“See the big five in their natural habitat”
2% off
11 Day Mid-Range Guided Self-Drive Big Five Safari at Kruger National Park in South Africa
InnJoy Boutique Hotel | Centurion Accommodation, 1033 Shirley Road, Eldoraigne, Centurion, City of Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa
South African Safari
Seeing the big five in their natural habitat is an experience that is a must for any nature-lover, especially in the famous, iconic Kruger National Park. An abundance of wildlife means that you will be more than likely to spot lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos.
Key information
- Group safari
- Minimum group size: 2 participants
- Children policy: Children from the age of 12 years are allowed to participate under the supervision of a parent or guardian
- Starting and ending points: Pretoria
- English speaking guide
- All park fees are included
Meet the guides
Johan
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Highlights
- 7 game drives
- See lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes
- Ride in an 4X4 vehicle
- Visit Kruger National Park
- Witness diverse nature with guided walks
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- All park fees included
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
9 activity days in English
The organizer also speaks: Afrikaans
Group size: Maximum of 5 participants
Airport transfer included:
O. R. Tambo International Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
08:00
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Kitchen
- Restaurant
- Free parking
- Internet access
Accommodations are in a hotel, safari tents, wilderness cabins, or chalets on wooden or concrete decks, with linen and towels provided.
InnJoy Boutique Hotel (2 nights)
InnJoy Boutique Hotel in Centurion, Pretoria is a family-owned and run luxury accommodation, conference, function, and event venue with a trendy coffee shop, Cup a Joy. InnJoy Boutique Hotel is centrally located and close to the industrial and business district. Easy access to major highways, sports parks, three airports, and other inspiring venues.
Chalet at Awelani Lodge (1 night)
Awelani Lodge is situated near Pafuri Gate (just 10 kilometers away) in the northern section of Kruger National Park in South Africa. A pub is available for you if you want to relax with something cold. Situated in a 1700-hectare conservancy, Awelani provides visitors with an outstanding opportunity to walk or mountain bike through a wooded conservancy with a remarkable arrangement of trees; Baobab, Mopani, and Lobombo Ironwood to name a few.
Sandstone outcrops hide San and Khoi rock art and traditional Venda grain storage units. A purpose-built bird hide and waterhole offers outstanding bird watching. This Pafuri area destination is an excellent site for bird lovers. The chalets have two twin-bedded rooms with en-suite facilities. Room one has one bath, toilet, and washbasin. Room two has one bath, wash basin, toilet, and outdoor shower. Shared lounge and kitchen area.
Punda Maria Rest Camp (2 nights)
Punda Maria is situated in the northernmost part of the Kruger National Park, eight kilometers from the Punda Maria Gate. The camp is situated in the Sandveld region, often referred to as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park, due to the many plant species found here that are unique to the area.
Facilities
- Information at reception
- No Wi-Fi
- Public telephone
- Post box
- Restaurant
- Cafeteria
- Shop
- Mini ATM facility available in the restaurant
- Laundromat
- Filling station
- Communal kitchens
- Communal ablutions
- Swimming pool
- Cutlery and plates hampers (from reception)
- Basic first aid assistance
- Day visitors' picnic area (located eight kilometers outside of camp, next to Punda Maria Gate)
- TVs (limited DSTV) available in family bungalows only
- Cellphone reception
Mopani Rest Camp (1 night)
Named after the mopane veld that surrounds the camp, Mopani Rest Camp is nestled amongst the mopane-covered koppies. A distinctive feature is the huge gnarled old baobab tree in the heart of the camp. The vegetation inside the camp is left as it was found in the wild, adding to the unique atmosphere of the camp.
Facilities
- Information at reception
- Public telephone (phone cards on sale at reception, airtime available at the shop)
- Post box
- Restaurant
- Conference venue
- Ladies bar
- Cafeteria
- Swimming pool
- Shop
- Mini ATM facility available in the restaurant
- Laundromat
- Filling station
- Basic first aid assistance
- Day visitors picnic area
- DSTV (limited channels) only available in guest house
- TV in the bar (DSTV with limited channels)
- Car wash
- Cellphone reception
Olifants Rest Camp (2 nights)
Olifants Camp is situated on a hilltop several hundred feet above the river of the same name. From the viewing platforms, you can see the river below. The camp is warm and welcoming and will win many loyal supporters of Kruger Park accommodation. As Olifants Camp is situated in a transitional zone, two different types of vegetation can be found, offering a wide range of game.
