All inclusive BIG 5 Kruger 2 Day Safari from Johannesburg

The best part of this two-day Kruger safari is the chance to see the park at two very different times: during a late-afternoon drive, when animals gather near water, and at sunrise, when predators may be returning from the night. The open vehicle gives you broad views and a better chance to spot wildlife above the roadside brush.

I like the practical setup: round-trip transport from Johannesburg or Pretoria removes a long stretch of planning, and the small group, capped at 15 people, keeps the outing more personal than a large coach tour. I also like the guides. Nic and Tabu have been praised for making the four-hour road trip interesting, while safari guide Given is noted for his animal knowledge and persistence.

The catch is time. You spend roughly eight hours on the road, with only about seven hours inside the park. That is enough for a taste of Kruger, but not enough to control what you see. The Big Five are wild animals, not a checklist, and the dinner inclusions need clarification before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Two different safari periods: You get a three-hour afternoon drive on day one and a four-hour morning drive on day two.
• Open safari vehicle: The raised, open truck offers wide views and a sturdy feel, according to the experience details.
• Long road transfers: The journey from Johannesburg to the Hazyview area takes about four hours each way.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 15 people, with pickup available from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
• Early start matters: The second safari begins at about 5:30 a.m. so you can enter Kruger around 6 a.m.
• Flexible wildlife results: Big Five sightings are possible, but no guide can promise lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo in two drives.

What this Kruger safari really offers

This is a compact introduction to Kruger National Park, not a slow, multi-night safari. You leave the city, spend one night near Hazyview, enjoy two game drives, and return to Johannesburg the following afternoon.

At about $722.68 per person, the price makes most sense if you value convenience. Transport, park outings, accommodation, bottled water, breakfast, and lunch are bundled together. You are paying for an organized route as much as for the wildlife itself.

A self-drive trip could give you more control and more time in the park, but it would require arranging a vehicle, accommodation, park entry plans, meals, and navigation. This tour is aimed at you if your South Africa schedule is tight and you want Kruger without building the whole trip yourself.

The experience has earned a 4.9 rating from 11 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than conclusive. The strongest pattern is clear, though: the driving staff and safari guide receive the warmest praise.

Day one: the four-hour road to Hazyview

Pickup begins around 7 a.m. from Johannesburg hotels or the airport. Pickup from Pretoria is also offered. From there, you travel toward Hazyview in Mpumalanga, the base for the night and the gateway to the park.

Four hours in a vehicle can feel long, especially after an international flight. This is where the driver matters. Nic is repeatedly praised for explaining South African history, culture, nature, and wildlife along the way. Tabu is also described as friendly, informative, and careful behind the wheel.

The trip may include a food stop, with choices such as Spur or Nando’s mentioned in the tour experience. That gives you a chance to stretch and buy anything you need, though the exact stop can vary.

I would keep your first morning simple. Wear comfortable clothes, carry sun protection, and keep your camera and phone accessible. Bottled water is included, but a small personal bag with medication, sunglasses, and a light layer will make the transfer easier.

The overnight accommodation is described as Tembo Guest Lodge. Some of the experience details also refer to Umbhaba, which has been praised for comfortable rooms, good food, and a pleasant setting. Since the supplied information names both properties, confirm the exact lodge before you pay, especially if the room standard matters to you.

The first three-hour drive, from 2 to 5 p.m.

The first game drive begins at about 2 p.m. and lasts roughly three hours. This timing gives you an immediate introduction to Kruger after the road transfer, rather than making you wait until the next morning.

The guide will search for the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. You will also be watching for smaller animals and birdlife, though the supplied details focus mainly on the larger species.

Water holes are a key part of the afternoon search. Animals often need to drink, and these sites can offer a better chance of seeing several species in one place. Your guide may also scan the bush for cats, which can be difficult to spot even when they are close.

This is where patience helps. You may see elephants clearly and miss a leopard entirely, or catch lions at close range but not find rhinos. One person saw four of the Big Five across the two days, while another saw the Big Four. Those are strong results, but they also show why the full list is never guaranteed.

The open truck is a major advantage. You are not looking through a sealed coach window, and the raised seating gives you a wider view. One account describes the safari vehicle as sturdy with excellent sightlines. You should still expect sun, dust, wind, and changing temperatures.

Dinner and the overnight stay

After the afternoon drive, you return to the lodge for the overnight stay. Dinner is listed among the inclusions in one part of the information, while another section says dinner is not included. That conflict is important. Ask the operator exactly what your booking covers and what you will pay separately.

The lodge is more than a place to sleep because this is a short trip. A comfortable room and a proper meal help you recover from the early pickup and long drive. Umbhaba is described as having comfortable accommodation and a good food selection, but confirm whether it is your assigned property or an alternative to Tembo Guest Lodge.

Alcohol is not included. If you want wine or beer with dinner, budget separately. Bottled water is included, which is useful during the drives and road transfers.

Day two: the 5:30 a.m. start

The second morning begins at about 5:30 a.m., with entry to Kruger planned for around 6 a.m. This early start is not a minor detail. You need to be ready before sunrise, and you should expect a short night after the afternoon drive and evening meal.

The timing is chosen for good reason. The morning can be a productive period for wildlife viewing, with nocturnal hunters returning from the night and scavengers still active. The experience specifically highlights the chance to see cats after hunting and hyenas after scavenging.

