Duration
5-Day
Kruger National Park, South Africa
This 5-day adventurous package offers you a safari experience in the Balule Private Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park. During this tour, you will stay at Ku Sungula Safari Lodge and a luxury camp in the Kruger National Park. Our professional guide will accompany you in the open safari car during your stay and will share his expertise about the bush and the animals. Quality, exclusivity, professionalism and guidance are the main features of this bush adventure.
Plan snapshot
Duration
5-Day
Route
Johannesburg to Johannesburg (Johannesburg)
Via Olifants West NR, Kruger NP, Panorama Route
Country & park
South Africa / Kruger National Park
Style
Safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
13 years
Activities
game drives & walking safaris (with an armed guide)
Accommodation
Ku Sungula Safari Lodge - Luxury lodge inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger)
Meals
Day 1: Lunch & Dinner Included; Day 2: All Meals Included; Day 3: Lunch & Dinner Included; Day 4: All Meals Included; Breakfast Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
ZAR
Rates
ZAR
Before booking
Quote flow
This luxury tour uses lodges.
This tour will be organized exclusively for you. However, wildlife viewing activities are run by the lodges/camps and will be shared with others.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request changes to this tour.
Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
The minimum age for this tour is 13 years.
Day 1-4
Luxury lodge inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger)
Day 1: Lunch & Dinner Included; Day 2: All Meals Included; Day 3: Lunch & Dinner Included; Day 4: All Meals Included
Day 5
(No accommodation)
Breakfast Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Today the adventure begins! In the morning, you take a flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, the driver from our public shuttle bus partner will be waiting for you at the OR Tambo Airport bus terminal. The pickup time is 07:45AM local time. The shuttle arrives around 13:20 PM at the Olifants West Gate endpoint, where one of our guides will be waiting to take you to Ku Sungula Safari Lodge. After a warm welcome, you check in, and it's time for a delicious lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, our guide and tracker will take you on your first game drive, exciting! Keep your camera and binoculars ready because the game drives go off-road and take you as close as possible to the animals. Once back at the lodge, a delicious dinner awaits you. Luxury lodge located inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger) Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
The park is calling! Or is it the adventure? Either way, today you'll be spending the entire day at Kruger National park. And it starts early. At the break of dawn, you'll leave the lodge for either the Orpen or Phalaborwa gate, where you head directly into the wilderness. After breakfast at one of the picnic spots in the park, you're ready to explore the beautiful surroundings. Keep your camera or binoculars handy because there's a good change you'll spot the Big Five. The guide will share all the ins and outs of the park. Did you know that the park is also incredibly rich in geology? There are rocks that are over 3 billion years old, making them the oldest ones in the world. All those impressions will work up an appetite, so a delicious lunch in the national park is arranged as well. There's so much to see: you'll want to saver it for even longer. And you can! After lunch, the adventure carries on. Enjoy the wind in your hair during the drive, the breathtaking vieuws, and the beauty. Luxury lodge located inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3
You know you can't leave Africa without having seen elephants. So that's exactly what we're doing today! Today's plan includes not one but two exhilarating game drives in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. This is the home of, as you may have guessed it, elephants. And so much more! As the early morning sun paints the horizon with hues of gold, we depart from the lodge to the Olifants River Valley within te reserve. Tucked away along the western border of Kruger National Park, a piece of paradise awaits. Prepare to be spellbound by the breathtaking landscapes, the untouched wilderness, and the diverse array of wildlife that calls this place home. You'll peer carefully at the waterholes in hopes of spotting leopards. After the morning safari, breakfast back at the lodge will be a welcome must. In the evening we'll be returning to the reserve once more. Be extra quiet and experience the interactions of the animals, from the haunting howls of hyenas to the thunderous roars of lions. Luxury lodge located inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger) Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4
Today, the impressive Panorama Route is on the agenda. Beautiful natural wonders, waterfalls, and breathtakingly beautiful vistas live up to the name of this route. We visit as many viewpoints and sensational landscapes in the area of the Panorama Route as possible. There is much to see, so we have lunch on the way. When the day is done, you return to the lodge, where you enjoy an appetizing evening meal lovingly prepared by our chefs. The Panorama Route runs along one of the largest forested areas in the northeastern province of Mpumalanga and centers around the Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world. The route begins at the foot of the Long Tom Pass, descends to the Lowveld Plains, and ends near the border with the Limpopo province. Along the route, you'll come across multiple waterfalls and a few unique natural phenomena, such as the Bourke's Luck Potholes rock formations, the grass-covered mountains of The Three Rondavels, and the God's Window lookout point. Luxury lodge located inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5
Early rise! Greet the new day with a bush walk. In the morning, you will take a final safari on foot, accompanied by an experienced and armed guide. During the bush walk, the guide will share their knowledge while your nose fills with the scent of crushed wild grass as you make your way through the bushes. You will learn about tracking, animal behavior, and the ecosystem of the bush. Smell and taste the wild herbs, learn traditional customs, and explore the smaller wonders of the bush. After the morning safari, an extensive breakfast will be waiting for you at the lodge. Then it's really time to say goodbye. The public shuttle bus to Johannesburg Airport departs around 10:45 AM, and you arrive in Johannesburg between 17:00-18:00 PM. from there, the connecting flight home departs, and you will land the next day with a suitcase full of beautiful memories. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
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)
Drinking water (On all days)
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)
Offered by
Ku Sungula Safari Lodge is a small scale lodge in Greater Kruger Park South Africa (Olifants West Private Nature Reserve Balule) in the middle of the Big 5 area, open with Kruger National Park. Feel part of the Ku Sungula Family and let us host your perfect safari adventure! Your stay with us is an unique, personalized adventure that offers you detailed insight into the complex and fascinating ecosystem of the South African bush.
