14 Days South Africa - Panorama Route - Kruger And St Lucia Tour

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

Activities : Sightseeing

This is the start of your South African road trip – let’s leave the city behind and head straight for adventure! The drive from Johannesburg to Graskop takes 4.5 hours (or 380 kilometres), which leaves time to include a thrilling stop towards the end in Hazyview for some white water rafting on the Sabie River. It’s the perfect adrenaline kick to launch your journey. Once you've checked in at your Graskop hotel, the iconic Panorama Route is yours to explore.

Activities:

Graskop
Graskop is a charming town in the Mpumalanga province, originally founded as a gold mining camp in the 1880s. Today, it’s a buzzing tourist hub and the perfect base for exploring the Panorama Route’s waterfalls, rock formations and epic viewpoints. Don’t forget to book the Graskop Viewing Lift – an unforgettable descent in a glass elevator, 51 metres downwards into an ancient forest. Between hikes and sightseeing, treat yourself to famous pancakes and coffees in one of the cosy cafés lining the main street. Graskop is where your Panorama Route adventure truly begins – make sure to tick off every box!

White Water Rafting on the Sabie River near Hazyview
Craving an adrenaline rush? Go white water rafting on the Sabie River in Hazyview and let the current toss you around on your own one-person gecko or tube! You’ll navigate exciting rapids, cascades and meanders during this thrilling 6 to 7 kilometre ride. The Sabie River is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the country, making the scenery just as epic as the action. Meet at the base on the R536 at least 15 minutes before your start time, where your experienced guide will brief you and shuttle you to the river. The activity lasts 3 hours, including 2.5 hours on the water - with plenty of chances to swim, bounce through rapids and even jump off rocks. All gear is included and no kids under 12 are allowed!

Accommodations:
Silver - Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge
Gold - Dar Amane Guest House Graskop
Platinum - Hoyohoyo Angels View Graskop

Activities : White Water Rafting

The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is a breathtaking drive that begins near Graskop and winds north along the R532 to the Blyde River Canyon and Echo Caves. This iconic route takes you past a string of unforgettable stops - each one quick to visit, low-cost to enter, and absolutely camera-worthy. Start with the Graskop Gorge Lift, a one-of-a-kind experience that lowers you 51 metres into a lush forest by glass elevator. From there, head to Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, the Berlin and Lisbon Falls, and the Three Rondavels - all offering panoramic views and surrounded by dramatic landscapes. End your journey with a peaceful boat cruise on the Blyde Dam, taking in the Blyde River Canyon from its most impressive angle, right from the water’s edge!

Activities:

Blyde River Canyon
The Blyde River Canyon Reserve, or the Motlatse Canyon Provincial Nature Reserve, is home to the world’s third-largest canyon and stretches across 29,000 hectares of lush Mpumalanga landscapes. Just a short drive from Kruger National Park, it descends from misty highlands to the warmer lowveld at the Blyde Dam. Set along the dramatic Drakensberg escarpment, the reserve includes famous landmarks like Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock and God’s Window. The reserve offers excellent hiking trails for all fitness levels and adventurous activities such as white water rafting, abseiling or boat trips on the Blyde Dam!

Cruise on Blyde River
Hop on board of a comfortable 20-seater pontoon boat on the Blyde Dam to see the famous Three Rondawels and Blyde River Canyon from the angle it’s supposed to be seen; while you’re on the water, at the base of the towering mountains that form these breathtaking sights! Spot hippos, crocodiles, and elusive bird species (if you are lucky!), all while soaking in the canyon’s dramatic beauty. Each cruise is guided by a passionate and knowledgeable skipper who brings the landscape to life. Trips depart daily at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM from the Blyde Dam jetty in the Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve. Cruises last 1.5 hours and booking ahead is essential. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Graskop Gorge Lift
Perfectly placed along the iconic Panorama Route, just outside Graskop on the R533 to Hazyview, the Graskop Gorge Lift is a glass elevator that descends 51 metres into the heart of an ancient afromontane forest, offering panoramic views of the Drakensberg Escarpment as you glide down. Once below, follow the 600-metre guided forest trail across bridges, rivers and past waterfalls in a lush, tranquil setting. The site also offers ziplining, cliff walks, a suspension bridge and the legendary Big Swing for thrill-seekers. Booking ahead is highly recommended!

Accommodations:
Silver - Blyde River Wilderness Lodge
Gold - Blyde River Canyon Lodge
Platinum - Umvangati House

Activities : Boat Cruise

Make the most of the last stretch of the Panorama Route - it’s just 50 kilometres (about 1 hour and 20 minutes) from Blyde River Canyon to Hoedspruit via the scenic R40. The drive is short but packed with stunning views, so take it slow and savour the scenery. Arriving early? You might still have time to visit Jessica the hippo or explore the charming town of Hoedspruit. Rest up at your lodge tonight, because Kruger National Park awaits you bright and early tomorrow!

Activities:

Hoedspruit
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.

Meet Jessica the Hippo
Meet Jessica, the world’s most famous hippopotamus, who lives just outside Hoedspruit. Rescued as a calf in 2000 after a huge storm in Kruger National Park, she was raised by locals Tonie and Shirley Joubert - and went on to steal the hearts of people across the globe. Over the years, Jessica has been joined by Seun (another hippo, rescued by the same couple) and her own calm-natured calf Luku, born in 2024. You can book a 'Meet & Feed' session to interact with all three: enjoy a short introduction video, then feed them snacks and tea, give them a backrub with your feet, and spend time with them by the water’s edge. Visits run daily (minimum age is 6 years old), and booking is essential.

Accommodations:
Silver - Leopards Lair Bush Lodge
Gold - Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit
Platinum - Tangala Safari Camp

Activities : Game Drives

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!

Activities:

Kruger National Park
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.

Accommodations:
Gold - Skukuza Safari Lodge
Platinum - Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge

Activities : Game Drives

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!

Activities:

Kruger National Park
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.

Accommodations:
Gold - Skukuza Safari Lodge
Platinum - Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge

Activities : Game Drives

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!

Accommodations:
Silver - Sheppard Boutique Hotel
Gold - Loerie's Call Guesthouse
Platinum - Torburnlea Homestead Luxury Accommodation

Activities : Caving

Nelspruit or Mbombela (the official name) is known for its lush landscapes, subtropical climate, and its proximity to Kruger National Park. The city blends its rich heritage with modern flair; check the historical walking trail before heading to the shops, lively restaurants and many cultural attractions. Don’t miss the Lowveld National Botanical Garden, home to a man-made rainforest and a rich variety of indigenous flora. Nearby, the ancient Sudwala Caves offer guided tours through the earth’s oldest known cave system, filled with ancient stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils. Craving more thrills? The Sudwala zipline offers a high-flying ride over the stunning valley landscape.

Accommodations:
Silver - Sheppard Boutique Hotel
Gold - Loerie's Call Guesthouse
Platinum - Torburnlea Homestead Luxury Accommodation

Activities : Game Drives

You trade the calm pace of Nelspruit for St Lucia’s coastal charm. You land at Richards Bay, the closest airport to St Lucia and gateway to the famous iSimangaliso Wetland Park - a journey that takes about four hours. From there, a quick road transfer brings you straight to golden beaches and lush wetlands, where your adventure begins!

Accommodations:
Silver - Leopard Corner Lodge
Gold - At Heritage House
Platinum - Makakatana Bay Lodge

Activities : Game Drives

The coastal town of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and is a nature lover’s paradise. Think wild coastal forests, golden beaches, abundant birdlife, and free-roaming hippos – yes, they stroll the streets at night! Add to that year-round tropical weather, warm Indian Ocean waters, and an unbeatable mix of adventure and relaxation, and you’ll want to stay longer than just a day. Snorkel at Cape Vidal, cruise with crocs and hippos on the estuary, or even milk a goat at a local cheese farm. St Lucia is wild, wonderful, and waiting!

Activities:

Hippo and crocodile cruise in Saint Lucia
Hop aboard a two-hour cruise in St Lucia and explore one of South Africa’s most iconic estuaries, home to hippos, crocodiles and a dazzling array of birdlife. Cruise 7 kilometres along the calm waters aboard a spacious double-decker boat with panoramic views – perfect pictures guaranteed. Your guide shares fascinating facts about the area’s unique ecology and wildlife as you glide past sunbathing crocs and playful hippos. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink from the onboard cash bar as nature puts on a show. Book ahead and be sure to arrive at the Sunset Jetty 20 minutes before departure.

