4 Day South Africa Safari at Sabi Sand Reserve and Kruger National Park
Thrilling Safari in South Africa
Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure in luxury-tented camps. Experience the wonders of Kruger and Sabi Sand. Enjoy thrilling twice-daily activities, such as exhilarating game drives in open-sided safari vehicles and invigorating bush walks. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to spot an array of African Wildlife, including the majestic Big Five.
Key information
- Group safari
- Group size: 0 - 8 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 point: Johannesburg
- English speaking guide
- All park fees are included
Highlights
- 6 game drives
- Chance to see Big Five, bushbabies, warthogs, vervet monkeys, and fruit bats
- Ride in an open-sided 4X4 vehicle
- Visits Sabi Sand Reserve and Kruger National Park
- 3 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- All park fees included
Styles
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (US$ 46 per person)
Accommodation
Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Umkumbe Safari Lodge is located in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, considered by many to be the premier wildlife reserve in South Africa, un-fenced from the western boundary of Kruger National Park. Located on the banks of the seasonal Sand River, Umkumbe Safari Lodge is perfectly situated in one of the best Big Five game viewing destinations in Africa. The lodge is easily accessible via either a self-drive from Johannesburg or by flying into the closest airport which is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit.
The self-drive takes six hours from Johannesburg on good, safe roads. The flight takes approximately one hour. Road transfers from KMIA to Umkumbe can be arranged and take approximately two hours. The focus at the lodge is on the view of the seasonal Sand River. Almost daily, guests are treated to sightings of various animals grazing on the riverbed. The lodge sleeps a maximum of 20 guests in 10 chalets or rooms.
Most of the rooms have a small veranda with camping chairs and views of the Sand River, while others look onto a small plains area with a watering hole. Umkumbe Safari Lodge has a variety of room set-ups that allow families to travel with ease, as well as a small party of three adults or friends looking for their own rooms connected via an inter-leading door. The accommodation is clean, comfortable, and suitable for guests looking for a well-priced and affordable option in the Sabi Sand. All the rooms are en-suite, air-conditioned, and have full electricity.
- Accommodation level: Mid-range
Program
Day 1: Johannesburg - Sabi Sand
Embark on your luxury tented camp safari with a convenient shuttle pick-up from OR Tambo Airport or nearby accommodations in Kempton Park as early as 6:30 a.m. Arrive in Hazyview by midday and explore the vibrant Perry’s Bridge, a center bustling with shops and restaurants. Subsequently, a dedicated safari transfer will whisk you away to the Sabi Sand Reserve, arriving at your luxurious lodge by 2:00 p.m.
After checking in, indulge in a delicious buffet lunch served at the lodge, with refreshing water on ice at the table. Then, embark on an exhilarating afternoon and night game drive in an open-air safari vehicle. Departing around 3:00 p.m., your experienced guide will lead you on an unforgettable journey through the diverse landscapes of Sabi Sand. Keep your eyes peeled for incredible wildlife sightings, from majestic lions and elusive leopards to playful cheetahs and graceful giraffes.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the adventure continues with a night drive, offering the chance to spot nocturnal creatures like hyenas and owls. Conclude the day with a delectable three-course buffet dinner, featuring refreshing water on ice at the tables. Finally, retreat to your luxurious accommodations for a restful night’s sleep under the starlit African sky.
Day 2: Sabi Sand - Kruger Park
Fuel up for your morning adventure on your luxury tented camp safari with light snacks and coffee. Then embark on an exhilarating early morning game drive in Sabi Sand. Following the game drive, indulge in a delicious buffet breakfast featuring coffee, tea, juice, and water. An optional guided bush walk in Sabi Sand is available after breakfast (weather permitting). Please note: Accommodation at the Sabi Sand Lodge is subject to availability. The standard rate is based on a room at Umkumbe Safari Lodge. If alternative accommodations are necessary, the package price may adjust accordingly.
After checking out of the Sabi Sand Lodge, your dedicated transfer whisks you to the Midrange Rustic Tented Camp, situated at Shaws Gate - just a short five- to 10-minute drive from Kruger National Park. Settle into your tranquil tent, where nature-inspired design meets modern touches. Imagine relaxing on the wooden deck bathed in warm lantern light or soaking in scenic views from your private veranda. King-size beds, plush feather pillows, crisp linens, charging plugs, a hairdryer, and a cozy couch await your relaxation.
The camp boasts backup power and gas geysers for added convenience. After check-in, embark on an exciting afternoon game drive within Kruger National Park in open-sided safari vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five and other captivating wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat. Conclude your day with a delectable three-course dinner featuring traditional South African cuisine (water on ice included). Finally, retire to your comfortable en-suite tent with an air-conditioner for a restful night’s sleep under the starlit African sky.
Day 3: Kruger Park
Start your day on your luxury tented camp safari with a light breakfast of home-baked biscuits and coffee. Embark on an early morning game drive, maximizing your chances of spotting the elusive Big Five that may have eluded you thus far. Following your exhilarating wildlife encounter, indulge in a delicious breakfast featuring both hot and cold options, accompanied by your choice of coffee, tea, or juice. Thereafter, relax and rejuvenate by the pool with a refreshing nap or soak up the African sunshine on a comfortable lounger.
Feeling rejuvenated, gear up for another exciting afternoon game drive within Kruger National Park. Keep your camera at the ready - you never know what breathtaking wildlife encounters await. Conclude your day with a delectable three-course dinner showcasing traditional South African cuisine. Water on ice is included with your meals, while additional beverages can be settled upon check-out. Finally, retire to your comfortable en-suite tent with an air-conditioner at Shaws Gate for a restful night’s sleep under the starlit African sky.
Day 4: Kruger Park - Johannesburg
Conclude your unforgettable luxury tented camp safari with a final morning of adventure. Begin with light snacks and a refreshing cup of coffee, savoring home-baked biscuits. Embark on an early morning game drive, maximizing your chances of spotting the elusive Big Five that may have eluded you thus far.
Following your exhilarating wildlife encounter, return to the camp and indulge in a delicious breakfast featuring both hot and cold options, accompanied by your choice of coffee, tea, or juice. Thereafter, reunite with your safari group and embark on a comfortable transfer back to Hazyview. Finally, your dedicated shuttle will whisk you back to OR Tambo International Airport and nearby hotels in Kempton Park, arriving in the late afternoon.
About the safari
Upon your arrival at the Sabi Sand Lodge, prepare for an exhilarating afternoon and night game drive. This adventure will give you a taste of the wild. Offering a close-up view of the incredible wildlife that roams freely in the reserve. After your thrilling game drive, indulge in a delectable three-course dinner buffet that will delight your taste buds. For your overnight stay, relax in the comfort of a standard room at the Umkumbe Safari Lodge. Please note that more luxurious room options are available upon request, subject to availability.
Keep in mind that the Sabi Sand Lodge stay is also subject to availability, so plan accordingly. Your next day begins early with a game drive, where you will witness the beauty of the African wilderness as the sun rises. Afterward, enjoy a delicious breakfast to refuel before the next adventure. For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, an optional guided bush walk in Sabi Sand is available. Following the walk, you will be transferred to a luxury tented camp located just outside the Shaws Gate of Sabi Sand, near the Paul Kruger Gate.
This luxury-tented camp offers a serene and immersive experience, allowing you to enjoy the sights and sounds of the African bush in comfort. In Kruger National Park, each day starts with an early wake-up call, accompanied by coffee and light snacks to energize you. Then, embark on a thrilling Kruger game drive, where you will have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. After the game drive, enjoy a sumptuous full hot and cold breakfast with coffee, tea, and juice.
The afternoon offers some leisure time, allowing you to relax or take in the surroundings before another exciting Kruger game drive. Afterward, indulge in a three-course dinner, savoring the flavors of the African bush. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay. Whether you are embarking on a game drive, enjoying a meal, or relaxing in your luxury tented camp, every moment of your safari experience will be unforgettable.
Location
This safari takes place in South Africa. On your visit to the wildlife locations, you will find quite a variety of animals right at your doorstep. Below you will see only a few that you will often come across. Sabi Sand has the highest leopard population in the world. The Kruger National Park is popular for its wide variety of wildlife and different animal types and offers such a fortunate experience as some of these animals move around the immense Kruger National Park. You get the opportunity to see wildlife close-up in the Kruger Park by partaking in game drives or activities.
Elephants
As one of the Big 5, elephants are regularly spotted in the Kruger National Park. Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild and are herbivorous. They can also live in different habitats, including deserts and forests, and are normally found close to water. There are two types of elephants, African elephants, and Asian elephants. The elephant species found in the Kruger National Park is the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) which weighs up to seven tonnes and reaches a height of 3.3 meters to the shoulder.
Bush babies
There are two types of bushbabies (Galagos) found in Kruger National Park, which are the Lesser bushbaby and the Thick-tailed bushbaby. The Lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi), tree-dwelling and active by night, can make remarkable distance between trees. When walking on the ground they can either walk on their hind legs or all four legs. Their diet consists of tree gum and insects and eating fruit is likely recorded.
The thick-tailed bushbaby is nocturnal with child-like cries, this is also where the English vernacular name originated due to its diet and larger body size, and is the most social of all bushbabies. At dusk, groups disperse to feed alone while foraging for insects, but they will congregate with members of other groups at well-established gum licks and in fruiting trees.
Warthogs
The warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) found in the Kruger National Park are day animals and mostly spend their time looking for food and are normally found in family groups. Warthogs have the peculiar habit of kneeling on the front knees while feeding and foraging in a localized area. They shelter in burrows at night, which they enter tail first. Socially, three main groups are encountered, namely solitary boars, bachelor groups, and matriarchal groups. Its diet is omnivorous, composed of grasses, roots, berries, and other fruits, bark, fungi, insects, eggs, and carrion.
Vervet monkeys
Vervet monkeys are commonly found in the Kruger National Park as well as surrounding areas. Also known as (Cercopithecus Aethiops). The vervet monkey is classified as a medium-to-large monkey. Different types of vervets vary in color, but generally, the body is a greenish olive or silvery grey.
