Wanderer Tours
Elephants walking through open bushveld in Kruger National Park

Private · Tailor-made · From Johannesburg

Kruger Safari Packages from Johannesburg

Plan a private, tailor-made Kruger safari with a Johannesburg-based specialist. Compare 3–7-night itineraries, fly-in and road-transfer options, and carefully selected lodges across Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger.

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Kruger safari planning, at a glance

Typical safari length
3 to 7 nights
Road transfer from Johannesburg
Approx. 5–6 hours by private vehicle
Fly-in option
Scheduled flights from O.R. Tambo to Skukuza, Hoedspruit or Nelspruit, plus lodge airstrip transfers
Format
Private and tailor-made — no group departures
Areas covered
Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger private reserves
Indicative budget
Tailored quote — costed per person, sharing, once dates and lodges are confirmed
Best travel period
Good year-round; May to September is the dry season, November to March is the green season
Health note
Kruger is in a malaria-risk region — consult a travel-health professional before departure
Families
Several lodges accept children; minimum-age rules vary by property
Who plans your trip
A Johannesburg-based Wanderer safari specialist, SATSA member

Prices are quoted per person sharing, in South African Rand or your preferred currency, once dates and lodges are confirmed. Health information is general guidance only — see SANParks and speak to a travel-health professional. Last reviewed 20 August 2026.

Kruger safari packages we plan most often

Every itinerary below is private and adjusted to your dates, group and preferences. Your itinerary and transfers are private; game drives are shared with other lodge guests unless a private vehicle is specifically included in your quote.

Safari costs vary materially by season, lodge, room type, group size, transfer method and private-vehicle requirements. Share your preferences and Wanderer will prepare a personalised quote with the inclusions and exclusions clearly listed.

3 nights

3-Night Essential Kruger Safari

The shortest itinerary we recommend for a worthwhile Kruger safari: arrival transfer, two full days of morning and afternoon game drives, and a return to Johannesburg or an onward flight.

Ideal for
First-time safari travellers and short trips
Area
Kruger National Park
Transfer
Road transfer or fly-in
Lodges
Comfortable to premium lodges and camps
Includes
Transfers from Johannesburg, Lodge accommodation, Twice-daily game drives, Meals as per the lodge programme, Conservation and park fees
Excludes
International and domestic flights unless quoted, Travel insurance, Premium drinks, Gratuities, Personal spending
Drives
Shared lodge game-drive vehicle
Price
From R27,405 per person sharingIndicative starting rate. Your final quote depends on the lodges you choose, travel dates, season, group size and transfer method.
Get a tailored quote

4 nights

4-Night Classic Kruger Safari

An extra night makes a real difference: more drives, more time for the bush to reveal itself, and space for a walking safari or a slower afternoon at the lodge.

Ideal for
Travellers who want unhurried game viewing without a long trip
Area
Kruger National Park or an adjoining private reserve
Transfer
Road transfer or fly-in
Lodges
Premium lodges
Includes
Transfers, Lodge accommodation, Twice-daily game drives, Meals as per the lodge programme, Conservation and park fees
Excludes
Flights unless quoted, Travel insurance, Premium drinks, Gratuities, Personal spending
Drives
Shared vehicle as standard; private vehicle can be quoted
Price
From R37,676 per person sharingIndicative starting rate. Your final quote depends on the lodges you choose, travel dates, season, group size and transfer method.
Get a tailored quote

5 nights

5-Night Luxury Greater Kruger Safari

A private-reserve itinerary built around smaller vehicles, off-road traversing where the reserve permits it, night drives and guided bush walks, with time to enjoy the lodge itself.

Ideal for
Honeymoons, milestone trips and travellers wanting exclusivity
Area
Greater Kruger private reserves such as Sabi Sand, Timbavati or Klaserie
Transfer
Fly-in preferred
Lodges
Luxury and ultra-luxury lodges
Includes
Lodge accommodation, Game drives and guided activities per the lodge programme, Most meals and selected beverages at many lodges, Reserve levies
Excludes
Flights unless quoted, Travel insurance, Premium wines and spirits, Spa treatments, Gratuities
Drives
Shared vehicle as standard; private vehicle can be quoted
Price
From R120,125 per person sharingIndicative starting rate. Your final quote depends on the lodges you choose, travel dates, season, group size and transfer method.
Get a tailored quote

7 nights

7-Night Two-Reserve Safari

Two distinct camps in one trip. Different terrain, different guiding teams and a broader range of wildlife and landscapes than a single-lodge stay.

Ideal for
Travellers who want contrasting habitats and lodge styles
Area
Two areas, for example Kruger National Park plus a private reserve
Transfer
Combination of road, air and light-aircraft transfers
Lodges
Premium and luxury lodges
Includes
All inter-lodge transfers, Accommodation at both lodges, Game drives and activities, Meals per each lodge programme, Park and reserve fees
Excludes
Flights unless quoted, Travel insurance, Premium drinks, Gratuities, Personal spending
Drives
Shared vehicle as standard; private vehicle can be quoted
Price
From R171,775 per person sharingIndicative starting rate. Your final quote depends on the lodges you choose, travel dates, season, group size and transfer method.
Get a tailored quote

Your choice

Fully Tailor-Made Kruger Safari

Tell us the dates, the group and the budget and we build the itinerary from scratch — including Panorama Route add-ons, Johannesburg days or onward travel.

