Kruger National Park – Big Five safari South Africa

Safari Adventure

Kruger National Park

Africa's most iconic safari destination — Big Five tracking and seamless cross-border logistics from Maputo.

1 – 3 Days

2+ Guests

Moderate Level

About This Tour

The Big Five. Two Hours from Your Hotel.

Kruger National Park is one of the ultimate icons of the African continent. This massive conservation area is home to the legendary "Big 5" — Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo — roaming freely across pristine savannah landscapes that have barely changed in centuries.

From Maputo, Mabeco Tours handles every detail of the cross-border journey: vehicle documentation, border processing, park logistics and professional guiding. You simply step into our Land Cruiser at dawn and let Africa unfold around you. Choose our fully-catered closed vehicle or upgrade to a specialised open 4x4 safari vehicle at the border for the authentic open-air game drive experience.

For the ultimate Big Five experience, choose a 2 or 3-day option and wake up inside the park itself at Skukuza Rest Camp — Africa's largest rest camp, set in the heart of lion and leopard country.

Tour Highlights

★Track the legendary Big Five across Kruger's vast southern savannah
★Optional open 4x4 safari vehicle upgrade at the border crossing
★Seamless cross-border logistics — border assistance and vehicle docs fully managed
★Pre-dawn "Dawn Patrol" drive — most active window for big cat sightings
★Overnight at Skukuza Rest Camp — traditional thatched Rondavel bungalows in the bush
★All meals fully included on overnight options (Full Board)

Choose Your Expedition

Three Ways to Experience the Big Five

Option 1

The Kruger Day Trip

A full-day cross-border adventure. Depart Maputo early to catch prime morning wildlife viewing.

$290 pp — Closed Vehicle (2 Pax) $248 pp — Closed Vehicle (3+ Pax) Open Vehicle Upgrade: $380 pp (2 Pax) / $350 pp (3+ Pax)

05:00

Pick-up at your Maputo accommodation. Light breakfast served on board.

07:30

Border transition at Komatipoort. Vehicle transition to open safari vehicle if selected. Kruger park entry.

08:00

Morning game drive — prime lion and leopard activity window. Follow the Crocodile and Sabie rivers south.

12:30

Lunch at a Kruger rest camp restaurant. (Included)

13:30

Afternoon game drive — waterholes, elephant herds and buffalo crossings.

15:30

Safari concludes. Proceed to exit gate and transition back to Maputo.

17:30

Drop-off at your Maputo accommodation.

Includes: Maputo transfers, border assistance, guide, park fees, breakfast and lunch.

Option 2

The Overnight Safari

Spend a night within the park. Wake at 04:30 for the Dawn Patrol — the most powerful predator-activity window in Africa.

$830 pp — Skukuza Bungalow (2 Pax) $780 pp — Skukuza Bungalow (3+ Pax)

05:00

Maputo departure. Cross-border transit. Full day closed-vehicle game drive through southern river systems. Afternoon check-in to Skukuza Bungalows. Dinner under the stars at the rest camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

04:30

Pre-dawn game drive tracking predators at their most active. Return for brunch at the rest camp. Afternoon game drive towards exit gate. Arrive Maputo ~17:30.

Meals: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch

Includes: Maputo transfers, closed vehicle safaris, park fees, Skukuza bungalow accommodation, and all meals (Full Board).

Option 3

The Big 5 Explorer

The ultimate luxury of time. Three days to explore different ecological zones, wait at waterholes and track elusive leopards without rushing.

$1,240 pp — Skukuza (2 Pax) $1,190 pp — Skukuza (3+ Pax)

05:00

Maputo departure. Border crossing. Full day tracking through the southern river systems — Sabie, Crocodile and Sand rivers. Skukuza Bungalow check-in and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn

Early morning big cat tracking. Midday rest camp siesta. Afternoon sunset drive through the central plateau — prime cheetah and wild dog territory.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn

Final dawn patrol game drive. Mid-morning brunch at the rest camp. Slow afternoon drive to exit gate. Return to Maputo.

Meals: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch

Includes: Maputo transfers, closed vehicle safaris, park fees, bungalow accommodation, and all meals (Full Board).

Overnight Accommodation — Skukuza Rest Camp

Skukuza Rondavels (Bungalows)

Traditional thatched-roof bungalows offering a fantastic bush retreat after a long day of tracking wildlife. Features private en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. Located at Kruger's largest and most centrally positioned rest camp.

Satara Rest Camp (3-Day Option)

On the 3-day expedition, Day 2 relocates to Satara Rest Camp in the central Kruger — known as one of Africa's best lion-density zones, set in a vast open grassland plateau perfect for big cat sightings.

What's Included

Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't

Included

✓
Maputo Return Transfers
Door-to-door from your Maputo hotel to Kruger and back.
✓
Border Assistance
Full vehicle documentation and border crossing logistics managed by Mabeco.
✓
Park Entrance Fees
All Kruger National Park conservation levies and vehicle fees.
✓
Professional Guide
Expert certified guide with deep Kruger knowledge and wildlife tracking expertise.
✓
All Meals (Overnight Options)
Full Board — all meals included from departure to return.

Not Included

✕
Open Vehicle Upgrade
Available for the day trip at $380/$350 pp — upgrade at border crossing.
✕
Alcoholic Beverages
Personal bar tab at rest camp restaurants is to the guest's account.
✕
Travel Insurance
Strongly recommended for all cross-border expedition travel.
✕
Gratuities
Optional but appreciated for exceptional service.

In the Field

Captured on Expedition

Kruger National Park wildlife

Safari landscape Kruger

Big Five encounter Kruger

Bush plains Kruger National Park

Sunset over Kruger savannah