5 DAYS SOUTH AFRICA: KRUGER ADVENTURES

From $1,019 USD* / Exceed your wildest safari expectations / 5 days

*price p.p. incl. rental car and hotels, excl. international flights (based on four persons)

Itinerary

Exploring all that Africa has to offer is a dream for many. From epic Kenya safari adventures spotting Africa’s Big Five, going on a Gorilla trekking in Uganda or relaxing at Diani Beach: Africa has it all. Good news: Africa Safari Trips can build a custom-made itinerary that suits all your wishes.

Our most popular itineraries can help you find some inspiration. A lot of our clients love to end their exciting safari with a few days of relaxation on Africa’s most stunning beaches. Would you like that as well?

Whether you choose one of our popular itineraries or prefer to customize your journey, we are here to assist you. Come aboard and get ready to explore Africa at your own pace, exactly the way you like it!

Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg

Silver

Platinum

Torburnlea Homestead Luxury Accommodation

Welcome to South Africa, nayimkelekile, baie welkom! As you walk out of O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg – Africa’s biggest and busiest airport – you head straight to your rental car pick-up place. This is where your adventure begins! This self-driving journey is all about freedom: explore at your own pace, tailor your days with exciting activities, and decide when to stop and soak it all in. With our travel guide full of top spots, local tips and charming padstalls, you’re set for an unforgettable road trip...!

Activities:

: The 350-kilometre drive from Johannesburg’s international airport to Mbombela (or Nelspruit) takes just under 4 hours via the N12 and N4 highways. It’s quite a trip, but it gets you really close to Kruger National Park, so you're all sorted for an early start to your first safari the next morning. A great pit stop is Milly’s Café on the N4 - famous for its extensive lunch menu, fresh bakes, barista coffee and lovely vistas over the trout-filled dam (try the smoked trout, it's supposed to be divine!). Once in Mbombela, all you need to do is check in, unwind and enjoy a relaxing evening – perhaps with a traditional South African braai to get you in the safari mood!
: Explore one of the oldest known cave systems on earth at the Sudwala Caves, located along the scenic R539 near Nelspruit/ Mbombela. Formed over 240 million years ago, these caves are home to incredible stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils – discover it all on a 45-minute guided tour that leads you 600 metres in the caves and 150 metres underground. The caves are well-lit, easy to navigate, and stay a comfortable 17°C year-round. After your tour, thrill-seekers can get an extra adrenaline fix on the 430-metre Sudwala zipline. You can also enjoy the butterfly park, fish spa, labyrinth, and curio shop. Open daily from 08:30 AM to 4:30 PM, including weekends and public holidays.

Accommodations:

Silver Sheppard Boutique Hotel
Gold Loerie's Call Guesthouse
Platinum Torburnlea Homestead Luxury Accommodation

Drive from Mbombela (Nelspruit) to Kruger National Park, Malelane gate

Gold

From Mbombela (or Nelspruit), it’s just 66 kilometres or a one-hour drive along the N4 to reach Kruger’s Malelane Gate. This southern entrance is one of the busier gates to the park, which means there might be a bit of a jam going in. It leads to the heart of the original reserve (established in 1902 to protect wildlife), and when entering, you’ll receive a map with clearly signposted routes leading to rest camps and top game viewing spots. Make sure to chat with fellow travellers at stops – they often know where the action is. Now choose your route and enjoy the ride!

Activities:

: If you want a jam-packed wildlife experience, then Kruger National Park will make your dream come true. This park is said to have the highest chance of seeing all the famous Big Five PLUS the Avian Six (six endemic and funny-looking bird species – only to be found in Kruger) in one day. Mind you, this park is massive! With no less than a whopping 2 million hectares, this is the largest (and most famous) national park in South Africa, with almost 150 different mammal species and 500 bird species. You can also visit archaeological sites, learn about Kruger's amazing and turbulent history and check out the wildlife rehabilitation centres.

Accommodations:

Silver Skukuza Rest Camp
Gold Skukuza Safari Lodge
Platinum Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge

Drive from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

Your Kruger safari has come to an end! After three thrilling days of wildlife sightings, it’s time to head back to O.R. Tambo International Airport – a 5-hour drive (excluding stops) or 430 kilometres from Paul Kruger Gate via the N4 and N12 highways. In need of coffee halfway through? Make a well-deserved pitstop at Alzu Petroport, just past Middelburg on the N4, where you can enjoy a barista special or a hearty meal while watching buffalo and rhino roam just metres away. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, refuel (literally!), and take in one last bit of bush magic. From there, it's a smooth 175 kilometres to the airport. Cherish the memories and safe travels home!

Activities:

: All good things come to an end. It's time to catch your flight home from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Sad to leave…? Not to worry! You can also hop on a domestic flight to Cape Town and add a few highlights to your holiday. How about exploring (and tasting) world-class wines, standing on top of Table Mountain and diving into the rich history of the country? Or simply relaxing at a picturesque beach? Let us know your wishes, and we will gladly organise a holiday extension to help you explore other parts of South Africa.