10-Day Kruger Big Five Safari & Vilankulos Beach Escape

Duration

10 days

Starts & ends

See itinerary

Group size

1–10 guests

Transfers

Included

Cancellation

See our cancellation policy

Why travellers from the US, UK, Australia and beyond book with us

✓Local licensed operator
✓SATSA & ATA member
✓Secure PayPal or card
✓30% deposit if booking 45+ days ahead
✓Airport transfers included
✓WhatsApp support 7 days a week

Bush and beach: Kruger safari plus a Mozambique island finale

Start with four nights of Big Five game drives in Kruger National Park, a sunset game drive and the dramatic Panorama Route, then swap the bush for the turquoise Indian Ocean. After a night in Johannesburg you fly to Vilankulos for sunset dhow cruises, white dunes on Bazaruto and Benguerra, and snorkelling off Santa Carolina (Paradise) Island.

It is the classic South Africa and Mozambique combination: wildlife first, then barefoot beach time to unwind before you fly home.

Flights

Flights are not included (Johannesburg – Vilankulos – Johannesburg). We can book them for you with Airlink or LAM.

Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger & sunset game drive
Early-morning pickup from your Johannesburg hotel or OR Tambo Airport and road transfer to the Kruger area, travelling through the scenic Mpumalanga countryside. On arrival, check in at your lodge and settle in before heading out on a sunset game drive as the bush comes alive. Return to the lodge for dinner and your first night under African skies.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Full-day Kruger National Park safari
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in Kruger National Park with your professional guide, searching for the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo, cheetah and wild dog. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Panorama Route
After breakfast, set off on a full-day tour of the Panorama Route: Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and scenic waterfalls. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Another full-day Kruger safari
After breakfast, head back into Kruger National Park for a second full day of game viewing, exploring different areas of the park to maximise your sightings. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5: Morning game drive & transfer to Johannesburg
An early-morning game drive, then breakfast and check-out. Road transfer back to Johannesburg and overnight at a hotel near OR Tambo Airport, ready for your morning flight to Vilankulos.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Fly Johannesburg to Vilankulos & sunset dhow cruise
After breakfast, transfer to OR Tambo for your morning flight (not included) from Johannesburg to Vilankulo Airport. You are met and transferred to your hotel (Samara Lodge or Hotel Dona Ana or similar). Check in and rest, then set sail on a traditional dhow for your first Indian Ocean sunset. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Bazaruto & Benguerra Islands
After breakfast, a full-day boat trip to Bazaruto and Benguerra Islands. Climb the white dunes, walk and discover the Portuguese architecture on the island and enjoy a seafood lunch (included). Snorkelling fee and equipment are on board for those who want it (optional); scuba diving in Bazaruto is available on request – ask us for the price. Look out for dolphins on the boat ride back to Vilankulos in the evening.
Day 8: Beach day & second sunset dhow cruise
Breakfast, then a free day for optional beach activities such as beach walks or horse riding along the shore. In the late afternoon, enjoy another sunset dhow cruise.
Day 9: Santa Carolina (Paradise) Island
Breakfast, then a full-day visit to Santa Carolina Island: island walks, snorkelling on the reefs and lunch provided on board. Watch for dolphins on the way back.
Day 10: Beach morning & fly to Johannesburg
Breakfast and a last beach morning with optional activities, then transfer to Vilankulo Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg (not included) and your onward journey home.

4 nights lodge near Kruger with breakfast and dinner
Sunset game drive, 2 full-day Kruger safaris, early-morning game drive and full-day Panorama Route tour
Park fees for non-residents
Professional driver/guide
Road transfers Johannesburg – Kruger – Johannesburg
1 night hotel near OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, with breakfast and airport shuttle
Vilankulos airport transfers
4 nights hotel in Vilankulos (Samara Lodge or Hotel Dona Ana or similar) with breakfast
2 sunset dhow cruises
Full-day Bazaruto & Benguerra trip with seafood lunch
Full-day Santa Carolina Island trip with lunch
Snorkelling equipment on island trips

Not included

All flights: international, Johannesburg – Vilankulos – Johannesburg (we can book them for you)
Lunches in Kruger; dinners in Johannesburg and Vilankulos; lunches on non-island days in Mozambique
Marine park / snorkelling fees where applicable
Scuba diving (price on request), horse riding and optional activities
Drinks, tips, visas and travel insurance

Trusted by travellers

4.9★★★★★Google56 reviews 4.8★★★★★SafariBookings54 reviews

Ground arrangements in Southern Africa are handled by our partner SavannahLink — a destination management company and regional transfer network covering South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Eswatini. Visit savannahlink.com

10-Day Kruger Big Five Safari & Vilankulos Beach Escape

Why travellers from the US, UK, Australia and beyond book with us

Bush and beach: Kruger safari plus a Mozambique island finale

Flights

Itinerary

Not included

Trusted by travellers

You may also like

4-Day Wildlife Safari– Kruger & Panorama Route

4-Day Signature Kruger & Panorama Wildlife Adventure

5-Day Big Five Kruger & Scenic Panorama Adventure