Greater Kruger 4-day safari: Big Five lodge with six game drives

Track the Big Five across four days in an open safari vehicle

A 4-day safari tour in Greater Kruger National Park based at a private game lodge in the Balule Game Reserve, where you ride in an open nine-seater vehicle on six guided game drives over three days and two nights, with all meals and accommodation included. Small group sizes keep the experience intimate, and your guide shares knowledge of the animals and landscape as you search for the Big Five and other wildlife. Transfers to and from the lodge, and the reserve entry fee, are arranged at checkout.

The experience

The drive from Johannesburg takes you east through the N12 and N4, descending the Abel Erasmus Pass into the Lowveld before a fifty-minute final stretch to Balule Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger Park. Once you reach Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge after a seven-kilometre reserve drive, your first safari begins that same afternoon. You board an open tracking vehicle with your ranger and head into the bush to spot animals moving across the landscape: the guide points out species and explains the ecology as you move through the reserve.

Days two and three follow the same rhythm: an early morning game drive before breakfast, free time at the lodge to rest or use its facilities, then an afternoon drive back into the bush. You eat three meals daily at the lodge. The early starts and afternoon outings give you six separate chances to encounter the Big Five and the many other species that inhabit this area. Your guide is a skilled tracker and a storyteller, sharing details about the animals' behaviour and the plants around you. On the final morning, you wake early for one last drive to search for anything you missed, then return for breakfast, check out and begin the drive back to Johannesburg.

The lodge's small group policy means your vehicle carries only a handful of guests instead of a full coach, so you get closer views and more time to watch animals without competing for sightlines. The seclusion of the property itself (away from the larger, busier safari destinations) lets you settle into the rhythm of the reserve and connect with the landscape over several days rather than rushing through in a single afternoon.

What’s included

• Six open-vehicle game drives through the Greater Kruger National Park over three days.
• three nights' accommodation at a private four-star game lodge in the Balule Game Reserve.
• all meals at the lodge.
• an English-speaking guide leading small groups.
• access to lodge facilities between drives.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

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

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

Paid on siteUS$ 15.39

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendly

Operated by Go Safari

Is this one for you?Small groups in an open vehicle suit travellers who want close wildlife viewing and the guide's full attention rather than a large coach tour. The four-day length gives you three separate safari outings each day and time to settle into the reserve, rather than rushing through in a single afternoon.

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Top questions

What animals am I likely to see on the game drives?

The Greater Kruger Park is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) along with many other species including giraffe, zebra, antelope and various bird species. Your guide will point out and explain the animals you encounter, though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day.

How long is the drive from Johannesburg to the lodge?

The journey takes roughly six to seven hours. You leave Johannesburg at 06:00 and travel east on the N12 and N4, passing through Dullstroom and Lydenburg before descending the Abel Erasmus Pass into the Lowveld. The final fifty-minute stretch takes you to Balule Game Reserve, then a seven-kilometre drive through the reserve brings you to the lodge in time for your first afternoon safari.

What time do the morning and afternoon game drives start?

The morning drives start early (the itinerary notes an "early morning wake up call") to catch animals when they are most active. Afternoon drives follow after lunch and rest time at the lodge. Your guide will confirm exact times when you arrive.

Is the lodge accessible for wheelchair users?

All areas and surfaces at the lodge are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible as well. The open safari vehicles themselves may have access considerations. Confirm details with the operator when you book.

What is included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

The price includes six game drives in the open safari vehicle, three nights' accommodation at the four-star lodge, and all meals. You arrange transfers to and from the lodge and pay the reserve entry fee at the gate when you arrive. Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and personal items are not included.