Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg
You'll arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and collect your rental vehicle from your representative. The drive to your Sandton hotel gives you time to settle in and freshen up. Later in the afternoon, you're picked up for a 2.5-hour tuk tuk tour through Soweto's back streets, stopping at historical sites and connecting with local residents. Lunch is included during this tour. You'll return to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch included during Soweto Tuk Tuk Tour)
Included Activities
- Afternoon Tuk Tuk Soweto Tour (2.5 hours) with lunch included
Optional Activities
- Dinner (for your own account)
Landmarks/POIs OR Tambo International Airport Soweto - Day 2
Johannesburg to Mpumalanga
After breakfast, you'll head out toward Mpumalanga around 08h00 and have the full day to drive and explore at your own pace (lunch is on you). At 16h00, you'll join a guided African sundowner experience from a scenic viewpoint where you can watch the sunset while having snacks, house wine, and soft drinks available. From there, it's back to your lodge for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the lodge)
Included Activities
- African Sundowner with snacks, wine, and cool drinks for kids
Optional Activities
- Lunch en-route (for your own account)
- Day 3
Kruger National Park
An early start from the lodge takes you on a guided open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park with an experienced guide who points out wildlife, birds, and plants. You'll have good chances to see the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino) along with giraffe, zebra, and impala. A breakfast pack comes with you to eat in the park. You'll be back at the lodge by mid-morning, leaving your afternoon free with optional activities available at your own cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast pack provided to enjoy in the park), Dinner (Dinner at the lodge)
Included Activities
- Morning open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park with experienced guide
- Breakfast pack provided in the park
- Kruger National Park conservation fee
Optional Activities
- Sudwala Caves - explore 160-million-year-old limestone formations with guided tour (entrance fee for your own account)
- Jane Goodall Chimp Eden - visit primate sanctuary with rescued chimpanzees (entrance fee for your own account)
- Kaapsche Hoop - charming historic village in the mountains with wild horses and scenic hiking trails (entrance fee for your own account)
- Lunch (for your own account)
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park Sudwala Caves Jane Goodall Chimp Eden Kaapsche Hoop - Day 4
Hoedspruit
You'll head toward Hoedspruit around 08h00 after breakfast, with several scenic spots on the Panorama Route available to visit along the way like Graskop Gorge Lift, Pinnacle Rock, Lisbon Falls, and God's Window (all at your expense). Berlin Falls and Mac Mac Pools are optional quick stops if you want them. Since lunch is on your own account, you'll arrive at your accommodation in the afternoon to check in and rest before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the lodge)
Optional Activities
- Graskop Gorge Lift - take the lift down to forest walkways with family photo opportunities and short hikes (approximately 45 minutes) (entrance fee for your own account)
- Pinnacle Rock - iconic sandstone formation with short boardwalk for easy exploration (entrance fee for your own account)
- Lisbon Falls - one of the highest waterfalls in the area (approximately 94m) with panoramic viewpoints for photography (entrance fee for your own account)
- God's Window - iconic viewpoint over the Lowveld with magical misty morning views (entrance fee for your own account)
- Berlin Falls - optional short detour (entrance fee for your own account)
- Mac Mac Pools - optional short detour (entrance fee for your own account)
- Lunch (for your own account)
Landmarks/POIs Graskop Gorge Lift Pinnacle Rock Lisbon Falls God's Window Berlin Falls Mac Mac Pools - Day 5
Hoedspruit
After breakfast, your morning is flexible for optional attractions like HESC at 09h00 (pre-booking helps) where you can see African wildlife rehabilitation and cheetahs, wild dogs, and rhinos. Mid-morning brings a scenic boat cruise on Blyde River Canyon lasting about 1 to 1.5 hours with views of the Three Rondavels, waterfalls, and river wildlife. Lunch is your own arrangement, though the lodge can suggest places. The afternoon gives you the choice of a self-drive game drive in Kruger or a guided game drive with a lodge guide, both optional. You'll return for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the lodge)
Optional Activities
- Morning visit to HESC at 09h00 - learn about African wildlife rehabilitation, see cheetahs, wild dogs, and rhinos (entrance fee for your own account, pre-booking recommended)
- Mid-morning boat cruise on Blyde River Canyon with scenic views of Three Rondavels, waterfalls, and river wildlife (approximately 1-1.5 hours) (entrance fee for your own account)
- Lunch (for your own account) - Blyde Canyon Lodge Restaurant or Mototolo Lodge Café, or picnic along the river
- Afternoon self-drive game drive in Kruger National Park near Phabeni or Orpen gates for high wildlife activity
- Optional open vehicle game drive with lodge guide in the afternoon
Landmarks/POIs HESC (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre) Blyde River Canyon Three Rondavels Kruger National Park - Day 6
Hartbeespoort
After breakfast, you'll drive toward Pretoria and then head to the Hartbeespoort area, with an option to stop in Dullstroom if you'd like via the R555 route. Lunch is on your own. You'll arrive at Thanda Manzi Country Hotel by the Crocodile River with views across bushveld and mountains. Check in, spend some leisure time, and have dinner at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided 2km nature walk through aloe valley and surrounding hills with opportunities to spot fish eagles, goliath herons, kingfishers, owls, and guinea fowl
Optional Activities
- Stop in Dullstroom along the suggested route via R555 (for your own account)
- Lunch (for your own account)
Landmarks/POIs Dullstroom Crocodile River - Day 7
Johannesburg
You'll have a leisurely morning after breakfast before joining a guided 2km nature walk through the aloe valley and hills where you might spot fish eagles, goliath herons, kingfishers, owls, and guinea fowl. After the walk, you'll drive to OR Tambo International Airport to return your rental car. Check in for your flight home to finish your holiday.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided 2km nature walk through aloe valley and surrounding hills
Landmarks/POIs OR Tambo International Airport
