5 Day Safari to Kruger Park and Panorama Route

This Tour Includes:

• Return transport from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park by 7 seater air-conditioned microbus. Collection or drop off at Johannesburg or Nelspruit Airports depends on timing so please ask your Sales Consultant.
• Services of our specialist Kruger Park driver / guide for 5 days.
• All entrances & daily conservation fee in Kruger Park.
• Total 8 game drives usually by 9 seater open safari vehicle in Big 5 areas of Kruger Park.
• Use of binoculars & maps on safari.
• 2 nights Sabie River Bush Lodge which has a great river frontage with opportunities for spotting hippo, crocodile and elephants.
• 1 night inside Kruger Park at Satara where we arrange a sunset drive extended to include night spotting.
• Dinners and breakfasts are included each night. At lunch time your guide will stop at a suitable restaurant which is at your expense.
• Sightseeing along panorama route to see Blyde River Canyon, God's Window & waterfalls. Time for browsing at local markets.
• The last night at Hippo Hollow or Hazyview Sun Hotel with a superior accommodation, a pool, bar & restaurant.
• Guided bush walks can be arranged on selected 5 day itineraries but will replace a game drive. Ask the Sales consultant about details & additional cost.

Please be aware that during the summer months of December, January and February we may have some rain or misty conditions affecting the visibility along the Panorama Route. This will interfere with your sightseeing up in the mountains, but the weather down in Kruger Park can be quite clear for watching the animals.

Currency used is South African Rand ( R ) or ZAR as shown on Forex.
2024 prices effective from 01 December 2023
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THIS TOUR Excludes:

• Lunches which are available for own account, drinks, personal items & tips.

SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR THIS TOUR:

• We are a small group Operator so if you have any Special Requests please ask your Sales Consultant.

PICK-UP:

In Johannesburg between 07h00 and 08h00 at O R Tambo Airport and hotels nearby recommended. Other areas such as Sandton or Rosebank on request. Please avoid Johannesburg City Centre, Lanseria Airport and Pretoria. Nelspruit Airport is from 12.00 - 12.30 or by arrangement.

DROP-OFF:

At O R Tambo International Airport or nearby hotels usually by 16.00. Please allow 1.5 hours connecting time for local flights or preferably 3.0 hours for International flights. Passengers staying at hotels in the northern suburbs are advised to use the Gautrain to Sandton or make arrangements for a transfer.

Kruger Park chalet accommodation with air-con, insect screens, private shower & toilet. Triple share rooms can usually be reserved for families. Meals arranged by your guide in privatised Camp restaurants such as Cattle Baron at Skukuza and Satara, Mugg & Bean at Lower Sabie or Tindlovu at Berg en Dal & Olifants.

KRUGER PARK CAMPS for an explanation & picures of the chalets we use at tourist rest camps in Kruger Park.

PANORAMA ROUTE for pictures of Blyde River Canyon & nearby.

SABIE RIVER BUSH LODGE for information and pictures

HIPPO HOLLOW HOTEL for more information.

Itinerary:

1st Day - Transfer to southern Kruger Park - afternoon game drive in the bushveld
Pick up and leave Johannesburg in a 7 seater microbus with our experienced Kruger Park driver / guide. Travel east across the Highveld farmlands and down the Valley to Nelspruit, capital of Mpumalanga province. After a lunch break, enter southern Kruger Park for your first exciting game drive. Travel through lightly wooded bushveld where you can expect to see antelope, giraffe and possibly elephant. Before sunset travel a short distance to Sabie River Bush Lodge where we stay overnight. Book into a lodge room or en suite safari tent with aircon and modern furnishings. Time to relax on the deck looking across the extensive Sabie River hoping to see some hippos or crocodile. Your guide will arrange dinner in the Gecko Lapa restaurant which is a 3 course meal. WiFi is available so you can keep in touch with family and friends.

2nd Day - Full day game drives including Sabie River viewpoints
Early start with a quick cup of coffee, board the safari vehicle then head into Kruger Park for your sunrise game drive. Travel through bushveld areas and probably along the river looking for Big 5 species ( lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo ). The Sabie River with its huge trees is a dominant feature of southern Kruger and travelling along the banks can be very exciting. After about 3 hours, stop at a Camp where your guide will provide breakfast packs and allow time to relax. Continue on the mid-morning drive including any top sightings reported for the day. Around lunchtime stop for refreshments, browse in the curio shop then continue with the afternoon drive which terminates back at Sabie River Bush Lodge. Time for a swim then enjoy sundowners on the deck overlooking the Sabie river with one of the best photo opportunities 'on safari in Africa'. Join your guide for dinner in the restaurant with a varied menu and listen to the hippos in the river.

3rd Day - Transit game drive to Satara in central Kruger Park - sunset drive in open plains
Pack up, depart from river lodge & enter Kruger Park for the early morning game drive in search of elusive Big 5 species such as leopard. Travelling north expect to see open grasslands near Tshokwane where you have a comfort stop. Your guide will check the sightings board and then set off for the second morning drive towards central Kruger and some popular waterholes. Breakfast is either at Tshokwane or at Satara depending on timing. Around lunchtime check into an aircon chalet at Satara with screens over the windows to prevent insects. Explore the Camp which has a pool, large shop, deli-café and main restaurant. WiFi signal is limited in this area. Later, your guide will book you onto the sunset drive with National Parks open safari vehicle equipped with spotlights to search for nocturnal species such as hyena or big cats. Return to camp for dinner in the Cattle Baron Bistro well-known for its juicy steaks.

4th Day - Sunrise game drive - Panorama Route visiting Blyde Canyon & other attractions
Pack up, take a quick coffee and depart on your final morning game drive heading towards the exit gate of Kruger Park. Review your checklist as you travel to a country restaurant for coffee and breakfast. The rest of the day is devoted to sightseeing on the Panorama Route - visit 3 Rondavels in the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and other attractions. Browse at the informal markets for African curios and stop for lunch. Drive down Kowyn's Pass to Hazyview and check into Hazyview Sun Hotel ( or Hippo Hollow Country Estate ) with a pool, bar and restaurant. Your guide will arrange a table for dinner and check on any special diets.

5th Day - Leisurely breakfast - return transfer to O R Tambo Airport or your hotel
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel discussing highlights of your safari and the tourist attractions nearby...It is a rich agricultural area especially for sub-tropical fruit. Depart from Hazyview and travel past orchards and forests to Nelspruit then back up to the Highveld. Arrive in Johannesburg at O R Tambo Airport or nearby hotels by 16.00. Please allow 1.5 hours connecting time for local flights or 3.0 hours for International flights.

General Information

• Refreshment / comfort stops will be planned every 2 - 3 hours during transfers. Please discuss the daily program with your guide.
• Duration of each game drive is 2.5 to 3.0 hours. This itinerary includes 8 drives with an optional bush walk at additional cost.
• It is advisable to take precautions against malaria especially during the rainy season from October to May. We recommend insect repellent & protective clothing in the evenings.
• For Malaria Updates kindly visit https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/tourism/malaria.php
• Bring sunglasses, a hat or cap, swimsuit, your camera, torch / flashlight, light casual clothes for daytime and a warmer clothes for night drives. Remember there will be a chill factor travelling in the open safari vehicle especially from June - August.
• WiFi is available at Sabie River Bush Lodge, Skukuza & the Hazyview hotels.
• Gratuities to driver/guide, waiters and porters is not included.

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