8 DAYS SOUTH AFRICA: PANORAMA ROUTE AND KRUGER

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...!

Accommodations:

• Silver The City Lodge Hotel - O.R. Tambo International Airport
• Gold The Residence Boutique Hotel
• Platinum The Houghton Hotel

Hazyview is located just a few kilometres from Kruger National Park. Its name comes from the summer haze that typically lingers over the lowveld bush during the hot months. The area is famous for banana and macadamia farms, with tropical plantations as far as the eye can reach. It’s also the adventure hub of the region, offering hot air ballooning, hiking, river rafting and much more. But most visitors come for one reason: its proximity to Kruger and the abundance of hotels and restaurants to choose from before entering the famous park.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Hippo Hollow Country Estate
• Gold Kruger Park Lodge
• Platinum Summerfields Rose Retreat and Spa

If you want a jam-packed wildlife experience, then Kruger National Park will make your dream come true. This park is said to have the highest chance of seeing all the famous Big Five PLUS the Avian Six (six endemic and funny-looking bird species – only to be found in Kruger) in one day. Mind you, this park is massive! With no less than a whopping 2 million hectares, this is the largest (and most famous) national park in South Africa, with almost 150 different mammal species and 500 bird species. You can also visit archaeological sites, learn about Kruger's amazing and turbulent history and check out the wildlife rehabilitation centres.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Skukuza Rest Camp
• Gold Skukuza Safari Lodge
• Platinum Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge

Hoedspruit is a small town with a big heart, ideally positioned between the Kruger National Park and the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon, and as such, your first or last stop on the Panorama Route with its jaw-droppingly beautiful sights. The town is a vibrant base for adventure – think hot air ballooning, boat cruises and quad biking - and Kruger’s backyard, so make sure to keep an eye out for impala, kudu, or even a sneaky leopard to cross your path. Last but not least, this is where you can meet and greet Jessica the (tame!) Hippo.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Leopards Lair Bush Lodge
• Gold Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit
• Platinum Tangala Safari Camp

The scenic drive from Hoedspruit to Blyde River Canyon covers 50 kilometres and takes 1 hour and 20 minutes along the R40. Known as the third-largest canyon in the world – and the greenest thanks to its lush subtropical vegetation – Blyde River Canyon is a natural wonder with some of the deepest cliffs on earth. Check in to your accommodation and kick off your Blyde River Canyon adventure with some white water rafting or a tranquil boat cruise on the Blyde Dam. The next day, head straight to the awe-inspiring wonders on the Panorama Route towards Graskop. With this much beauty all around, your camera won’t get a break!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Blyde River Wilderness Lodge
• Gold Blyde River Canyon Lodge
• Platinum Umvangati House

The Panorama Route in the Mpumalanga province is one of South Africa’s most scenic drives, offering jaw-dropping views of the Blyde River Canyon and lush surrounding landscapes. Follow the R532 from the canyon area to Graskop, ticking off iconic stops like the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes - natural wonders shaped by millennia of water erosion. Don’t miss God’s Window, with panoramic views stretching across the lower lands and, on clear days, all the way to Mozambique. Add in spectacular waterfalls like Lisbon and Berlin Falls, each just a short stop with minimal entry fees. End your journey in Graskop with the unforgettable Gorge Lift Experience - descending 51 metres into a magical forest. Keep your camera ready; every stop is a postcard moment.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge
• Gold Dar Amane Guest House Graskop
• Platinum Hoyohoyo Angels View Graskop

Today marks the final stretch of your South African road trip, as you drive from Graskop to Johannesburg, a journey of 360 kilometres that takes 4 to 4.5 hours without stops. But if you're up for one last adventure, why not tackle the rapids of the Sabie River on an unforgettable white water rafting experience? For this, you take the scenic R535 from Graskop to Hazyview for a good 45 minutes. After your splash-filled adrenaline fix, you continue via the R40 to the N4 highway westbound toward Johannesburg. From there, follow the signs to the R21 north if you want to go straight to the airport. Keep your eyes on the road, because it gets pretty busy around the city!

Activities: