18 DAYS SOUTH AFRICA: CIRCLING THE NORTH WITH KRUGER + BEACH

From $ 1759 USD* / Safaris galore: Big Five & birdlife & elephants up close / 18 days

*price p.p. incl. rental car and hotels, excl. international flights (based on four persons)

18 days fulfilling your South African wishes.

In Tshwane, formerly Pretoria, you can enjoy markets, malls and music, and head to the Groenkloof Nature Reserve. No matter if a hike or a safari (or both) – the landscape and wildlife make you feel like in a dream.

To keep the safari flow going, you can go on another one in Pilanesberg National Park, where the Big Five and furry and feathered friends are waiting for you. Want to make it extra special? Glide over this spectacular landscape in a hot air balloon!

Next to another safari (there can never be enough) in Waterberg, you can meet the grey giants of the animal kingdom in “Adventures with Elephants” on knee-level.

The adrenaline lovers’ places-to-be are Magoebaskloof and Hoedspruit: hot air balloon rides, boat cruises, quad biking, zip lining – feel your heart beat faster.

If you have not captured all animals yet, you can do so in Kruger National Park. The Big Five, the Avian Six, 147 mammal species and 500 bird species will pose for your pics. Nelspruit welcomes you with a wondrous flora, restaurants, caves and more – the choice is yours!

With coastal forests, golden beaches, and free-roaming hippos, St. Lucia is the perfect spot to end your journey.

A colourful bouquet of South Africa’s finest.

Explore all of this by yourself during an unforgettable road trip. If you want to learn more about this country during your trip, our guides will be happy to drive and show you around at extra cost.

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg + Drive from Johannesburg to Tshwane (Pretoria)
  • Day 2: Tshwane (Pretoria)
  • Day 3: Drive from Tshwane (Pretoria) to Pilanesberg + Pilanesberg National Park
  • Day 4: Pilanesberg National Park
  • Day 5: Drive from Pilanesberg to Waterberg + The Waterberg Biosphere Area
  • Day 6: Drive from Waterberg to Magoebaskloof + Magoebaskloof
  • Day 7: Magoebaskloof
  • Day 8: Drive from Magoebaskloof to Hoedspruit + Hoedspruit
  • Day 9: Drive from Hoedspruit to Kruger National Park – Orpen Gate + Kruger National Park
  • Day 10: Kruger National Park
  • Day 11: Kruger National Park
  • Day 12: Drive from Kruger's Malelane Gate to Mbombela (Nelspruit) + Mbombela (Nelspruit)
  • Day 13: Drive from Mbombela (Nelspruit) to St Lucia + Saint Lucia
  • Day 14: Saint Lucia
  • Day 15: Saint Lucia
  • Day 16: Saint Lucia
  • Day 17: Saint Lucia
  • Day 18: Drive from St Lucia to Durban + Flight home from Durban

Day 1

Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa, nayimkelekile, baie welkom! As you walk out of O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg – Africa’s biggest and busiest airport – you head straight to your rental car pick-up place. This is where your adventure begins! This self-driving journey is all about freedom: explore at your own pace, tailor your days with exciting activities, and decide when to stop and soak it all in. With our travel guide full of top spots, local tips and charming padstalls, you’re set for an unforgettable road trip...!

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Day 2

Tshwane (Pretoria)

Tshwane (formerly Pretoria and nicknamed 'Jacaranda-city' because of its typical purple-blossomed trees) is a bustling multicultural city with tree-lined streets, skyscrapers, nature reserves and lots of history. Its rich cultural heritage and numerous historic landmarks make this city a must-visit for anyone seeking to learn more about South Africa’s complex past. But the city is more than its colonial legacy! Take your time to explore local markets, fine dining restaurants, live music, art and nature with even game drives or hikes in the mesmerising Groenkloof Nature Reserve... A visit to Tshwane will refresh your body, mind and spirit!

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Day 3 - 4

Drive from Tshwane (Pretoria) to Pilanesberg

The journey from Tshwane (formerly Pretoria) to Pilanesberg covers about 170 kilometres and takes roughly 2.5 hours via the N4. Need a quick stop? The small town of Rustenburg has got you covered for a convenient break along the way. Once you arrive, prepare for top-notch game viewing and breathtaking scenery in the fourth-largest national park in the country!

