8 Days South Africa - Panorama Route And Kruger 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 : Game Drives

The drive from Jo'burg's international airport to Hazyview covers 385 kilometres and takes just under 4.5 hours via the N12 and N4 highways. Once in Hazyview, you’ll be perfectly positioned to enter Kruger National Park early the next morning. After checking in, unwind with a classic South African braai or visit Elephant Whispers in the Sandford Conservancy for heartwarming elephant encounters! A great halfway stop is Milly’s Café & Restaurant on the N4, known for its delicious lunch menu, baked treats, barista coffee and scenic views over the trout-filled dam (try the smoked trout!). From there, it’s just another 165 km on the R539 and R40 to Hazyview.

Activities:

Hazyview
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.

Close interaction with elephants at Elephant Whispers
Looking for a meaningful wildlife experience before entering Kruger? A visit to Elephant Whispers in Hazyview is a truly touching encounter. Set in the scenic Sandford Conservancy along the Sabie River, this sanctuary offers intimate interactions with these beautiful creatures, and you can spend an unforgettable hour feeding, walking with, and learning about them. Knowledgeable guides share insights into their behaviour, emotions, and special bond with their human carers; a must-do for all animal lovers!

Accommodations:
Silver - Hippo Hollow Country Estate
Gold - Kruger Park Lodge
Platinum - Summerfields Rose Retreat and Spa

Activities : Game Drives

The drive from Hazyview to Paul Kruger Gate takes 40 minutes and 42 kilometres via the R536, bringing you straight into Big Five territory. This iconic entrance, named after former president Paul Kruger, lies along the hippo- and croc-rich Sabie River and is the closest gate to Skukuza. Upon entering, you’ll receive a map with well-signposted game drive routes and rest camps worth stopping for – you often get useful tips from fellow travellers there about the whereabouts of the animals. The H11 towards Skukuza is a good start to your safari adventure. The area has a high concentration of big cats and is known for high predator activity. Take it slow, as this road often delivers exciting sightings in the thickets near the river.

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 Hazyview to Paul Kruger Gate takes 40 minutes and 42 kilometres via the R536, bringing you straight into Big Five territory. This iconic entrance, named after former president Paul Kruger, lies along the hippo- and croc-rich Sabie River and is the closest gate to Skukuza. Upon entering, you’ll receive a map with well-signposted game drive routes and rest camps worth stopping for – you often get useful tips from fellow travellers there about the whereabouts of the animals. The H11 towards Skukuza is a good start to your safari adventure. The area has a high concentration of big cats and is known for high predator activity. Take it slow, as this road often delivers exciting sightings in the thickets near the river.

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

You might want to make the most of your last day in Kruger National Park and work in another game drive before leaving the park through Orpen Gate – it's only 30 kilometres or a 30-minute drive on the R40 to Hoedspruit. Enjoy the wild and rugged landscapes as you make your way to your next accommodation. If you arrive early, you still have time to explore Hoedspruit and all the adventures it has to offer!

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 : Boat Cruise

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:

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!

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

Activities : Boat Cruise

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:

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!

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

Activities : Game Drives

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:

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!

Flight home from Johannesburg (not included in the price)
All good things come to an end. It's time to catch your flight home from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Sad to leave…? Not to worry! You can also 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? Or simply relaxing at a picturesque beach? Let us know your wishes, and we will gladly organise a holiday extension to help you explore other parts of South Africa.

Activities : White Water Rafting