Come with us to the Big Daddy of all South African Safari Parks - 

so famous it's known by a powerful one-word name: KRUGER! 

We'll spend  6 nights in a 5-star luxury lodge in this world-famous flagship for African wildlife conservation. The park is five million acres of unrivalled wilderness, home to the Big Five, plus more species of large mammals than any other African game reserve. We'll have eight game drives to view the wild African animals in this amazing park. 

But that's just the beginning! 

For five nights on the way to Kruger, we'll travel the famous Panoramic Route, a scenic road that connects many natural and cultural attractions. Also rich in history, the Panorama Route was the site of South Africa's first gold rush, and of the Anglo-Boer military conflict.

We'll visit:

• Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center - a unique wildlife rehabilitation center that is home to many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured, and poisoned animals

• Blyde River Canyon -the third largest canyon in the world! Stand on the precipice to see the spectacular Bourkes Lucky Potholes and God's Window, a peaceful rainforest at the top. We'll take a boat ride for magnificent views of the famous Three Rondavels

• Graskop Gorge Viewing Lift - We'll descend 153 feet on the the first-of-its-kind experience in Africa.

• Mac Mac Falls - Its 210-foot-high double stream falls are beautiful, with water rainbows, white spray, and a deep, dramatic pool

• Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden, where rescued chimps  live out their lives in a risk-free environment provided with the care they need to recover from the trauma they have experienced.

• Full Day tour of the country of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), including Maguga Dam, Ngwenya Glass Factory and Swazi Candles, Mantenga Nature Reserve, Swazi Cultural Village, and the Matsamo Cultural Village.

There is a limit of 10 guests on this tour to give each guest a chance to best see the wildlife from the safari vehicles.

Stop dreaming; start packing!!

One of the oldest and most diverse parks in Africa, Kruger National Park is the epitome of the safari experience in Africa. 

South Africa's largest wildlife sanctuary, steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife.

Kruger is 7,523 square miles of land home to 147 species of mammal, 507 species of birds, and 336 species of tree across 16 distinct habitats with differing ecosystems, allowing you to explore unique combinations of flora.

We will be traveling in late August and early September, and this is the best time to go on safari! 

Spring starts in South Africa on September 1, and In Kruger National Park, average high temperatures will be 70°F, and the overnight low temperatures will average 50°F. 

Water is more scarce and animals are forced to congregate around the few remaining water sources, making them easier to spot. 

The grass is lower, affording better visibility; and dirt roads are dry and easily navigable, increasing your chances of a successful safari. 

Traveling in the dry season also means avoiding rainy season inconveniences and discomforts like flooding, high humidity and an abundance of insects.

Remember: Africa is a third world country! You are not in Kansas anymore!

Roads are bumpy and dusty, WiFi is spotty, electricity may go off at odd times, and everything happens on Africa time (really S-L-O-W)!  

This escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking and requires an average level of physical fitness. 

• On game drives, we will spend much of our time driving over rough dirt roads in open air safari vehicles, which have high ground clearance and require some agility to get on and off. During game drives, you may come into proximity of wild animals whose actions can be unpredictable. Certain inherent risks are involved which should be considered at your own discretion.

• Many days we leave early in the morning. 

• There will be limited bathroom stops. 

• Meals may be delayed for unforeseen reasons. We'll try to have snacks available, but if you have blood sugar issues, please bring any snacks you know you may need. 

We find our guests are happiest when they can roll with delays and last-minute changes that may happen in the unpredictable world of African travel. 

The best things you can bring with you are flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor!

This 12-day, 11-night adventure is priced $4,299 per person double occupancy (not including airfare to and from South Africa). 

Single supplement is $500.

Your space will be secured when we receive a deposit of $500. Upon receipt, your deposit is nonrefundable.

PAYMENT PLAN

We have a payment plan which allows the entire cost of the trip to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments of about $317. (You are welcome to make larger payments at less frequent intervals if you choose.) 

The entire balance must be paid by three months before your departure (May 24, 2025).

Please plan to fly into and out of O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

You need to be in Johannesburg on Sunday, August 24, 2025, which means you will need to depart the USA on Saturday, August 23. (You might even need to leave as early as Friday, August 22 if your flight has multiple stops.) If you are adding any excursions before the main tour, please talk to us about flight dates.

Please plan to arrive in Johannesburg before NOON on August 24.  (If your flight doesn't arrive before noon, you might consider flying in the previous day and spending an optional night at Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport-available as an option for $135.)

Plan to depart from Johannesburg in the evening on Thursday, September 4, 2005 unless you are adding any excursions after the main tour, in which case please talk to us about flights.

Please ASK US if you have any questions before you purchase your airfare!

Because temperatures can change dramatically throughout the day,  the key to a comfortable safari outfit is layers. You should pack and wear layers to adjust to the wide range of temperatures you can experience on a typical day. While the morning can be freezing, by midday it can be hot. Layers will save you.

