7 Day Kruger Safari

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Kruger National Park tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaKruger National Park travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in South Africa & Zimbabwe, incl. Kruger and Victoria Falls

  Kruger's diverse ecosystems come alive during 2 full days of open-vehicle game drives, where professional guides track the Big Five. Morning and afternoon safaris maximize wildlife viewing, with comfortable lodge breaks during peak heat.

  

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  • Day 1

    Pretoria to Kruger Region

    Leave Pretoria at 7 AM for a 5-6 hour drive to Kruger. Stop at Blyde River Canyon before 11 AM to avoid crowds and get clear photos of the Three Rondavels. The mountain roads through Mpumalanga can be winding so consider motion sickness pills if needed. Your day ends at a lodge near Hoedspruit just 38km from Kruger's gates.

    
  • Day 2

    Kruger National Park Safari

    Begin your day at 5:30 AM to see wildlife at their most active. Morning drives give you the best chance to spot big cats. Look for fresh tracks along the roads. Take a break at the rest camps during midday when temperatures soar above 35°C (95°F). Pack neutral clothes and bring binoculars. A recent visitor shared: "The early start was worth it—we spotted a pride of lions at sunrise near Satara camp before any other vehicles arrived."

    
  • Day 3

    Polokwane Cultural Experience

    Drive 4 hours northwest through Limpopo's citrus groves to Polokwane. The afternoon takes you to the Bakone open-air museum. You'll want a hat and water since shade is limited. Try traditional fire-making and explore authentic tribal dwellings. Wear clothes you can move in and don't mind getting dusty during the hands-on demonstrations.

    
  • Day 4

    Border Crossing to Bulawayo

    Plan for a 7-8 hour travel day including the Zimbabwe border crossing at Beitbridge. The border can take 2-3 hours so pack snacks and water. You'll need USD cash for visa fees ($30-50). You'll reach Bulawayo by late afternoon and stay in the quiet outskirts. The city's broad colonial streets make it easy to find your way around.

    
  • Day 5

    Matobo National Park

    Start with a game drive and wilderness walk in Matobo known for its high concentration of black and white rhinos. Wear good walking shoes for the rocky ground. Stay quiet during the walking safari since rhinos have sharp hearing despite poor eyesight. You can visit Cecil Rhodes' grave in the afternoon if you're up for more walking. A visitor noted: "Walking among the ancient granite hills tracking rhinos was surreal—our guide could read their movements from the smallest signs."

    
  • Day 6

    Journey to Victoria Falls

    Take the 4-hour drive north to Victoria Falls town. Join an afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Pick the lower deck for wildlife spotting and bring something warm to wear. Watch for hippos near the banks and elephants coming to drink. You can walk to several restaurants in town after dark.

  • Day 7

    Victoria Falls Experience

    Start at the falls by 8 AM before it gets hot. You can rent raincoats on site which you'll need from July to March when the spray is strongest. Plan 2-3 hours to walk the full circuit. The Devil's Cataract viewpoint is a must-see. If you want to try white water rafting or microlight flights book them a day early as spots fill up fast.

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• 7 Day South Africa Itinerary, incl. Cape Town and Kruger National Park

  

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  • Day 1

    Cape Town Arrival

    After landing at Cape Town International Airport plan for a 30-minute transfer to your hotel. During rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) this can stretch to an hour. The V&A Waterfront area makes a great base with lots of restaurants and shops nearby. If you arrive with time to spare take the red line hop-on-hop-off bus. The 2-hour loop gives you a good feel for the city layout.

    
  • Day 2

    Cape Town & Table Mountain

    Get to Table Mountain's cable car right when it opens at 8:30 AM. You'll avoid the crowds and the thick "tablecloth" clouds that often appear later. It's about 10°C cooler at the summit so bring a jacket. Book your tickets online since the queues get long. Remember the cable car closes in high winds so stay flexible with your plans. Spend your afternoon walking through Bo-Kaap's colorful streets but wear good shoes for the cobblestones.

