5 Day Luxury Combo Safari
5 Day Luxury Combo Safari Price
From
R55 200
Per Person
*Based on 2 guests traveling together & sharing. Solo travelers enjoy a guaranteed private room (supplement applies at checkout).
🔒 Secure checkout • Flexible dates • 35% deposit to secure seat
Our 5 day Luxury Combo safari is a premier 4-night experience blending the exclusivity of Balule Private Game Reserve with the iconic Kruger National Park. This all-inclusive tour includes luxury tented stays, a guided Panorama Route excursion to Blyde River Canyon, and expert-led Big Five tracking in the heart of the central Kruger region.
Duration:
5 Days / 4 Nights
Dual-Location:
Imagine Africa Tented Camp (Balule Reserve) & Skukuza Safari Lodge (Kruger Park)
Logistics:
Transfers from Johannesburg, Mbombela, or Hoedspruit (HDS) Airport
Highlight Excursion:
Guided Panorama Route Tour (God's Window & Blyde River Canyon)
Door-to-Door Guided Safety
From airport collection to departure drop-off, you are accompanied 24/7 by a certified, highly trained local guide.
Two Distinct Luxury Stays
Your first two nights are at Imagine Africa's private, unfenced tented camp in Balule, followed by two nights inside Kruger National Park's secure, fenced Skukuza Safari Lodge, combining intimate bush immersion with the security of a main park camp.
Experience the very best of South Africa’s iconic safari destinations on our 5 Day Luxury Safari, combining the exclusivity of a private Big Five reserve with the legendary wildlife of Kruger National Park. This carefully crafted itinerary blends luxury accommodation, unforgettable game viewing and one of the country’s most scenic road journeys into a single all-inclusive adventure.
Spend two nights at the intimate Imagine Africa Tented Camp in Balule Private Game Reserve, where off-road game drives and guided bush walks offer close encounters with wildlife. Continue along the spectacular Panorama Route before enjoying two nights at the elegant Skukuza Safari Lodge, perfectly positioned in the heart of Kruger National Park for exceptional Big Five game viewing.
Looking for a shorter, fly-in-only stay at Imagine Africa without the Panorama Route and Skukuza combination? See our standalone 3 Day Imagine Africa Balule Fly-In Safari
5 Day Luxury Combo Safari Duration:
5 Day / 4 Night
Note: This safari can run in either direction depending on lodge availability at time of booking, starting at Imagine Africa (Balule) and finishing at Skukuza Safari Lodge, or starting at Skukuza and finishing at Imagine Africa. Both sequences offer the same inclusions and total experience.
Safari Pickup & Return locations:
Johannesburg / Mbombela (All Road Transfers Are Included In The Price)
Number of Passengers:
1 – 10 Guests
Rain/cancellation reassurance
Your luxury safari operates throughout the year, including during summer rainfall. Light rain often creates excellent wildlife viewing opportunities as temperatures cool and animals remain active.
Only in exceptional circumstances, such as official road closures, severe flooding or reserve management restrictions, would activities need to change. Should this occur, our experienced team will always provide suitable alternatives while prioritising guest safety and ensuring you enjoy the best safari experience possible.
Includes:
- 2 Nights Accommodation at Imagine Africa Tented Lodge in Balule Private Game Reserve
- 2 Nights Accommodation Skukuza Lodge within the Kruger National Park
- All Road Transfers - Johannesburg/Hoedspruit
- Panorama Route - Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes
- Daily Conservation/Entrance Fees
- Open Vehicle Game Drives in Kruger
- Open Vehicle Game Drives in Balule
- Professional Nature Guide
- 2 lunches at Imagine Africa in Balule
- 4 Dinners
- 4 Breakfasts
Excludes:
- Lunches in Kruger (approx. R150–R250 pp at camp restaurants/shops)
- All Drinks
- All Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities
- Items Of A Personal Nature
Safari Gallery:
Why Choose Our 5 Day Luxury Safari?
This itinerary combines three unforgettable South African experiences into one seamless journey.
Unlike traditional safaris that remain in a single destination, you’ll experience:
- An exclusive private game reserve
- The world-famous Panorama Route
- Kruger National Park
- Luxury lodge accommodation
- Guided bush walks
- Off-road wildlife tracking
- Classic Kruger game drives
- A specialised night safari
The result is a safari that offers exceptional variety while maintaining the comfort and personalised service expected from a luxury African holiday.
The Best of Two Safari Worlds
One of the highlights of this itinerary is experiencing both a private reserve and a national park.
Balule Private Game Reserve
Private reserves allow safari vehicles to leave the road where appropriate, giving guides greater flexibility when tracking wildlife. Guided bush walks, smaller guest numbers and intimate bush experiences create a completely different atmosphere from a national park.
Kruger National Park
Kruger offers nearly two million hectares of protected wilderness, outstanding biodiversity and some of Africa’s finest wildlife viewing. Combined with expert local guides, you’ll enjoy exceptional opportunities to search for the Big Five while exploring one of the world’s greatest conservation areas.
Panorama Route Included
Your safari isn’t only about wildlife.
On Day Three you’ll travel one of South Africa’s most scenic drives, stopping at highlights including:
- Blyde River Canyon
- God’s Window
- Bourke’s Luck Potholes
The Panorama Route adds breathtaking mountain scenery, waterfalls and geological wonders before you continue into Kruger National Park.
Wildlife You May Encounter
Over five days you’ll explore two outstanding wildlife areas, significantly increasing your chances of memorable sightings.
Animals regularly encountered include:
- Lion
- Leopard
- Elephant
- Rhino
- Buffalo
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Hippo
- Crocodile
- Hyena
- Cheetah
- African Wild Dog (occasionally)
- Numerous antelope species
- More than 500 bird species
As always, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed because every safari takes place in a completely wild environment.
- Family-Run Safety Guarantee: Our professional guides remain with our tour groups 24/7 throughout the entire duration of the safari.
Arrival in Balule Private Game Reserve
Johannesburg / Hoedspruit to Balule Game Reserve
You will be collected from Johannesburg (OR Tambo) or Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) and transferred to the Imagine Africa Tented Camp in the private Balule Game Reserve.
Check into your luxury tented accommodation. Settle in and enjoy a welcoming lunch.
Depart for your first thrilling Big Five game drive in the exclusive Balule Reserve. The drive ends with a traditional sundowner drink overlooking the savannah.
Return to the camp for a gourmet dinner (included) served under the stars.
Bush Walk, Tracking, and Private Reserve Drives
Balule Game Reserve
Wake up to fresh coffee/rusks. Embark on either a sunrise game drive or an invigorating guided bush walk led by an expert guide, revealing the secrets of the bushveld.
Return to camp for an included breakfast. Enjoy downtime, swimming, or relaxing on your deck. Lunch (included) will be served mid-day.
Set off for the dedicated afternoon open-vehicle safari, focusing on the movement of predators and large game.
Enjoy your final included dinner at the private reserve camp.
Day 3: Panorama Route & Arrival at Skukuza
Balule Game Reserve to Kruger Park Via Panorama Route
After an early breakfast, check out of the camp. Travel the spectacular Panorama Route, stopping to view the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
Stop for lunch (own expense) before entering the Kruger National Park gates. Begin your afternoon game drive en route to the centralized Skukuza Safari Lodge.
Check into your premium room at Skukuza Safari Lodge. Enjoy an included dinner at the lodge restaurant.
Day 4: Skukuza Big 5 & Night Safari
Kruger Park
Depart Skukuza at dawn for an exhilarating sunrise drive, tracking Lions, Leopards, and Wild Dogs in the highly concentrated central Kruger region.
Return for an included breakfast. Spend the day unwinding by the pool or exploring the camp’s amenities. Lunch is available for purchase.
After dinner (included), embark on an adventurous Night Safari in an open vehicle, searching for nocturnal creatures under the African sky.
Day 5: Farewell Safari & Departure
Kruger Park to Johannesburg
Enjoy one final early morning drive in Kruger National Park to maximize your chances of a farewell sighting.
Return to Skukuza Safari Lodge for a final included breakfast. Check out and prepare for the journey home.
Board your comfortable vehicle for the return transfer.
Arrive back at your original drop-off point in Johannesburg (typically between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM).
Important Safari Note: Wildlife sightings vary from day to day and no specific animals can be guaranteed. Each game drive is unique, making every safari experience different.
Download Our Full 5 Day Luxury Safari PDF Itinerary Below:
Your accommodation showcases two distinctly different luxury safari experiences. The first two nights are spent at the intimate Imagine Africa Tented Camp in Balule Private Game Reserve, where beautifully appointed luxury safari tents provide an authentic bush experience complete with en-suite bathrooms, private decks and peaceful surroundings.
The final two nights are enjoyed at the elegant Skukuza Safari Lodge, located inside Kruger National Park. Modern, air-conditioned rooms, premium lodge facilities, a swimming pool, restaurant and outstanding central location provide the perfect base for exploring one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations. Together, these carefully selected properties deliver the ideal balance of wilderness immersion and contemporary comfort.
Why Stay in Two Luxury Lodges?
Experiencing two completely different properties is one of the highlights of this safari.
Balule offers an intimate, off-the-grid safari atmosphere where wildlife often moves freely around camp, while Skukuza Safari Lodge provides premium comfort inside Kruger National Park with easy access to world-famous game viewing areas.
Together, they create a safari experience that few single-lodge itineraries can match.
Skukuza Safari Lodge Specifications
Luxury Hotel-Style Accommodation Inside Kruger National Park
Luxury En-Suite Bathrooms
Spacious, modern bathrooms featuring high-end walk-in glass showers and premium vanity amenities.
Full Climate Control
Advanced quiet air-conditioning units to maintain a cool, relaxing sanctuary after your game drives.
Plush Bedding Options
Luxurious extra-length king or twin beds dressed in crisp, high-thread-count designer linen.
Modern Hotel Conveniences
Includes a mini-bar fridge, electronic safe, direct-dial telephone, and coffee/tea-making facilities.
Private Balcony / Terrace
Your own outdoor seating nook offering stunning views over the indigenous Kruger bushveld or gardens.
Resort Amenities Access
Direct proximity to the lodge's swimming pools, world-class restaurant, lounge bars, and boma areas.
Imagine Africa Luxury Tented Camp Layout
Balule Nature Reserve Safari Experience
En-Suite Canvas Facilities
Private attached open-air or canvas-enclosed bathroom featuring a flush toilet, basin, and hot water shower.
Natural Atmosphere & Breezes
Designed with mesh screen windows and heavy canvas flaps to let in the authentic sounds and air of the wild.
Traditional Safari Beds
Comfortable twin or double beds fitted with clean linen, cozy duvets, and mosquito netting protection.
Eco-Friendly Lighting
Powered by solar or generator systems providing bedside illumination and charging points for camera gear.
Private Wooden Deck
A raised front porch equipped with safari chairs overlooking the untamed Balule bushveld landscape.
Central Boma & Firepit
Immersed in an unfenced reserve layout, featuring a central communal dining area and open-air campfire boma.
Transparent Tiered Pricing
Safari Package Rate Structure
Per Person Sharing
Per Adult Guest
- Twin/Double Room accommodation sharing with your travel partner.
- Zero Stranger Pairing: We guarantee completely private chalets for your party.
- Requires a minimum booking of 2 adults traveling together.
Solo / Single Traveler
For Individual Bookings
- 100% Private Chalet completely to yourself for the entire duration of the safari.
- Includes the standard single room supplement cleanly built straight into the upfront rate.
- No hidden baseline multi-guest booking requirements.
Child Rate
Per Child (Ages 6–11)
- Discounted Junior Rate for younger explorers sharing a room with adults.
- Full access to open 4x4 game drives and all standard itinerary inclusions.
- Age Policy: Specifically optimized for children between 6 and 11 years old.
Transparent Tiered Pricing (2027 RATES)
Safari Package Rate Structure
Effective Date: Rates take effect on 31 October 2026 in line with SANParks yearly price increases for accommodation and conservation fees.
Per Person Sharing
Per Adult Guest
- Twin/Double Room accommodation sharing with your travel partner.
