3-day Kruger Park safari from Maputo: Open-backed vehicle

Three days hunting the Big Five from a vehicle built for sightings

A 3-day safari tour from Maputo to Kruger Park combines air-conditioned transfer with border assistance, three game drives in an open-backed safari vehicle with an accredited guide, and two nights at accommodation on the Crocodile River. The park's northern section where you'll drive holds frequent Big Five sightings. Pickup and bottled water are included. The early starts on days two and three catch peak animal movement at dawn.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and game drive in Kruger Park

• Travel from Maputo to Kruger Park
• Border crossing assistance
• Change to open-backed safari vehicle
• Game drive in Kruger Park
• Lunch at rest camp by Sabie River
• Return to lodge for rest
• Dinner at lodge

Day 2: Early morning and full day game drive

• Breakfast pack from lodge
• Early morning game drive
• Lunch at rest camp by river
• Afternoon game drive
• Return to lodge for overnight

Day 3: Final day game drive and return

• Breakfast at lodge
• Game drive to find rare animals
• Lunch in Kruger Park
• Travel back to Maputo

The experience

You start in Maputo and travel two hours by air-conditioned vehicle to the Kruger Park gate, with your driver handling the border crossing. Once inside, you switch to an open-backed safari vehicle. The setup that lets you see in all directions and move quietly through the bush. An accredited nature guide leads the game drives, and the vehicle's design means sightings of the Big Five are frequent in this populated section of the park. Lunch on day one happens at one of the rest camps overlooking the Sabie River, then you return to your lodge to rest.

Days two and three start before dawn, when animal movement peaks. You'll search for any of the rarer species you missed on the first drive, and the early timing is what makes those sightings possible. Accommodation sits on the Crocodile River, across from the park itself, so you're positioned for the next morning's drive without the long commute back to Maputo each night. At the end of day three, your driver brings you safely back to Maputo.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transfer from Maputo with border assistance.
• three game drives in an open-backed safari vehicle with an accredited guide.
• two nights of accommodation on the Crocodile River.
• lunch at a rest camp on day one.
• bottled water throughout.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 85 years) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tours Maputo

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Maputo without a car. You get door-to-door transport and a guide who handles the border crossing, plus the riverside lodge positions you for early-morning game drives when wildlife is most active.

Traveler reviews

3.60★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the transfer from Maputo to Kruger Park take?

The drive from Maputo to the Kruger gate takes about two hours, depending on the border crossing. Your driver handles the border processes, so you don't manage the paperwork yourself.

What happens on each day of the safari?

Day one includes the transfer to Kruger, a full game drive in the open-backed vehicle, and lunch at a rest camp on the Sabie River. Days two and three are full game drives starting at dawn, when animals are most active. You stay overnight at accommodation on the Crocodile River after each day.

What is the open-backed safari vehicle like?

The open-backed design lets you see in every direction and move quietly through the bush, which is why Big Five sightings are frequent in this section of the park. The vehicle is what separates this experience from a closed-vehicle tour and makes the wildlife encounters possible.

What does the guide do during the game drives?

An accredited nature guide leads each drive and provides education throughout the three days. The guide's knowledge of animal behavior and the park's terrain is what helps you spot the rarest species and understand what you're seeing.

Is the accommodation included, and where is it located?

Overnight accommodation is included for both nights at one of the operator's partner lodges on the Crocodile River, positioned across from the park so you're ready for the early morning drives.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes air-conditioned transfer from Maputo to the Kruger gate, the open-backed safari vehicle and guide for all three game drives, two nights of accommodation, lunch on day one, and bottled water throughout. All fees and taxes are included.