Duration
3-Day
Kruger National Park, South Africa
3-Day Budget Friendly Crocodile River Kruger Park Safari
Overview
The Crocodile River is the focal point of this tour and forms the southern border of the Kruger National Park. It is aptly named for the crocodiles that sun themselves on the sandbanks along with the hippos that wallow in it. Accommodation is at Pestana Lodge, located on the river bank with unrivaled views of the river and the animals of the Kruger coming to its banks. The Crocodile River flows along the southern boundary of Kruger, and provides for some spectacular wildlife sightings.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Johannesburg to Johannesburg
Via Kruger NP
Country & park
South Africa / Kruger National Park
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
6 years
Activities
game drives
Accommodation
Pestana Kruger Lodge - Mid-range lodge just outside Southern Kruger NP
Meals
Day 1: Dinner Included; Day 2: Breakfast & Dinner Included; Breakfast Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
ZAR
Rates
Rates Per Person
ZAR
Start datesSingle2+ people
Apr 12, 2026 - Dec 23, 2026
R 25,402 ZAR
R 14,295 ZAR
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is not available to groups larger than 6 people.
This tour is offered in South African Rand (ZAR).
This tour accepts children who are 6 years and older. Children under 12 receive a discount.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
South Africa
Start
Johannesburg (Day 1)
Day 1-3
Kruger NP
End
Johannesburg (Day 3)
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you. However, wildlife viewing activities are run by the lodges/camps and will be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Cannot be customized
The contents of this tour cannot be changed.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
6
Minimum age of 6 years
The minimum age for this tour is 6 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives
Game drives: open-sided 4x4 vehicle
Getting around: minivan
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1-2
Pestana Kruger Lodge
Mid-range lodge just outside Southern Kruger NP
Day 1: Dinner Included; Day 2: Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 3
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Johannesburg - Crocodile River
To keep the price affordable, we make use of mini-coaches that leave Johannesburg Airport every morning with other travelers going to 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 coaches depart from Johannesburg Airport at 07:00 am and 8.15 am. We can upgrade to private transfers which can be timed to suit you (prices on request). After check-in, explore the lodge and take in the views of the river and the Kruger while having a drink on the viewing deck overlooking the park. The Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) can all be found here, along with all the other iconic creatures of Africa in abundance. The first safari drive is this evening's sunset drive. There are 2 sunset and 2 sunrise safari drives, each 3-4 hours long. You will be picked up at reception with open safari vehicles by a National Parks ranger. Dinner is at Pestana Kruger Lodge on your return. Mid-range lodge located just outside Southern Kruger NP Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Kruger National Park Stay: Pestana Kruger Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Southern Kruger NP Meals: Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 2
Kruger National Park on safari Crocodile River region
You will rise before dawn and go for a sunrise safari with your experienced park ranger. This is a special time of day as the bush 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 elephants with babies, or a savage (but necessary) lion kill. Perhaps you will see some majestic giraffes and a herd of African buffalo. Every safari drive is different as 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 safe to take a stroll across the bridge over the Crocodile River (a kind of walking safari). In the afternoon, you will meet for your sunset safari, part of which may be in the dark, with possible sightings of nocturnal creatures. Return to Pestana Kruger Lodge for dinner. Mid-range lodge located just outside Southern Kruger NP Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Kruger National Park Stay: Pestana Kruger Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Southern Kruger NP Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 3
Kruger National Park - Johannesburg
You will again rise early for your dawn safari. Please note that the morning safari drive can be swapped for a safari bushwalk with an armed park ranger. This is a unique offering, not even available at expensive 5-star lodges! Arrangements must be made 2 weeks or more in advance, 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 you're over 65, you need a letter from your doctor. After breakfast, you will start on your journey back to Johannesburg. If you are going to Cape Town, there is a daily flight leaving from a local airport. In this case, we will refund/discount the cost of the shuttle back to Jhb. Instead of using the shuttle from/to Johannesburg Airport, we can arrange private transport with one of our renowned guides, which is more flexible and informative. This will also enable you to see the scenic Panorama Route en route to/from the Kruger. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Kruger National Park Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
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
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Johannesburg
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to/from O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB - Check price) in Johannesburg
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Mmilo Tours
5.0 operator rating
143 reviews
Mmilo Tours offers exceptional value in its group, tailor-made and private tours and packages. We can take you on a safari, a day tour around Johannesburg, adventure activities, anything to make your visit a success. Be met and delivered to your hotel or destination, with our safe, punctual and friendly service.Our competitively priced, well-designed packages are created specifically to give visitors effective and enjoyable itineraries including most of the major attractions in Southern Africa.
