Highlights of this Kruger and Cape Town Tour

• Game drives in open 4×4 vehicles
• Full-day Guided Safari in Kruger National Park
• Boat Cruise in the Blyde River Canyon
• Half-day Cape Town City Tour
• Full-day Cape Peninsula & Cape Winelands Tour
• Well-located accommodation at Rukiya Safari Camp in Greater Kruger & a Cape Town Waterfront Hotel

Day 1: Johannesburg to Greater Kruger Park – South Africa

Take a flight to Hoedspruit where you will be met and transferred to Rukiya Safari Camp in Greater Kruger Park. Settle into your comfortable tented suite and enjoy the view from your private viewing deck. After a siesta, embark on your first 4×4 safari adventure in the private nature reserve.

Enjoy a sunset game drive, spotting wildlife and soaking in the beauty of the African bush. Stop for snacks and sundowners before heading back in the dark, seeking out the curious nocturnal creatures usually hidden during the day. Back at Rukiya camp tuck into a hearty dinner and relax as the sounds of the South African bush surround you. After supper, you can enjoy a drink at the bar, sit around the campfire and gaze up at the stars, or retire to your cosy tented suite next to the river for a good night’s sleep.

• Included Activity: Collection transfer (Hoedspruit Airport to Rukiya Safari Camp), Afternoon Game Drive & Sundowners
• Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Big 5 Kruger Safari – South Africa

Wake up bright and early for your exciting full-day safari in Kruger National Park. After a quick coffee, board your open safari vehicle and head to the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park. Day 5 of our Kruger and Cape Town Tour is devoted to exploring South Africa’s most famous national park on a guided 4×4 Kruger Safari.

Your expert guide takes you on a quest to discover the dazzling array of wildlife and over 500 bird species. Relax and soak in the untamed beauty of the African bushveld as you traverse diverse habitats teeming with life. Make a stop at one of the picnic areas to tuck onto a packed breakfast before continuing on your way.

The Kruger National Park is vast at about 19,485 square kilometres (7,523 square miles), which translates to exceptional game viewing. Spot a staggering 147 mammal species, including graceful grazers like kudu, waterbuck, and wildebeest. Keep your eyes peeled for cheetahs camouflaged in the tall grass, majestic lions, elusive leopards, and even the endangered African wild dog. Along rivers, watch out for powerful hippos and lurking crocodiles. South Africa’s top wildlife park is also home to many other animals like giraffes, zebras, monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and impalas which are commonly seen. This unforgettable Kruger safari promises an intimate encounter with Africa’s incredible wildlife diversity.

Our Kruger safari adventure continues until a lunch break at one of the park rest camps. There will be time for some curio shopping, napping under the trees, buying some cool beverages and snacks from the store, or eating lunch at the camp restaurant (own expense). After lunch we return to the rugged bush, searching out the multitude of wild animals, birds, and reptiles of Kruger Park and pausing to take photos of exciting wildlife sightings until late afternoon.

Back at the riverside Rukiya Safari Camp this evening, we tuck into a delicious dinner and relax in the tranquil natural setting of the private nature reserve.

• Included Activity: Full-Day Kruger National Park Safari
• Meals Included: Packed Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Greater Kruger Game Reserve & Blyde River Cruise – South Africa

Day 3 of our Kruger and Cape Town Tour starts with an early coffee before you embark on a dawn game drive in a private game reserve of Greater Kruger. Explore the bush, track wildlife and enjoy the diverse ecosystem. Head back to the Rukiya Safari Camp for a hearty breakfast and relax by the pool or on your viewing deck.

Later you head out on a scenic boat cruise along the Blyde River, making your way through the impressive Blyde River Canyon, marvelling at the unique geological features and beautiful scenery of the area. Enjoy breathtaking views of soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush vegetation from your unique waterborne perspective. Return to the lodge to relax at the infinity pool and poolside deck, have a drink at the bar and savour a delicious dinner under the stars.

• Included Activity: Morning Game Drive, Scenic Boat Cruise
• Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Greater Kruger Park to Cape Town – South Africa

Start the day with a morning game drive in Greater Kruger Park, for your last chance to watch wildlife in their natural habitat. Return to the Rukiya Safari Camp for breakfast, and then you will be transferred to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Cape Town.

As you touch down in Cape Town, Table Mountain’s majestic silhouette greets you, with a taste of the dramatic scenery and vibrant energy that awaits in this iconic South African city. You will be met upon arrival in Cape Town and transferred to the amazing Signature Lux Hotel in Cape Town’s Waterfront district, your base for exploring the ‘Mother City’. This evening you are free to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the V&A Waterfront district and choose from a variety of dining options in the city.

• Included Activity: Morning Game Drive, Airport Transfers
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Cape Town City Tour – South Africa

After breakfast, you will be collected for a fascinating half-day tour of the Cape Town city centre. Visit iconic landmarks like the Cape Malay Quarter, Green Market Square, and the South African Museum. Explore the city’s rich history, diverse cultures, stunning architecture, and trendy beachfront areas and take in the sweeping views over the city and sea from Signal Hill. Optional activities include a diamond factory tour or a cable car ride up Table Mountain for its spectacular panoramic views. This evening you are free to enjoy the Cape Town nightlife, a delectable mix of trendy bars, bustling markets, and world-class cuisine.

• Included Activity: Half-Day Cape Town City Tour
• Optional Activities: Diamond Factory Tour, Table Mountain cable car (extra cost), Table View Visit
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Cape Peninsula & Winelands Tour – South Africa

Day 6 of our Kruger and Cape Town Tour is devoted to exploring the scenic Cape Peninsula and Winelands. Your full-day Cape adventure will take you along dramatic coastal roads past beautiful seaside villages, a visit to some ostriches and the Cape Point Nature Reserve, past a penguin colony (entry optional extra), and around the False Bay, past quaint seaside towns of False Bay before making your way out to the Cape Winelands. Your drive takes you past a tapestry of rolling vineyards, charming towns, and award-winning wineries. Visit charming Stellenbosch town and enjoy wine tasting and cheese tasting at one of the fantastic wineries.

After a full day of exploring, return to Signature Lux Hotel in Cape Town to relax and explore more of the city’s nightlife and dining scene.

• Included Activity: Full-day Cape Peninsula & Cape Winelands Tour
• Optional Activities: Penguin Colony visit
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Cape Town – South Africa

This Kruger Safari & Cape Town Tour ends after breakfast at your centrally-located hotel this morning. A shuttle will collect you from the Signature Lux Hotel for a transfer to Cape Town International Airport, concluding your unforgettable Kruger and Cape Town Safari in South Africa.

• Included Activity: Airport shuttle transfer
• Meals Included: Breakfast

About the Private Greater Kruger Game Reserve

This Kruger and Cape Town Tour includes three nights at a private game reserve that forms part of Greater Kruger Park. Greater Kruger consists of over 20 private game reserves that share unfenced borders with Kruger National Park and/or each other. This means that the wild animals in the game reserve we visit get to roam freely between Kruger National Park and the other reserves of Greater Kruger.

Greater Kruger Park and the official Kruger National Park both form part of the even larger Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This truly huge wildlife park provides an enormous range for Southern Africa’s wildlife to roam freely. However, the movement of people between the different game reserves and national parks in this region is restricted. This means that the number of visitors allowed into the private game reserves is limited allowing for less crowded game viewing experiences.

Our safari lodge, Rukiya Safari Camp, is one of few with access to the section of Greater Kruger Park that we get to explore. You are therefore unlikely to see other safari vehicles while out on your game drives. And you get to take your time watching the animals without having to share wildlife sightings or make way for other vehicles and onlookers. The private game reserve has a traversing area of 2,000 hectares in Greater Kruger Park, which includes 12 kilometres of riverfrontage along the Olifants River, as well as open bushveld and rocky outcrops.

Game drives in the private game reserve are all about experiencing the South African bush. Your safari guide takes you on an adventure of discovery that is as much about the small details of the ecosystem as the large animals. The game drives give you insight into the animals, birds, insects, and plants found here. The guides show you interesting tracks, dung, and disturbances that help explain animal behaviour and identify species. Going on a wildlife safari here is a rich experience that takes you beyond chasing the Big 5 of Africa (even though they are all found here too!).

About Rukiya Safari Camp

The private river lodge included in this Cape Town & Kruger Safari is Rukiya Safari Camp which is located inside a private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger Park area. The safari lodge is set on the banks of the Blyde River which attracts an abundance of wild animals and birds. It is an intimate and eco-friendly tented safari lodge tucked away under beautiful old indigenous trees.

This ideally located private safari lodge offers guests understated luxury in a peaceful, wild setting. The Rukiya Safari Camp is 500 meters upstream of the confluence of the Blyde and Olifants Rivers. The shady trees, tranquil river, and mountain views combine to create an idyllic bush getaway within a private nature reserve that covers 3,000 hectares of wilderness. It forms part of the larger Blyde Olifants Conservancy, incorporating 12,000 hectares of bushveld in the Greater Kruger safari region. The reserve is home to a variety of animals and prolific birdlife. Regularly spotted species include leopard, hyena, crocodile, jackal, mongoose, civet, genet, zebra, giraffe, hippo, and various antelope species.

There is a big infinity pool and poolside deck with sun loungers for relaxing in the dappled shade. The spacious dining room and lounge open out onto an expansive shared deck with outdoor seating. An outdoor fire pit (boma) and casual bar area complete the picture. The game lodge has WiFi and electric outlets for guests to charge their devices. There are also mountain biking trails, ranging from 5 to 30 kilometres, inside the private nature reserve.

