One Safari. The Best of Kruger National Park.
Safari info:
- Starts and ends in Nelspruit
- Duration: 5 days
- Accommodation type: Comfortable / mid-range
- This tour can be booked as a private guided safari
Experience the ultimate Kruger National Park safari on this carefully designed seven-day journey through South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destination. The Complete Kruger Safari explores the park’s renowned southern and central regions, giving you the best opportunity to experience the incredible diversity of Kruger National Park while maximising your wildlife and birding sightings.
Stay in the iconic Skukuza and Satara rest camps, perfectly positioned for outstanding game viewing, and enjoy a combination of morning, afternoon and night game drives, together with an unforgettable guided bush walk. From riverine forests and granite hills to open savannas, you’ll explore the habitats that make Kruger National Park one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.
This Kruger safari tour is ideal for travellers wanting to experience the very best of the park in a single itinerary. Search for the Big Five, encounter Africa’s famous predators, discover exceptional birdlife and enjoy breathtaking landscapes while travelling with experienced guides who know where to find the park’s incredible wildlife. Whether you’re visiting South Africa for the first time or returning for another adventure, this immersive Kruger National Park safari offers an unforgettable wildlife experience.
Why this tour – Trip Highlights:
The Big Five: Search for Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhinoceros in one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations.
Morning Game Drives: Explore the bush at first light when wildlife is at its most active and rewarding to observe.
Night Game Drive: Discover Kruger’s nocturnal world in search of elusive predators and fascinating night creatures.
Guided Bush Walk: Experience the wilderness on foot alongside expert armed rangers for a unique perspective of the bush.
Birdwatching: Look for many bird species throughout the journey, from colourful rollers to impressive raptors and bustards.
Top Mammals:
Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Cheetah, Spotted Hyaena, White Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest
Top Birds:
Southern Ground Hornbill, Secretarybird, Kori Bustard, Bateleur, African Fish Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork, White-headed Vulture, Lilac-breasted Roller, African Hawk-Eagle, Brown-hooded Kingfisher
What to expect:
Day to day Itinerary
| Day 1 | Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Kruger National Park |
| Day 2 | Skukuza area |
| Day 3 | Skukuza to Satara |
| Day 4 | Satara area |
| Day 5 | Satara to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for departure |
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Kruger National Park
Your 5-day Kruger National Park safari begins with a warm welcome at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport before travelling into South Africa’s flagship wildlife destination. Entering Kruger National Park through its wildlife-rich southern region, the drive to Skukuza offers an immediate introduction to the remarkable diversity of the Lowveld, where every kilometre presents exciting opportunities for wildlife viewing.
After settling into Skukuza Rest Camp, enjoy your first guided afternoon game drive through productive riverine woodlands and open savannas. This area is renowned for outstanding Big Five sightings, with excellent opportunities to encounter Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Zebra and Impala. Birdlife is equally rewarding, with possible sightings of Lilac-breasted Roller, Saddle-billed Stork, White-fronted Bee-eater, African Fish Eagle, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Black-collared Barbet and African Hoopoe. As the sun sets over the African bush, return to camp for your first evening in Kruger National Park.
Day 2: Skukuza area
Begin another exciting day of your Kruger National Park safari with an early morning game drive, when predators are often at their most active and the bush awakens with the sounds of dawn. The extensive road network surrounding Skukuza provides access to diverse habitats including rivers, woodlands and open grasslands, making it one of the finest wildlife viewing areas in Kruger National Park.
Possible mammal sightings include Lion, Spotted Hyaena, Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile, Greater Kudu and Chacma Baboon. Bird enthusiasts can look forward to species such as African Green Pigeon, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, African Jacana, White-crested Helmetshrike and White-crowned Lapwing.
Return to camp for a relaxing afternoon, where Bushbuck, colourful birdlife and the Sabie River often provide excellent wildlife viewing from within the camp itself. After dark, experience a different side of Kruger National Park on a guided night drive. Spotlights may reveal elusive nocturnal mammals including African Civet, Large-spotted Genet, White-tailed Mongoose, Scrub Hare and Thick-tailed Bushbaby.
Day 3: Skukuza to Satara
Today’s Kruger safari travels north through the heart of Kruger National Park, following one of the reserve’s most rewarding wildlife routes. Passing through changing landscapes of granite outcrops, mixed bushveld and open savannas, you’ll journey towards Satara Rest Camp while enjoying exceptional game viewing along the way.
Widely regarded as the predator capital of Kruger National Park, the Satara region supports abundant plains game and offers some of South Africa’s best opportunities to encounter the Big Five, particularly Lion and other iconic predators.
Possible mammals include Cheetah, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest, Greater Kudu and Warthog. Birding is equally rewarding, with chances of seeing Secretarybird, Kori Bustard, White-headed Vulture, Bateleur, Black-bellied Bustard, Burchell’s Coucal and Red-crested Korhaan across the sweeping grasslands. The changing scenery also provides spectacular opportunities for wildlife photography throughout the journey.
Day 4: Satara area
Experience Kruger National Park from a completely different perspective during an early morning guided bush walk. Accompanied by an experienced ranger, discover the fascinating details of the African wilderness while learning about animal tracks, plants, insects and the interconnected ecosystems that make this reserve one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.
Larger mammals encountered may include African Buffalo, Steenbok, Waterbuck and Common Duiker, while the surrounding bushveld supports exceptional birdlife including Southern Ground Hornbill, Purple Roller, Temminck’s Courser, Burchell’s Starling, Common Ostrich, Swainson’s Spurfowl and African Hawk-Eagle.
During the afternoon, continue your Kruger National Park safari with a game drive through the famous Satara region. The open grasslands provide outstanding opportunities to search for Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs and other iconic wildlife while enjoying the beautiful afternoon light across the plains before returning to camp for your final evening in the African bush.
Day 5: Satara to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for departure
After one final morning in Kruger National Park, begin the scenic journey south towards Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. This final drive offers one last opportunity to enjoy the spectacular landscapes, remarkable birdlife and unforgettable wildlife encounters that have made Kruger National Park one of the world’s premier safari destinations.
As your 5-day Kruger safari comes to an end, you’ll leave with lasting memories of incredible Big Five sightings, exceptional birding, breathtaking scenery and the unforgettable experience of exploring one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves.