Gems of Africa Safari and Tours

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$1,390 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR. Show rate in ZAR

2 travelers   on   Start date
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Breakdown of Costs
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Start Date
Age at the end of the tour
*This tour does not accept children under 8.
Travelers

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Transfer from Johannesburg to enjoy a sunset/night safari in Kruger National Park

Transfer from Johannesburg to enjoy a sunset/night safari in Kruger National Park

Guests are collected from lodges and hotels within 5 km of O.R. Tambo International Airport between 06:30 and 06:45, and from the airport shuttle and bus terminal between 06:45 and 07:00, departing at 07:15. Guests flying into Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) will be transferred to the lodge in Hazyview at no extra cost. Shared departures travel directly to the lodge, arriving between 11:30 and 12:00.

After check-in and a light lunch, guests can relax, enjoy a swim, or explore walking trails around the lodge. At 15:45, depart for a sunset/night safari, when golden-hour light illuminates the bush. Your guide will help spot wildlife before returning around 20:00 for a hearty dinner and rest, preparing for the full-day Kruger safari the next day.

Important to note: This is a shared tour with other guests. Shared tours depart every Mon, Wed and Sat. Should you prefer a tour on alternative dates, inquire regarding our private tours at extra cost (min 4 pax required).

Main Destination:
Kruger National Park
Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)
High Season December to January and July to August
Best Weather Apr-May and Sep-Oct (Mild and little rain)

Wildlife in Kruger NP

ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
BuffaloCommon
ZebraAbundant
HippoCommon
Show more
HyenaCommon
White RhinoOccasional
LionOccasional
Black RhinoVery Rare
Wild DogVery Rare
Accommodation:
Umbhaba Eco Lodge
  • Mid-range hotel located in Hazyview (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Full-day open vehicle safari in the Kruger National Park

Full-day open vehicle safari in the Kruger National Park

Sunrise is the best time for a safari, as animals are most active before the heat drives them into shade. After a short drive, we enter Kruger National Park, and your guide will focus on areas most likely to spot the Big 5 and other wildlife, including predators. Breakfast packs are provided by the lodge, with a stop after about 3 hours for a break, coffee, and to stretch.

The safari continues through varied eco-zones, including rivers, waterholes, plains, and bushveld, each offering unique wildlife. Lunch is at a rest camp (for your own account), with time for curio shopping or a cold drink. The afternoon safari continues before returning to the lodge between 15:30 and 16:00, giving time to relax, swim, and enjoy dinner, ready for the next adventure.

Main Destination:
Kruger National Park
Accommodation:
Umbhaba Eco Lodge
  • Mid-range hotel located in Hazyview (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 3

Full-day Panorama Route tour

Full-day Panorama Route tour

Today, we explore the Panorama Route, visiting God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, the 3 Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfall, and the town of Graskop. After a hearty breakfast at 07:30, your guide will meet you at 08:00 in a closed, air-conditioned vehicle.

The route begins about 45 minutes from Hazyview, climbing nearly 1,000 meters into the Northern Drakensberg, so bring a jacket and comfortable walking shoes. At God’s Window, enjoy spectacular views over the escarpment and, on clear days, you can see as far as the Kruger. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are fascinating natural rock formations formed by water erosion, with footbridges and trails to explore. At Blyde River Canyon, see the lush canyon and the iconic 3 Rondavels, while Lisbon Falls offers a stunning year-round waterfall. Lunch and shopping are in Graskop, famous for its pancakes. Return to the lodge between 16:00 and 17:00 to relax, swim, and enjoy dinner before your early Kruger safari tomorrow.

Main Destination:
Panorama Route (Highlight)
Accommodation:
Umbhaba Eco Lodge
  • Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Panorama Route (Highlight)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 4

Morning safari with the afternoon at leisure

Morning safari with the afternoon at leisure

We always depart for our morning safaris before sunrise, as this is the best time of day for viewing wildlife such as predators, who are mostly active during the early hours of the day. Your guide will focus on finding animals and exploring regions not yet seen or covered. Since the Kruger National Park has 148 mammal species and over 500 bird species, there is always something new to see. No safari is ever the same.

The Kruger has a huge network of roads to choose from, and our guides will safari in different areas of the park in the different seasons, giving clients the maximum opportunity for more sightings and enjoying the beautiful wilderness and vegetation.

We will return to the lodge at around 11:00 and spend the afternoon at leisure. You can swim, enjoy a walk around the lodges, try our local beers or just enjoy our great African weather. A light lunch and tasty dinner will be served at the lodge.

Main Destination:
Kruger National Park
Accommodation:
Umbhaba Eco Lodge
  • Mid-range hotel located in Hazyview (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinks not included

Day 5

Morning safari and transfer back to Johannesburg

Morning safari and transfer back to Johannesburg

On the last day, enjoy a relaxed safari, keeping a lookout for elusive wildlife like leopards. Your experienced guide will ensure this final safari is memorable, focusing on spotting as much wildlife as possible. After a quick breakfast and coffee stop, the safari continues before returning to the lodge around 12:00 to freshen up and say goodbye to your guide. Guests are collected by shuttle at 12:30 for their transfer to Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo Airport or nearby lodges, arriving between 17:00 and 18:00. Note: For departing flights, please book no earlier than 20:00 for domestic and 21:00 for international flights.

This is a shared tour, departing every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Private tours on other dates are available at extra cost (minimum 4 guests).

Child policy: Children under 8 must be booked on private departures (min 4 clients).

Main Destination:
Kruger National Park
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

Interested in This Tour?

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  • Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Gems of Africa Safari and Tours, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • This group tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Gems of Africa Safari and Tours.