Accommodation at Rukiya Safari Camp

Accommodation at Rukiya Safari Camp is in luxury tented suites set along the banks of the Blyde River. Each tented suite boasts an outside deck overlooking the bush offering guests the chance to immerse in the peaceful surroundings. The suite is a canvas tent on a timber platform in the dappled shade of the riverine trees, providing a cool retreat from the African heat. There are only six tented suites set apart in the natural vegetation to offer guests privacy. Two of the tented suites sleep four people in two inter-leading tents making them ideal for families with children. Four of the tented suites overlook the Blyde River and the two family tents offer views over the bush. Large windows and doors, fitted with mosquito netting, enable guests to immerse themselves in nature and watch visiting birds and animals.

Suites are connected to the main lodge areas, pool, and each other by well-lit wooden walkways. Each of these luxury safari tents has an en-suite bathroom, separated by a zippable canvas door, and fitted with a shower, toilet, and basin, stocked with fresh towels and complimentary bath products. Suites feature standing fans and comfortable beds with high-quality linen and bedding. Sustainably made and locally sourced wooden furniture has been used throughout to reduce the environmental impact of the safari lodge.

About Signature Lux Hotel – Cape Town Waterfront

This Kruger and Cape Town Tour includes three nights of B&B accommodation at the trendy Signature Lux Hotel in Cape Town. The Signature Lux Hotel by ONOMO Waterfront offers excellent value for money in a prime location. It is ideally located in the sought-after Waterfront district of Cape Town, only 500 meters from the vibrant V&A Waterfront with its host of shops, restaurants and great sights! Signature Lux Hotel is also a mere 300-meter walk from the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre) and a short 50-meter walk to the closest My Citi Bus Stop & Water Canal Stop. It is 15 minutes from the beach and the city centre is a stone’s throw away.

This South African Safari Package includes accommodation in standard rooms on a bed and breakfast (B&B) basis. Signature Lux Hotel is designed for both comfort and modern convenience. Each room has comfortable furniture and is thoughtfully equipped with air-conditioning, USB plug points, ambient lighting and fully integrated 40-inch SMART TVs, offering access to popular streaming platforms such as Netflix and Showmax. Guests can stay connected with unlimited WiFi, indulge in the minibar and have the security of an in-room electronic safe. Other thoughtful touches include complimentary tea and coffee, automated wake-up call technology, and access to laundry and housekeeping services. The en-suite bathrooms feature a water purification system and are stocked with premium bath products, along with essentials like bath sheets, a hairdryer, an iron, and an ironing board.

Signature Lux Hotel has a stylish restaurant that seamlessly blends South African and European culinary influences, serving a delectable array of tapas, bistro-style meals, and refreshing salads made from locally sourced, fresh ingredients procured from nearby markets. There is also a chic bar and lounge area that features live musical performances by talented local artists every evening. For those who prefer the comfort of their rooms, the restaurant’s menu is available for convenient room service. The hotel offers all the conveniences of a cosmopolitan city stay. Smart technology features include contactless hotel check-in and check-out, a smartphone-enabled room key for hassle-free access, and a smartphone app for ordering in-room services online. Reception is open 24 hours.

Kruger and Cape Town Tour Notes

This Kruger and Cape Town Tour starts in Johannesburg, South Africa, and ends in Cape Town. Should you wish to start your tour in Cape Town check out the 7-Day Cape Town & Kruger Safari to Rukiya Camp.

The Cape Town and Kruger Safari package includes 4 airport transfers:

• Collection transfer from Hoedspruit Airport to Rukiya Safari Camp on day 1
• Transfer from Rukiya Safari Camp to Hoedspruit Airport on day 4
• Transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Signature Lux Hotel in Cape Town on day 4
• Transfer to Cape Town International Airport from Signature Lux Hotel on day 7

Victoria Falls Tour Add-on

This Kruger & Cape Town Tour combines well with our 4-Day Victoria Falls Tour. Experience Africa’s greatest waterfall, magnificent Victoria Falls, with a combination of activities to explore the area, on foot, by air and on the mighty Zambezi River while staying at a friendly hotel within walking distance of Victoria Falls. Speak to your travel advisor to add this to your tour package.

Kruger and Cape Town Flight Bookings

Flight costs are not included in the Kruger and Cape Town Tour and must be booked separately. Our friendly travel advisors are happy to assist with booking your flights through our experienced flight partners.

Pre- and Post-Safari Accommodation

We highly recommend extending your Cape Town vacation after the tour so that you can explore this beautiful city and its surrounding areas further. With so many activities and attractions to choose from, you’ll find plenty of reasons to linger in Cape Town. The Cape Winelands has many different districts, so take a more extensive scenic Cape Winelands Tour, go on a Big 5 Wildlife Safari, do a township tour, go cycling or kayaking, scuba diving, shark cage diving, or surfing, the options are endless. The selection of world-class restaurants and dining experiences is exceptional too.

Simply ask your friendly travel expert to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.

Customize Your Kruger and Cape Town Tour

Our affordable Kruger and Cape Town Safari packages are all customizable upon request. Talk to our safari experts to have your safari tailored to your needs. You can add pre-tour or post-tour accommodation, spend extra days in Cape Town or Kruger National Park, book day tours, add a Victoria Falls safari, change where your trip starts and ends, and more.

For more details contact African Budget Safaris