All inclusive BIG 5 Kruger 2 Day Safari from Johannesburg

Kruger’s best moments often arrive early or without warning: lions returning from a night hunt, elephants crowding a water hole, or a rhino appearing between the trees. This two-day safari gives you two proper game drives, including a four-hour morning outing timed for the park’s most active hours.

I like the easy transport from Johannesburg or Pretoria, and I like that your safari vehicle is open, giving you broad views and a clear feel for the bush. Guides such as Nic, Tabu, and Given have made a strong impression with their driving, animal knowledge, and friendly manner.

The catch is the long road journey. You spend about four hours traveling each way, so this is an efficient introduction to Kruger, not a slow, multi-night safari. Pickup details also deserve a quick confirmation the day before.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different game drives: A three-hour afternoon drive is followed by a four-hour sunrise safari, giving you two chances to find wildlife at changing times of day.
• Open safari vehicle: The high-sided vehicle offers wide views and a sturdy platform for watching animals and taking photographs.
• Johannesburg transfers included: Pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg hotels or the airport make this useful if you are based in the city or connecting through it.
• Small group setting: The maximum group size is 15, which is more personal than a large coach tour.
• A helpful guide team: Nic and Tabu handle the long road transfer, while Given has been praised for his knowledge of Kruger’s animals and plants.
• Big Five chances, not a guarantee: You may see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo, but wildlife remains wild and sightings cannot be promised.

What this Kruger safari is really offering

This is a short, well-organized introduction to Kruger National Park. You leave Johannesburg or Pretoria in the morning, reach the Hazyview area after roughly four hours, spend the afternoon looking for animals, sleep at a lodge, then return to the park before sunrise the next day.

That format works best if you have limited time in South Africa. You get transport, accommodation, food, bottled water, and safari drives in one package. You do not have to arrange a rental car, work out park access, or find a guide once you arrive.

You should also set realistic expectations. Two days can produce wonderful sightings, including four of the Big Five, but it cannot offer the same amount of time as a longer stay inside or near the park. The main value here is convenience and a concentrated wildlife experience.

The tour costs about $722.68 per person. That is not a budget outing, but the price covers a lot: round-trip transport from Johannesburg or Pretoria, a lodge night, meals listed as included, bottled water, and two guided drives. You are paying partly for the safari and partly for taking care of the long-distance logistics.

The four-hour road trip from Johannesburg

Pickup begins around 7:00 am from Johannesburg hotels or the airport. The road to Hazyview and the Kruger area takes about four hours, with a stop for food along the way. The return trip follows the same broad pattern, with lunch in Belfast before the final run to Johannesburg.

This transfer is a major part of the experience, so it helps to think of the tour as a road trip with a safari at its center. The drive is not wasted time if you enjoy seeing more of South Africa and listening to a good guide. Nic has been singled out for making the long ride pleasant with stories and explanations about South African history, culture, and wildlife. Tabu has also been praised for being kind, informative, and a careful driver.

The vehicle and road comfort matter here. You will spend several hours sitting before the first game drive, then repeat the trip after the morning safari. If you dislike long drives, a flight or a longer Kruger stay may suit you better.

Food stops appear to be handled with some flexibility. One group was offered choices such as Spur and Nando’s, while the return itinerary includes lunch in Belfast. The exact restaurant is not specified, so do not plan the day around a particular menu.

The afternoon safari at Kruger National Park

The first game drive begins at about 2:00 pm and lasts roughly three hours. This is a pleasant way to enter Kruger, since the changing afternoon light can make animal watching especially rewarding.

Your guide will search near water holes, where animals gather to drink, and scan the bush for cats that may be resting or hiding. The aim is the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. You may also see many other African animals, though the available information does not promise particular species beyond the Big Five search.

The open vehicle is an important part of the outing. You get a broad field of view instead of looking through bus windows, and the elevated seating helps you see over some vegetation. One description called the safari truck sturdy and praised its clear views. Bring a camera with a useful zoom if you have one, but keep your attention on the moment too. Animal sightings can be brief.

Afternoon viewing also gives you a chance to settle into the pace of a safari. You may spend time driving quietly, stopping at water, and waiting for an animal to appear. This is not a zoo visit with guaranteed performances. Given, one of the safari guides, has been praised for trying hard to find lions while also explaining that wild animals do not appear on command.

That point is worth keeping in mind. A successful safari is not measured only by checking off five names. Seeing elephants close to the vehicle, watching lions at rest, or spotting smaller wildlife can be just as memorable.

The lodge night near Hazyview

After the afternoon drive, you stay at a lodge in the Hazyview area. The supplied information names Tembo Guest Lodge, while individual arrangements have also referred to Umbhaba. Because the property name may vary, confirm the exact lodge before departure.

The accommodation is more than a place to sleep. You need a proper rest before the 5:30 am start, and a comfortable lodge makes the short schedule easier. Umbhaba was described as comfortable, with good food and a strong dinner selection. The lodge setting also gives you a break from the road and the vehicle before the early morning outing.

Meals need a little attention when you book. Breakfast, dinner, bottled water, and two lunches are listed among the inclusions, but another part of the information says dinner is not included. That is a direct inconsistency. Ask the operator to confirm exactly which meals are covered, especially dinner and the return-day lunch.

Alcohol is not included. If you want drinks beyond bottled water, budget separately.

Why the 5:30 am start is worth the lost sleep

Day two begins very early. You leave around 5:30 am so you can enter the park at about 6:00 am, then spend approximately four hours on a morning safari.