Fruit bats
There are three species of fruit bats found in the Kruger National Park and are quite large and can weigh up to 1.5 kilograms. They do not have a tail of a very short tail. Fruit bats require a habitat where fruit trees bear fruit all year long. The three species found in the Kruger National Park are Peter’s Epaulette fruit bat (Epomophorus crypturus), Wahlberg’s Epaulette fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi), and Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).
Glossy starling
In the Kruger National Park, there are four species of glossy blue starlings, namely Cape glossy, greater Blue-eared, Burchell’s, and Meve’s starlings. These birds are actually quite commonly found especially in the Kruger National Park rest camp. You will also notice that they normally surround areas such as restaurants and picnic spots in the Kruger National Park, to try and source any leftover food.
Blue-headed tree agama
The blue-headed tree agama is also known as the Southern tree agama and is very commonly found in different habitats you will most definitely come across this beautiful lizard in the Kruger National Park. Their diet mostly consists of ants and termites, although they also eat other insects. The female will lay up to 14 eggs, normally in a hole in the ground which they cover. Be on the lookout in the Kruger National Park, in trees, or on the ground as you will definitely spot them around your rest camp.
Food
You will be served daily meals, early morning hot beverages and snacks, coffee, tea, and juice as well as a water jug with ice on the table included in the price.
Early morning snacks
- Hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, and juice)
- Rusks or biscuits
Breakfast
Breakfast buffet or a variety of breakfast options such as full English breakfast, omelets, etc. with a hot breakfast tea, coffee, or juice is included. The hot breakfast can include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, peri-peri chicken livers, sautéed mushrooms, potato roast, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, grilled onions, and toast with a selection of jams and butter. Cereals, fruits, and cheeses are also included.
Lunch
At the Sabi Sand Lodge, you get to choose from the buffet. Juices and Water are available in ice jugs. At Kruger Park, you get the set planned lunch according to dietary requirements. Juices and Water are also included at the Kruger Lodge.
Dinner
Tasty meal South Africans usually enjoy with a starter and dessert too. At the Sabi Sand Lodge, you get to choose from the buffet (three-course variety). Juices and water are available in ice jugs. At Kruger Park, you get the set planned dinner according to dietary requirements (three-course).
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Lacto-ovo Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Hallal
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
- Paleo diet
- Yogic
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- 2 daily open-sided game drives in Kruger Park (open-sided)
- Afternoon to night drive in Sabi Sand (open-air)
- Early morning game drive in Sabi Sand (open-air)
- Optional bush walk in Sabi Sand
- 3 nights accommodation
- Daily full breakfast (hot and cold)
- Lunches (set menu in Kruger and buffet in Sabi Sand)
- 3-course dinners (set menu in Kruger and buffet in Sabi Sand)
- Early morning hot beverages and snacks
- Coffee, tea, and juice with breakfast
- Water jug with ice on the table (included with meals)
- Park and conservation fees
- Inter-lodge transfer
- 2 shuttles between OR Tambo and Hazyview or pick-up from nearby airports at set times
- 2 transfers between Hazyview and the tented camp
What's not included
- Flights
- Transfers between OR Tambo and pre-post safari accommodations
- Extra drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Personal items
- Additional activities
How to get there
Recommended Airports
O. R. Tambo International Airport
359 km
Transfer included
Skukuza Airport[1]
10 km
Transfer included
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
72 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 46 per person
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) or Skukuza Airport[1] (SZK). Transfers from and to these airports are included at certain times. Kruger Park Tours will pick you up from the airport.
1. O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
- Pick-up time: 06:30 - 07:00
- Drop-off time: 16:30 - 18:00
2. Skukuza Airport[1] (SZK)
Arrival should be preferably around 12:00 p.m. and departure around 12:30 p.m. A 30-minute check-in or check-out is fine for domestic flights. Please do an online flight check-in before departure.
Arrival by shuttle
The drive to Kruger Park or Sabi Sand from Johannesburg takes about six to seven hours. The transportation from O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg starts with a shuttle (a small reliable and quality bus company that does regular drives from or to the airport). The shuttle starts at the O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and ends in Hazyview. The shuttle is a great road trip tour and quite fun. You do get to see much of South Africa when driving and get to meet new people from interesting backgrounds.
The road travels through towns and past coal mines, down the escarpment (with nice scenic mountains and forests) down to the Lowveld, and ultimately the Kruger Park or Sabi Sand. It is a long trip, however most of the way is highway and most guests do the safaris via road transfer, due to the affordability of it. From Hazyview, you will have a transfer to the safari location on a private vehicle or with other passengers doing the same safari. The shuttle cost is part of the safari package rate and is the most affordable way to get to the safari location.
Domestic flights are however more convenient and recommended, should you be able to afford them. This can also help, should your international arrival flight land too late to join the safari on the same day it starts. They can also offer an anytime private transfer at an additional cost of 9000 ZAR on top of the safari price (one way) for the whole group. Please just note that you still need to take the start time of your first activity into account in this case. Groups with five people or more get private transfers included as standard at no additional cost on all safaris.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% 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.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.