Office In
South Africa
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2007)
Member Of
Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
Tour Types
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations
Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Epic experience
Awesome tour. Well worth the early wake up. Was truly an epic experience seeing so many animals up close. Lion, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes,hippos and rhinos to name a few. Our guide Willem was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Can’t go wrong with this experience
John · Canada
Excellent communication and service
We booked a Botswana safari with Mmilo Tours and were very impressed with the communication and service we received from Norman throughout the booking process and leading up to the safari. All in all, everything went smoothly and we would definitely book with Mmilo Tours again.
Ella · United Arab Emirates
Excellency and reliability
For our first trip to South Africa, I looked for an animal sighting tour that would accommodate the needs of our family party, including myself, my 85 y/o mother, and an 18 y/o nephew. Our Choice could not have been better. Mmilo Tours offered us exactly what we were looking for, a private 2-day tour to Pillanersberg in a comfortable SUV just for us and definitely the most knowledgeable guide in the country, Mr. Willem Heckroodt. Apart from knowing the geography of South Africa in detail, which meant a lot to us since I am a professor in physical geography and my mum Emerita in the same field, Willem is a great conversationalist and a professional who anticipates and caters to all your needs. He excels in every aspect you would expect from a tourist Guide and made us feel at ease at all times, turning the trip into a unique learning experience and a relaxing and pleasurable one. I am incredibly grateful for his efforts to make the whole experience easy for my octagenarian mother, such as producing a plastic step stool to help her access the vehicle. Hence, I thoroughly recommend the services of Mmilo Tours without a hint of hesitation; they have always been helpful and proactive since our first contact. Their highly professional attitude has added to our satisfaction with the South African experience and made us wish to come back soon.
Antonio Carlos De Barros Corrêa · Brazil
Very experienced tour guide who was completely focused on the well-being of the customer
Mmilo Tours was the only organizer who offered a tour to my satisfaction in the way I wanted to do it. Unfortuneatly I was very short on time and wanted to make the best of it. This customer centricity and flexibility by Mmilo Tours is outstanding. The booking and communications were fast and reliable, everything was arranged exactly as discribed before. My tour guide was very experienced and I had a great time.
Sebastian · Germany
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in South African Rand (ZAR).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children who are 6 years and older. Children under 12 receive a discount.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
The contents of this tour cannot be changed.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Pestana Kruger Lodge - Mid-range lodge just outside Southern Kruger NP. Meals: Day 1: Dinner Included; Day 2: Breakfast & Dinner Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Johannesburg
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Mmilo Tours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Mmilo Tours.
Keep comparing
Similar Tours
Kruger National Park
South Africa · 3-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
3-Day Kruger Park Safari with Night Drive & Bush Walk
Kruger National Park, South Africa · 3-Day · Mmilo Tours
Duration3-Day
FromR 23,245 pp (ZAR)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
R 23,245 pp (ZAR)
Kruger National Park
South Africa · 2-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
2-Day Night Drive & Bush Walk Safari in Kruger Exclusive
Kruger National Park, South Africa · 2-Day · Mmilo Tours
Duration2-Day
FromR 16,143 to R 17,023 pp (ZAR)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
R 16,143 to R 17,023 pp (ZAR)
Kruger National Park
South Africa · 4-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
4-Day Jhb Airport Coach to Kruger Safari & Panorama Tour
Kruger National Park, South Africa · 4-Day · Mmilo Tours
Duration4-Day
FromR 20,228 pp (ZAR)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
R 20,228 pp (ZAR)