4 Day South Africa Safari - Kruger & Balule Tented Camp

4-Day Greater Kruger Safari – Kruger National Park & Balule Tented Camp Experience

Overview of Your Greater Kruger Safari Adventure

Experience an unforgettable 4-day Greater Kruger Safari, combining the untamed wilderness of Balule Nature Reserve with the legendary Kruger National Park. This affordable South African safari is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts seeking an authentic bush experience. Spend your nights at an unfenced tented camp nestled in the heart of Greater Kruger Park, surrounded by the sounds of the African wild.

With expert guides and intimate game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, you’ll explore both private and public reserves, where sightings of Africa’s Big Five and other incredible wildlife are highly likely. Enjoy the exclusivity of Balule, where you’ll rarely encounter other vehicles, and compare the varied ecosystems of Greater Kruger and Kruger National Park on this diverse safari.

Day 1: Transfer from Johannesburg to Balule Nature Reserve

Your Greater Kruger Safari begins with a morning pickup from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Travel by air-conditioned shuttle to Limpopo Province, where your guide awaits at Three Bridges. From here, you’ll be transferred in an open safari vehicle to your tented camp in Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger.

After a hearty lunch at the camp, enjoy free time before your first thrilling sunset game drive. Venture out into the bush in an open 4×4, designed for close-up wildlife viewing and photography. Toast your first African sunset with sundowners in the wild before returning to camp, where dinner is served in the atmospheric, lantern-lit boma.

Included: Lunch, Dinner
Activity: Sunset game drive with sundowners

Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Kruger National Park

After morning coffee and snacks, depart early for a full-day game drive in the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Enter through Orpen Gate, exploring diverse habitats teeming with wildlife, from rhinos and wild dogs to grazing herds and predators.

Enjoy a picnic breakfast in the bush, and later have lunch (own account) at Letaba Camp overlooking the Letaba River. After a visit to the elephant museum, continue your game drive to Phalaborwa Gate, spotting more wildlife as the sun begins to set.

Return to your tented camp for a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest after a day of exploration.

Included: Breakfast (picnic), Dinner
Activity: Full-day game drive in Kruger National Park (4×4 or minibus)

Day 3: Game Drives in Greater Kruger – Balule Nature Reserve

Start the day with an early morning game drive in Balule Nature Reserve. This private part of Greater Kruger offers incredible game viewing, from elephants at the river to lions in the thickets. The drive includes scenic views of the Olifants River and rocky outcrops that attract diverse wildlife and birdlife.

Return to camp for a full breakfast, followed by leisure time to relax, swim, or watch animals at the waterhole. After lunch, head out for another game drive in Balule, ending the day with sundowners in the bush.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives in Greater Kruger Park

Day 4: Morning Safari & Return to Johannesburg

Your final morning begins with coffee and snacks before a sunrise game drive in Balule. This is a prime time to catch active wildlife before the heat of the day. After your last safari, return to camp for breakfast.

You’ll then be transferred to Three Bridges and onward to Johannesburg, arriving in the early evening at OR Tambo International Airport.

Included: Breakfast
Activity: Morning game drive in Greater Kruger Park

About Balule Nature Reserve in Greater Kruger

Balule Nature Reserve, including the Maseke Game Reserve, forms part of the expansive Greater Kruger National Park. This 9,000-hectare private reserve features open borders with Kruger, allowing free movement of wildlife. The area is known for its scenic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and excellent Big Five sightings, making it an essential destination on any Greater Kruger Safari.

About Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations. Spanning nearly 2 million hectares, it boasts incredible biodiversity, including the Big Five and countless bird species. Its open connection to Greater Kruger makes for unmatched game viewing across varied ecosystems. From ancient archaeological sites to modern conservation efforts, Kruger is a cornerstone of South African safari heritage.

Tented Camp Accommodation in Greater Kruger Park

Stay in traditional walk-in Meru tents equipped with comfortable beds, en-suite open-air bathrooms, and private patios overlooking a floodlit waterhole. This unfenced bush camp offers an authentic African safari experience with facilities like a splash pool, hammocks, lounge area, and al fresco dining under the stars. Optional nature walks (for ages 16+) and limited WiFi are available.