5 Days South Africa Wildlife Safari

Safari Highlights

5 Days South Africa Wildlife Safari, The Kruger National Park will exceed your wildest safari expectations! Not only is it the most famous park in the world, but with its two million hectares also the largest in South Africa. During these five days keep your eyes open for the Big Five, the Avian Six and almost the entire cast of The Lion King, including 12,000 elephants, 8,000 giraffes and 30,000 zebras, Next to the stunning nature and wildlife, you can also dive into the park’s culture and history by visiting archaeological sites and wildlife sanctuaries.

Day by day Program

Day 1: Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa, nayimkelekile, baie welkom! As you walk out of O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg – Africa’s biggest and busiest airport – you head straight to your rental car pick-up place. This is where your adventure begins! This self-driving journey is all about freedom: explore at your own pace, tailor your days with exciting activities, and decide when to stop and soak it all in. With our travel guide full of top spots, local tips and charming padstalls, you’re set for an unforgettable road trip

: The 350-kilometre drive from Johannesburg’s international airport to Mbombela (or Nelspruit) takes just under 4 hours via the N12 and N4 highways. It’s quite a trip, but it gets you really close to Kruger National Park, so you’re all sorted for an early start to your first safari the next morning. A great pit stop is Milly’s Café on the N4 – famous for its extensive lunch menu, fresh bakes, barista coffee and lovely vistas over the trout-filled dam (try the smoked trout, it’s supposed to be divine!). Once in Mbombela, all you need to do is check in, unwind and enjoy a relaxing evening – perhaps with a traditional South African braai to get you in the safari mood!

Destination
Mbombela (Nelspruit)

Accommodation
Loerie’s Call Guesthouse

Day 2: Drive from Mbombela (Nelspruit) to Kruger National Park, Malelane gate

From Mbombela (or Nelspruit), it’s just 66 kilometres or a one-hour drive along the N4 to reach Kruger’s Malelane Gate. This southern entrance is one of the busier gates to the park, which means there might be a bit of a jam going in. It leads to the heart of the original reserve (established in 1902 to protect wildlife), and when entering, you’ll receive a map with clearly signposted routes leading to rest camps and top game viewing spots. Make sure to chat with fellow travellers at stops – they often know where the action is. Now choose your route and enjoy the ride!

Accommodation
Skukuza Safari Lodge | All meals included

Day 3 - 4: Kruger National Park

If you want a jam-packed wildlife experience, then Kruger National Park will make your dream come true. This park is said to have the highest chance of seeing all the famous Big Five PLUS the Avian Six (six endemic and funny-looking bird species – only to be found in Kruger) in one day. Mind you, this park is massive! With no less than a whopping 2 million hectares, this is the largest (and most famous) national park in South Africa, with almost 150 different mammal species and 500 bird species. You can also visit archaeological sites, learn about Kruger’s amazing and turbulent history and check out the wildlife rehabilitation centres.

Accommodation
Skukuza Safari Lodge | All meals included

Day 5: Drive from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

Your Kruger safari has come to an end! After three thrilling days of wildlife sightings, it’s time to head back to O.R. Tambo International Airport – a 5-hour drive (excluding stops) or 430 kilometres from Paul Kruger Gate via the N4 and N12 highways. In need of coffee halfway through? Make a well-deserved pitstop at Alzu Petroport, just past Middelburg on the N4, where you can enjoy a barista special or a hearty meal while watching buffalo and rhino roam just metres away. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, refuel (literally!), and take in one last bit of bush magic. From there, it’s a smooth 175 kilometres to the airport. Cherish the memories and safe travels home!