Plan my trip

4 days - Kruger National Park by lodge and game drive

Four days in Kruger National Park by sunrise

Four days in Kruger National Park, staying in luxury lodges and starting each safari morning with a sunrise game drive.

1 Country
1 Stop
3 Nights
Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Kruger game viewing
Kruger game viewing Avoid
May Primary window

Dry and cool; vegetation thins and game concentrates along the rivers.

Early dry season

The route

Kruger National Park
01

South Africa

Kruger National Park, with a sunrise game drive on each safari morning and a lodge stay.

Whether you’re flying in on a charter jet or taking a luxury private transfer overland, today is a day for travel and relaxation. If you’re flying in on a domestic or charter flight, we'll greet you at the airport and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation. For those who come by land, we will take them directly to their accommodation. Once check-in formalities are complete, you’ll have the afternoon and evening to take advantage of the fantastic facilities at your lodge. Relax by the pool, enjoy a sundowner, or participate in the included activities (these vary from property to property). Get an early night tonight, as we’ve got a big day of adventure ahead of us tomorrow!
Wake bright and early for your chance to experience the wonders of a sunrise game drive in Kruger National Park. You’ll witness the sun setting fire to the savanna as lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs hunt for their morning meal. Kruger is not only home to the entire Big Five (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceros); the park is also home to more than 100,000 impala, 9,000 kudu, 10,000 wildebeest, and 25,000 zebras. Your game drive experience will vary dependent on the accommodation you’ve selected, with some properties offering morning and afternoon game drives with a break for a delicious lunch between, while others offer full-day game drive experiences.
It’s time to bid farewell to Kruger National Park today, as you’ll check out and make your way to your next destination. Whether travelling overland or taking a flight, your transfers and flights will all be arranged to ensure a smooth departure.

The detail

About this trip

With more than half a million people visiting every year, South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the world’s most beloved game drive destinations. What makes a Kruger National Park safari stand out head and shoulders above other destinations is your access to unparalleled luxury accommodations. Nowhere else can you seamlessly switch from overnighting in the lap of luxury to being out in the spectacular wilderness on a Big Five game safari. The 4-day Kruger National Park safari will show you Africa, as you always imagined it. Enjoy staying in the kind of lavish accommodations befitting a special occasion.

What is included

  • Luxury Lodge Stay – premium accommodation in Greater Kruger
  • Big Five Game Drives – sunrise & sunset safaris with expert guides
  • Iconic Landscapes – vast savannah, rivers & pristine wilderness
  • All-Inclusive Comfort – meals, park fees & transfers included
  • Flexible Safari Schedule – morning, afternoon or full-day drives

What is not included

  • International flights (From/home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government
 

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How do we get to and from Kruger on this 4-day safari?
On day 1 you either fly in on a charter jet or domestic flight, or take a luxury private transfer overland. Flyers are greeted at the airport and taken to the lodge, and overland guests go directly to their accommodation. On day 4 you check out and travel overland or fly to your next destination, with transfers and flights arranged for a smooth departure.
When is the best time for a Kruger safari?
May to October score highest, with dry, cool weather, thin vegetation and game concentrating at rivers and waterholes. July and August are peak viewing, with cold dawns and warm afternoons. April and November are alternatives, as the rains end or first rains bring a green flush. December to March is hot, humid and green, and tall grass hides game.
What does a typical day look like on this Kruger safari?
Day 1 is for travel and relaxing at your lodge, with a pool, sundowner or included activities. Days 2 and 3 start bright and early with a sunrise game drive. Depending on your accommodation, some properties offer morning and afternoon drives with a break for lunch between them, while others offer full-day game drives.
What can be adjusted on the Kruger itinerary?
Your game drive pattern depends on the property you choose, so tell us whether you prefer split morning and afternoon drives or full-day drives. Activities included at the lodge vary from property to property. Day 1 is open, and you decide whether to travel by air or overland. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

Lantern-lit riverside dining deck beneath a large tree at dusk beside a lodge

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

The sunrise drive

Game drives leave before dawn, when the light is soft and predators are still on the move. In the dry winter, mornings are cold, so bring a warm layer you can shed.

What you may see

Kruger holds the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. It also has large numbers of impala, kudu, wildebeest and zebra.

Lodge activities

Included activities vary from property to property. Tell us what you want from your days when you book, so we can match the lodge.

Malaria in the lowveld

Mosquito bites are most likely at dusk and dawn. Wear long sleeves in the evening and use repellent, and ask your clinic about the season you travel.

Tipping

Tip your ranger and tracker at the end of your stay, and a shared amount for lodge staff. Your final documents give a general guide.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

Plan this trip with a specialist Browse more journeys