Snorkeling at Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal is a pristine beach within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, just an hour from Saint Lucia, and one of the best places in the country to go snorkeling. On an average outing, you can spot five types of nudibranchs and flatworms, and 50 species of fish (think lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, rays and many more). Lucky snorkelers may even encounter turtles, octopus or cuttlefish. Daily guided tours are tide-dependent (book in advance!) and led by experts who know exactly where the fish feed and how to navigate safely around rip currents. The 2-hour experience includes all gear (fins, mask, snorkel) and children are welcome. And no stress – iSimangaliso's marine life thrives in a healthy ecosystem, so even if there were any, people would definitely not be on a shark's menu!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park
In Zulu, iSimangaliso means miracle, and that’s exactly what awaits you in South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a vast protected area along KwaZulu-Natal’s coast, centred around Lake St Lucia, where hippos, crocs, pelicans and flamingos thrive. Elephants, giraffes and leopards roam the grasslands and forests, while Sodwana Bay in the north offers world-class coral reefs. Spanning over 3,280 square kilometres from Maphelane to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border, the park unites mountains, wetlands, mangroves, beaches and forests – biodiversity to the max! Even Nelson Mandela said this was bucket-list material!

Accommodations:
Silver - Leopard Corner Lodge
Gold - At Heritage House
Platinum - Makakatana Bay Lodge

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing

The coastal town of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and is a nature lover’s paradise. Think wild coastal forests, golden beaches, abundant birdlife, and free-roaming hippos – yes, they stroll the streets at night! Add to that year-round tropical weather, warm Indian Ocean waters, and an unbeatable mix of adventure and relaxation, and you’ll want to stay longer than just a day. Snorkel at Cape Vidal, cruise with crocs and hippos on the estuary, or even milk a goat at a local cheese farm. St Lucia is wild, wonderful, and waiting!

Activities:

Hippo and crocodile cruise in Saint Lucia
Hop aboard a two-hour cruise in St Lucia and explore one of South Africa’s most iconic estuaries, home to hippos, crocodiles and a dazzling array of birdlife. Cruise 7 kilometres along the calm waters aboard a spacious double-decker boat with panoramic views – perfect pictures guaranteed. Your guide shares fascinating facts about the area’s unique ecology and wildlife as you glide past sunbathing crocs and playful hippos. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink from the onboard cash bar as nature puts on a show. Book ahead and be sure to arrive at the Sunset Jetty 20 minutes before departure.

Snorkeling at Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal is a pristine beach within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, just an hour from Saint Lucia, and one of the best places in the country to go snorkeling. On an average outing, you can spot five types of nudibranchs and flatworms, and 50 species of fish (think lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, rays and many more). Lucky snorkelers may even encounter turtles, octopus or cuttlefish. Daily guided tours are tide-dependent (book in advance!) and led by experts who know exactly where the fish feed and how to navigate safely around rip currents. The 2-hour experience includes all gear (fins, mask, snorkel) and children are welcome. And no stress – iSimangaliso's marine life thrives in a healthy ecosystem, so even if there were any, people would definitely not be on a shark's menu!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park
In Zulu, iSimangaliso means miracle, and that’s exactly what awaits you in South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a vast protected area along KwaZulu-Natal’s coast, centred around Lake St Lucia, where hippos, crocs, pelicans and flamingos thrive. Elephants, giraffes and leopards roam the grasslands and forests, while Sodwana Bay in the north offers world-class coral reefs. Spanning over 3,280 square kilometres from Maphelane to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border, the park unites mountains, wetlands, mangroves, beaches and forests – biodiversity to the max! Even Nelson Mandela said this was bucket-list material!

Accommodations:
Silver - Leopard Corner Lodge
Gold - At Heritage House
Platinum - Makakatana Bay Lodge

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing

The coastal town of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and is a nature lover’s paradise. Think wild coastal forests, golden beaches, abundant birdlife, and free-roaming hippos – yes, they stroll the streets at night! Add to that year-round tropical weather, warm Indian Ocean waters, and an unbeatable mix of adventure and relaxation, and you’ll want to stay longer than just a day. Snorkel at Cape Vidal, cruise with crocs and hippos on the estuary, or even milk a goat at a local cheese farm. St Lucia is wild, wonderful, and waiting!

Activities:

Hippo and crocodile cruise in Saint Lucia
Hop aboard a two-hour cruise in St Lucia and explore one of South Africa’s most iconic estuaries, home to hippos, crocodiles and a dazzling array of birdlife. Cruise 7 kilometres along the calm waters aboard a spacious double-decker boat with panoramic views – perfect pictures guaranteed. Your guide shares fascinating facts about the area’s unique ecology and wildlife as you glide past sunbathing crocs and playful hippos. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink from the onboard cash bar as nature puts on a show. Book ahead and be sure to arrive at the Sunset Jetty 20 minutes before departure.