- Zero Stranger Pairing: We guarantee completely private chalets for your party.
- Requires a minimum booking of 2 adults traveling together.
Solo / Single Traveler
For Individual Bookings
- 100% Private Chalet completely to yourself for the entire duration of the safari.
- Includes the standard single room supplement cleanly built straight into the upfront rate.
- No hidden baseline multi-guest booking requirements.
Child Rate
Per Child (Ages 6–11)
- Discounted Junior Rate for younger explorers sharing a room with adults.
- Full access to open 4x4 game drives and all standard itinerary inclusions.
- Age Policy: Specifically optimized for children between 6 and 11 years old.
"Two Worlds, Both Incredible"
"Staying at Skukuza Safari Lodge inside Kruger and then finishing at Imagine Africa in Balule was the perfect combination. Skukuza put us right in the heart of the park from day one — Gift our guide had us watching elephants and a leopard within hours. Then Imagine Africa blew us away — luxury tents, an infinity pool overlooking the waterhole, and guides Hendrick and Victor who found us lions, rhino and hyena. Nhongo made the whole journey completely seamless."
"Surpassed Every Safari We've Done"
"We have been on safari in five different countries and this 5 day experience with Nhongo surpassed them all. The Skukuza Safari Lodge was modern, spotless and perfectly located inside the park. Moving to Imagine Africa in Balule for the final nights took things to another level entirely — the tents are 5 star, the food sensational, and we had a breathtaking close encounter with rhino on our last drive. Truly the most luxurious safari accommodation we have ever experienced."
"Imagine Africa Was The Highlight Of Our Lives"
"After two wonderful nights at Skukuza Safari Lodge with Gift showing us lions, buffalo and elephant right inside Kruger, we transferred to Imagine Africa in Balule and were completely blown away. Opening the tent flaps at night to the sounds of the bush, sitting at the infinity pool watching animals at the waterhole, and the team — Andri, Dee and the guides — making us feel like family. A once-in-a-lifetime experience from start to finish with Nhongo."
Get ready for your 5 Day Luxury safari! Track your sightings of the Big 5, rare birds, and mammals with our comprehensive Kruger National Park wildlife checklist, and use our handy packing list to make sure you have all the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why combine Balule and Kruger National Park?
Balule offers exclusive off-road wildlife experiences, while Kruger National Park provides vast landscapes and incredible biodiversity. Together they create a more complete safari.
What makes a private game reserve different?
Private reserves allow off-road tracking in designated areas, smaller vehicle numbers and guided bush walks, creating a more intimate safari experience.
Is the Panorama Route included?
Yes. Your transfer between Balule and Kruger becomes a full sightseeing day featuring Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
What accommodation is included?
Two nights at Imagine Africa Tented Camp and two nights at Skukuza Safari Lodge.
Will we see the Big Five?
There’s an excellent chance across both safari destinations, but sightings can never be guaranteed.
Is this safari suitable for honeymooners?
Yes. It’s one of our most popular luxury itineraries for couples celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries and special occasions.
Are bush walks safe?
Yes. Bush walks are conducted by experienced armed guides who prioritise guest safety at all times.
Are meals included?
Breakfasts, dinners and selected lunches at Balule are included. Lunches while in Kruger are at your own expense.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes. Both lodges offer connectivity, although speeds may vary depending on your location.
What should I pack?
Comfortable neutral-coloured clothing, a light jacket, camera, binoculars, hat, sunscreen and walking shoes.
Does the safari operate in rainy weather?
Yes. Game drives continue in most weather conditions, with adjustments made only if severe weather affects guest safety.
Why choose this safari over a standard Kruger tour?
This itinerary combines a luxury private reserve, guided bush walks, the Panorama Route and Kruger National Park into one premium safari, offering greater variety, more exclusive wildlife experiences and exceptional accommodation throughout.
Request A Quotation
More Luxury Safaris Like This:
Need Travel Insurance?
Protect your African adventure from the unexpected. Through our trusted partnership with SATIBGo, get comprehensive travel cover tailored specifically for safari environments, safeguarding your medical needs, trip cancellations, and luggage so you can explore with total peace of mind.