Day 1, Night 1
Tuesday 12 May 2026
Skukuza, Kruger National Park
Arrive at the lovely Safari themed Skukuza airport on the outskirts of the largest rest camp in the Kruger National Park, Skukuza, named after Colonel James Stevenson-Hamilton, the first Warden of the mighty Kruger National Park.
Here you will be welcomed by the Alan Tours representatives to guide you through the arrival process and usher you to the awaiting vehicle for your transfer to the Skukuza rest camp.
We check into our accommodation and freshen up and take an early light lunch at one of the restaurants before departing in the tour vehicle for the first official game drive of your Kruger National Park centenary tour.
We head out for your first safari and a short introduction to the African bush searching for the myriad of creatures both great and small, view the beautiful tree lined rivers and enjoy the wildlife, colourful birdlife, reptiles and so much more.
We return for dinner at the park restaurant before we make our way to our accommodation for a peaceful night’s rest in preparation for an early morning in the African bush.
Overnight Skukuza rest camp, Bungalow, bed and breakfast
Lunch and dinner are for own account
Kruger National Park. Our centenary year 1926 – 2026
The Kruger National Park is a gigantic chunk of pristine savanna (the size of Israel) that has been set aside on the eastern border of northern South Africa. It encompasses an area of approximately 2 million hectares (4.8 million acres) in its smallest format. The park was first envisaged in 1898 as a government wildlife park, then the Sabi Game reserve came into being and finally was promulgated into law as the Kruger National Park National Park on the 31 May 1926.
It is named in honour of the first President of the then South African Republic, President Paul Kruger, later this became the province of the Transvaal in South Africa.
The story goes that it was not President Paul Kruger who was agitating to recognize the now Kruger National Park to be established but by several smaller parties in the parliament of the old South African Republic.
It was after James Stevenson-Hamilton (1867 – 1957) was appointed as the first warden of the fore runner of the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Game Reserve, who recognized the urgent need to stop the wholesale slaughter of wildlife and was desperately trying to pass the proclamation of the Game Reserve through parliament under a number of names but still the conservative right, led by members of the party of the now deceased President Kruger after the end of the Anglo Boer war when they continuously vetoed the proclamation of the park, holding onto the old idea of a hunting conservancy.
Then one fortuitous day when Stevens-Hamilton was doing his shopping in the town of Malelane on the southern boundary of the park, he sat down to lunch with a pal of his who owned the local hotel. Hamilton broached the subject of the difficulty he was experiencing with the then conservatives in government. His friend cleverly suggested that he call the reserve after the late president of the South African Republic, Paul Kruger. The conservatives were delighted with the idea, and the park was finally promulgated into law in 1926 as the Kruger National Park.
The rest is history in what is now one of two of the two most important tourism venues in South Africa and a leading conservation project in the world at large. The Kruger National Park, famed worldwide, is a magnificent woodland savanna and wildlife refuge that has been set aside for nature to evolve and for South Africans and the World to wonder at and enjoy.
James Stevenson-Hamilton became known by the local Shangaan people of the South African lowveld in which the Kruger park is situated as “Skukuza,” (the one who sweeps clean or he who turns everything upside down). It is the largest rest camp in the Kruger park and is named after its founding father “Skukuza”
Today the Kruger National Park is the oldest and largest of 21 National parks in South Africa. It is home to the legendary Big 5 animals, herds of Elephant, both species of Rhino, the White and the Black, great herds of Cape Buffalo, one of the last major refuges for Lion and the shy Leopard.
The park is home to more mammal species than anywhere else in the world and one of the best places to spot the elusive Leopard which can be seen lazing in the large trees or at other times walking casually down the road.
Come along for the ride and enjoy.
Day 2, Night 2
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Kruger National Park full day game viewing and exploring the history of this rest camp
We wake early for coffee and rusk when we gather at the guides’ accommodations and then head out into the morning light to search for the nocturnal creatures such as Spotted Hyena, Lions and maybe a Leopard before they make their way to shade up for the midday heat.
There will be many interesting sightings of antelope, warthog and zebra together with herds of elephants, giraffe, buffalo and possibly a rhino or two.
We return to camp after an exciting morning and have a delicious breakfast at the restaurant.