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Day 5

Drive from Pilanesberg to Waterberg

Waterberg lies northeast of Pilanesberg and is easily reached by driving north via the R510 to Northam, then continuing on the N11. From there, follow signs to your chosen destination – whether it’s Bela-Bela, Vaalwater, Welgevonden or something else. The journey covers 200 to 250 kilometres and takes three to four hours, depending on where you're staying. Roads are well signposted, but keep an eye out for your exact location!

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Day 6 - 7

Drive from Waterberg to Magoebaskloof

The drive from Waterberg to the lush, mountainous region of Magoebaskloof covers 283 kilometres via the N1 and takes just over three hours. As you approach your destination, prepare for scenic landscapes with indigenous forests, dramatic mountain plateaus, deep river gorges and cascading waterfalls. Spend a relaxing afternoon settling in or head out again for the afternoon, because the Magoebaskloof is full of adventure!

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Day 8

Drive from Magoebaskloof to Hoedspruit

The drive from Magoebaskloof to Hoedspruit is a scenic 135 kilometres and takes 1.5 hours via the R71. It’s a beautiful route through wild and rugged landscapes, so we suggest leaving after breakfast to take it all in at a relaxed pace. Once in Hoedspruit, check into your lodge and explore all the adventures the town has to offer. Or just relax and rest up, as you'll want to make an early start heading into the iconic Kruger National Park tomorrow!

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Day 9 - 11

Drive from Hoedspruit to Kruger National Park – Orpen Gate

The drive from Hoedspruit to the Orpen Gate of Kruger National Park takes less than 30 minutes via the R40, so you’ll be on safari in no time! Upon entering, you’ll receive a detailed map with clearly marked routes leading to rest camps and prime game viewing spots. The open grasslands near Orpen Gate are rich in wildlife, offering superb sightings of the Big Five, as well as cheetahs, African wild dogs, giraffes, and zebras. This area’s mineral-rich sweetveld attracts animals year-round, making it a hotspot for game drives. Be sure to chat with other visitors at the rest camps—you might get a tip on where to run into a buffalo herd of 250 strong!

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Day 12

Drive from Kruger's Malelane Gate to Mbombela (Nelspruit)

If you exit Kruger National Park via the Malelane Gate, it’s just about an hour’s drive (67 kilometres) along the N4 to Nelspruit/Mbombela, where you can marvel at the lush Lowveld and its fruit orchards. After checking into your hotel, consider a visit to the Sudwala Caves on the R539 – the oldest cave system in the world with ancient stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils. Craving a bit more action? Then fly over the breathtaking valley on the Sudwala Zipline!

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Day 13 - 17

Drive from Mbombela (Nelspruit) to St Lucia

It’s a good idea to set your alarm and hit the road early – you've got a long drive ahead, but the reward is a few days of relaxation in a tropical paradise! The journey from Mbombela to St Lucia covers 540 kilometres via the N2 and takes just under seven hours. Be sure to plan well, as driving in the dark through the rural areas around St Lucia isn’t advised due to wildlife often wandering onto the roads - yes, even hippos! Break up the drive with a lunch stop in Pongola, right on the N2 in the heart of Zululand. You’ll reach it after a good four hours of driving, and there are several restaurants and shops just off the highway where you can refuel – both yourselves and the car. From Pongola, it’s another two hours and twenty minutes to St Lucia.

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Day 18

Drive from St Lucia to Durban

The total distance from St Lucia to King Shaka International Airport is 212 kilometres, so it shouldn't take more than 2.5 hours to reach your destination via the N2 highway towards Durban. Enjoy those last views of impressive coastal plains and wetlands. It's a relatively short drive so if you still have a few hours to spare, you might want to insert a quick visit to Durban (another 20 kilometres from the airport, but towards the other side) before you return your car and check in. Depending on which airline you booked your return flight with, you embark on the flight home immediately, or on a domestic flight towards Johannesburg first (as most transcontinental destinations are only served from O.R.Tambo International Airport).

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Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

Why Africa Safari Trips?

  • We are based in Nairobi (Kenya) and Kampala (Uganda)
  • We offer private safaris
  • We have world class safari guides
  • You get Expert advice
  • Best value for money
  • Own safari vehicles
  • No limit on driving distance
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