Snorkeling at Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal is a pristine beach within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, just an hour from Saint Lucia, and one of the best places in the country to go snorkeling. On an average outing, you can spot five types of nudibranchs and flatworms, and 50 species of fish (think lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, rays and many more). Lucky snorkelers may even encounter turtles, octopus or cuttlefish. Daily guided tours are tide-dependent (book in advance!) and led by experts who know exactly where the fish feed and how to navigate safely around rip currents. The 2-hour experience includes all gear (fins, mask, snorkel) and children are welcome. And no stress – iSimangaliso's marine life thrives in a healthy ecosystem, so even if there were any, people would definitely not be on a shark's menu!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park
In Zulu, iSimangaliso means miracle, and that’s exactly what awaits you in South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a vast protected area along KwaZulu-Natal’s coast, centred around Lake St Lucia, where hippos, crocs, pelicans and flamingos thrive. Elephants, giraffes and leopards roam the grasslands and forests, while Sodwana Bay in the north offers world-class coral reefs. Spanning over 3,280 square kilometres from Maphelane to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border, the park unites mountains, wetlands, mangroves, beaches and forests – biodiversity to the max! Even Nelson Mandela said this was bucket-list material!

Accommodations:
Silver - Leopard Corner Lodge
Gold - At Heritage House
Platinum - Makakatana Bay Lodge

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing

The coastal town of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and is a nature lover’s paradise. Think wild coastal forests, golden beaches, abundant birdlife, and free-roaming hippos – yes, they stroll the streets at night! Add to that year-round tropical weather, warm Indian Ocean waters, and an unbeatable mix of adventure and relaxation, and you’ll want to stay longer than just a day. Snorkel at Cape Vidal, cruise with crocs and hippos on the estuary, or even milk a goat at a local cheese farm. St Lucia is wild, wonderful, and waiting!

Activities:

Hippo and crocodile cruise in Saint Lucia
Hop aboard a two-hour cruise in St Lucia and explore one of South Africa’s most iconic estuaries, home to hippos, crocodiles and a dazzling array of birdlife. Cruise 7 kilometres along the calm waters aboard a spacious double-decker boat with panoramic views – perfect pictures guaranteed. Your guide shares fascinating facts about the area’s unique ecology and wildlife as you glide past sunbathing crocs and playful hippos. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink from the onboard cash bar as nature puts on a show. Book ahead and be sure to arrive at the Sunset Jetty 20 minutes before departure.

Snorkeling at Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal is a pristine beach within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, just an hour from Saint Lucia, and one of the best places in the country to go snorkeling. On an average outing, you can spot five types of nudibranchs and flatworms, and 50 species of fish (think lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, rays and many more). Lucky snorkelers may even encounter turtles, octopus or cuttlefish. Daily guided tours are tide-dependent (book in advance!) and led by experts who know exactly where the fish feed and how to navigate safely around rip currents. The 2-hour experience includes all gear (fins, mask, snorkel) and children are welcome. And no stress – iSimangaliso's marine life thrives in a healthy ecosystem, so even if there were any, people would definitely not be on a shark's menu!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park
In Zulu, iSimangaliso means miracle, and that’s exactly what awaits you in South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a vast protected area along KwaZulu-Natal’s coast, centred around Lake St Lucia, where hippos, crocs, pelicans and flamingos thrive. Elephants, giraffes and leopards roam the grasslands and forests, while Sodwana Bay in the north offers world-class coral reefs. Spanning over 3,280 square kilometres from Maphelane to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border, the park unites mountains, wetlands, mangroves, beaches and forests – biodiversity to the max! Even Nelson Mandela said this was bucket-list material!

Accommodations:
Silver - Leopard Corner Lodge
Gold - At Heritage House
Platinum - Makakatana Bay Lodge

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing

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).

Activities:

Flight home from Durban (not included in the price)
All good things come to an end. It's time to catch your flight home from King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
Sad to leave…? Not to worry! You can still hop on a domestic flight to Cape Town and add a few highlights to your holiday. How about exploring (and tasting) world-class wines, standing on top of Table Mountain and diving into the rich history of the country? Let us know your wishes, and we will gladly organise a holiday extension to help you explore other parts of South Africa. However, if duty calls, we wish you safe travels and hope you had a fantastic holiday!

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing