Private tour for 4 or more guests.
NEW FOR 2025: In addition to our scheduled small group KRUGER SAFARI tours in January and July, TravelMaven is pleased to announce the introduction of Private Tours to Kruger. Any group of 4 or more persons, whether an extended family or group of friends, can book a Kruger Safari at a time that works for them. Ask Barry to check availability for you!
Who hasn't dreamt of riding across the African savannah in an open vehicle, checking out the elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and a few big cats? I think everyone had this dream as a kid, but for many Canadians, an African safari has always seemed too far, too expensive, too dangerous, or just too much to seriously contemplate.
Well, here's some good news: TravelMaven wants to make your safari dream a reality!
Our home-away-from-home in the Kruger is Rio Vista Lodge overlooking the Crocodile River. From here, we enjoy six day trips, including three safaris into Kruger National Park. The first safari will be all-day (departing at 5 am!), the second will be an evening safari that starts in the daylight and ends after dark, and the third will be a chance to take a more relaxed attitude and hopefully see what we may have missed the first two times!
In addition to safaris, we will also do a few more awesome things. For example, we will make a full day tour to the Panorama Route to see the Blyde River Canyon, often called Africa's green Grand Canyon. We will also visit Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden and Sudwala Caves.
Finally, it's important to note that all activities and almost all meals are included. For those things not included, prices are reasonable (e.g. beer $3), so your spending money total could easily be as little as $200 per person.
I am confident this will be the trip of a lifetime for whomever joins us. If you've read this far, you must have an African safari on your bucket list. Here's your chance to scratch it off!
TOUR DETAILS
2025
LAND PACKAGE: $3,480 (US$2,610)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $560 (US$420)
2026
LAND PACKAGE: $3,680 (US$2,760)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $660 (US$495)
TYPE: Safari
HOTELS: 4 star
GROUP SIZE: 4-12 guests
DURATION: 12 days (9 hotel nights)
DATES: This tour can be booked at any time of year for groups of four or more guests, subject to availability of accommodation.
LAND PACKAGE INCLUDES:
City Lodge Hotel Johannesburg (1 nt)
Rio Vista Lodge Kruger (8 nts)
Breakfast (8)
Lunches (3)
Dinners (8)
3 Kruger safaris (10 hr, 6 hr & 4 hr)
Kruger bush braai (groups of 6 or more)
Panorama Route day tour
Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden
Sudwala Caves
Local Tour Director and safari guides
Domestic flights (Jo'burg/Kruger return)
All ground transportation
All taxes and fees
Land Package prices are quoted in Canadian dollars, and this price is guaranteed once the 20% nonrefundable deposit is received.
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 1: Depart Toronto
There are multiple flight plan options from Toronto to South Africa, departing in the morning, afternoon and evening. Ask Barry about options, and what might be best for you.
DAY 2: Arrive Johannesburg
Upon arrival in Johannesburg, guests can easily walk to the City Lodge Hotel (which is inside the airport). Depending on time of arrival, guests may want to take a swim or have dinner in the hotel restaurant.
City Lodge Hotel, Johannesburg Airport
DAY 3 : Transfer to Kruger (B, D)
This day features a short flight from Johannesburg to Kruger Mpumalanga airport, departing late morning and arriving early afternoon.. Upon arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, guests are picked up by Debbie, our local Tour Director from CD Tours, for transfer to Rio Vista Lodge (less than an hour away) for some free time and a relaxing dinner at The Deck restaurant.
DAY 4: Kruger Safari (B,D)
We will leave our hotel early in open safari vehicles to catch sunrise in Kruger National Park. This is a full-day safari that includes morning coffee stop at Afsall Trader’s Rest and lunch at Skukuza, the largest rest camp in the Park. After returning to Rio Vista mid-afternoon, dinner is on The Deck.
Dinner visitors at Rio Vista Lodge
DAY 5: Free Day at Rio Vista Lodge (B, L, D)
After a long journey and the excitement of the first safari, this is an easy day for guests to sleep in, read a book, hang around the pool and get ready for several more busy days.
DAY 6: Panorama Route & Blyde River Canyon (B, L, D)
We will leave early, headed north to experience the world-famous Panorama Route. This spectacular drive overlooks the Blyde River Canyon, sometimes called Africa's Grand Canyon. There will be several stops for photographs, and lunch will be provided.
Blyde River Canyon
DAY 7: Chimp Eden, i'Langa Mall (B,L,D)
In the morning, we will visit Chimp Eden, a mountain-side facility operated by the Jane Goodall Foundation that rehabilitates and provides refuge for abused chimpanzees. Afterwards, we will stop at the i'Langa Mall for lunch and some time in a modern South African shopping mall.
DAY 8: Kruger Sunset Safari & Bush Braai (B, L, D)
This day has a slow start, but gets going in the afternoon when guests head to Kruger National Park for a sunset safari with a Park Ranger and traditional bush braai (bbq) dinner in heart of Kruger Park.
Sunset safari & bush braai in Kruger
DAY 9: Sudwala Caves (B,D)
On this day, guests will get to explore some of the oldest caves in the world. Sudwala Caves offers easy access to some amazing terrestrial sights. Lunch is also provided at the Sudwala Cafe.
DAY 10: Kruger Safari (B,D)
On this day, guests will experience their third Kruger safari. Depending on what we see on our first two visits, our safari guides will try to find anything we've missed. After an easy afternoon, guests will have their final opportunity to try something new off The Deck's extensive menu.
Kruger National Park
DAY 11: Depart South Africa (B)
Guests will be shuttled to Kruger Mpumalanga airport to catch a flight to Johannesburg that connects them to their flight back to Canada.
DAY 12: Arrive in Canada
Depending on flight plans, guests will arrive back in Toronto in the morning or mid afternoon.
Barry in his dream job.