Duration
5-Day
Accra, South Africa
5-Day Baderukwe (Greater Kruger) 4x4 Wild Camping Tour
Overview
The 42,000-hectare Letaba Ranch Game Reserve is not open to the general public and lies just north of Phalaborwa, on the border of Kruger National Park. The border between the game reserve and the national park is unfenced, allowing the Big 5 and other wildlife to roam freely through the African bush. Letaba Ranch Game Reserve is particularly well known for elephant and buffalo sightings. The mighty Letaba River, which flows through the reserve, provides shelter for many hippos and crocodiles.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Pretoria to Pretoria (City)
Via Phalaborwa (Town), Letaba Ranch
Country & park
South Africa
Style
Safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
18 years
Activities
game drives
Accommodation
Budget camping Phalaborwa (Town) – Meals at Own Expense - Phalaborwa (Town) – Meals at Own Expense
Meals
Meals at Own Expense
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
ZAR
Rates
Rates Per Person
ZAR
Start datesSingle2+ people
Nov 1, 2025 - Oct 31, 2026
R 50,438 ZAR
R 25,219 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 10 people.
This tour is offered in South African Rand (ZAR).
This tour is unavailable for children.
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
Pretoria (Day 1)
Day 1
Phalaborwa (Town)
Day 2-4
Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger)
End
Pretoria (City) (Day 5)
Tour Features
Participation camping
Guests must assist with camp chores. See the first day description for more info.
Guided self-drive
Drive a vehicle yourself and travel in convoy with your tour guide in another vehicle. Rental vehicle is included.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
18
Minimum age of 18 years
The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives
Game drives: self-drive
Getting around: self-drive
Book your own international flights when using this operator
An airport transfer is not included. You can use an airport taxi, request your hotel to arrange a transfer or prearrange a transfer yourself
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Budget camping Phalaborwa (Town) – Meals at Own Expense
Phalaborwa (Town) – Meals at Own Expense
Meals at Own Expense
Day 2-4
Budget camping Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) – Meals at Own Expense
Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) – Meals at Own Expense
Meals at Own Expense
Day 5
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Meals at Own Expense
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
A transfer from the airport is not included. You can use a taxi, request your hotel to arrange a transfer or prearrange a transfer yourself. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Drive to Phalaborwa in convoy behind your guide (500 km)
You will meet your guide in Pretoria and then drive in convoy to Phalaborwa. The place where you will meet your guide will be communicated before the start of the tour. Tonight, we camp at the Phalaborwa Safari Park just outside the Phalaborwa Gate. This campsite has ablution facilities with water and electricity. Tonight, you will pitch your own tent while the guide makes a fire. Afterwards, you will prepare your meal on the open fire or use the gas appliances available in your vehicle. The other option is to spoil yourself with a delicious dinner at the hotel across the road from Safari Park. Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Destination: Phalaborwa (Town) Stay: Budget camping Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Day 2
Drive in convoy to the first unfenced campsite of the tour (± 50 km)
We enter Letaba Ranch at 12:00. We travel on tarred roads to the entrance of Letaba Ranch and then on management trails to the Mtomeni Safari Camp next to the Letaba River. The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness and the seclusion of travelling through rarely-seen areas are the main thrills of this trail. This campsite has no ablution facilities, no water and no electricity. Tonight, you will pitch your own tent while the guide makes a fire. Afterwards, you will prepare your meal on the open fire or use the gas appliances available in your vehicle. Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Destination: Letaba Ranch Provincial Park (Greater Kruger) Stay: Budget camping Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Day 3
Follow the 4x4 eco-trail in a southerly direction (± 95 km)
Join a guided morning walk. An experienced (and armed) field guide shares his knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walk is relaxed and doesn’t take longer than two hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place. After you have made yourself breakfast, we follow the 4x4 trails past several water holes to maximise the game viewing opportunities and we stop at the Baderukwe Dam. Who knows what animals we will see? Continue along the 4x4 trails to our campsite, which is located next to the Baderukwe River. Spend the night there. The river flows underground, and elephants dig holes to drink from. These waterholes also benefit other animals. This campsite has no ablution facilities, no water and no electricity. Use your shower bag to shower under the stars. Tonight, you will pitch your own tent while the guide makes a fire. Afterwards, you will prepare your meal on the open fire or use the gas appliances available in your vehicle. Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Destination: Letaba Ranch Provincial Park (Greater Kruger) Stay: Budget camping Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Day 4
Follow the 4x4 eco-trail in a northerly direction (± 60 km)
After breakfast, we visit a large quartz outcrop on top of a hill. We follow 4x4 trails to the confluence of the Little and Large Letaba Rivers and visit viewpoints overlooking the Letaba River. Once we reach our campsite next to the Letaba River, we set up camp for the night. This campsite has no ablution facilities, no water and no electricity. Use your shower bag to shower under the stars. Tonight, you will pitch your own tent while the guide makes a fire. Afterwards, you will prepare your meal on the open fire or use the gas appliances available in your vehicle. Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Destination: Letaba Ranch Provincial Park (Greater Kruger) Stay: Budget camping Inside Letaba Ranch (Greater Kruger) Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Day 5
Drive to Pretoria
Sit on the "sandy beach" next to the river and reflect on the events and sightings of the past 4 days. We depart from the campsite and make our way in a westerly direction. We drive on tarred roads back to Pretoria. Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Destination: Pretoria (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. A transfer back to the airport is not included. You can use a taxi, request your hotel to arrange a transfer or prearrange a transfer yourself.
