Spend three days in the heart of South Africa's most famous game reserve on this Big Five safari from Johannesburg. This is one of several Kruger safaris from Johannesburg we run, built specifically for travellers who want a proper taste of the bush without committing a full week.
You'll travel through Mpumalanga to Hazyview, stay two nights at Tembo Guest Lodge, and get two guided game drives inside Kruger National Park — an afternoon sunset drive on day one and a full day inside the park on day two.
Kruger is home to the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo — plus giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile, and over 500 recorded bird species. Game drives run in open safari vehicles with an English-speaking nature guide, giving you close, unobstructed views and running commentary on what you're seeing.
This tour suits couples, solo travellers, families, and small groups. Return transfers from Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, or OR Tambo are included, along with accommodation, two light lunches, and park entrance fees. Private departures are also available for travellers who prefer a more flexible itinerary.
Package highlights
What makes this short safari worth the trip.
Two guided game drives in open safari vehicles (one sunset drive, one full day)
Strong Big Five sighting opportunities in Kruger's southern region
Two nights at Tembo Guest Lodge near Phabeni Gate
English-speaking nature guide throughout
Return road transfers from Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, or OR Tambo
Your safari route
1
Johannesburg
Departure and road transfer
2
Hazyview
Two nights at Tembo Guest Lodge
3
Kruger National Park
Afternoon drive and full-day safari
4
Johannesburg
Return transfer on day 3
Route overview, not a map. Pickup points, transfer times and lodge location relative to the park await confirmation.
View itinerary
Your itinerary
Day 1Johannesburg to Hazyview, afternoon game drive
Departure from Johannesburg is between 6:00 and 8:00 am, heading through Mpumalanga toward Hazyview. It's a scenic drive — mountain passes, farmland, and rural villages — before you reach Tembo Guest Lodge, a comfortable base just minutes from Phabeni Gate.
After check-in, the safari starts with a four-hour sunset drive through the southern section of Kruger. This part of the park is known for strong Big Five sightings, good river systems for birdlife, and some of the best leopard and rhino viewing in the reserve. As the heat drops in the late afternoon, animals move and feed more actively — good news for sightings.
You'll stop for a late lunch at Skukuza Rest Camp, inside the park, before heading back to Tembo Guest Lodge for the evening.
Overnight: Tembo Guest Lodge, Hazyview
Day 2Full-day Kruger National Park safari
An early departure at around 5:30 am gets you into the park while wildlife is most active. This is the main event of the tour: a full day exploring open grassland, riverbeds, waterholes, and dense bush, with breakfast and lunch stops at Skukuza Rest Camp.
Besides the Big Five, Kruger's southern region regularly turns up cheetah, hyena, hippo, and crocodile, alongside a long list of antelope species. Your guide tracks sightings throughout the day and can talk you through animal behaviour and the park's conservation work as you go.
You'll head back to Tembo Guest Lodge by around 4:00 pm to relax before dinner — the lodge's pool and gardens make for an easy way to unwind after a full day of game viewing.
Overnight: Tembo Guest Lodge, Hazyview
Day 3Hazyview to Johannesburg
After breakfast, check out and begin the drive back through Mpumalanga to Johannesburg. Drop-off points include Johannesburg and Sandton hotels, Pretoria accommodation, and OR Tambo International Airport.
Rates
Rates depend on your travel dates, group size and room type. Send us your dates and we will confirm the rate for this safari.
2 nights' accommodation at Tembo Guest Lodge (bed, breakfast, and dinner)
Return transfers to/from Johannesburg
1 x full-day Kruger National Park safari, open vehicle
1 x afternoon/sunset game drive, open vehicle
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
English-speaking nature guide
Park entrance and conservation fees
What is excluded
Drinks (soft drinks and alcohol not included)
Where you will stay
Your base for two nights is Tembo Guest Lodge in Hazyview, minutes from Phabeni Gate, one of Kruger's quieter southern entrances. On a 3-day trip that location matters: every minute not spent driving to the gate is a minute inside the park.
Rooms range from standard doubles and king rooms for couples to a spacious family room for larger groups, all en-suite, with a pool and gardens for downtime between drives. The package includes bed, breakfast and dinner.
Near Phabeni Gate
En-suite rooms
Pool and gardens
Family room available
Bed, breakfast and dinner
Why book with Kruger Safari Africa?
Kruger Safari Africa specialises in tailor-made Greater Kruger and Kruger National Park itineraries, working directly with lodges rather than reselling generic packages. That means the details on this 3-day Kruger safari from Johannesburg — gate, guide language, meal inclusions — are accurate to what you’ll actually get, not a template description.
If three days feels too short, longer options and private departures are also available, so you can compare what fits your time and budget.
Is a 3-day Kruger safari from Johannesburg enough?
A 3-day safari gives you one full day and one afternoon inside the park. It offers a first taste of Kruger, with less time to explore than a longer itinerary.
Three days suits a short window or a stopover before or after other South Africa travel. Longer trips can offer more time for game drives or a second reserve, depending on the package. Private departures allow you to discuss a more flexible schedule.
Game drives start before dawn and run into a warm afternoon, so pack in layers: neutral-coloured clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, binoculars, a camera and a warm layer for the early morning drive.
Hazyview sits in a malaria-risk area, so read the malaria and vaccines guide before you travel. It covers prophylaxis options and timing.
Lodge and game-drive photographs will be added later.
Questions about this 3-day Kruger safari
What is included in this 3-day Kruger safari?+
Return transport from Johannesburg, two nights at Tembo Guest Lodge, two guided game drives, park entrance fees and selected meals are included. The package lists breakfast and dinner at the lodge, two light lunches and bottled water.
How far is Kruger National Park from Johannesburg?+
The road journey takes about 4 to 6 hours, depending on the entrance gate used. This tour enters via Phabeni Gate, near Hazyview.
What animals might I see?+
You may see lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile and abundant birdlife. Wildlife sightings vary and are never guaranteed.
When is the best time to go?+
May to September generally offers good game viewing, with thinner vegetation and animals gathering near water. Summer brings greener bush and rewarding birdwatching.
Is this trip suitable for families or solo travellers?+
The tour is designed for couples, solo travellers, families and small groups. Confirm child age restrictions, room arrangements and any single supplement before booking.
What should I pack?+
Bring neutral-coloured clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, binoculars, a camera and a warm layer for early morning game drives. Layering helps with the change from a cool morning to a warm afternoon.
Can I book this as a private tour?+
Private departures are available for travellers who want a more flexible schedule or an exclusive vehicle. Confirm the arrangements and price for your dates.
Where will I stay?+
You stay at Tembo Guest Lodge in Hazyview, a short drive from Phabeni Gate. It was chosen for easy access to early morning and sunset game drives without a long transfer each day.
Make room for the extraordinary
Let’s plan your safari
Tell us what you have in mind. Your departure point, travel dates and the way you like to travel are a good place to start.
What happens next?
When enquiries open, share your dates and group size so the team can confirm availability, the total price and booking terms before you decide. This preview does not send or store enquiries.
Contact channels will be connected after the client confirms the details.
