Quick Summary
11-Days Big 5 - Kruger NP Guided Self-Drive Mid Range Tour is a 11 days tour in South Africa via the South Africa route, starting from USD 4422. Below you'll find the latest itinerary, inclusions & exclusions, and how to book.
11 days
South Africa
USD 4422
Kitano Tours & Safaris
ABOUT 11-Days Big 5 - Kruger NP Guided Self-Drive Mid Range Tour
Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivaled diversity of life forms fuse with historical and archaeological sights —this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks among the best in Africa. This national park is unrivaled in the diversity of its life forms. Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals.
- Duration: 11 days
- Route: South Africa
- Starts at: USD 4422
Highlights for 11-Days Big 5 - Kruger NP Guided Self-Drive Mid Range Tour
Day 1: Arrival at OR Tambo International Airport
Day 2: Meet Your Guide and Drive in Convoy to Awelane Lodge
Day 3: Enter Kruger National Park and drive to Punda Maria Rest Camp
Day 4: Explore the Area around Punda Maria Rest Camp
Day 5: Drive to Mopani Rest Camp
Day 6: Drive to the Olifants Rest Camp
Day 7: Explore the Area Around the Olifants Rest Camp
Day 8: Drive to Berg en Dal Rest Camp
Day 9: Explore the Area around Berg en Dal Rest Camp
Day 10: Berg en Dal to Pretoria
Day 11: Pretoria to Your Next Destination
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Title |
|---|---|
| Day 01 | Arrival at OR Tambo International Airport |
| Day 02 | Meet Your Guide and Drive in Convoy to Awelane Lodge |
| Day 03 | Enter Kruger National Park and drive to Punda Maria Rest Camp |
| Day 04 | Explore the Area around Punda Maria Rest Camp |
| Day 05 | Drive to Mopani Rest Camp |
| Day 06 | Drive to the Olifants Rest Camp |
| Day 07 | Explore the Area Around the Olifants Rest Camp |
| Day 08 | Drive to Berg en Dal Rest Camp |
| Day 09 | Explore the Area around Berg en Dal Rest Camp |
| Day 10 | Berg en Dal to Pretoria |
| Day 11 | Pretoria to Your Next Destination |
Day 01: Arrival at OR Tambo International Airport
>> You will arrive at OR Tambo International Airport. Our shuttle service will meet you and transfer you to a hotel in Centurion (Pretoria). Once you have settled in, your guide will meet you and accompany you to collect your rental vehicle.
You'll relax after your long flight, your adventure begins tomorrow.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Day 02: Meet Your Guide and Drive in Convoy to Awelane Lodge
>> Awelani Lodge is situated near Pafuri Gate (just 10 km away) in the northern section of Kruger National Park in South Africa. You will be treated to breakfast and dinner in the on-site restaurant. A pub is available for you if you want to relax with something cold. Situated in a 1700-hectare conservancy, Awelani provides visitors with an outstanding opportunity to walk or mountain bike through a wooded conservancy with a remarkable arrangement of trees; Baobab, Mopani, and Lobombo Ironwood to name a few.
Sandstone outcrops hide San and Khoi rock art and traditional Venda grain storage units. A purpose-built bird hide and waterhole offers outstanding bird watching. This Pafuri area destination is an excellent site for twitchers.
Your guide will discuss the adventures ahead over a meal in the restaurant.
Please note: Refer to our company profile for a summary of the benefits of driving your vehicle.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 03: Enter Kruger National Park and drive to Punda Maria Rest Camp
>> You'll depart for the Kruger NP and enter the Kruger NP at the Pafuri Gate (the most northern gate of the Kruger NP). You'll drive to the Pafuri Picnic Site on the banks of the Luvuvhu River, surrounded by tall Ana trees and thick riverine bush.
Join a guided trip to the Thulamela Iron-Age Kingdom. The guide is also a professional field guide. Thulamela, an ancient fortress overlooking the Luvuvhu River, was the political capital of an Iron-Age kingdom between 1200 AD and 1640 AD. The name is derived from the Shona phrase meaning "giving birth".
