5 Days Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Game Reserve Safari
A 5-day Kruger and Sabi Sands safari covering the Panorama Route, Kruger and Sabi Sands
Overview
5-day Kruger and Sabi Sands safari
Our 5-day Kruger and Sabi Sands safari pairs two nights near Hazyview with two nights in the private reserve.
A five day packaged safari to Hazyview area of the Kruger National Park for two nights and the Sabi Sands Game Reserve for two nights. On this packaged safari, guests stay at the popular Hippo Hollow Lodge or similar, situated near Hazyview on a half board basis. The package includes transportation and all game drives which are conducted in open 4X4 safari vehicles inside the Kruger National Park. The guests then move on to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve for two evenings, on a full board basis at Umkumbe Safari Lodge or similar. The client has the choice of two daily game drives or possibly replacing one game drive with a bush walk instead. The package includes all road transfers.
Travel logistics
Start / Finish
Start
- Johannesburg
- JNBO. R. Tambo International Airport
Finish
- Johannesburg
- JNBO. R. Tambo International Airport
Highlights
What Makes This Safari Special
Big Five game viewing
Guided walking safari
Panorama Route sightseeing
Game drives with a professional guide
Explore Kruger National Park
Explore Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Day by Day
5-day Kruger and Sabi Sands safari itinerary
Our professional driver will pick you up from Johannesburg on the morning of your departure and drive you to Hazyview. All transfers are done in a luxury air conditioned vehicle, where you will be transported via the Panorama Route.
The Panorama route includes God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, and Graskop and all entrance fees are included in the package. There are numerous stops along the way for comfort breaks and photo moments.
Upon arrival in Hazyview, guests will check into Hippo Hollow Country Estate (or similar if not available), which is situated near the Phabeni Gate. The lodge is a 3-star establishment, rooms are air-conditioned and ensuite. All rooms have a view either over gardens or the Sabi River. The estate has two swimming pools and a restaurant where all the breakfasts and dinners are included. On particular evenings in the hotel, guests are treated to a Shangaan supper and entertainment. A hotel upgrade is available at a surcharge.
On your first evening, you will either partake in an afternoon game drive or an evening game drive. This is dependent on availability and will be communicated to the guest on route to Hazyview.
Our guide will pick you up in the early morning and will spend the full day with you in the Kruger Park, where hopefully you will be able to view the Big Five. During the day, there will be a number of comfort breaks and a chance to enjoy lunch at your own cost.
Our guides are highly trained professionals equipped with knowledge on virtually every living species in the park and will provide you with an insightful, unforgettable and enjoyable experience. You will be in an open 4x4 game vehicle, so please bring a hat, sunscreen and appropriate clothing.
After your game drive, return to the lodge with time to relax and freshen up for dinner.
Please note that the park conservation fee is not included in the price.
You will be picked up early morning and will spend the morning in the Kruger Park and will return mid-morning to the lodge for breakfast and will check out. We will transfer you to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve for the remainder the safari package, the transfer is roughly an hour and a half.
Arriving at Umkumbe Safari Lodge or similar, you will be greeted by the friendly lodge staff and have time for lunch and time to settle in and rest before embarking on the afternoon game drive. Sabi Sands has a high concentration of wildlife and is known for the predators, especially the cats. Although the Sabi Sands is a private reserve and is a more exclusive safari experience, it forms part of the Greater Kruger Park with its borders being unfenced with the national park.
Late afternoon and into the evenings is a great time to spot wildlife, after which you will make your way to the lodge for supper and an opportunity to have a relaxed evening.
Please note that the park entry fee is not included in the price.
You will be greeted with a cup of coffee before heading off for the morning game drive in a 4x4 safari vehicle, hopefully with an opportunity to spot the Big Five waking and roaming in your path. There is an alternative to go on a morning bush walk rather than the drive if you so prefer.
Upon return from your safari, you will be served a leisurely breakfast and have the remainder of the morning at the lodge to catch up on sleep or resting at the pool. Lunch will be served and there will be some more time to unwind before returning for an afternoon/evening safari drive with your guide. Sunset will be spent in the bush, after which you will be returned to the lodge for dinner and the evening at your leisure.
Early morning rise on day five and head out for your morning game drive to spot the animals that have been eluding you on your safari experience. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out, where our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Johannesburg via Nelspruit.
Should you want to fly in and out of Nelspruit (KMIA), rather than be transferred from and to Johannesburg, this can be arranged. The drive time is roughly two and half hours to Nelspruit from the lodge or about six hours to Johannesburg.
Entrance Fees
Please note that the Kruger Park charges a daily Conservation fee for each person entering the park. The cost of this fee is not included in the rates indicated for this safari, currently, the rate per person is US $25 per day. However, upon making the reservation this can be included in the total safari price and then paid in advance to make it easier when on holiday.
The conversation fee for the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is a once off US $9 per person and a contribution of US $4 per person per night. However, upon making the reservation this can be included in the total safari price and then paid in advance to make it easier when on holiday.
Gallery
Photographs
Where You Stay
Handpicked
Retreats
Every lodge and camp is chosen for its location, character and comfort, so the place you rest is as memorable as the adventure itself.
What's Included
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Not Included
- Park fees
- Conservation Fees
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Travel insurance and medical repatriation
- Items of a personal nature
Questions
Frequently Asked
The price covers all activities (unless labeled as optional); all accommodation as stated in the itinerary; a professional driver/guide; all transportation (unless labeled as optional); all Taxes/VAT. Budget separately for park fees; conservation Fees; additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour. Your personalized quote confirms the full breakdown line by line.
The prime months for this itinerary are May, June, July, August, September and October. That said, South Africa rewards visitors in every season. Tell us your travel dates and we'll advise exactly what to expect.
This is a private, tailor-made safari for your own party of 2 to 12 guests. You won't be grouped with strangers. The itinerary, vehicle and guide are yours alone.
You'll stay at Hippo Hollow Country Estate and Umkumbe Safari Lodge, as laid out in the day-by-day itinerary. If availability requires it, we substitute properties of a similar or better standard and always confirm before you travel.
Send an inquiry through the form on this page and our safari experts will come back with a personalized quote within 24 hours, free and with no obligation. Once the plan feels right, we lock in your dates and lodges.
Absolutely. Treat the 5-day program as a starting point. We can adjust the pace, upgrade or change lodges, add days, or combine it with other destinations. Tell us what your ideal trip looks like and we'll shape it around you.
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