5 Day South Africa's Big Five Deluxe Safari at Kruger National Park

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Kruger National Park

Your transfer will depart the airport at 12:00 p.m. strictly, with an estimated arrival time at the lodge around 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - just in time to check in before a scrumptious dinner is served. You will meet The Mzansi Experience at the Shuttle Terminal at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) for your transfer. Please be ready and waiting from 11:45 a.m. Detailed instructions and confirmation numbers for the shuttle will be provided after your booking has been processed. As you are transported towards Marloth Park, you will enjoy convenience stops along the way and observe a gradual change in surrounding landscape while travelling from South Africa’s Highveld to the Lowveld region.

The friendly staff with check you in and show you to your room. After a brief freshening up, you can join for a delicious dinner at the dining area or deck. You will have the opportunity to get more information about the area and your itinerary from the manager on duty. There is a cash bar available for beverages and alcoholic drinks. After dinner, you can relax on the deck or retire to your room for the night. They recommend getting a good night’s rest, as an early morning rise is required for your thrilling full-day game drive tomorrow.

Day 2: Full-day game drive in Kruger National Park

Wake up early morning and prepare to embark towards Kruger National Park for your full day game drive. You typically depart the lodge at 5:00 a.m. with an estimated arrival just as the Kruger gates open to visitors. The drive through Marloth Park and towards the Crocodile Bridge Gate of Kruger National Park will be about 30 minutes in total. Please note the game drive vehicle might also collect other guests along the way to join on the game drive. A packed breakfast will be provided as you leave the lodge, to enjoy in the park while on your safari. You will enter Kruger National Park between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The southern section of Kruger National Park is notorious for wildlife sightings almost right up to the gate, and a favorite area for herds of elephants to graze close by the river. The game drive will continue throughout the Park, with stops at nearby rest camps and picnic areas positioned along the way. This will be your opportunity to take advantage of the restrooms, giftshops, or convenience stores and enjoy a leg stretch. Lunch can be enjoyed at one of the restaurants located within the spacious rest camps, which will be for your own account. Your guide will allow enough time for you to enjoy a quick meal, before getting back onto the game drive vehicle to continue your safari adventure.

The game drive will conclude around 3:00 p.m., after which you will exit the Crocodile Bridge Gate and head back to the lodge in Marloth Park. You should arrive back at the lodge by 4:00 p.m. You will have the opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate on the deck or explore the nearby bird hide for birdwatching during your free time. Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. on the deck or dining area. After dinner, you can choose to retire underneath the starlit sky, lending your ear to surrounding nocturnal sounds, or retreat to the comfort of your room for a good night’s rest.

Day 3: Full-day panorama-route tour

This morning requires an early morning rise to embark on your full day Panorama Route excursion, leaving the lodge at around 6:15 a.m. (please remember to wear comfortable walking shoes as there will be some short walking or hiking involved to each viewpoint). A packed breakfast will be provided for you to enjoy on your way to the main attractions. Please note that the panorama route requires approximately an hour's drive to reach the main attractions. Throughout the journey, your qualified and knowledgeable guide/driver will share captivating information about the main attractions while guiding you to the most breath-taking viewpoints along the way. A full-day panorama excursion includes the following destinations:

• Three Rondawels
• God’s Window
• Pinnacle Rock
• Bourke’s Luck Potholes
• At least two of the following waterfalls: Mac Falls, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls
• Graskop (if enough time, then a visit to Graskop Gorge can be included as an additional option)

Note that if weather conditions are not optimal, some of these destinations will not be open to visitors for safety reasons (e.g., rain making pathways slippery). Just after noon, you will stop at one of the characteristic and well-known eateries positioned along the way in a vibrant town. Please note that a light lunch is included, and additional items (e.g., beverages) will be available for your own account. You will continue your panorama route excursion after lunch, returning towards Marloth Park at about 3:30 p.m.

Your estimated arrival time at the lodge is just after 5:00 p.m. Upon arrival, you will have some leisure time to freshen up after the exciting day, enjoy a drink on the deck, or relax in your room. Dinner will be served in the dining area around 7:00 p.m. After dinner, you can relax on the deck or retire to your room for a well-deserved rest. Tomorrow, you will get up early for an exciting early morning game drive in Kruger National Park.

