4 Day Best of Panorama Route & Kruger Park Safari (South…

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park, South Africa

The 4 Day Panorama Route & Kruger Park Safari starts in Johannesburg, South Africa. On the first morning, the shuttle collects you from either the OR Tambo International Airport or your pre-safari hotel or guesthouse close to OR Tambo.

The shuttle collects guests from hotels within a 5 km radius of the airport between 06h30 and 6h45. Then it fetches passengers waiting at the Bus Terminal of OR Tambo Airport, at about 7h00. From the airport, the shuttle sets off towards Kruger National Park, at about 7h15. We travel northeast, making our way straight to our comfortable safari lodge located near Kruger National Park. Alternatively, you can arrange to fly directly to Skukuza in Kruger National Park, or to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Your safari guide will then collect you from either of these smaller airports at no extra cost.

Between 11h30 and 12h00 we arrive at the lodge in Hazyview where a tasty light lunch is served. Lunch is followed by free time to freshen up, relax and explore the lodge grounds. You can take a swim in the pool, nap in your comfy room, or enjoy the lovely gardens.

At 15h45, it is time for your first game drive in Kruger Park. We board the open safari vehicle and venture out on a sunset game drive that lasts into the night. Your expert safari guide provides the best introduction to the South African bush and its diverse wildlife, drawing on his/her extensive experience.

After sunset you'll do a night game drive, looking for nocturnal wildlife using a spotlight. Then at about 20h00, you arrive back at the lodge and tuck into a delicious dinner.

• Meals: Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Safari Lodge near Kruger National Park

Private Safari Option:

Please note that this small-group Panorama Route & Kruger Safari is also available as a Private Safari Tour for private groups of 4 or more people. The private safari follows a slightly different itinerary. For more details, please contact us.

Day 2: Full-day Kruger Park Safari, South Africa

On day two of our Panorama Route & Kruger Park Safari, we spend a full day in Kruger National Park.

In the morning we get up before sunrise and drive to the nearest entrance gate of Kruger Park, arriving within 15 minutes. As the gates open, we enter Kruger Park and the wildlife adventure begins! We get out early to make the most of the early morning hours which are ideal for watching predators and other wildlife.

Today your experienced and passionate guide ensures that you get the most out of your Kruger Park Safari. He/she takes you to the best spots in southern Kruger Park for finding the Big 5 of Africa and other fascinating wild animals, birds, and flora. During your open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park, your guide will stop regularly for comfort breaks. You will stop at one of the rest camps or picnic sites for breakfast and lunch. The safari lodge provides packed breakfasts and you can buy coffee, snacks, cold drinks, and lunch at the rest camps inside Kruger.

Keep an eye out for the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant - all of which are usually sighted on this 4 Day Panorama Route & Kruger Park Safari. In the afternoon we make our way out of Kruger, returning to the lodge at about 16h00. The remainder of the day is free for rest and relaxation at the safari lodge. Explore the walking trail on the lodge property, with its leafy gardens, dams, and water features. Enjoy a cold drink or a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, before sitting down to a delightful dinner spread.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Accommodation: Safari Lodge near Kruger Park

Day 3: Panorama Route Tour, South Africa

Day three of our affordable South Africa Lodge Safari is set aside for exploring the beautiful Panorama Route, near Kruger Park. Today we travel in an enclosed vehicle with air-conditioning.

The day kicks off with a hearty hot breakfast at the safari lodge. Then, at about 08h00, you set off for the renowned Panorama Route of South Africa. From the lodge, we drive up into the Drakensberg Mountains, ascending about 1000 meters. Bring a warm jacket for the day trip because it can get chilly at this high elevation. Also, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as we do a few scenic, short walks today.

Your guide takes you to various attractions on the Panorama Route and tells you more about this picturesque region. Today's Panorama Route Tour includes the highlights of God's Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, Lisbon Falls, the Three Rondavels, and Graskop village.

God’s Window offers spectacular views over the Kruger Lowveld some 1000 meters below the Drakensberg Escarpment. We follow the walking trail through the indigenous forest to the top viewpoint, which takes about 20 minutes on average. The views are well worth the walk!

Bourkes Luck Potholes is an unusual rock formation formed by water erosion over hundreds of years. The Bourke’s Luck Potholes are a series of round cavities of various sizes, carved into the sandstone, where the Treur and Blyde rivers meet. We explore the area on foot, crossing small footbridges over the chasm to peer down at the natural rock formations and water below. The short walking trail also takes us to several pretty waterfalls that dot the area.

Next, we visit the famous Blyde River Canyon. This is the third largest canyon in the world measuring about 40 km in length and up to 1200 m deep. Another unique feature of the Blyde River Canyon is its abundance of vegetation, making it the largest 'green' canyon in the world. Here, we admire the sweeping views over deep gorges with rivers and dams. You will also get to see the Three Rondavels from one of the vantage points. This distinctive topographical landmark is one of the famous sights of the Panorama Route, named after the traditional rounds huts known as Rondavels.