Offices In
South Africa, Netherlands
Size
10-20 employees (Founded in 2015)
Tour Types
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations
South Africa
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Wow! All I can say is it was perfect! Planning a dream safari is overwhelming! We researched safaribookings.com and got multiple quotes before ultimately choosing one from Anne at Ku Sungula. So glad we did! We were sold on the intimate private lodge setting and ideal location within greater Kruger. Anne helped us find just the right itinerary (5 day bush and lion) and arranged all the logistics in advance so we could have a stress free time. Safari exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we were greeted upon arrival until departure everyone treated us so well! The people, facility, service, food and of course the game drives were all excellent! My only regret is not booking a longer stay! (I literally cried when we had to leave and they gave us our special going away treat!). We had a lot to celebrate as a family this year and couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend time together. Thank you for the wonderful memories! Can’t wait to come back!
Joe · United States
Our stay at Ku Sungula Lodge was more than amazing! Thanks to Anne for organising our trip and very responsive in all our communications from the very beginning which really put our mind at ease. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with such warmth and genuine hospitality by the front of house team and the owner, Yolanda and manager Moses. From our guides, Sam, John, DJ and Confident, to the amazing FOH team, esp. Trinity, Thim and the amazing chef Li and our housekeeper - every single person we met made us feel right at home. The game drives were unforgettable. We never felt unsafe while traveling in the open vehicles with our guides. We were lucky enough to see an incredible variety of animals, all of the big 5 and more (except for the male lion - which added another reason for us to come back for 'em bad boys). Thanks to our experienced and passionate guides, we didn’t just see them — we truly learned about them, their behaviors, and the bush they call home. It was both thrilling and deeply enriching. The bush walk gave us another dimension that the game drives could not cover and was a super fun and educational experience that we could never forget (esp the 'special seed' spitting contest lol). The food was another highlight! Every meal was a delight, thanks to the talented chef Li who crafted delicious dishes with so much care and love. Dining under the stars after a day of adventure made it all feel even more special. Our room was always spotless, thanks to the wonderful housekeeping team. A special thank you to the housekeeper who kept everything neat and tidy throughout our stay — we truly appreciated your care and attention to detail. The staff were also incredibly accommodating and quick to help with any small changes or requests we had, always with a smile. We’re so grateful for the entire team — each and every one of you played a part in making this trip so memorable. Ku Sungula Lodge is a place we’ll always hold close to our hearts, and we can’t wait to return one day.
Amy N. · Australia
Staying at Ku Sungula Safari Lodge was an experience beyond anything I could have imagined—it was pure magic from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles and a refreshing drink. What truly sets this lodge apart is the staff. The guides were not only incredibly knowledgeable but also passionate about the land and its wildlife. Each game drive was a thrilling adventure, packed with sightings of the Big Five and narrated with stories and facts that brought the bush to life. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime escape that stirs your soul, reconnects you with nature, and wraps you in world-class luxury, Ku Sungula Safari Lodge is it. I left with memories I’ll cherish forever—and a deep desire to return.
Michael · United States
We booked a stay at Ku Sungula safari lodge last minute and couldn't have been happier with our stay! To start, Anne was fantastic with our last minute booking - making it so easy! From the moment we arrived at the Hoedspruit airport and were collected by DJ, we knew we had made the right choice for a safari lodge! Once at the property, all of the staff were amazing, friendly and professional! The property and our rondavel guest house was awesome - complete with outdoor shower (que the elephant passing by!) and adjacent private outdoor living area. The food was great and plentiful! WiFi available and good! The star of the experience was the game drives we did morning and late afternoon/evening! With Confidence (Coffee) driving and DJ spotting/tracking we had a fantastic time! They were a great team, allowing ample time for photos and asking the guests what they wanted to see or attempt to see on each drive. The open top/open side Toyota Land Cruisers were comfortable able to go anywhere! Blankets and/or ponchos were provided as needed. We were able to get up close and personal with lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, a leopard, rhinos and hippos - just to mention the big ones! Coffee also was great about pointing out smaller critters and birds as well as sharing information about the different trees & bushes and how they are used by the local tribal people - she was a wealth of information! DJ was a fantastic tracker/spotter and I know we were able to see more because of his expertise! Many of the game vehicles from the various lodges in the area talk to each other on the radio to share locations/sightings - what we noticed is that we were almost always first at an animal location - because these guys are the best! Anyway, I wholeheartedly recommend the Ku Sungula safari lodge! This is an amazing team of guest oriented people - you will have a fantastic experience! Brent Eagle, Colorado, USA Stayed April 21-24 (4 days/3 nights), 2025
Brent · United States
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in South African Rand (ZAR).
This tour accepts children who are 13 years and older.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request changes to this tour.
Ku Sungula Safari Lodge - Luxury lodge inside Balule NR (Greater Kruger). Meals: Day 1: Lunch & Dinner Included; Day 2: All Meals Included; Day 3: Lunch & Dinner Included; Day 4: All Meals Included
This tour starts and ends in Johannesburg
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
This tour is offered by Ku Sungula Safari Lodge, 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.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
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