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Safari at Shishangeni with Bush walk and Night drive from Crocodile Bridge Kruger Gate

Three male lions relaxing near Crocodile River Kruger National Park
Price From : ZAR 49878.00 (Per Person Sharing) Currency Converter

Overview

This safari package has every activity the keen safari goer should experience. Besides the usual open safari vehicle (OSV) drives with a skilled and knowledgeable guide there is  an escorted bush walk safari with armed ranger and a night drive with lamp spotting, the latter two events unique in that they are very difficult to book anywhere even the highly expensive top end safari lodges cannot supply them,  plus the Kruger National Parks ( KNP) conservation rules do not allow them to anyway. But there is a high level of interest in these two experiences and we have created a structure for them to happen in a safari itinerary that also includes a stay at an exclusive safari lodge on its own private concession.

  • Four nights at the Shishangeni Lodge which is on its own exclusive concession area of the Kruger National Park ( KNP). No need to worry about holiday public and day trippers there’s a maximum of 60 guests allowed at Shishangeni 6 safari vehicles sharing 150 sq kms of the KNP, nobody else!
  • One night in the nearby town of Komatipoort at Die Stoep where you will enjoy the very best of South African hospitality and food. From here you will be taken in to Kruger National Park to engage with the night drive and the dawn bush walk experiences. The walk actually starts just before the sunrises and this is important. You do need to do this activity in the cool time of the morning. Later in the day it gets just too hot.

Itinerary for This Tour

Day 1
Wednesday 30th December 2026

Leave Johannesburg at latest 11.30am with our guide. Be picked up at nearby Kruger airport ex Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Transfer to a lodge near Crocodile Bridge Gate. You can relax and have early dinner.

Depart for the night drive is at 7.30 pm to rendezvous with the night safari vehicle at Crocodile Bridge. This area the “Southern Circle”, has a reputation for great lion sightings. Hearing the males roar and the females calling their cubs in the night is a very atmospheric and thrilling experience.

 

 

 

A Kruger Park field guide will provide interesting commentary about the nocturnal animals and birds that you hear and see. Use is made of spotlights. Many eyes peer back eerily from the bush in reflection.
Remember to bring along a warm sleeved garment (even in our hot summertime)  to shield against the wind generated as the vehicle moves. You return to the lodge at about 10.30pm.

Day 2
Thursday 31st December 2026

Arise early this morning and go for a bush walk in Kruger Park. This is a special time of day as the animals awake. Up to eight guests are taken to interesting places in the surrounding wilderness areas and along the river banks. The walk itself is relaxed and experienced and armed guides use their knowledge of the bush to explain natural wonders.

Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk. They will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot, you’ll cover an area more intensely, and you are able to experience nature using all of your senses.

If there is any large game in the area, you are more than likely to encounter them and have an exhilarating experience of approaching them on foot. Comfortable shoes must be worn, and clothing should be natural colours. You will return to the lodge for breakfast.
Our driver will pick you up at 11:00 am and transfer you to Shishangeni Lodge inside the Kruger National Park.

You will enjoy lunch and then after a short rest gather with other guests at around 3.30pm for todays sunset game drive.

After your first sunset Game drive you will enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Day 3
Friday 1st January 2027

There is a place in Africa where legends are born, a place where the people love to enchant you with stories and rituals of the traditional Shishangeni Legend – this is that place…

At the 4-Star Shishangeni Private Lodge the emphasis is on nature without losing the luxury and superior service our guests are accustomed to.

Experience magnificent sunsets, all manner of beast and prey at the waterholes , early morning or late afternoon game drives in search of the ‘Big 5’ with an expert guide, boma fires under an African sky, a pampering at the spa, a splash in the pool, sundowners in the bush and endless photo opportunities….

Dine on traditional cuisine at our restaurant or around a roaring boma fire under the stars of the African sky.  Stop in the bush for a coffee break or sundowner drink for an unforgettable bush experience.

Shishangeni is legendary when it comes to experiencing unforgettable African safaris that evoke mystery, wonder and above all else, adventure. Our camps offer big five game viewing, superior service, excellent cuisine, and accommodation to rival any in Southern Africa.

We arrive at the entrance gate of the Kruger National Park  and travel the short distance to Shishangeni Private Lodge game viewing as we go. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Lunch is enjoyed on arrival.

Later this afternoon your first exciting game drive in open 4X4 vehicles is enjoyed.

 

Dinner is enjoyed at the lodge on your return from the game drive.

Day 4
Saturday 2nd January 2027

An early wake-up call signals the start of yet another exciting day in Big Five territory. You depart on an early morning safari after which you return to the lodge for a late breakfast.

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa and is best known for the ‘Big Five’ – imagine taking in magnificent views whilst you capture the moment of a pride of lions stalking their prey or possibly watching a buffalo or elephant strolling to a water hole, or the rhino, with its extraordinary horns and bad temper or the leopard with its remarkable speed and skill to hunt.

 

 

This evening another safari in open 4×4 vehicles is undertaken, followed by a delicious South African dinner.

Day 5
Sunday 3rd January 2027

Just like yesterday another day in this wild paradise.

An Outdoor Shepherds Tree Dining Boma area with a central fire pit and warm ambient lighting under the evening sky.

Perhaps tonight is the “boma” night  with dinner under the stars around a crackling fire!

Day 6
Monday 4th January 2027

After your game drive and a final sumptuous breakfast at Shishangeni your driver will collect you for your return to Johannesburg or if you are continuing your travels in this part of the world to the local airport which is much closer and where there are flights to Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg and Durban.

 

 

 

Let us know so we can time your transfer so that you are waiting a minimal time waiting at the airport.

Tour Notes

Included in the price:

  • All entrance fees to parks and locations
  • All accommodation
  • All activities described conducted by fully qualified experienced guides
  • All transport described in air conditioned vehicles licensed and permitted with drivers also licensed and permitted.
  • Bottled mineral water on transfers

Excluded from the price:

  • Flights
  • Accommodation before or after this itinerary
  • In South Africa with very few exceptions all bottled or canned drinks alcoholic or non-alcoholic are charged
  • Laundry

Accommodation for this Tour

Stoep Cafe Guest House

Stoep Café is one of the oldest railway houses in town and beautifully restored to its old age glory.- Rissik street Komatipoort, Mpumalanga. Come and relax at the Stoep

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An infinity pool overlooking lush greenery at Shishangeni by Bon Hotel with a wooden walkway through a natural landscape.
Shishangeni Lodge

Situated on a 15,000 hectare private concession of the world-renowned Kruger National Park, this wildlife reserve has the deserved reputation for showcasing some of the finest game viewing on the continent.

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