In the north, the low mopane trees provide cover for zebra, impala, kudu, and elephant. In the south, the rolling plains are home to buffaloes, giraffes, and kudu. Meanwhile, along the Olifants River, game viewing and sightseeing excursions in Kruger Park can spot wildlife such as lions, crocodiles, and hippopotami, as well as an abundance of birdlife including owls, storks, and eagles.
Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp (2 nights)
Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park is one of the "new generation" camps. It is situated on the banks of the Matjulu Spruit and is surrounded by rocky slopes. The buildings at Berg en Dal Rest Camp are set in natural bush and the gardens are planted with flowering shrubs and aloes, leaving much of the natural habitat within the camp untouched. It is one of the newest camps in the Kruger National Park and offers visitors excellent accommodation facilities.
Facilities
- Laundromat
- Cellphone reception
- Petrol or gas station
- Picnic facilities
- Cafeteria; shop
- Film auditorium
- Conference facilities
- Basic first aid assistance
- Emergency road service
- Public telephones; post box
- Limited DSTV (only available in the guest houses)
- Swimming pool (for overnight residents only)
- Communal kitchen and ablutions
Program
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Pretoria
You arrive at OR Tambo International Airport. The shuttle service will meet you and transfer you to a hotel in Centurion (Pretoria). Once you have settled in, your guide will meet you and accompany you to collect your rental vehicle. Relax after your long flight, your adventure begins tomorrow.
Day 2: Drive to Awelani Lodge
Your South Africa tour begins here. Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours will answer all your questions and set you off to discover the amazing wildlife, people, and landscapes that this remarkable country has to offer. You meet your guide at a place and time that will be communicated to you before the start of the tour. Awelani Lodge is situated near Pafuri Gate (just 10 kilometers away) in the northern section of Kruger National Park in South Africa. A pub is available for you if you want to relax with something cold.
Situated in a 1700-hectare conservancy, Awelani provides visitors with an outstanding opportunity to walk or mountain bike through a wooded conservancy with a remarkable arrangement of trees; Baobab, Mopani, and Lobombo Ironwood to name a few. Sandstone outcrops hide San and Khoi rock art and traditional Venda grain storage units. A purpose-built bird hide and waterhole offers outstanding bird watching. This Pafuri area destination is an excellent site for bird lovers. Your guide will discuss the adventures ahead over a meal in the restaurant.
Day 3: Drive to Punda Maria Rest Camp
You depart for the Kruger National Park and enter the Kruger National Park at the Pafuri Gate (the most northern gate of the Kruger NP). You drive to the Pafuri Picnic Site on the banks of the Luvuvhu River, surrounded by tall Ana trees and thick riverine bush. Join a guided trip to the Thulamela Iron-Age Kingdom. The guide is also a professional field guide. Thulamela, an ancient fortress overlooking the Luvuvhu River, was the political capital of an Iron-Age kingdom between 1200 AD and 1640 AD.
The name is derived from the Shona phrase meaning "giving birth". You follow the trail to Punda Maria that winds through the fever tree forest to Crooks Corner. Crooks Corner got its name from the outlaws who lived there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You are now in a big five area. Keep in mind that it can be hard to spot all of these wild animals, especially in one single game drive. Your goal is to experience being in the bush and see all African wildlife in their natural habitat.
Day 4: Explore the area around Punda Maria Rest Camp
The northern section of the Kruger NP is an area of unique biodiversity. It is one of the few places where fever tree forests grow alongside forests of giant baobabs. Today, you explore the area around Punda Maria on your own. Be on the lookout for animals behind bushes and around corners. Who knows, maybe you see more than the big five today. The camp is situated in the Sandveld region, often described as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park.
Numerous plant species occur that are unique to the area. Game species most likely to be sighted include impala, zebra, buffalo, elephant, eland, and sable and the area is a bird paradise. Late afternoon, you join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open game viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for game viewing. As the evening approaches all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.
Day 5: Drive to Mopani Rest Camp
Drive slowly to the Mopani Rest Camp following various game-viewing roads. Named after the mopane veld that surrounds the camp, Mopani Rest Camp nestles amongst the Mopani tree-covered koppies. A signature feature is the huge gnarled old baobab tree in the heart of the camp. The vegetation inside the camp is left as found in the wild, adding to the unique atmosphere of the camp. Relax in the camp or explore the area around Mopani on your own.
Day 6: Drive to the Olifants Rest Camp
Drive slowly to the Olifants Rest Camp following various game-viewing roads. The Olifants Camp is situated on top of a hill towering several hundred feet over the river of the same name. Sightseeing views from the lookout platforms allow a person to observe the river below. The camp is warm and welcoming and will win many staunch supporters for Kruger Park accommodation.