You also get an African sunrise in the park. Even if the animal sightings are modest, that quiet start can be one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The light changes quickly, so keep your camera ready and bring a layer you can remove later.

The morning outing lasts about four hours. That is the longest safari period included, giving the guide more time to check roads, water points, and likely animal areas. Given is praised for explaining animal behavior, plants, and the park surroundings. His effort to find lions is also clear from the feedback, but his strongest value is helping you understand what you are seeing.

After the drive, you have a pre-packed breakfast at Skukuza camp. This is a useful pause after an early start. Skukuza is one of Kruger’s major rest camps, so it provides a practical place to eat and take a short break before the return journey.

The four-hour return to Johannesburg

After the morning safari, the group starts back toward Johannesburg. The drive takes about four hours, with lunch planned at Belfast. Drop-off is expected at Johannesburg hotels or the airport around 4 p.m.

That arrival time matters if you have an evening flight. The supplied schedule allows a reasonable margin, but road conditions and group logistics can change the timing. I would avoid booking a tight onward connection on the same day, especially if an airport drop-off is essential.

The long return also explains why this tour feels intense. In two days, you spend about eight hours in transfers, several hours at the lodge, and seven hours on safari. The wildlife time is worthwhile, but this is a fast visit rather than a relaxed stay in the bush.

The guides make the long distances easier

The most praised part of the experience is the human side. Nic is described as friendly, easy to talk with, and full of information about South Africa. He appears in several accounts, and his ability to make the Johannesburg drive pass quickly is a real benefit.

Tabu is also described as kind and informative, staying with the group through the overnight trip and return. Given leads the safari drives and is praised for knowing the park, explaining the animals, and trying hard to find lions.

Guide quality matters in Kruger because spotting wildlife takes more than simply driving through the gates. A good guide helps you understand why a herd has stopped, what tracks mean, or why the group is watching a particular patch of brush. Still, the animals decide the outcome.

One practical weakness is communication about pickup. One booking required a call on the morning of departure to confirm the 7 a.m. time. Contact the operator the day before and confirm your pickup location and hour. That simple step can prevent a stressful start.

Is the $722.68 price good value?

The price is high for only two days, but it includes items that can add up quickly: city transfers, the overnight lodge, two open-vehicle drives, breakfast, lunch, and bottled water. The value improves if you are traveling alone or as a small party and do not want to rent a car or arrange a separate Kruger stay.

For a group of friends, the cost may also feel reasonable because transportation and planning are shared. One group of five found the trip good value, with friendly service and flexible food stops.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is maximum wildlife time. A longer Kruger stay would give you more drives and more chances to see elusive animals, especially leopard. This tour is best understood as a convenient sample of Kruger, not the fullest safari option.

Check the final booking details for the exact lodge, dinner coverage, pickup point, and airport timing. The conflicting meal information is the one practical issue I would not ignore.

Who should book this two-day safari?

I would suggest this trip to you if you have limited time in Johannesburg and want a managed visit to Kruger. It suits first-time safari visitors, solo visitors who prefer organized transport, and small groups that want a shared experience.

It is also a good fit if you care about interpretation. Nic, Tabu, and Given bring local context and animal information that you would miss on a simple transfer and self-drive.

I would choose another option if you dislike long road journeys, early starts, or fixed schedules. Families with very young children may find the 5:30 a.m. departure and eight hours of road travel demanding, though the supplied information says most people can participate.

You should also avoid treating the Big Five as a promise. Four out of five is an excellent safari result. Seeing all five in two days is possible, but luck and animal behavior decide it.

What to pack and how to prepare

Keep your luggage light and practical. A comfortable outfit, a warm layer for the early drive, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera are sensible choices. The open vehicle means you will feel the weather more than you would in an enclosed car.

Have your phone charged before pickup. You will want it for the early confirmation call, photographs, and communication with the operator. Bottled water is supplied, but you may still prefer a small day bag for personal items.

Confirm the following before departure:

• Your exact pickup time and location
• Whether you are being collected from a hotel or Johannesburg Airport
• The name of the overnight lodge
• Whether dinner is included
• Your planned Johannesburg drop-off time
• Any separate charges for drinks or alcohol

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want Kruger without the planning burden and can accept a fast schedule. The afternoon and sunrise drives give you two useful wildlife windows, the open truck provides good viewing, and the drivers and guide add real value during the long transfers.

Skip it if you want several relaxed days in the park or need guaranteed airport timing. For everyone else, this is a practical, well-supported first taste of Kruger, with excellent potential for elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos, and plenty of surprises along the way.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

Pickup is offered from Johannesburg hotels, Johannesburg Airport, and Pretoria. The listed start time is 7 a.m.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

How long is the drive from Johannesburg to Kruger?

The road journey to the Hazyview area takes about four hours, and the return journey also takes about four hours.

How many safari drives are included?

You get two drives: an afternoon drive of about three hours on day one and a morning drive of about four hours on day two.

What time does the morning safari begin?

The second-day trip begins at about 5:30 a.m., with entry to Kruger planned for around 6 a.m.

Is the safari vehicle open?

Yes. The safari is conducted in an open vehicle.

Are meals included?

Breakfast, lunch, and bottled water are listed as included. The information about dinner conflicts, so confirm whether dinner is covered before booking. Alcohol is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.