Take a trip to the wild side as you spend a 3-day Safari Trip in South Africa. Most travellers assume that a Safari trip in South Africa need a hefty budget; however with enough research and the right connections, one can spend 3 days in the wild under a tight budget. Let this article introduce you to the Safaris in South Africa as well as guide you to the cheapest Safari trip in the country.
Before packing your binoculars and Safari outfits, your trip to South Africa may require you to apply for their tourist visa. The government of South Africa may have exempted nations from acquiring a visa but it is still safer to check if you are one of those passport holders exempted from applying for a South African Visa. If you are a passport holder from an exempted country, then you will be allowed to stay in South Africa for less than 90 days. However if you are required to secure a Tourist’s Visa to South Africa, you will need to prepare the following documents prior to your visit to their embassy:
- Valid passport
- Completed visa application form
- Certification of Yellow-Fever Vaccination (for those going through the yellow fever area of Africa or South America)
- Written purpose and schedule of your visit
- Couple of passport photos (coloured)
- Proof of travel – flight booking, hotel booking, and itinerary
- Bank documents
- Proof of custody – for travellers accompanying minors
- Visa fee
3-day Safari Trip in South Africa:
Are you ready to see the savannah of South Africa and marvel at the animals amidst its habitat? Do check this suggested 3-day itinerary and see how you can explore the famous Safari of South Africa under budget.
Day 1 – From Johannesburg to Kruger National Park:
Start your day early as you get travel from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park, the famous Safari adventure site in South Africa. Local travel agents usually arrange this trip around 5am as the road trip takes at least 5 hours. Do not be turned off by the 5-hour road trip because this scenic drive will take you to the borders of the national park where you can see glimpses of the exciting Safari trip. Along the way, you will have quick stops for breakfast and for some quick snapshots of great mountain views.
After the 500-km drive, your guide will probably bring you to your campsite where you can take a rest, leave your stuff, and get oriented to the succeeding activities and schedule of the next couple of the days. After the quick orientation, your group will be brought to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where injured animals are temporarily cared for until such time it is able to live independently back in the wild.
Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
There you will be educated about the real situation of the animals in the wild. Some of the animals in the center can only be observed from a distance while others can be seen at the closer distance. If you’re lucky you can even feed an adult vulture or even carry a large eagle on your arm.
As the sun sets, your guide will take you to your first Safari Caravan tour. There you will be assigned to your evening tents or lodges, depending on your budget. It is highly recommended that you call it a night early to be prepared for the 2nd day’s adventure.
Safari Caravan tour
Day 2 – Exploring Kruger National Park:
Your second day of the 3-day Safari Trip in South Africa introduces you to the famous and highly-visited Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park
While your first day has just given you glimpses of what to expect, your second day will bring you where the animals are. Wake up around 5:00am and have a quick breakfast while your tour guide reminds you of proper behaviour while in grazing the Safari. Make sure you have your cameras, zoom lenses, and extra batteries ready because you will be spending an entire day in the wild. Expect to see wart hogs, prides of lions, pods of hippos, zebras, giraffes, and many more.
Kruger National Park is truly one of the last frontiers that has a variety of savannah animals. This park is a great venue to see and understand the “circle of life.”
Before the sun sets, your group can see a more exclusive game reserve park called Motlala.
This privately-owned reserve has less Safari visitors therefore it has less caravans and has more wild animals to be seen.
Day 3 – En Route to Johannesburg:
Before going back to the city, make sure to wake up really early like 5:00am to witness the glorious image of the sun rising from the horizon. Seldom can you see the sunrise but here in Kruger National Park, you can witness the sun rising everyday. As you say goodbye to Kruger National Park and to the new acquaintances you have met during your short stay, share your last early morning breakfast before heading back to the city.
The ride back to Johannesburg has pockets of adventures which can be as exciting as the 3-day Safari trip in South Africa as well. Make sure you request your guide to bring you to Blyde River Canyon, the biggest canyon in the world.
Blyde River Canyon
The view atop the canyon is breathtakingly beautiful; it is a site that you should not miss! After that worthwhile stopover, you can continue your road trip back to Johannesburg.
3-Day Safari Trip in South Africa – A Journey to the Wild:
A trip to South Africa’s Safari entails a number of preparations; the most important of all is your South African tourist visa. Aside from the visa, you’ll need to pack binoculars, camera, first-aid kit, and many more. Should you have any questions or need any assistance is getting a visa or getting an itinerary for the visa application, you may contact us through our website or Facebook page.
Journey to the wild and see many kinds of animals during your 3-day Safari trip in South Africa!