Within the context of the tour, after breakfast we take time to visit two iconic historical sites in the camp before heading to an equally interesting historical camp at Pretoriuskop.
The group is welcome to meet in the restaurant for a light lunch or simply wander down and have a meal whenever you feel comfortable to do so.
After relaxing and visiting some of the historical sites in the camp, we meet once again at the guides accommodation or other suitable place for the afternoon game drive, carrying on where we left off from the morning. We set out searching for what interesting sightings we can find along the river banks and surrounding savannas.
We return as the sun dips low over the tall trees for one of those spectacular sunsets that the Kruger has a habit of providing you with.
Return to camp to freshen up before meeting at one of the restaurants before heading back to your accommodation serenaded by the whooping call of a spotted hyena and the many sounds of the African night before a peaceful night’s rest in this amazing place.
Overnight Skukuza rest camp, Bungalow, bed and breakfast
Lunch and dinner are for own account
Optional extra activities: night drives and guided walks
Day 3, night 3
Thursday 14 May 2026
Skukuza rest camp to historic south-western rest camp
After an early morning wake up for coffee and rusk, we board the tour vehicle, making our way south to a historic western rest camp This is the first camp that opened to the public in 1927. A year after the Kruger National Park came into being. Three tourist vehicles entered the park this year, compared to 2 million tourists in 2024.
The south-western area experiences the highest rainfall in the park as it is set at some elevation creating conditions conducive to rainfall. Tall grasses surround the camp which has several granitic intrusions, huge boulders, the most prominent of which is Shabeni Koppie (hill) that rises dramatically above the surrounding grasslands.
We stop for breakfast/brunch en route.
Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Elephant are all common in the area. Rich game view is found in surrounding areas. and other game rich plains and within easy reach of the camp for interesting and productive game viewing.
We learn more about Percy Fitzpartrick and the book “Jock of the Bushveld” as this is the area where Jock was reputed to have been born in one of the most famous books to have been written in South Africa.
Overnight south-western rest camp, Bungalow, bed and breakfast
Lunch and dinner are for own account.
Optional extra: early morning guided walk near Skukuza in the bush with an armed guide.
Day 4, Night 4
Friday 15 May 2026
South-western rest camp to Southern rest camp
We wake early for coffee and rusks before boarding the tour vehicle for an exciting morning of game viewing.
We can either take a brunch break at one of the picnic sites before resuming our game drive or return to the rest camp for brunch and a break in the midday heat. As it cools down, we prepare to head back into the bush searching for those exciting sightings we so eagerly anticipate.
We return to camp with memories made for a lifetime and after dinner we head for bed under a canopy of glittering stars.
Overnight lower Sabie, Bungalow, bed and breakfast
Lunch and dinner are for own account
Brief introduction to the geology of the Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park runs from south to north for approximately 360 km and is on average 65 km wide.
The park is home to variety of different geological zones which gives the huge diversity of plant life living in the different geological zones from north to south and east to west.
The western portions of the park are characterized by well drained granitic soils that drain well. These porous soils are home to various species that will for example not be found on the richer clay soils in the east and a long line of fine red Kalahari sands that at times divide the park from west to east.
The result of this variation in the geological make up of the park is a wide diversity of differing habitats with remarkably different vegetation which in turn attracts a wide diversity of wildlife, birds, reptiles and plants.
Day 5, Night 5
Saturday 16 May 2026
Southern rest camp to Central rest camp
After a good night’s rest, we wake for coffee and rusks before packing our luggage and setting out for the drive to our next overnight destination at the centrally situated rest camp. This is the only rest camp that has not been built in sight of one of the major rivers in the Kruger Park.
It is well-known and a popular place to overnight and is situated in these vast central grasslands, surrounded by plains with rich grazing that is so attractive to large herds of herbivores such as zebra, and wildebeest, warthog and congregations of buffalo, elephant and giraffe are attracted to the abundant and palatable sweet grasses that grow here.
Wherever one finds large concentrations of herbivores one will inevitably find their predators not far behind.
The abundance of predators ensures that the herbivore populations remain healthy and fit as the many Lions, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dog and Hyena that follow them will weed out the unhealthy, lame and sick individuals so keeping the populations vigorous and alert.
