Tour Overview

3 Day Kruger Park Safari – Private River Lodge Tour -This concise and economical Kruger Safari examines the renowned Kruger National Park, a Big 5 Private Game Reserve within Greater Kruger Park, and a private nature reserve over the course of three days.

Commence with a sunset game drive in the lodge’s exclusive nature reserve, where you will rest for refreshments before embarking on an exhilarating night game drive. On the second day, embark on an exhilarating full-day Big 5 safari in Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s premier game reserves. End this Budget Kruger Safari off with a guided morning game drive in a Big 5 private game reserve within Greater Kruger Park.

Experience an exclusive safari lodge situated along the Blyde River within a private nature reserve adjacent to Kruger Park on our Private River Lodge Safari Tour.

Tour Highlights

3 Days Kruger Safari – Private River Lodge Tour

Day 1: Johannesburg to Greater Kruger National Park

This economical Kruger Safari commences in Johannesburg, the economic center of South Africa. In the morning, our driver will retrieve you from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Subsequently, we proceed eastward into the harsh Highveld region of Mpumalanga Province. Our first visit is at a bush pub in Hoedspruit. Your safari guide from the resort thereafter retrieves you and transports you to the adjacent private river lodge.

Establish yourself at the exclusive safari lodge and savor lunch alongside the tranquil Blyde River. Subsequently, we embark on our inaugural 4×4 safari expedition in the Greater Kruger region. Embark on the open-sided safari vehicle and explore the exclusive wildlife area encircling the river retreat. Relax and appreciate the sights, sounds, and aromas of the South African bush while observing wildlife and avian species during your exploration.

Along the way, we stop at a picturesque place to enjoy the sunset with sundowners. Be vigilant for wildlife, particularly leopards, as dusk approaches. Following our initial captivating sunset in the bush, we return to the safari resort, employing spotlights to seek out nocturnal wildlife in the darkness.

At the private river lodge, we dine in the expansive dining area or in one of the lantern-lit outside dining spaces. Post-dinner, you may enjoy a beverage at the bar, gather around the campfire, or proceed directly to your cozy tented suite adjacent to the river for a restful night’s sleep. Look up at the sky and listen to the nocturnal noises of the bush following your initial day of safari in South Africa.

Included meals: Midday Meal & Evening Meal

Day 2: Full Day Safari in Kruger National Park Safari

Rise early for your exhilarating full-day safari in Kruger National Park. Following a brief coffee at the luxury river lodge, we embark on our open safari vehicle and proceed to the Orpen Gate of Kruger Park.

The entirety of day two is dedicated to traversing South Africa’s most renowned national park on a guided 4×4 Kruger Safari. Your guide leads you to explore the stunning variety of wildlife and avian species present in Kruger Park. Recline and unwind while you immerse yourself in the wild African savanna and its many ecosystems. Shortly thereafter, we halt at a rest place within Kruger National Park and consume our packed breakfasts from the safari resort.

Subsequently, our Kruger safari expedition proceeds till we reach a lunch intermission at one of the park’s rest sites. There will be an opportunity for curio shopping, resting in the shade, purchasing snacks and cold beverages from the shop, and having lunch at one’s own expense. Following lunch, we resume to the untamed bush, seeking the diverse array of wildlife, avifauna, and reptiles in Kruger Park, while intermittently capturing photographs of thrilling wildlife encounters.

Kruger National Park is around 19,485 km², yet offers exceptional game viewing due to its abundant wildlife. There are 147 species of mammals. This encompasses substantial populations of Africa’s Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo. Frequent animal observations encompass herds of elephants, antelopes, and buffalo, prides of lions, packs of hyenas and wild dogs, pods of hippos, and basking crocodiles. Giraffes, zebras, monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and impalas are frequently observed, while leopards and cheetahs are less prevalent but nonetheless there.

This evening at the riverside safari lodge, we enjoy a delectable dinner and unwind in the pristine natural environment of the private nature reserve. Select a comfortable location to relax—either one of the lounges, the open-air boma, or the bush bar. Alternatively, enjoy a nocturnal swim or retreat to your cozy tented room, which features a private deck with a view of the Blyde River.

Included meals: Prepared Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Greater Kruger Game Reserve to Johannesburg

On the third day of our economical Kruger Safari, we commence with an early morning coffee alongside the serene Blyde River. Subsequently, we embarked on our concluding 4×4 safari in Greater Kruger Park.

During this final game drive, you will tour a private game reserve adjacent to the safari resort. The private game reserve is a component of Greater Kruger Park and accommodates significant African fauna, including the Big Five. It also hosts a variety of avian species, flora, and diminutive fauna. Other commonly observed creatures in this area include hippopotamus, hyena, giraffe, zebra, kudu, bushpig, crocodile, and blue wildebeest.

Your knowledgeable guide identifies diverse fauna and avifauna within the private game reserve and reveals the intriguing aspects of this natural environment. Relax and appreciate the wonders of the South African bush, exploring the intricacies of this extraordinary ecosystem. This safari expedition transcends the pursuit of Africa’s Big 5, offering an immersive experience of the African bush. Your safari guide will provide insights about the creatures, insects, reptiles, birds, and flora that contribute to the uniqueness of Greater Kruger Park.

