Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your Short Break Adventure starts very early this morning. Please meet at the joining point hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information by 6 am. If you’re staying elsewhere, you’ll need to make your own way to the joining point hotel and let your booking agent know at least 14 days prior to departure. After a long drive full of changing scenery, you’ll arrive in the Greater Kruger National Park in time for lunch. After some time to settle in, head off on a 3-hour afternoon game drive in open 4WDs in a private game reserve. Look out for impala, zebras, giraffes and lions. You're likely to see any of the species that live in Kruger, since there are no boundary fences between this reserve and the national park itself. Half way into your safari, you’ll stop for drinks at one of the waterholes before continuing the game drive into the early evening. Your accommodation tonight is in an intimate lodge in the greater Kruger area. The lodge offers a comfortable lounge, a swimming pool, shaded deck area, dining tent and wi-fi. Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours. Your lodge is located within the Greater Kruger Park ecosystem. It’s about a 50-minute drive to Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate. If the lodge is full, you’ll be accommodated in a similar lodge in the same area.

One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Early this morning, make your way into the park for a special wildlife experience. You’ll head into prime game viewing areas for a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found inside the park. Have breakfast at one of the picnic spots here, before continuing through the park and spotting all your favourite animals. The entire day is spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes. Leave in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation.

Spend the day at the lodge at your leisure or maybe head out on another full day game drive in Kruger National Park – this is an optional activity, but if you’d like to spot mor wildlife and wild landscapes, it’s recommended. You may notice businesses offering optional visits to HESC (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre) and Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. We ask all Tuuur travellers to avoid these as they are contrary to our Animal Welfare Guidelines and commitment to responsible travel. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and to not include venues where animals are in captivity.

Rise early and head out on a morning bush through the surroundings on the property. Guided by a qualified nature guide, you’ll learn about bird, tree and spoor identification in the local area. Then, take your transfer back to Johannesburg. Along the way, take in amazing views at the viewpoint over the awesome Blyde River Canyon and view the Three Rondavels. When you arrive back in Jo'burg, you can be dropped at the airport or any nominated hotel. Here, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, get in touch ahead of time to book additional accommodation. Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.