9-Day Big 5 - Kruger NP Self-Drive Mid-Range Tour

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrive in Pretoria and drive to Awelani Lodge

Awelani Lodge is situated near Pafuri Gate (just 10 km away) in the northern section of Kruger National Park in South Africa. You can treat yourself to breakfast and dinner in the on-site restaurant. If you want to relax with something cold, a pub is available. Situated in a 1,700-hectare conservancy, Awelani provides visitors with an outstanding opportunity to walk or mountain bike through a wooded conservancy with a remarkable arrangement of trees; baobab, mopani and Lebombo ironwood to name a few.

Sandstone outcrops hide San and Khoi rock art and traditional Venda grain storage units. A purpose-built bird hide and waterhole offers outstanding bird watching. This Pafuri area destination is an excellent site for twitchers.

This is a self-drive tour where you drive your own (rental) vehicle. Refer to our company profile for a summary of the benefits of driving your own vehicle. A quotation for the rental of your vehicle will be provided separately.

Main Destination:

Northern 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

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

HyenaCommon

White RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

Accommodation:

Awelani Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Northern Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Enter the Kruger NP and drive to Punda Maria Rest Camp

You depart for the Kruger National Park and enter at the Pafuri Gate (the most northern gate). You drive to the Pafuri Picnic Site on the banks of the Luvuvhu River, surrounded by tall ana trees and thick riverine bush.

Join a guided trip to the Thulamela Iron-Age Kingdom. The guide is also a professional field guide. Thulamela, an ancient fortress overlooking the Luvuvhu River, was the political capital of an Iron-Age kingdom between 1,200 and 1,640 AD. The name is derived from the Shona phrase meaning "giving birth".

You follow the trail to Punda Maria that winds through the fever tree forest to Crooks Corner. Crooks Corner got its name from the outlaws who lived there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

You are now in a Big 5 area! Keep in mind that it can be hard to spot all of these wild Big 5 animals, especially in one single game drive. Your goal is to experience being in the bush and see all the African wildlife in their natural habitat.

Main Destination:

Northern Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Punda Maria Rest Camp

• Mid-range rest camp located inside Northern Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore the area around Punda Maria Rest Camp

The northern section of the Kruger NP is an area of unique biodiversity. It's one of the few places where fever tree forests grow alongside giant baobab forests. Today, you explore the area around Punda Maria. Be on the lookout for animals behind bushes and around corners. Who knows, maybe you see more than the Big 5 today.

The camp is situated in the Sandveld region, often described as the botanical garden of Kruger National Park. Numerous plant species occur that are unique to the area. Game species most likely to be sighted include impala, zebra, buffalo, elephant, eland, and sable, and the area is a bird paradise.

In the late afternoon, you join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open game-viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for game viewing. As the evening approaches, all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.

Main Destination:

Northern Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Punda Maria Rest Camp

• Mid-range rest camp located inside Northern Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to Mopani Rest Camp

Drive slowly to the Mopani Rest Camp following various game-viewing roads.

Named after the mopane veld surrounding the camp, Mopani Rest Camp nestles amongst the mopane tree-covered kopjes. A signature feature is the huge gnarled old baobab tree in the heart of the camp. The vegetation inside the camp is left as found in the wild, adding to its unique atmosphere.

Relax in the camp or explore the area around Mopani.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Mopani Rest Camp

• Mid-range rest camp located inside Northern Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to the Olifants Rest Camp

Drive slowly to the Olifants Rest Camp following various game-viewing roads.

The Olifants Camp is situated on top of a hill towering several hundred feet over the river of the same name. Sightseeing views from the lookout platforms allow a person to observe the river below. The camp is warm and welcoming and will win many staunch supporters for Kruger Park accommodation.

Because Olifants Camp is situated in a transitional zone, 2 distinct types of vegetation can be found, offering a wide range of game. In the north, the low-lying mopane trees provide cover for zebra, impala, kudu and elephant.

To the south, rolling plains are dotted with buffalo, giraffe and kudu. Along the Olifants River, wildlife such as lion, crocodile and hippopotamus can be viewed on game-viewing and sightseeing excursions in Kruger Park, as well as an abundance of birdlife such as owls, storks and eagles.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Olifants Rest Camp

• Mid-range bungalow located inside Central Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore the area around the Olifants Rest Camp

Guests who visit Olifants will be exposed to an unforgettable window of Africa. Explore the area around the Olifants Rest Camp on your own.

Join a guided walk to the Olifants River. Experienced, armed guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and don’t take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will occur.

Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety. They will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot, you cover an area more intensely, and you can experience nature using all of your senses.

Comfortable shoes must be worn, and clothing should be natural colours and appropriate for the prevailing weather conditions. Cameras and binoculars can be taken along, as very interesting sights will be discovered, and guests can revel in spotting fascinating creatures and plant life. No children under 12 are allowed.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Olifants Rest Camp

• Mid-range bungalow located inside Central Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Today is a long drive to the Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp following various game-viewing roads.

Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit, with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the northern and southern sides, dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp. Large trees grow along the streams and dry riverbeds. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp. Berg-en-Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment.

Main Destination:

Southern Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

• Mid-range rest camp located inside Southern Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore the area around Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Join a guided morning walk. Experienced, armed guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and don’t take longer than a few hours, so that no over-exhaustion will occur.

Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety. They will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot, you cover an area more intensely and can experience nature using all of your senses. If there is any large game in the area, you are more than likely able to encounter them and have the exhilarating experience of approaching them on foot.

In the late afternoon, you join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open game-viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for game viewing. As the evening approaches, all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.

Main Destination:

Southern Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

• Mid-range rest camp located inside Southern Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Pretoria to your next destination

You will continue your journey to your next destination whenever you feel ready to leave. We hope you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.

Main Destination:

Pretoria (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.