This is the strongest part of the schedule for many people. Dawn brings cooler conditions and a chance to see predators after their nighttime activity. The itinerary specifically points to cats returning from hunting and hyenas finishing scavenging. You will also see the African sunrise, which gives the drive a memorable start even before the first major animal sighting.

Pack warm layers for this drive. The tour information does not specify the season or morning temperature, but an open vehicle at sunrise can feel cool. Comfortable clothing is more useful than dressing formally, and you should keep your camera and personal items secure in the vehicle.

A pre-packed breakfast is planned at Skukuza camp. This gives you a practical pause during the morning outing instead of sending you back to the lodge. The four-hour drive provides much more viewing time than the first afternoon session, which is one reason this tour offers fair value despite its short length.

The early start does require commitment. If you want leisurely mornings, this schedule may feel demanding. If you care most about animal activity, the alarm is a good trade.

What the guides add to the experience

The people behind the wheel are a large part of this tour’s appeal. Nic has been praised for his driving and for answering questions about South Africa during the long transfers. Tabu has also been described as friendly and informative, staying with the group for the overnight trip and return journey.

Given handles the safari side of the experience and has been praised for explaining the animals, plants, and park surroundings. His familiarity with the park helps turn a drive into an outdoor lesson. That matters because a guide can help you notice tracks, behavior, calls, and smaller details that are easy to miss.

The guide roles may change by departure, so you should not assume a particular person will lead your trip. Still, the recurring strength of the guide team is useful information: expect the driving and interpretation to be central parts of the experience, not just transport between scheduled stops.

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough to feel more personal than a coach tour, though it is not a private safari. If everyone wants to photograph the same lion, you may still need to share viewing space and wait your turn.

The return to Johannesburg and Pretoria

After the four-hour morning drive and breakfast at Skukuza, you begin the return trip. Lunch is scheduled in Belfast, and drop-off at Johannesburg hotels or the airport is expected around 4:00 pm.

This timing matters if you have a flight. The tour information gives an approximate arrival time, not a guarantee, and the drive from Kruger can be affected by road conditions and delays. Give yourself a generous buffer before an onward flight. Pickup and drop-off from Pretoria are advertised, but the detailed schedule focuses mainly on Johannesburg, so confirm the exact Pretoria arrangements before booking.

You may finish the day tired. That is normal for a sunrise safari followed by a long drive. The upside is that you have packed two game drives and a park visit into a single overnight trip.

Big Five expectations and the value of patience

The words Big Five refer to lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. This safari is built around finding them, but nobody can honestly guarantee all five in two days.

The available experience reports include sightings of four out of five and another outing that reached four of the Big Five. Lions and elephants were especially memorable, with one account describing lions seen very close to the vehicle and elephants displaying their huge ears. That gives you a good sense of the possible payoff, but it should not become a promise.

Leopards are often harder to find because they hide and move quietly. The itinerary specifically reminds you to watch the bush for cats that stay concealed. Your guide may spend time checking likely areas, but nature decides the result.

I would book this with the right goal: spend two days watching wild animals in their own setting, with a strong chance of excellent sightings. Treat the Big Five list as a bonus rather than a scorecard.

Who should book this two-day safari

This tour suits you if you:

• Have only two days available for Kruger
• Are staying in Johannesburg or connecting through the city
• Prefer guided transport to driving yourself
• Want an open-vehicle safari
• Like early starts and full days
• Want accommodation and meals arranged in one booking
• Prefer a small group to a large coach

It is less suitable if you want several nights in the park, a private vehicle, a slow schedule, or complete control over where you stop. The long Johannesburg to Kruger transfer also makes this a tiring choice for anyone who struggles with extended road journeys.

The tour is suitable for most people, and the listed maximum is 15 participants. Confirmation is provided when you book. The operator also offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Practical details to settle before you go

Confirm your pickup time the day before. One scheduling problem involved a pickup that needed clarification, and a direct message or call can prevent an early-morning surprise.

Ask three simple questions before departure:

• Is dinner included for this booking?
• Which lodge will you use?
• What is the exact pickup time and meeting place?

Bring sun protection, comfortable clothes, a camera, and warm layers for the morning. Bottled water is included, but alcohol is not. Keep your luggage manageable because you will move between the transfer vehicle, lodge, and safari vehicle during a compact itinerary.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want a practical first taste of Kruger without arranging every transfer yourself. The combination of two game drives, an open vehicle, a lodge night, and Johannesburg transport gives you a lot in a short period. The guide team, especially Nic, Tabu, and Given, adds real value through friendly driving and clear explanations.

Skip it if you can spare more time. A longer Kruger stay would give you more chances at elusive animals and less time on the road. For a two-day schedule, though, this is a strong choice, provided you accept the early start, long transfers, and the honest uncertainty of wildlife viewing.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

Pickup is offered from Johannesburg hotels or the airport, and Pretoria pickup is also advertised. The listed start time is 7:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

How many safari drives are included?

You receive two open-vehicle game drives: an afternoon drive lasting about three hours and a morning drive lasting about four hours.

What time does the morning safari begin?

The morning trip starts around 5:30 am so the vehicle can enter Kruger National Park at about 6:00 am.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Overnight accommodation is included near Hazyview, with Tembo Guest Lodge named in the tour details. Some booking information also refers to Umbhaba, so confirm the exact property.

Are meals included?

Breakfast, dinner, bottled water, and two lunches are listed as included. Another part of the information says dinner is not included, so confirm the meal plan with the operator before departure.

Is alcohol included?

No. Alcohol is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.