3-Day Kruger National Park Tour from Skukuza: Big 5 Safari

You start before dawn and drive until the park gates close, covering more ground than a single-day visit allows.

A 3-day tour of Kruger National Park departing from Skukuza Airport with two nights at Skukuza Safari Lodge, three daily game drives in open-air vehicles with an experienced guide, and airport pickup and drop-off included. The tour runs on a fixed schedule: afternoon drive on arrival, full day of morning and afternoon drives on day two, and an early morning drive before checkout on day three. Children from age 7 are welcome. Groups stay under six passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and afternoon safari

• Pick up at Skukuza Airport
• Check in at Skukuza Safari Lodge
• Short break at lodge
• Afternoon private safari drive
• Return before park gates close

Day 2: Full day game drives

• Early morning game drive with breakfast
• Return for lunch and mid-day break
• Afternoon game drive
• Return before park gates close

Day 3: Morning drive and departure

• Early morning game drive
• Return to lodge for breakfast
• Check out from lodge
• Depart to Skukuza Airport

The experience

Skukuza Airport is your entry point. After pickup, you head straight to Skukuza Safari Lodge to check in by early afternoon, then go out for your first game drive before the gates close around 6pm. The lodge sits inside the park, so there is no commute between your bed and the wildlife. You start exploring the same day you arrive.

Day two is the full safari day. You collect a pre-packed breakfast from the lodge and leave early, driving the southern section of Kruger until midday, then return for lunch and a break before heading back out for the afternoon drive until closing time. An experienced guide leads each drive in an open-air vehicle, which means unobstructed views and the ability to stop and watch without a windshield in the way. The Big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards) roam this part of the park, though sightings depend on the season and where the animals are on any given day.

On the final morning, you do one last early drive, return to the lodge for breakfast, then check out and head back to Skukuza Airport. The tour includes bed and breakfast at the lodge for two nights and free WiFi. Meals beyond breakfast, alcoholic drinks, and optional add-ons like a night game drive or morning bush walk are available to purchase separately. Daily conservation fees for international guests apply and are payable at the lodge.

What’s included

• Bed and breakfast accommodations for two nights at Skukuza Safari Lodge inside Kruger National Park.
• three daily game drives in an open-air safari vehicle with an experienced English-speaking guide.
• airport pickup and drop-off from Skukuza Airport.
• free WiFi at the lodge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (7 to 11 years) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Paid on siteUS$ 62

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Private Kruger Safaris

Is this one for you?Three days lets you cover more of the southern park and spend a full day driving both morning and afternoon, which increases your chances of spotting the Big 5 compared to a single-day visit. The fixed schedule means early mornings and long days in the vehicle, so book this if you are ready to start before dawn and stay out until the gates close.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 11 years). Under 7: they can't be included in the booking.

What is the Big 5 in Kruger National Park?

The Big 5 are lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards: the five largest and most sought-after animals in African safari. All five live in Kruger, though spotting each one on any single trip is never guaranteed and depends on where the animals are moving on the days you drive.

How many hours per day do we actually spend on game drives?

Day two is a full day of driving: you leave early in the morning and return around midday, then go out again in the afternoon until the park gates close around 6pm. Day one includes an afternoon drive after check-in, and day three is one early morning drive before breakfast and checkout.

Do I need to arrange my own flights to Skukuza Airport?

Yes, you book your own flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Skukuza Airport. The tour includes pickup from the airport and drop-off on your departure day, so you do not need to arrange ground transport separately.

What meals and drinks are included?

Bed and breakfast at Skukuza Safari Lodge are included for both nights. Lunch, dinner and other meals are available to purchase at the lodge for $5 to $18 USD. Alcoholic drinks are also available to purchase.

Is this tour private or shared with other groups?

This is a small-group tour with a maximum of six passengers per booking. Your guide is experienced and leads the game drives. The vehicle is open-air so you have direct views of the wildlife.