through the Kruger National Park. Your qualified guide will facilitate your initial opportunity to experience the varied African fauna and flora of the Kruger Park. Watch the magnificent African sunset until night and then use spotlights to locate the nocturnal animals. Dinner in the Boma will be a traditional, delicious South African meal. We then overnight in the Tremisana Game Lodge inside the Balule Game Reserve. This is in comfortable, air-conditioned en suite thatch-roofed chalets (dinner, bed and breakfast comes inclusive).

Overnight:     Tremisana Game Lodge - Balule Game Reserve (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 2 of the tour
Wake at sunrise and prepare yourself for an exhilarating day of unforgettable bush experience. Drive to a remote part of the Balule Plains, where it will be time to enjoy a four hour walk in the wild. An experienced field guide will lead you through the bush at a pace anyone can handle in search of the Big Five. One of the biggest thrills in life and a guaranteed adrenalin rush comes from sneaking near big animals and attempting to photograph these creatures. Never fear though, your game ranger will be close by to ensure your safety. We will return to Tremisana at around 11:30 for brunch, after which you may swim or sleep in your air-conditioned chalet. A quick nap on a hammock might also do the trick. High tea ends at 15:30, we then go on an afternoon game drive. Your ranger is in constant radio contact with the Warden and he will keep us informed of the movements of these animals. Unlike the Kruger National Park, there is limited off-road driving which is permitted in order to get a closer view of the Big Five. Return to Tremisana, located on the Balule Game Reserve for dinner at 20:00.

Overnight:     Tremisana Game Lodge - Balule Game Reserve (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 3 of the tour
After breakfast, we drive to the Endangered Species Project where a guided South African tour gets you close to species such as cheetah, wild dog and ground hornbill. Lunch is held at a traditional cultural village where you will get to experience the ancient tribal ways and customs of the Shangaan people. After lunch, we drive to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre for orphaned and injured animals and birds. Your understanding of conservation issues will become much improved after this visit. We again overnight at the Tremisana Game Lodge in the Balule Game Reserve (dinner, bed and breakfast are included.)

Overnight:     Tremisana Game Lodge - Balule Game Reserve (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 4 of the tour
Enjoy a drive to the Orpen Gate of the Kruger Park; this is where we transfer to a custom-built open-sided Gameviewer. A total wildlife opportunity is experienced from the open vehicle - you will not only have an amazing opportunity to view game, but will be able to experience all the smells and noises of the bush. The absence of any windows and the combination of an elevated vantage position easily allows for numerous and excellent photographic opportunities. Your highly experienced guide will then show you some of the many animals (as well as birds) that frequent this safe haven for wildlife. Regular stops at picnic spots, rest camps and places of interest are another highlight of the package. The Orpen-Satara-Nwanedzi regions have wide-open plains and support a large concentration of herds of zebra, giraffe and antelope that attract numerous predators. This zone is perhaps the largest concentration of lions in the park. The last night is spent at the Tremisana Game Lodge in the Balule Game Reserve (dinner, bed and breakfast is included.)

Overnight:     Tremisana Game Lodge - Balule Game Reserve (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5 of the tour
The early morning sun rises once more and your African holiday continues with a sunrise drive through Balule on an open Landcruiser. After a delicious and hearty breakfast, there will be an opportunity to purchase some delightful memorabilia from the lodge shop - do not forget to take your last photos of the luxuriant, lush gardens at Tremisana. We then drive to the overwhelming Blyde River Canyon to view the Three Rondawels. We return to Johannesburg, where you will be dropped at either OR Tambo International Airport or the accommodation of your choice. Your Kruger Park tour in South Africa comes to a pleasant end in the City of Gold.

Please Note
For people that are unable to do the walk, we replace day two with a full day Kruger safari on an open vehicle in the Kruger National Park.