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3-Day (2 Night) Crocodile River and Kruger National Park Safari

Leopard lazing around in the Kruger National Park
Price From : ZAR 12490.00 (Per Person Sharing) Currency Converter

The Crocodile River forms the southern border of the Kruger National Park (KNP). Crocodiles sun themselves on the sandbanks and hippos wallow in the shallows. To its banks come all the animals of the Kruger National Park to drink and enjoy the cool shade of the tall trees. Lodges near the river have the privilege of views of the Kruger National Park across the river often better than the private lodges inside the Kruger. 

Prices:

Low Season: 7 January – 8 April, 21 April – 30 May, & 4 June – 22 December.

2022: ZAR12,490.00 per person sharing, ZAR18,390.00 for a solo traveler, and ZAR8,590.00 for a child sharing with two adults.

High Season:  9 April – 20 April, & 23 December – 6 January.

2022: ZAR13,090.00 per person sharing, ZAR19,640.00 for a solo traveller, and ZAR9,620.00 for a child sharing with two adults.

Low Season: 7 January – 8 April 2023, 21 April – 30 May 2023, & 4 June – 22 December 2023.

2023: ZAR13 765.00 per person sharing, ZAR20 413.00 for a solo traveler, and ZAR9 535.00 for a child sharing with two adults.

High Season:  9 April – 20 April 2023, & 23 December – 6 January 2023.

2023: ZAR14 530.00 per person sharing, ZAR21 800.00 for a solo traveller, and ZAR10 678.00 for a child sharing with two adults.

Itinerary for This Tour

Day 1

Johannesburg – Crocodile River

To keep this tour price very affordable, we make use of a minibus shuttle that leaves Johannesburg Airport every morning with other travelers going to different parts of the Kruger National Park (KNP). It stops in the city of Nelspruit, where our guide will meet you and transfer you to the lodge. The shared shuttle buses depart from Johannesburg Airport at 07:00 am and 8:15 am. You have to arrive on a very early flight to be in time for these minibus shuttle departures. Before 6.00 am if arriving on an international flight, and before 7.00 am if arriving on a domestic flight e.g. from Cape Town. It is recommended that you overnight in the vicinity of O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, the night before the start of your safari.

Hotels and guest houses near the airport provide transport to the airport. If you are staying further away we can arrange transport for you at an additional charge if you wish, but taxi services such as Uber are cheaper.

Our guide who picks you up from the shuttle terminus in Nelspruit and takes you the last 70 km to the lodge, will assist with check-in at the lodge and will take you over the bridge into the Kruger Park to confirm and complete the paperwork that is required for your safari drives this evening and for the next 2 days. Please note the pick-up times at Pestana Kruger Lodge for your drives.
The first open vehicle game drive is this evening, a sunset drive. There are 2 sunset and 2 sunrise safari drives; each are 3-3.5 hours long. The drives are in open safari vehicles with a National Parks Board Field Guide. Please wait at reception area for your pick-up.
On your return to Pestana Kruger Lodge, enjoy dinner and connect with nature as you relax under the African stars on the lodge’s deck. Perhaps take a late evening swim?

Accommodation Pestana Kruger Lodge in a Deluxe Room, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Evening Game Drive

Day 2

Kruger National Park

An early start signals another exciting day in Big Five territory.  You will start before dawn and go for a sunrise safari with your experienced park field guide. This is a special time of day as the Kruger awakens and comes to life. Dawn is the busiest time of the day for wildlife viewing. Watch the iconic Fish Eagles cry as they soar along the river. Hopefully, there will be a matriarchal herd of elephant and their babies or a savage but necessary lion kill, perhaps some majestic giraffes and a herd of stern-looking African buffalo. Every safari drive is different you will encounter many animals. Not knowing which or when is what makes it exciting.

You will return to the lodge for breakfast and spend the midday at leisure. Lunch is available at your own cost from the restaurant. It is also safe to take a stroll across the Crocodile River Bridge to stretch your legs. Then in the afternoon, you will gather to go for your sunset safari part of which will be in the dark getting glimpses of nocturnal creatures.
Return to Pestana Lodge, dinner under the stars!

Accommodation Pestana Kruger Lodge in a Deluxe Room, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Morning and Evening Game Drive

Day 3

Kruger National Park – Johannesburg

Like yesterday you will rise early for your dawn safari. Please note the morning safari drive can be swapped for a safari bushwalk with armed parks ranger; this is a unique offering, not even available at expensive 5-star lodges! Arrangements must be made two weeks or more in advance of your trip and will depend on the availability of weapon trained rangers. Walking in the bush gives an entirely different perspective on being in the wilderness. You have to be over 16 and if over 65 need a letter from your doctor.
After breakfast, you will start your journey back to Johannesburg but if going on to Cape Town there is a flight leaving every day from a local airport. In which case we refund/discount the cost of the shuttle back to Johannesburg.

Instead of using the shuttle from/to Johannesburg Airport, we can arrange private transport with one of our renowned guides, which is door-to-door, more flexible and informative but at an added charge. This can also enable you to see the scenic Panorama Route on route to/from the Kruger.

Morning Game Drive and Breakfast included.

End of Tour

Tour Notes

Included in Price:

  • 2 Nights 4 Star accommodation next to the Crocodile River in a Deluxe Room at Pestana Kruger Lodge
  • All meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • Daily Sunset and dawn game drives whilst staying on the border of the Kruger National Park – Pestana Lodge
  • Shared shuttle transfer from Johannesburg to the respective lodges, return
  • Kruger National Park entrance fee

Costs Excluded:

  • Flights
  • All passport and Visa fees excluded
  • All Beverages excluded, except for tea and coffee with breakfast
  • All meals not in the itinerary
  • Travel and Medical Insurance excluded
  • All Optional Activities excluded
  • All cost of a personal nature, e.g. laundry, telephone calls
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour, unless added by us.

 

Accommodation Note: All the hotels and lodges are as reflected in this itinerary, but if for reasons beyond the control of Mmilo Tours this is not possible, they will be replaced with establishments of the same star grading.

 

Important: Please read the itinerary carefully, noting any optional activities you or some members in your group may want to take part in. You do not have to take part in any of the optional activities if you do not wish to. It helps us in our planning to know if you are interested and number of participants. These additional optional activities are not costed into this scheduled tour, and if you choose them, you pay the extra amount involved either directly to Mmilo Tours in advance, or on arrival at the venue. You will be informed accordingly by Mmilo Tours, and they are extra to the basic cost of the tour

All our tours and packages are subject to availability at the time of booking and payment and accommodation is in a standard double room at Pestana Kruger Lodge.

Accommodation for this Tour

Pestana Kruger Lodge

Pestana Kruger is a 4 star hotel, situated in South Africa just 70m from the Southern entrance to Kruger National Park and only 150m from Malelane Gate, one of the most important access point to the park. Is surrounded by marvelous gardens and offers a fa