What is a Kruger Park budget 8-day safari?

The Budget 8-day Kruger Park safari tour offered by the Kruger Safari Co. in the Kruger National Park offers an affordable opportunity to enjoy the wildlife that this well-known location has to offer.

It is entirely possible to go and stay on a tight budget for an exciting beautiful eight days in the park while yet enjoying a memorable safari trip.

Most lodging in Kruger National Park is inexpensive self-catering lodging in sizable rest camps run by South African National Parks (SANParks). A few remote satellite and bushveld sites also provide a more sedate, genuine safari experience.

The main rest camps and satellite camps, as well as bushveld camps, bush lodges, overnight hides, and a remote camp site, are all available for lodging in Kruger National Park. Additionally, the large camps provide caravan and camping sites, which are highly well-liked by local tourists.

Visitors can bring their own food and drink to Kruger’s self-catering accommodations, although there are also restaurants or takeaway food options at the major rest camps.

What to expect on a budget 8-day safari

Over eight days you can thoroughly enjoy the spectacular scenery and animal sightings in the Kruger National Park. You may encounter the Big Five – Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Lion – more than once, either by self-driving or by taking a morning, sunset or night drive with knowledgeable and skilled local guides.

The ability to use your own or a rented a car for your safari vacation is a significant cost saving on a Budget Kruger Park safari. With your own vehicle, you can explore the park at your leisure and stop at popular bushveld spots for a picnic or braai. With a cooler box full of snacks and drinks, you can park at one of the many popular waterholes and enjoy endless animal and bird sightings.

On a low-budget safari, you will most likely stay in one of the following types of accommodations:

• A self-catering rondavel (round huts) or bungalow, chalet or family cottage in a main rest camp
• A caravan or camping site in a main rest camp.
• Self-catering accommodation in bushveld camps
• Self-catering bush lodges that can be booked on an exclusive-use basis and offer families and groups of friends an intimate and private safari experience.
• Satellite camps located close to a main rest camp but far enough away to escape the busy crowds.

A budget safari does not mean that you need to miss out on excitement. During your visit you can participate in any of the following park activities without breaking your budget:

• Game drives in your own car
• Guided bushveld walks from the main rest camps
• Play golf at Skukuza Golf Club
• Picnics and bush braais
• Birdwatching

What is included and excluded

Specific inclusions and exclusions will be strictly specified in your selected tour itinerary.

You can choose between a safari led by a qualified and experienced safari guide and a self-drive safari. Morning, sunset, or night game drives may be included in your specific package, but they are not automatically included in the price of accommodation.

Your accommodation will be self-catering, but all of the major rest camps have restaurants as well as take-away options.

You must pay the Kruger Park entrance fee, also known as the conservation fee. This daily conservation fee is required for each night spent in the Kruger National Park.

What about children

All budget accommodations in Kruger National Park are suitable for families, even with small children.  Parents should just keep in mind that children 6 years and younger are not permitted on an open safari vehicle for game drives.

Pros and Cons of a budget 8-day safari in the Kruger National Park

Cancellation Policy

An 8-day safari booking must be cancelled in writing after it has been agreed upon between the client and the Kruger Safari Co agent.

It is your responsibility to notify and confirm with the Kruger Safari Co agent in writing any changes you want to make to the itinerary whilst on tour. You are liable for any cost(s) incurred for such changes.

The standard cancellation and refund policy for 8-day safaris stipulates that a cancellation more than 15 days before departure will make you forfeit 50% of total payment made. When cancelling less than 15 days before departure, you will forfeit total payment.

You might also like our 6 Day Budget Kruger Park Safari Tour or 7 Day Budget Kruger Park Safari Tour.

FAQ’s

Can you do a budget 8-day safari to the Kruger National Park?

Yes, the bulk of Kruger National Park accommodation consist of budget-friendly, self-catering units in large rest camps and being able to do self-drive safaris is a major cost saving on a Budget Kruger Park safari.

How do you pay Daily Conservation fees when on an 8-day safari?

You will pay a daily conservation fee for each night spent in the Kruger National Park. The fees until 31 October 2023 are:

• South African Citizens and Residents (with ID) – R110 per adult, per day and R55 per child, per day
• SADC Nationals (with passport)- R220 per adult, per day and R110 per child, per day
• International Visitors – R440 per adult, per day and R220 per child, per day.

What is the difference between the Daily Conservation fees and an entrance fee?

The entrance fee and the daily conservation fee is one and the same thing.

May children go on an 8-day safari into the Kruger National Park.

Yes, all standard accommodation in the park are children friendly. Parents just need to remember that children 6 years and younger are not permitted on open safari vehicles used for booked game drives.

Will I get my money back if I have to cancel my booked 8-day safari?

If you cancel more than 15 days before departure, you will forfeit 50% refund of total payment made, excluding the non-refundable deposit. If less than 15 days before departure, you forfeit total payment.