We also visit the dramatic Lisbon Falls, which flows year-round. This is the tallest waterfall in Mpumalanga, 94 meters high. Our lunch stop is in the small town of Graskop, located along the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment. We head to the famous pancake place of Graskop for lunch (own account). After lunch, you can take a walk around the town, browse the quaint local shops and do some curio shopping.

After taking in the stunning sights of the Panorama Route, we return to our charming safari lodge at about 16h00. Sit back and enjoy a sundowner or take a refreshing swim in the pool, before dinner is served.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Accommodation: Safari Lodge near Kruger Park

Day 4: Kruger National Park to Johannesburg, South Africa

On the final day of our Panorama Route & Kruger Park Safari, we wake up early for one last game drive in Kruger National Park. We depart from the safari lodge before sunrise, entering the national park as the gates open. As on day two, packed breakfasts are provided by the lodge.

The morning is spent exploring southern Kruger Park in search of any wildlife species on your wishlist that we may have missed thus far. Make the most of your last foray into the African bush during the golden morning hours when the animals and birds are particularly active. Guests usually spot all five of the Big 5 animals, by the end of this Kruger Park Safari, so fingers crossed. No two days on safari in Kruger are the same, due to the massive size of the national park and the sheer diversity of plant and animal life found here.

After our final game drive, we exit Kruger Park and return to our nearby lodge. Then it is time to say goodbye to your safari guide and the Lowveld. The shuttle collects you at about 11h30 and drives you back to Johannesburg where our 4 Day Panorama Route & Kruger Park Safari began.

Arriving back in the city the shuttle drops you off at either the OR Tambo International Airport or your post-safari hotel within a 5 km radius of the airport, between 17h00 and 18h00.

• Meals: Breakfast

About Kruger Safari Lodge Accommodation

On this Kruger National Park Safari, guests stay at one of two carefully selected safari lodges in Hazyview. Both lodges are privately owned establishments. They offer affordable, yet quality accommodation in unique natural environments close to Kruger National Park. These comfortable safari lodges provide air-conditioned, en-suite accommodation.

The lodges are situated within a 15-minutes drive from the Phabeni or Numbi gates of Kruger National Park. Both feature a swimming pool and spacious entertainment and dining areas. The safari guides are all licensed and experienced. These professional guides are passionate about African wildlife and wilderness areas, especially Kruger Park.

Umbhaba Eco Lodge is the lodge that guests typically stay at on this Kruger Safari. It is set in a charming garden with a walking trail through the indigenous Lowveld bush. There are dams and water features on the grounds which look out over the Sabie Valley in the distance. The garden attracts plenty of birdlife making it a great choice for birders. Each lodge room has a private balcony and its own en-suite bathroom. The lodge has wi-fi, a lovely swimming pool, and a fantastic viewing deck for sundowners. Eco-friendly features of the lodge include greywater systems, heat pumps, recycling, and inverter air-conditioner units.

Kruger Park Safari Experience

One of the most famous game reserves in the world and one of the best in Africa, Kruger National Park is South Africa's flagship safari destination.

The national park is massive, covering almost 2 million hectares. Kruger incorporates about 19,623 km² (7,576 sq mi) of bushveld which makes it about the size of Israel. Given its vast size and unique location, Kruger encompasses diverse eco-zones of vegetation that support different kinds of animals, birds, and other creatures. During your open game drives in Kruger Park, your safari guide shows you a variety of these eco-zones, ranging from African bushveld to riverine plains and woodlands. The open safari vehicle offers the best visibility for watching and photographing wildlife, whilst immersing you in the African bushveld.

Kruger Park hosts an incredible array of species, including 148 mammal species and over 500 bird species. This safari focuses on the southern region of Kruger Park. This part of Kruger hosts a higher density of wildlife than the northern region. Wildlife often sighted in southern Kruger include giraffes, zebras, buffalos, elephants, wild dogs, cheetahs, kudus, rhinos, lions, leopards, and various antelope species.

This Kruger Lodge Safari includes a full-day Kruger Park Safari, giving guests more time inside Kruger Park. Your guide stops regularly for comfort breaks at rest camps in the park. The longer game drive enables the safari guides to cover more ground and visit different areas hosting varied wildlife. About 80% of previous clients on this Kruger Park Safari saw all five of the Big 5 animals.

Private Kruger Safari Option

This small group Panorama Route & Kruger Park Safari is also available as a private safari. The private tour can be booked with a minimum of 4 people. The itinerary of the private safari differs slightly from the small group tour. For more information about the Private Safari options, contact us at African Budget Safaris.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

We offer a convenient pre-tour and post-tour lodge accommodation, for before and after your Kruger Park Safari. This affordable lodge accommodation can be added to your Kruger Safari booking upon request. The 4-star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.