Ideal for
Families, groups, photographers and repeat visitors
Area
Anywhere across Kruger and the Greater Kruger
Transfer
Whatever suits the itinerary
Lodges
Matched to your budget and travel style
Includes
A planned itinerary with costed options, Lodge recommendations with reasoning, All ground logistics arranged
Excludes
Anything you would rather arrange yourself — just tell us
Drives
Confirmed in your quote
Price
Tailored to your preferencesYour quote is built around your travel dates, group size, lodge or reserve preference, room setup, transfer method and whether you want shared or private game drives.Tell us what matters to you and we'll quote accordingly.
Get a tailored quote
Build My Kruger Safari

Kruger National Park or Greater Kruger?

Kruger National Park is generally better for travellers seeking variety and value, while private Greater Kruger reserves are often better for travellers wanting a more exclusive lodge experience, smaller vehicles and additional game-drive flexibility. Both sit in the same ecosystem, and many itineraries combine the two.

Comparison of Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger private reserves
CompareKruger National ParkGreater Kruger reserves
Type of experienceA large national park with public roads, rest camps and a small number of concession lodgesPrivate reserves sharing unfenced boundaries with the park, accessed through lodges
ExclusivityShared sightings and public traffic on main roadsLimited vehicles per sighting under reserve traversing rules
Off-road drivingNot permittedPermitted in most reserves, subject to reserve rules and guide discretion
Night drivesAvailable as organised SANParks activitiesStandard part of the afternoon drive at most lodges
Lodge styleRest camps, bush lodges and a few high-end concessionsMostly small luxury and ultra-luxury lodges
Self-drive accessYesNo — access is through the lodge
Typical budgetMore accessibleHigher, largely all-inclusive
Best suited toTravellers wanting variety, value and flexibilityTravellers wanting an intimate lodge experience and guided flexibility
EcosystemSame ecosystem; wildlife moves freely between the park and the unfenced reservesSame ecosystem; some western reserves are fenced separately
TransfersRoad transfer or flights to Skukuza and NelspruitRoad transfer, or flights to Hoedspruit and Skukuza plus lodge airstrips

Reserve rules differ by property and traversing agreement. Read the Kruger National Park guide or the Sabi Sand Game Reserve guide for detail.

Selected Kruger safari lodges

A short list showing the range we work with, from park lodges to private-reserve camps. Each page sets out the location, style and the kind of traveller the property suits.

Compare all recommended Kruger safari lodges

Why plan your Kruger safari with Wanderer

Wanderer Tours & Travel is a Johannesburg-based tour operator. Your safari is planned by one specialist from the first enquiry through to the return transfer, rather than assembled by a booking engine.

We recommend lodges we have visited or worked with directly, and we say plainly when a property is not the right fit for your group, your budget or your children's ages. If a cheaper itinerary serves you better, we will tell you.

Ground logistics — airport meet-and-greet, road transfers, flight connections, park and reserve fees — are arranged and confirmed by us, and we stay reachable while you travel.

Credentials

Reviewed by the Wanderer safari team · Last reviewed 20 August 2026

How booking your safari works

  1. 1

    Share your dates, group and budget

    A few minutes on the enquiry form gives us enough to work with.

  2. 2

    Receive a tailored recommendation

    Specific lodges and itineraries, with the reasoning behind each choice.

  3. 3

    Refine lodges, transfers and activities

    Swap lodges, adjust nights or change transfer method until it fits.

  4. 4

    Confirm and travel with support

    We confirm every booking and stay contactable throughout your trip.

Build My Kruger Safari

Common Kruger safari questions

How much does a Kruger safari cost?

Cost depends on the season, the lodge and whether you stay inside Kruger National Park or in a private Greater Kruger reserve. Rest camps and premium park lodges sit at the accessible end; private-reserve lodges are largely all-inclusive and cost considerably more per night. We quote per person sharing once we know your dates, the number of nights and your preferred lodge standard.

How many days do you need for a Kruger safari?

Three nights is the shortest stay we recommend, because it gives you two full days of morning and afternoon game drives after the travel day. Four to five nights is the most common choice and allows for slower, more rewarding game viewing. Seven nights lets you combine two reserves or add the Panorama Route.

How do you get to Kruger from Johannesburg?

By road it is roughly a five to six hour private transfer, often routed via the Panorama Route. By air, there are scheduled flights from O.R. Tambo to Skukuza, Nelspruit (KMIA) and Hoedspruit, followed by a short road or light-aircraft transfer to your lodge. We arrange either, and will recommend the better fit for your itinerary.

What is the difference between Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger?

Kruger National Park is the state-run reserve managed by SANParks, open to self-drive visitors and rest camps. The Greater Kruger refers to the adjoining private reserves — Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Klaserie, Manyeleti and others — which share unfenced boundaries with the park. Wildlife moves between them, but the private reserves are accessed only through their lodges and allow off-road driving and night drives.

What is the best time of year for a Kruger safari?

The dry season from May to September has thinner vegetation and wildlife concentrating around remaining water, which many travellers find makes game viewing easier. The green season from November to March brings lush landscapes, migratory birds and newborn animals, often at lower rates. April, May, September and October balance mild weather with good visibility.

Are Big Five sightings guaranteed?

No. Kruger and the adjoining private reserves offer excellent opportunities to see the Big Five, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Staying longer, travelling in the dry season and choosing a private reserve with off-road traversing all improve your chances. Any operator promising guaranteed sightings is not being honest with you.

Planning guides worth reading first

Browse everything in the Kruger Knowledge Hub, or see the wider range of safaris departing Johannesburg.

Start planning your Kruger safari

Send us your dates, group and budget range. A Wanderer safari specialist will reply with lodge options and a costed itinerary during South African business hours.

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