3-Day Kruger Safari from Johannesburg: Big Five & Open 4x4

Three days tracking lions, elephants and leopards across Kruger's varied habitats.

A 3-day safari tour from Johannesburg that combines a scenic drive through Mpumalanga with three guided game drives in open 4x4 vehicles across Kruger National Park. You'll hunt for the Big Five at sunset on day one, spend day two exploring diverse ecosystems with an experienced guide, and finish with a sunrise drive before returning to Johannesburg. The tour includes all transfers, lodge accommodation with breakfast, and expert guidance for wildlife sightings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Kruger and sunset safari

• Depart Johannesburg to Kruger
• Enjoy scenic drive through Mpumalanga
• Sunset safari in open 4x4

Day 2: Full day safari in Kruger

• Full-day guided safari in Kruger
• Stop for meals and refreshments

Day 3: Morning safari and return to Johannesburg

• Morning safari in Kruger
• Breakfast at lodge
• Travel back through Mpumalanga to Johannesburg

The experience

The journey starts in Johannesburg at 8:30am with a scenic drive through Mpumalanga (the province whose name means "the place where the sun rises") winding through farmlands, mountain passes and rolling hills before descending into the lowveld and Kruger's bushveld. That first afternoon brings you to a sunset safari in an open 4x4, when lions stir from rest, elephants gather at waterholes and herds move through the bush. As darkness falls, your guide uses spotlights to track nocturnal animals like leopards, hyenas and bush babies against the backdrop of an African sunset.

Day two is devoted entirely to the park. An experienced guide leads the full-day drive through grasslands, dense bushveld, riverbanks and woodlands, tracking the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) alongside giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and antelope species. Birdwatchers spot rollers, hornbills and eagles overhead. Stops at rest camps and scenic picnic spots break the day and give time to absorb the surroundings.

The final morning brings a sunrise safari when predators are still active from their nighttime hunts and the bushveld is fresh and cool. After breakfast, you depart Kruger and travel back through Mpumalanga, passing the dramatic cliffs and lush forests of the Panorama Route before arriving in Johannesburg by late afternoon. You stay overnight at Kruger Adventure Lodge or similar accommodation, included with bed and breakfast each morning.

What’s included

• Expert guide in English leading all three game drives.
• sunset safari, full-day safari and sunrise safari in open 4x4 vehicles.
• two nights' accommodation at Kruger Adventure Lodge or similar with breakfast.
• round-trip transfers from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transport

Operated by African Tour Safaris

Is this one for you?Three full days lets you experience Kruger at different times (sunset, full daylight and sunrise) each bringing different wildlife activity and moods. That pace rules out a quick overnight dash but opens the ecosystems and predator behavior that a single drive would miss.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2).

What animals am I likely to see on a Kruger safari?

The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) are the main draw, but you'll also encounter giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelope species and abundant birdlife including rollers, hornbills and eagles. Early morning and sunset are the best times to spot predators.

How much time do I spend in the open 4x4 vehicle each day?

Day one includes a sunset safari in the late afternoon. Day two is a full-day drive with stops for meals and rest. Day three starts with a morning safari before breakfast, then you travel back to Johannesburg, arriving by late afternoon.

Is the drive from Johannesburg to Kruger scenic?

Yes. The route through Mpumalanga passes picturesque towns, fertile farmlands and mist-covered mountain passes with views of rolling hills, deep valleys and winding rivers. The return journey on day three winds through the Panorama Route, with dramatic cliffs, lush forests and sweeping valleys.

What's included in the accommodation?

You stay at Kruger Adventure Lodge or similar, with bed and breakfast included each morning. All transfers between Johannesburg and Kruger are provided, as is the expert guide for all three game drives.

Do I need any special fitness level or mobility to book this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. All areas, surfaces and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.