    
  • Day 3

    Cape Peninsula

    This 150km round trip needs an early start. Leave at 8 AM to see the penguins at Boulders Beach before the crowds arrive. Pack layers for Chapman's Peak Drive which gets cold and windy. When you reach Cape Point skip the funicular and take the 15-minute walk up for better photos. Plan to spend at least 2 hours at Kirstenbosch Gardens. The Tree Canopy Walkway offers some of the best views of Table Mountain.

    
  • Day 4

    Winelands

    It takes about 45 minutes to drive to Stellenbosch. Most wine estates open at 10 AM and you should limit yourself to 3-4 tastings. The Franschhoek Wine Tram's Purple Line shows off the best scenery and means no one has to drive. If you do drive remember South African drinking laws are strict so use the spittoons provided.

    
  • Day 5

    Transfer to Kruger

    Early morning flights leave Cape Town for Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA). From there it's a 1-2 hour drive to your lodge. Afternoon game drives usually start at 3:30 PM. Pack neutral clothes no bright colors or white and bring something warm for the open vehicles.

    
  • Day 6

    Kruger Safari

    The 5:30 AM game drive might seem early but it's the best time to spot predators. Bring binoculars since animals often stay far from the roads. One visitor shared: "The early morning drive was chilly but worth it - we saw lions with cubs near Skukuza just after sunrise when they were most active." During the hot midday hours (11 AM - 3 PM) relax at the lodge pool while the wildlife rests.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure via Johannesburg

    After your morning flight to Johannesburg leave at least 3 hours between connecting flights. Immigration and security can be slow at O.R. Tambo International Airport. If you have extra time the Gautrain can take you quickly into Sandton.

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• 7 Day South Africa Itinerary, incl. Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon

  The week at Tshukudu Game Lodge combines dawn and dusk game drives in Kruger Park with cultural immersion at Nyani Village and conservation education at Hoedspruit Centre.

  

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  • Day 1

    Johannesburg to Hoedspruit

    Take an early morning 45-minute flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit's Eastgate Airport. Book morning flights to avoid the common afternoon thunderstorms in South Africa's Lowveld region. After arriving at Tshukudu Game Lodge, spend time relaxing by the pool to adjust to the bushveld heat before your first game drive at 4 PM when the animals become more active.

    
  • Day 2

    Private Game Reserve Safari

    Your day starts at sunrise (around 5:30 AM in summer) when predators are most active. Bring layers since mornings can be surprisingly cold. Morning drives run 3-4 hours with a coffee break in the bush. During the midday heat (often 35°C/95°F) you can cool off in the pool or book a spa treatment. The afternoon drive starts at 4 PM, perfect for seeing the golden hour and nocturnal animals.

    
  • Day 3

    Kruger National Park

    Leave at 5 AM to reach Kruger's gates by opening time at 6 AM. Head to Orpen Gate, the closest to Hoedspruit, but get there early to avoid lines. Take plenty of water and snacks since food stops are limited. The park's roads are well-maintained but drive slowly to spot more wildlife and avoid dust. You'll need to exit the park by sunset when the gates close.

    
  • Day 4

    Blyde River Canyon

    Switch gears to explore the world's largest "green canyon." Start with a morning boat cruise on Blyde Dam to see the Three Rondavels rock formation. Sit on the right side of the boat for the best views. In the afternoon, follow the Panorama Route to God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes. Wear good walking shoes as the paths can get slippery.

    
  • Day 5

    Culture and Wildlife

    Start with a morning game drive before visiting Nyani Cultural Village. The cultural shows at midday are interesting but can get hot, so bring a hat and water. Spend your afternoon relaxing at the lodge. Book spa treatments early since they fill up quickly.

    
  • Day 6

    Conservation Day

    Visit the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre when they open at 8 AM to see the cheetahs at their most active. Use your final afternoon game drive to look for any Big Five animals you haven't spotted yet. Remember your camera and binoculars for the beautiful afternoon light.

    
  • Day 7

    Final Safari and Departure

    Make your last morning drive count right after sunrise. Plan for a mid-morning flight back to Johannesburg so you're not rushed. The airport is about 30 minutes away, and you should arrive 90 minutes before your flight.

    

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