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Explore Kruger National Park
7 days, Johannesburg to Johannesburg
Explore the Greater Kruger area on an exhilarating journey to South Africa. Travel along the jaw-dropping Panorama Route; track elephants, lions, and cheetahs at one of the continent’s most celebrated national parks; and venture out on safari with a researcher from the Cheetah Metapopulation Project, part of National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative. Spend the evenings relaxing at your scenic safari lodges, taking in the spectacular African sunset from the deck.
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys
Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
Service Level: Upgraded
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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View our Entry Requirements tool7 days - Johannesburg to Johannesburg
See how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
Sighting a leopard in a riverine fig tree at dusk, coming across a pride of lions feeding on a kill, or seeing a herd of elephant file with massive majesty across the savanna: These precious experiences will stay with you for a lifetime.” — Robert Cosi, National Geographic Traveler: South Africa guidebook, 2013
More from Explore Kruger National Park
Itinerary Notes
There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.
Itinerary
Day 1Johannesburg
Arrive at any time and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a dinner with your fellow travellers tonight.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
Set out towards Kruger National Park via the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Make stops at the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes, and take in panoramic views of the forest-covered valley from the God's Window viewpoint. Continue to our lodge near Kruger National park, savour a delicious South African Dinner in this picturesque location.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Kruger National Park
Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park—home to an extraordinary array of large mammals. Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and perhaps elusive leopards as we explore this breathtaking wilderness of savanna and scrubland. Return to our lodge in the evening, where you can take some time to relax and enjoy the nocturnal sounds of the bush.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Travel to the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, a pristine wildlife sanctuary located in the Greater Kruger area. Meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project—a program funded in part by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative—and learn about efforts to protect the region’s cheetahs and other carnivores. The researcher then joins us for a wildlife-viewing excursion through the reserve.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Spend the day exploring Karongwe on morning and afternoon safaris with our local guides. Search for Africa's famed "big five" as we drive through the shrublands of the bushveld. Back at camp, relax on deck or take a walk around the grounds.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg
Embark on one last safari this morning, keeping a lookout for Karongwe’s iconic inhabitants. Then head back to the city, where you’ll enjoy dinner in our lodge.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Johannesburg
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Carnivore Conservation Experience, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- Arrival transfer
- Panorama Route scenic drive with entrances
- Kruger National Park and private nature reserve wildlife safari drives in open vehicles
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotel (2 nts), lodge (2 nts), comfortable tent or chalets (2 nts).
Meals
6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
Allow USD95-125 for meals not included.
Transportation
Air-conditioned touring vehicle, open safari vehicle, walking.
Staff & experts
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides/rangers.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.