You'll follow the trail to Punda Maria that winds through the fever tree forest to Crooks Corner. Crooks Corner got its name from the outlaws who lived there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
You are now in a Big Five area! Keep in mind that it can be hard to spot all of these wild animals, especially in one single game drive. Your goal is to experience being in the bush and see all African wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 04: Explore the Area around Punda Maria Rest Camp
>> The northern section of the Kruger NP is an area of unique biodiversity. It's one of the few places where fever tree forests grow alongside forests of giant baobabs. Today you'll explore the area around Punda Maria on your own. Be on the lookout for animals behind bushes and around corners. Who knows, maybe you see more than the Big Five today.
The camp is situated in the Sandveld region, often described as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park. There are numerous plant species which occur that are unique to the area. Game species most likely to be sighted include impala, zebras, buffalos, elephants, elands, and sables and the area is a bird paradise.
Late afternoon you'll join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open willdife viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for wildlife viewing. As the evening approaches all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 05: Drive to Mopani Rest Camp
>> You'll drive slowly to the Mopani Rest Camp following various wildlife-viewing roads.
Named after the mopane veld that surrounds the camp, Mopani Rest Camp nestles amongst the Mopani tree-covered koppies. A signature feature is the huge gnarled old baobab tree in the heart of the camp. The vegetation inside the camp is left as found in the wild, adding to the unique atmosphere of the camp.
You'll relax in the camp or explore the area around Mopani on your own.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 06: Drive to the Olifants Rest Camp
>> You'll drive slowly to the Olifants Rest Camp following various wildlife-viewing roads.
The Olifants Camp is situated on top of a hill towering several hundred feet over the river of the same name. Sightseeing views from the lookout platforms allow a person to observe the river below. The camp is warm and welcoming and will win many staunch supporters for Kruger Park accommodation.
Because Olifants Camp is situated in a transitional zone, 2 distinct types of vegetation can be found, offering a wide range of game. In the north, the low-lying Mopane trees provide cover for zebras, impalas, kudu, and elephants.
To the south, rolling plains are dotted with buffalos, giraffes, and kudu. While along the Olifants River, wildlife such as lions, crocodiles, and hippopotami can be viewed on wildlife-viewing and sightseeing excursions in Kruger Park, as well as an abundance of birdlife such as owls, storks, and eagles.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 07: Explore the Area Around the Olifants Rest Camp
>> Guests who visit Olifants will be exposed to an unforgettable window of Africa. You'll explore the area around the Olifants Rest Camp on your own.
Join a guided walk to the Olifants River. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and don’t take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place.
Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety, they will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot you cover an area more intensely and you can experience nature using all of your senses.
Comfortable shoes must be worn, and clothing should be in natural colors and applicable to the prevailing weather conditions. Cameras and binoculars can be taken along, as very interesting sights will be discovered and guests can revel in the spotting of fascinating creatures and plant life. No children under 12 are allowed.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 08: Drive to Berg en Dal Rest Camp
>> Today is a bit of a long drive to the Berg en Dal Rest Camp following various wildlife-viewing roads.
Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the northern and southern sides dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp. There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp. Berg en Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 09: Explore the Area around Berg en Dal Rest Camp
>> You'll join a guided morning walk. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and don’t take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place.
Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety, they will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot you cover an area more intensely and you can experience nature using all of your senses. If there is any large game in the area you are more than likely able to encounter them and have an exhilarating experience of approaching them on foot.
Late afternoon, you'll join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open wildlife viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for wildlife viewing. As the evening approaches all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 10: Berg en Dal to Pretoria
>> You will leave the Kruger National Park with many memories and photos of your experiences. You'll return to Pretoria on tarmac roads. There will be regular stops throughout the day. You will stop for lunch at a restaurant where you can buy your own meal.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Day 11: Pretoria to Your Next Destination
>> You'll return your rental vehicle to the car hire company. Our shuttle service will pick you up and transfer you to OR Tambo International Airport for your onward journey.
As our time together draws to a close, we say goodbye to our new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own. We hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.
- Time: 8-10Hrs
- Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
- Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Inclusions
- Rental vehicle
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Exclusions
- International flights (From/to 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.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks