5-Day Luxury Kruger & Sabi Sands Big Five Safari

This 5 day luxury Kruger and Sabi Sands safari is a short, focused search for the Big Five. You fly from Johannesburg to the Greater Kruger region, spend two nights in a lodge there, then move to a lodge in Sabi Sands for the last night and morning, with game drives each morning and late afternoon. Lodges are in the luxury tier, confirmed upon booking, and the activities and meals follow the lodge schedule. Your flights, transfers and reserve fees are arranged and included.

A day in a South African private reserve follows a rhythm: a wake-up call before dawn, tea and a rusk, a game drive of three to four hours with a guide and a tracker, a full breakfast, a long rest and lunch, then a late-afternoon drive that finishes after dark with a spotlight. The vehicles are open, the group is small and the guides can drive off the roads, which is why sightings are often closer than in a national park. We split the stay between two areas, the Greater Kruger and Sabi Sands, so that you see two sections of habitat and two sets of guides. Read where the best park for the Big Five in South Africa is and what a luxury Kruger safari costs.

Sabi Sands has a long reputation for leopard sightings, but nobody can promise one, and we say so. What we can promise is the structure: fly-in to avoid a long road day, two lodges, four or five game drives, and a flexible last morning that depends on your flight. If you would like to stay longer in one place, see the 6-day luxury Sabi Sands safari, which keeps you in a single reserve. Browse the Big Five safari page and the South Africa destination page.

Easy. Game drives are from the vehicle, and you step out only where the guide says it is safe. The days start early, usually before sunrise, and winter mornings can be cold in an open vehicle, so bring warm layers. The domestic flights use small aircraft with baggage limits, which we explain when you book. There is no trekking, and the trip suits most ages and abilities. Malaria is present in parts of the region, so please speak to a doctor or travel clinic before you travel.

The dry winter months, roughly May to September, are the best for game viewing, because the bush is thin and animals gather at water. Mornings can be cold. Summer, from about November to March, is hot and green, with young animals and birds, and heavy rain in the afternoons. Read the best time to visit Sabi Sands and tell us your month so that we can set expectations.

This tour suits travellers who want a short, comfortable safari with a high chance of seeing big animals, including couples, friends and small families. It is a good first safari. If you want a Cape Town stay as well, see the 8-day Cape Town and Big Five safari holiday. If you prefer a mid-range route, see the 6-day Sabi Sands and Kruger game drive safari from Johannesburg.

Tell us your dates and the style of lodge you prefer, and we will explain what the luxury tier looks like in your month. We advise on visas free of charge and confirm lodges after booking. Read what to pack for a Sabi Sands safari and how to plan a South Africa luxury safari.

For a journey with more community time, see our Signature Journey, the 6-day KwaZulu-Natal safari and Zulu cultural heritage tour.