Overview
Stay in the Greater Kruger at an affordable cost. Highlights of this tour include a sunset drive, traditional South African lunches, bush walks, a full-day Kruger safari in an open game viewing vehicle, and a visit to the Panorama Route’s Three Rondavels on the way back to Johannesburg. Itinerary days can be swapped depending on the conditions, group size, and availability. So, for example, day three may occur on day two or four.
Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival at the Affordable Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve
- Day 2: Balule Game Reserve to Treehouse Lodge
- Day 3: Kruger National Park Game Drive
- Day 4: Visit the Animal Rehabilitation Centre and Motlala Private Reserve Game Drive
- Day 5: Sunrise Bush Walk and Depart to Johannesburg via Panorama Route
5-Day Lodge-Treehouse Safari in Greater Kruger Itinerary
You can be picked up at in Tambo Airport in Johannesburg in the early morning before 9:30 a.m. Pick-up from Hoedspruit Airport (the nearest airport to the lodge) is available at any time of day.
Please schedule your arriving flights appropriately to ensure you have ample time.
When we get to the inexpensive game lodge (your first night will be at a different lodge), you may relax in your air-conditioned accommodation, swim in the pool, or explore the grounds. Later that afternoon, you'll go on your first spectacular Big Five sunset drive. Experienced game rangers will take you on incredible animal sightings, followed by a bush braai (traditional lunch) at the Marula Tree Boma.
Main destination: Greater Kruger.
Accommodation: Tremisana Game Lodge (mid-range lodge located inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger).
Get up early for a thrilling day filled with amazing experiences in the woods.
Take a drive to a secluded area within the Balule Game Reserve to go on a bush stroll. You will be guided through the bush by your knowledgeable field guide. You'll never forget the excitement of tracking enormous animals in Africa until you had a chance to snap a picture. Even with your armed ranger around, adrenaline rushes will be strong.
For brunch, head back to the reasonably priced game lodge.
Take a game drive in the afternoon following high tea. After that, we'll make our way to the Treehouse Lodge, where guests may stay in enticing and beautiful tree homes.
To create the illusion of a tree home, wooden cabins are typically placed between trees rather than inside trees. You can't pick which tree home you receive because it depends on the size of your group. Others are on the ground, others are elevated for a treehouse feel, and some are designed for families, while others are for single travelers or couples. While some apartments share a bathroom, some have their own.
Major Location: The Greater Kruger
Marc's Treehouse Lodge (Treehouse) is the place to stay.
Take a ride on a specially designed open-sided game viewer to reach the Kruger Orpen Gate. You will be able to smell and hear the animals of the jungle as well as see the game without glass windows getting in the way. We often make stops at interesting locations, eateries, and picnic areas.
The vast plains of the Orpen-Satara-Nwandezi area are home to antelope, giraffe, and zebra herds that draw sizable numbers of predators. As a matter of fact, this region has Africa's greatest lion concentration.
Major destination: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Marc's Treehouse Lodge (Treehouse)
Mid-range lodge located inside Moditlo GR
We will visit the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center for wounded and abandoned animals and birds after breakfast.
A chance to get up close and personal with some of the inhabitants, such as lions and leopards, will present itself.
You'll take a car to the Treehouse Lodge after lunch.
After that, go a game drive at Motlala Game Reserve after dusk. After supper, make your way back to the Treehouse Lodge for the night.
Major Location: The Greater Kruger
Accommodations: Mid-range lodge inside Moditlo GR called Marc's Treehouse Lodge (Treehouse).
Take a stroll at dawn.
Drive along the Panorama Route after breakfast to take in the breathtaking scenery, which includes the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels. It will be late afternoon when we get back to Gauteng.
Drop-off at Hoedspruit Airport via arrangement.
Please be aware that the stop at Three Rondawels is only included while traveling to Johannesburg.
The ideal time to return to Johannesburg is between 5:00 and 6:00 pm; however, the exact timing will depend on traffic and the length of the trip. It might occur sooner or later.
Flights should be booked on the same day (international flights should not depart before 21.00pm, and local flights should only depart at 20:00pm or later).
principal destination: the city of Johannesburg
Accommodations: None (trip ends at this point)