Included
Rental vehicle
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
Camping equipment
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Roundtrip airport transfer
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Sleeping bag
Bath towels
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
Meals
Drinks
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Pretoria
Book your own international flights when using this operator
Fly to/from O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB - Check price) near Pretoria
An airport transfer is not included. You can use an airport taxi, request your hotel to arrange a transfer or prearrange a transfer yourself
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours
5.0 operator rating
19 reviews
Our guided self-drive 4x4 adventures and tours allow you access to remote areas in national parks and reserves across South Africa that many visitors do not frequent. Our tours' main thrills are the surrounding wilderness, the remoteness and the seclusion of travelling through rarely-seen areas. When guided, the tour guide and field guide(s) (when applicable) will provide the necessary interpretation en route and ensure your safety.
Office In
South Africa
Size
1-5 employees (Founded in 1997)
Tour Types
Guided self-drive budget & mid-range tours
Destinations
Eswatini, South Africa
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Calm, decisive, leader, real overlander.
The tour is in a beautiful area of the Kruger Park. It will improve, deeper into the rain season. Touring next to the river, is a privilege. I prefer "wild camping" and it is exactly that. Making camp and breaking up again is part of the experience and relaxing. Planning your own menu and food, is part of the challenge. We did not persè saw many animals, but is part of the risk, like going fishing. Next time you may be lucky. I will definitely try another similar tour. We had an excellent tour guide and it makes the experience even more memorable. Thank you, Johan, for a well planned tour, staying close to us and be one of us.
Rip Wyma · South Africa
Bonsai-SA is a competent, experienced and well organised4x4 tour operator.
We joined Johan from Bonsai-SA on a 3 day off-the-beaten track 4x4 wild camping tour in the unspoilt Phalaborwa area of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The tour was well organised, the group small enough to get personal attention and the Park's supplied guide was knowledgeable and friendly. I can whole-heartedly recommend the adventure. This was our second tour with Bonsai-SA and hope to do more.
Thinus N · South Africa
The guides is very well educated and helpfulz
This was an amazing experience. We enjoyed every minute. It was fun and scary sleeping next to the wild animals
Dimitri Lontos · South Africa
A very nice and knowledgeable gentleman who prepared the tour very well and communicated well
Johann took us on a tour called "Berg to Bush". It was kind of a practical training on how to use the Toyota on very off road -like tracks through wonderful nature with stunning views. We loved to be off the beaten track and not seeing other tourists. It made us feel like we were exploring this area ourselves. Johann is a wonderful host who looks after his "guests" well. He is very punctual and adapted the tour flexibly to our requests. He communicated very well weeks before the tour and during the trip itself as well. He was a knowledgeable instructor on 4 wheel driving off road. The campsite where we were could have used some refurbishing but there is a beautiful log cabin place near a stream which is definitely very nice. We would definitely recommend our trip to friends.
Benedikte · India
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 is unavailable for children.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Budget camping Phalaborwa (Town) – Meals at Own Expense - Phalaborwa (Town) – Meals at Own Expense. Meals: Meals at Own Expense
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Pretoria
Are airport transfers included?
An airport transfer is not included. You can use an airport taxi, request your hotel to arrange a transfer or prearrange a transfer yourself
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours.
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