This camp has a well-stocked shop and a relaxed but busy restaurant for meals throughout the day and into the evening.
Overnight central rest camp bungalows, bed and breakfast
Lunch and dinner are for own account
Optional extras: Morning guided walk and or guided Sunset or Night drive in one of the park open vehicles.
Day 6, Night 6
Sunday 17 May 2026
Central rest camp
Full day game viewing from the Central rest camp.
Early wake to make the best of the cool hours of the day we go out early to enjoy the morning and return to our rest camp or take a well-earned break at one of the nearby camps or picnic sites depending on the results of the morning game drive.
During the warm portion of the day, we tend to chill and take it easy before early afternoon, when we head out once again to catch up with the sightings of the morning and, of course, new sightings that present themselves.
We return to camp for a relaxing shower before meeting at the restaurant for a delicious meal before heading to bed or relaxing on your porch to listen to the African night, the hooting of an owl in the trees or the whooping of a hyena communicating with its clan, the sawing call of a leopard proclaiming its territorial boundaries, the bright trill call of a Scopes Owl in the trees throughout the camp or simply take in the still quiet of an African night in the tropics.
Overnight central rest camp, bungalows, bed and breakfast
Lunch and dinner are for own account
Optional extras: Morning guided walk and or guided Sunset or Night drive in one of the park open vehicles.
Day 7, Night 7
Monday 18 May 2026
Central rest camp private colonial Lodge
This private camp is one of those memorable places in the African bushveld.
We arrive at our camp in time for lunch, this is taken on the cool veranda under the shade of great African ebony trees with a dry riverbed below where herds of elephant or impala, baboons and many other creature maybe relaxing or drinking at the remaining pools of water.
Simple and tasteful luxury in a stunning setting reminiscent of days gone by conjured up by the name of the Kruger National Parks first warden. The camp brings history to life and is reminiscent of the old colonial culture of “Safari”.
Here your game drives are conducted by your own private game ranger in open 4 x 4 vehicles.
Return to camp in the evening after the excitement of the chase. Take a relaxing bath before joining us for a candlelit dinner served on silver ware and cutlery shone to perfection by dedicated staff. Sitting on the deck under the trees with the stars shining through.
Enjoy your meal while being serenaded by the sounds of the African night before making your way to bed in a stylishly appointed canvas tent with every amenity one could wish for.
Overnight private colonial lux lodge, full board
Day 8, Night 8
Tuesday 19 May 2026
Private luxury camp
Full day game viewing from colonial tented safari camp.
You will receive an early morning call from your ranger announcing to you that it is time to wake up for a cup of refreshing coffee and something to sweeten your excitement for the day’s game viewing.
After coffee and something to sustain you, we board your Open Safari 4 x 4 game drive vehicle and head out of camp to search the savannas for the next generation of game viewing with your armed ranger. This is an up close and personal experience where should the need arise, you will be taken off the beaten track to follow and view African big game as they move through the bush. Here we can become much closer to the animals and get a better understanding of them and the habitat in which they live through commentary from your professional guide.
After some hours of game viewing, we will return to camp for a delicious breakfast served under the trees before heading back to your luxury accommodation to lay back and relax and to reflect on what you have experienced, not only, now but through your journey through one of the wilds premiere destinations.
A chance to sit back, lie back and contemplate your world.
Afternoon brings its own anticipation and excitement as we head out after high tea to view the African wildlife on your penultimate safari of the trip.
We return for a scrumptious meal once again after which you may enjoy a drink on the porch with newfound friends or family, reflect on your safari and where you have been, before again heading back to your bedroom accompanied by your armed ranger for safety and your last peaceful nights rest in your African paradise.
Overnight private colonial lux lodge, full board
Day 9
Wednesday 20 May 2026
Private Lodge to Skukuza airport
This day is reserved for your transfer and drop off at Skukuza airport and marks the end of your memorable centenary tour in the Kruger Park and Alan Tours services.
Tour includes:
Tour excludes:
Minimum 4 persons required
Rates:
4 persons on tour: R 134 500.00 per person sharing
5 to 6 persons on tour: R 125 700.00 per person sharing
Single supplement applies