Day 4: Morning and sunset or evening game drive with bush dinner in Kruger National Park

In the morning, you will wake up early and get ready for an exhilarating early game drive in the Kruger National Park. You will depart the lodge around 5:00 a.m. You will be given a packed breakfast to enjoy during your game drive in the Kruger National Park, which will take approximately 30 minutes to reach after departing Marloth Park to Crocodile Bridge Gate. Please be aware that the game drive vehicle may also pick up additional guests along the way. You will enter Kruger National Park between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The southern section of Kruger National Park is notorious for animal sightings right as you enter the gate, and a favourite area for herds of elephants to graze close by the river.

The game drive will continue throughout the park, with stops at the rest camps and picnic areas positioned along the way. You will exit the park at Crocodile Bridge Gate by about 11:00 a.m. and head back to the lodge in Marloth Park. You will have free time to refresh, relax on the deck (or cool down in the pool during summer), walk some of the river trails in the conservancy, or visit the nearby bird hide for some birdwatching. Please take care to have proper sunscreen applied while being outdoors and staying hydrated. A light lunch will be served - please discuss this with the lodge receptionist at the time you prefer your meal. This afternoon at 3:30 p.m., you will depart on one of the highlights of this safari package.

Please ensure to wear long-sleeved clothing and take a warm jacket for later, as it can become cold during evening drives. You will head towards the Crocodile Bridge Gate to start your sunset and evening game drive safari in Kruger National Park, followed by a traditional bush dinner inside the park itself. The allure of this particular game drive is to see the animals active during the day, coming to rest, while the nocturnal animals start to emerge. Wildlife during sunset safari game drives is known to be highly active as it is a prime grazing time for animals after the day's heat has subsided.

After sunset, there will be spotlights on the safari vehicle (or handed to the guests) to light up the surrounding bushveld as you drive on the meandering roads to try and catch sight of passing animals. Your guide will provide fascinating insights and information about the spotted animals. You will reach the fenced-off open-air dining area by about 7:30 p.m., where you will be welcomed by the friendly staff and shown to the designated seating area next to a crackling boma fire. Drinks will be offered for refreshment before dinner. There are also bathroom facilities on-site. Once all guests are ready to join, a buffet-style dinner with unique South-African dishes will be served.

You will join the intimately lit dinner table to discuss the animal sightings and interesting stories from the guides during dinner. After the main course, guests can relax next to the open fire or dinner table, after which delicious desserts will be served. After dessert, you will get ready to embark on a short, but sweet, game drive towards the Crocodile Bridge Gate exit - hopefully catching a glimpse of the resident lion pride soaking up the heat from the tar road. Expected arrival back at the lodge is about 10:00 p.m.

Day 5: Return transfer to Johannesburg

This morning, you need to be up and ready for the shuttle to collect you from the lodge at about 5:15 a.m., for your return transfer to Johannesburg. A snack pack will be provided for the road with bottled water or juice. Convenience stops will be made along the way where you can utilize restrooms or stretch your legs. Your expected arrival time in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport will be about 12:00 p.m. This is the end of your tour.

About the safari

On this five-day and four-night safari, you will stay in a four-star lodge just off the banks of the Crocodile River, looking right into the Kruger National Park. You can spot wildlife right from the lodge deck while enjoying a beverage or meal, or simply embracing the outdoor bliss.

What you can expect on this holiday

Getting to Marloth Park (and return) will be by a scheduled shuttle transfer departing from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. This transfer includes a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus vehicle with an experienced driver at the helm, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for all passengers. Due to the distance that needs to be traveled to Kruger National Park, the duration of the transfer is about six hours each way. There will be convenience stops along the way to stretch your legs, buy some snacks, or visit the bathroom facilities. Should you have leisure time in-between scheduled activities, there are designated walking trails where visitors can explore the park on foot, allowing for a more intimate experience with nature.

Bird watching is also a popular activity, as the park is home to over 300 species of birds, including various eagles, owls, and colorful bushveld species. Game drives inside Kruger National Park offer an exhilarating experience as travelers explore one of Africa's most renowned wildlife reserves. All game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles that have been optimized for exceptional animal viewing opportunities, allowing you to spot wildlife from various angles. The vehicles are driven by experienced guides who have extensive knowledge about the park and its wildlife. Your designated guide will share information about the wildlife that you encounter, their fascinating habits, and the park's conservation efforts. Game drives in Kruger National Park can vary in duration, typically lasting between three and four hours.