Best colors to wear on safari  

The basic rule on dressing for safari is to go neutral. Ideal colors to wear on safari are greens, browns, olives and khakis. Other neutral colors are fine too. When trying to spot wildlife you’ll have the best chance if you blend in as much as possible with your surroundings. 

Unless you are seriously tracking wildlife on foot, which we are not, the color of your clothing is really NOT that important.  

Navigating dirt roads in an open-top vehicle means that you'll get covered in dust. You should avoid wearing· white and very pale clothes that show the dust and dirt, and is hard to get out!

Also avoid bright colors, which can attract insects.

Here is a suggested packing list: 

1-2 pair chinos or other light pants 

1 pair jeans 

1 pair shorts or capris 

4-5 tee shirts 

1-2 long sleeve tee shirt 

1 fleece jacket 

1 light puffer jacket or down vest

1 warm hat 

1 pair sturdy sneakers/hiking shoes 

1 pair sandals, like Tevas 

Underwear and socks-6 to 8 of each

Sunglasses

Sunscreen (SPF 30-50), mosquito repellant, small flashlight

Optional: bathing suit

Every traveler entering South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana is required to show a passport valid for at least 6 months. 

South Africa requires travelers to have two completely blank visa pages in their passports upon every arrival in South Africa. You will be denied entry and forced to return to your point of origin if you do not have two blank visa pages.

The US State Department advises making at least one photocopy of the information and photo page of your passport. You should carry this in a separate place from the original. In this way you can make it easier to replace your passport if you lose it during your time in South Africa.

All travelers should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination.  These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your yearly flu shot.

Most travelers get these vaccines  because there is a risk of these diseases in South Africa:

• Hepatits A: CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in South Africa, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

• Typhoid: You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in South Africa. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers. 

Some Travelers: Ask your doctor what vaccines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, and what you will be doing,.

• Hepatitis B: You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

• Yellow Fever: THERE IS NO YELLOW FEVER PRESENT IN THE AREAS WE VISIT!

Immunization is only required if you are traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission. 

Although the main wildlife area in Kruger National Park lies in a moderate-risk malaria zone, we will be visiting when the risk of transmission is at its lowest. (Risk is highest in the wet summer months of October to April.)

Mosquito Avoidance

Any time you are in a malaria zone, you should take measures to protect yourself. Malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn, so you can reduce contact with mosquitoes by remaining in enclosed rooms during evening and nighttime hours, wearing clothes that cover most of your body, and applying mosquito repellent.

Antimalarial Medication

In addition, the CDC recommends that you talk to your doctor about taking prescription medicine to prevent malaria while you are traveling. Depending on the medicine you take, you may need to start taking this medicine several days before your trip, as well as during and after. No antimalarial drug is 100% protective; so you must also practice mosquito avoidance and personal protective measures. 

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, these fees will be applied:

• Between 150-101 days before your arrival date, $375.

• Between 100-61 days before your arrival date, $1,075 (25% of the entire tour price.).

• Between 60 and 46 days before your arrival date, $2,150 (50% of the entire tour price.)

• Between 45 and 31 days before your arrival date, $3,225 (75% of the entire tour price.)

• Between 30 and 1 days before your arrival date, 100% of the entire tour price.

All accommodations provide shampoo and body wash, but not conditioner. Most provide hair dryers.

Currency

The rand (ZAR) is the official currency of South Africa. As of May 2024, $1 USD equaled 18.48 South African Rand. You can either buy Rand at home and bring it with you, or get it from an ATM when you arrive in Africa. It is difficult to convert US dollars to Rand when you are in South Africa, so we don’t recommend this option.

Adapters

In South Africa the power plugs and sockets are of type D, M and N, so you will need an adapter for electrical appliances from the United States. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

WiFi

Free WiFi service is available in the rooms and common areas at all of our accommodations. In some places, it is better than others. If you need to be sure to have WiFi at all times, you can rent a mobile hot spot at the airport upon arrival in Johannesburg starting at about $30.

Laundry

Laundry service is available at Cradle Moon Lodge and Buckler's Lodge. It is inexpensive. Average costs are: 

T shirts, blouses, or shorts: $1

Jeans, trousers or dresses: $1.75

Socks and underwear: 75 cents

The price you have paid for your tour includes: 11 nights accommodation;.all meals; all tours escorted by a private guide; entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary; all transportation, with free water provided on board; and all airport transfers.

Your tour does not include the cost of beverages other than water, and gratuities.

You will also need money for drinks and souvenirs. Alcoholic beverages are less expensive in South Africa than they are in the USA.

Tipping is customary in South Africa. It is not compulsory; tipping is entirely at your discretion. Ten percent is customary in restaurants. 

Before the trip we'll provide suggestions for appropriate tip amounts.

Traveling in Third World countries is often challenging, and sometimes changes in the itinerary are unavoidable. 

If changes are needed, Bucket List Travel will always make our best efforts to provide alternatives that are equal to or better than what was originally planned.

There will be no refunds given for parts of the tour you choose not to use.