Following our gratifying 4×4 game drive, we return to the safari resort for a delectable breakfast. It is now time to return to the bush bar in Hoedspruit for the trip back to Johannesburg. Upon returning to the vibrant city, you will be transported to O.R. Tambo International Airport (between 18:00 and 19:00), concluding this brief Budget Kruger Safari.

Repast: Breakfast

About the Private Greater Kruger Game Reserve

The private game reserve we explore during this Kruger Safari is part of Greater Kruger Park. The Greater Kruger comprises more than 20 private game reserves that have unfenced boundaries with Kruger National Park and/or with one another. Consequently, the wildlife in the game reserve we frequent is permitted to traverse freely between Kruger National Park and the adjacent private game reserves of Greater Kruger.

Greater Kruger Park and Kruger National Park are components of the large Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This enormous wildlife park offers a vast territory for Southern Africa’s fauna to traverse freely. The transit of individuals among the several game reserves and national parks in this area is, nonetheless, limited. This indicates that the visiting capacity for the private game reserves is restricted.

Our safari resort is among the few that provide access to the area of Greater Kruger Park that we investigate. Consequently, it is improbable that you would see other safari vehicles on your game drives. Another benefit is the opportunity to observe the animals at your own pace, without the necessity to share wildlife encounters or yield to other cars and spectators. The private game reserve encompasses a crossing area of 2000 hectares within Greater Kruger Park. This encompasses 12 kilometers of river frontage along the Olifants River, in addition to open bushveld and rocky outcrops.

Game drives in the private reserve focus on immersing oneself in the South African wilderness. Your safari guide leads you on a journey of exploration that emphasizes both the intricate features of the ecology and the majestic wildlife. The game drives provide insight into the local fauna and flora, including animals, birds, insects, and plants. The guides illustrate intriguing trails, feces, and disturbances that elucidate animal behavior and facilitate species identification. Embarking on a wildlife safari here offers a profound experience that beyond merely pursuing the Big Five of Africa, despite their presence in this region.

About the Greater Kruger Safari Lodge

The private river resort for this Kruger Safari is situated within a private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger Park region. The safari resort is located on the banks of the Blyde River, attracting a plethora of wildlife and avian species. It is a secluded and environmentally sustainable tented safari lodge nestled among ancient indigenous trees.

This strategically situated private safari lodge provides visitors with subtle opulence in a tranquil, natural environment. The dense forests, serene river, and mountainous vistas converge to form a picturesque African bush retreat. The private natural reserve encompassing the safari lodge spans 3,000 hectares of forest. It is a component of the expansive Blyde Olifants Conservancy, encompassing 12,000 hectares of bushveld within the Greater Kruger safari zone. The lodge camp is situated 500 meters upstream from the confluence of the Blyde and Olifants Rivers. The nature reserve hosts a diverse array of wildlife and many avian species frequently observed at the safari camp. Wildlife species encompass leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, jackals, mongooses, civets, genets, zebras, giraffes, hippopotamuses, and other antelope species.

A large infinity pool and poolside deck provide sun loungers for relaxation in the dappled shade. The big dining area and lounge extend to a vast communal deck including outdoor seats. A boma and informal bar area enhance the setting. WiFi is available in the main lodge areas, along with electrical outlets for guests to charge their gadgets.

The exclusive river lodge provides a diverse array of activities, including comprehensive full-day 4×4 Kruger Safaris. The in-house guides conduct open-sided 4×4 game drives in private game reserves and nature reserves within the Greater Kruger region. Guests often have the opportunity to explore a private Big 5 game reserve and the adjacent private nature reserve around the safari resort. The natural reserve contains mountain bike trails that vary in length from 5 to 30 kilometers.

Lodging at the Private River Lodge

Accommodation at the exclusive safari lodge consists of expansive tented suites situated along the Blyde River. Each tent features a hardwood deck with an outdoor space that provides a view of the bush, allowing guests to relax and appreciate the stunning natural surroundings. Expansive windows and doors, equipped with mosquito netting, let guests to engage with nature and see visiting birds and wildlife.

The canvas tents are positioned on wooden platforms beneath the shade of riparian trees, offering a refreshing refuge from the African heat. Only six tented suites are discreetly positioned within the natural foliage to provide visitor privacy. Two of the tented suites sleep four people in two inter-leading tents making them suitable for families with children. Four of the tented apartments have a vista of the Blyde River, while the two family tents afford views of the bush. The tented accommodations are interconnected with the main lodge, pool, and one another via illuminated wooden walkways.

Each permanent safari tent features an en-suite bathroom, partitioned by a zippable canvas door. The tents are equipped with standing fans and cozy mattresses adorned with premium linen and bedding. Wooden furniture and bedding, sustainably produced and locally sourced, have been utilized throughout to mitigate the environmental impact of the safari lodge.

The en-suite facilities are equipped with a shower, toilet, and basin, supplied with fresh towels and complimentary toiletries. These adequately furnished tents are elegantly adorned in neutral hues, organic textures, and premium fabrics. Natural wood, traditional decorative motifs, and muted hues converge to provide a soothing ambiance.

Includes & Excludes

Getting There

The trip will start from Nairobi, Kenya and End in Seychelles . Therefore book flights landing in Nairobi on day one and departing from Seychelles on day 9.

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