8 Days South Africa Holiday – Panorama Route and Kruger Safari

8 Days South Africa Holiday – Panorama Route and Kruger Safari

Are you interested in wildlife sightings and adventure? Then this 8 Days South Africa Holiday – Panorama Route and Kruger Safari is perfect for you.

This journey takes you to Kruger National Park is the highlight of wildlife enthusiasts, with the Big Five, 147 mammal species and more than 500 bird species calling this vast wilderness home. From incredible wildlife encounters to wild nature encounters, on the Panorama Route you can explore the Blyde River Canyon during a cruise, go white water rafting, explore a cave and marvel at Hoedspruit from above on hot air balloon ride.

On a glass lift, climb to the top of the Graskop Gorge and a big swing can make you fly through it. If you are interested in a less adrenaline experience, go zip lining, cross the suspension bridge or simply enjoy the stunning view.

Highlights of 8 Days South Africa Holiday – Panorama Route and Kruger Safari

Day 1: Arrival at O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg

Day 2: Drive from Johannesburg to Hazyview

Day 3: Drive to Kruger National Park

Day 4: Kruger National Park

Day 5: Journey to Hoedspruit

Day 6: Hoedspruit to Bylde River Canyon

Day 7: Drive from Bylde River Canyon to Graskop

Day 8: Departure

Detailed Itinerary of 8 Days South Africa Holiday – Panorama Route and Kruger Safari

Day 1: Arrival at O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa. On arrival at O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an evening of rest, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: The Resident Boutique Hotel

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Drive from Johannesburg to Hazyview

After delicious breakfast, embark on a journey to Hazyview – located just a few kilometers from Kruger National Park (In approximately 4.5 hours via the N12 and N4 Highways). 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 eye can reach. Also, it’s an adventure hub of the region, offering hot air ballooning, hiking, river rafting and much more. This area is visited by most visitors for its proximity to Kruger and the abundance of hotels and restaurants to choose from before entering this famous park.

Accommodation: Kruger Park Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3-4: Drive to Kruger National Park

Drive from Hazyview to Kruger’s Paul Kruger Gate which takes 40 minutes and 42 kilometer via the R536, bringing you straight into Big Five territory. This iconic entrance, named after former president Paul Kruger and lies along the hippo – crocodile – rich Sabie River, and is the closest gate to Skukuza.

Kruger National Park will make your Africa safari dreams come true, the park is said to host the highest chance of seeing all the Big Five plus the Avian Six (six endemic and funny looking bird species which are only found in Kruger) in one day.

In addition to hosting about 150 different mammal species and 500 bird species, you can also visit several archaeological sites, learn about Kruger’s amazing and turbulent history as well as the wildlife rehabilitation centres.

Accommodation: Skukuza Safari Lodge  

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Journey to Hoedspruit

Wake up early for another early morning game drive in Kruger National Park before leaving the park through Orpen Gate and embark on a journey to Hoedspruit. As you head to your next accommodation, you will enjoy the wild and rugged landscapes.

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 – dropping beautiful sights. This town is a vibrant base for adventure like hot air ballooning, boat cruises and quad biking. With Kruger National Park in the background, keep an eye out for impala, kudu, or even a sneaky leopard which cross your path. Also, this is a perfect place to meet and greet Jessica the (tame) Hippo.

Accommodation: Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit   

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Hoedspruit to Bylde River Canyon

Today we embark on a scenic drive from Hoedspruit to Blyde River Canyon covering 50 kilometers and takes 1 hour and 20 minutes along the R40. The Bylde River Canyon is known as the third largest canyon in the world and the greenest thanks to its lush subtropical vegetation.

The Bylde River Canyon is a natural wonder with some of the deepest cliffs on earth. Check in at your lodge, kicking off your Blyde River Canyon with some white water rafting or a tranquil boat cruise on the Blyde Dam.

The Bylde River Canyon Reserve also known as the Motlatse 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.

Accommodation: Blyde River Canyon Lodge   

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Drive from Bylde River Canyon to Graskop

Today we drive along the Panorama Route in the Mpumalanga Province – 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.

Your journey ends in Graskop with the unforgettable Gorge Lift Experience – descending 51 metres into a magical forest.

Day 8: Departure

Today is your final stretch of your South African road trip, as you drive from Graskop to Johannesburg, a journey of 360 kilometers that takes 4 to 4.5 hours without stops. You will be dropped at the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.

End of 8 Days South Africa Holiday – Panorama Route and Kruger Safari

Included

• Activities (unless indicated differently on your itinerary)
• 8 days
• Bed and breakfast (unless indicated differently on your itinerary)
• Rental car
• 24/7 service
• All accommodations
• Reservation costs

Excluded

• Visas
• Travel insurance
• International flights (can be booked for you on request)
• Fuel
• Lunch and dinner (unless indicated differently on your itinerary)
• Private guide (unless indicated differently on your itinerary)