Book an African Safari in Kruger National Park – 4 day Safari Itinerary incl Kruger NP – South Africa

If you go to South Africa you should also go to Kruger National Park of course. After I travelled from Cape Town via the coast to Port Elizabeth I went to Johannesburg. When I was there I booked a 4 day African safari in Kruger National Park. This would be for me the first time that I really went on safari!

I was looking forward to it and my expectations were skyhigh!

Visiting Kruger and seeing the Big Five!

Of course I was going to see the big five on safari in Kruger National Park! The big five includes the the lion, the leopard, the elephant, rhino and buffalo. And no…the giraffe is big but not listed here 🙂

In Johannesburg I stayed at Brown Sugar Lodge and there I was picked up early in the morning to start the 4 day African safari in Kruger National Park. I had booked with Detour Africa and the group consisted of 9 people I think. Just big enough to always get along with some good people and also to get to know everyone.

Day 1 Tremisana Logde – Sunset gamedrive

That first day we drive to Tremisana Logde which borders York Nature Reserve, Tshukudu Game Reserve and Ukhozi Nature Reserve. That same evening from Tremisana we did a nice sunset game drive. And during this sunset drive we had dinner in the reserve and then drove back to Tremisana in pitch dark.

4 Day African Safari in Kruger National Park – South Africa

I totally loved it and was really happy that I had made the choice to book a 4 day safari even though it was quite expensive! I paid over 400 euros for this safari in Kruger National Park. This was one of the cheaper options.

That first evening we saw several animals! How happy I always get from these places, the animals that just live in a huge area and therefore experience the freedom that we also experience! You have the freedom to go wherever you want!

We had already passed this tree a couple of times and the guide assured us that there should definitely be a snake in it. The last time we drove past it I was lucky. I spotted the snake and I could take a picture just fast enough. I was the only one who had seen it 🙂

My police eye sometimes has such an advantage!

Day 2 Tremisana Logde – Morning Walk + Safari

The next day would start early again because we were going for a walk. And if you go walking when you’re on safari, you’re protected by men with weapons. Of course you walk in the area where that big five lives and roam the area… and all those other great animals!

Of course you hope to see as much as possible but you don’t want to meet them on your path. So it’s a nice balance between adventure / wildlife spotting and ensuring safety.

Also read my tips on what Rules apply on Safari to get safely into the park on foot or in a jeep.

Unfortunately, we didn’t see so much that morning. We saw some traces of animals that had walked there that night. And when we were eating a sandwich near a river and did see hippos in the distance! I thought it was a lovely walk. The chance to see some wildlife and just the fact that you walk around in South Africa on a beautiful early morning… that’s just wonderful!

Would you dare to walk in a wildlife reserve?

I don’t remember what was told at this…. In my memory, there was some talk about the dung beetle as I have never seen them this big. And also when I search on dung balls that dung beetles make I don’t come up with this size! If you know what this is please tell me!

If you know what this is, tell me!

Safari Itinerary incl Kruger National Park – South Africa

After breakfast we had some relaxing time at the resort. I walked around and looked for the cute little birds and monkeys walking around. I was really surprised by the versatility and the beautiful colours of the birds!

And the most colorful one was also quite cheeky…he really tried to grab some food from me!

But of course you can also take a dip in this lovely pool!

In the afternoon we went on another jeep safari in the surroundings of Tremisana. Again we saw beautiful animals and birds. Just the area you drive through is of course great! You scan the area for wildlife and oversee the nature and landscape you drive through.

This time we slept at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge Accomodation. You can of course as the name gives away a treehouse there but I went in a proper safari tent. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was fully equipped. Close to the tents was a shower and toilet block we could use and if we walked a little further we looked out over a river.

We were just in the middle of a park!

That we were in the middle of a park was also proven when I woke up the next day with rustling around my tent… A nyala walked by casually! How cool!

Day 3 Marc’s Treehouse – Kruger National Park Safari

This day we were finally ready to go into Kruger National Park ! We had seen quite a few animals but the famous Big Five still had to come of course! This was for me the first time I really went on an African safari and I was really happy of course.

We drove into the park and very soon we saw a herd of buffalo. The first of the big Five was spotted! I thought it looked impressive even though it was at a great distance. I don’t know how many buffalo it was but if they are going to run then you don’t want to be around…

We were safe in our jeep and drove on after the necessary pictures were taken of course!

4 Day African Safari in Kruger National Park

After this, we drove for a while and all sat carefully looking out the window to see if we would spot anything. Of course, we saw lots of birds, some deer-like animals and in the distance giraffes! I thought it was totally cool! It made me super happy. I saw the animals in their own habitat and not trapped in a far too small environment where they are only standing so we can watch them. Here they are just standing because they had just now come out of there and are resting for a while … or they are walking by because they are on their way to a watering hole.

This makes me so happy!

Eventually we ended up at one of those water spots and we saw hippos lying down and resting from a long day and the elephants on the other side drinking the water. This can only make you happy, can’t it?

What a wonderful pictures this is!

As we drove on, word came that lions had been seen and we were close. They had prey and were eating it. With the binoculars I borrowed from someone, I was able to look along and saw several lions sitting. I couldn’t see what they were eating but thought it was a mighty sight. I realised that those big, dangerous animals were a few hundred metres away from us and we were just sitting open and exposed ( pretty much) in the jeep.

It gave me a strange feeling!

And that’s when we went to see the leopard. We eavesdropped that the guide had contact with other guides. He changed direction to go to the spot where the leopard was spotted at that moment.

How exciting!

They didn’t telll us anything, so you don’t know how far we should drive. Asking ourselves… is he still there? And how far away from our jeep is he? All those questions that went through my head and in the meantime I kept scanning the area for other animals of course! Even though we now had a clear goal…there was still a lot to see here!

Really…
If there hadn’t been a guide to tell me exactly where to look
I’d never have spotted him!

Would you?

At the bottom right you can see a branch and on the first picture you can just see those legs hanging down.

I totally had a great day on African safari in Kruger NP! I had seen everything I wanted to see and I never got bored in the back of that car. You always have something to see and I was constantly scanning the area in case I noticed something. In the previous days I had noticed that I spotted something way earlier than the average fellow traveller 🙂

Dag 4 Blyde River canyon and Three Rondavels

Day 4 of my African Safari had arrived and so we left Kruger NP behind us. This day unfortunately consisted only of the trip back to Johannesburg. However, we had a wonderful stop along the way at the Three Rondavels. A great piece of nature where you really have to make a stop if you come along.

You can also buy some souvenirs because the locals make use of the fact that almost every tourist makes a stop here.

This view as the end of your safari in Kruger National Park is just the best!

I’ve had really wonderful days in the wilderness of South Africa with the highlight being an African Safari in Kruger NP! A day in a resort with a nice room and a day in a real safari tent. The best of both worlds!

I loved it so much!

Costs for your Safari Kruger National Park

The option I chose then cost me about 400 euros and now, in 2025 you’ll pay around €550. Safaris are expensive and if you travel alone you almost have to book something like this kind of trip with an organisation. This way you get to beautiful places and spend a few days in a mixed company which is also fun!

Book your 3-day adventure in Kruger in advance
Do you have a little less time? Book a 1-day safari in Kruger National Park

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