Because Olifants Camp is situated in a transitional zone, two distinct types of vegetation can be found, offering a wide range of game. In the north, the low-lying Mopane trees provide cover for zebra, impala, kudu, and elephant. To the south, rolling plains are dotted with buffalo, giraffe, and kudu. While along the Olifants River, wildlife such as lions, crocodiles, and hippopotami can be viewed on game-viewing and sightseeing excursions in Kruger Park, as well as an abundance of birdlife such as owls, storks, and eagles.
Day 7: Explore the area around the Olifants Rest Camp
Guests who visit Olifants will be exposed to an unforgettable window of Africa. Explore the area around the Olifants Rest Camp on your own. Join a guided walk to the Olifants River. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and do not take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place. Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety, they will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle.
By being out on foot you cover an area more intensely and you can experience nature using all of your senses. Comfortable shoes must be worn, and clothing should be in natural colors and applicable to the prevailing weather conditions. Cameras and binoculars can be taken along, as very interesting sights will be discovered and guests can revel in the spotting of fascinating creatures and plant life. No children under 12 are allowed.
Day 8: Drive to Berg en Dal Rest Camp
Today is a bit of a long drive to the Berg en Dal Rest Camp following various game-viewing roads. Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the northern and southern sides dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp. There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp. Berg en Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment.
Day 9: Explore the area around Berg en Dal Rest Camp
Join a guided morning walk. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and do not take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place. Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety, they will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot you cover an area more intensely and you can experience nature using all of your senses.
If there is any large game in the area, you are more than likely able to encounter them and have the exhilarating experience of approaching them on foot. Late afternoon, you join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open game viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for game viewing. As the evening approaches all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.
Day 10: Drive back to Pretoria
You drive back to Pretoria.
Day 11: Your last day with Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours
You return your rental vehicle to the car hire company. Your shuttle service will pick you up and transfer you to OR Tambo International Airport for your onward journey. As your time together draws to a close, you say goodbye to your new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own. They hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.
About the safari
Bonsai-SA's relaxed 4x4 adventures and tours allow you access to remote areas in national parks and reserves that are not frequented by many visitors. The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness, and the seclusion of traveling through rarely-seen areas are the main thrills of their tours. A professional 4x4 adventure guide will lead the tour and a qualified field or nature guide will assist when it is necessary. The guides will provide the necessary interpretation en route and also ensure your safety.
Tour size
The tour can only accommodate five vehicles. Easy 2WD or 4WD features trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, these trails may not require the continual use of 4WD.
Guides
Johan Du Plooy
Johan du Plooy is qualified as a national 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide - overnight camping and is registered with the Department of Tourism (registration number GP 6210). He may guide 4x4 tours, trips, and activities, as well as overlanding tours. He may also conduct 4x4 and overlanding tours in eco-sensitive areas and will apply the principles of "leave no trace." Additioanlly, he may conduct 4x4 and overlanding tours with overnight camping options in ecosensitive areas.
Location
The tour will take place in South Africa.
Kruger National Park
Situated in northeastern South Africa, this is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes. Hundreds of other mammals make their home there, including diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles, and storks. Mountains, bush plains, and tropical forests are all part of Kruger National Park's landscape.
Food
Daily breakfast and dinner are included in the price but you must make provision for your own lunch, snacks, and water. You will eat at the onsite restaurants in the rest camps. The rest camps are in remote areas and the menus cannot always cater to all dietary requirements.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Bonsai-SA can also assist with additional bookings before and / or after the tour. Please send an inquiry for more information.
What's included
- 7 game drives
- Activities as indicated
- 10 nights accommodation
- Meals as indicated
- Transfer from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to your hotel in Pretoria and back
- Park fees
- Hand-held radios
- Professional 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide
- Trail cost for 1 4x4 vehicle with 2 adults
- Professional field guide(s) where applicable
What's not included
- Fuel
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- The government imposed increase in taxes and\or park fees
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips
- Toll fees
- Snacks and beverages
- Other meals
- Medicine
- Water
- Cost of additional activities
How to get there
Recommended Airports
JNB
O. R. Tambo International Airport
35 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Transfer from and to the airport is included. Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours will pick you up from the airport. The meeting point in Pretoria with your guide will be communicated before the start of the tour.
Airport: O. R. Tambo International Airport
Airport transfer included: O. R. Tambo International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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Special offer Discount
This listing has a Discount 2025 discount of 2% if you book between 2025-Jan-01 and 2025-Oct-31.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.
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