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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• 5 Day South Africa Itinerary, incl. Johannesburg and Kruger National Park

  Two intensive days in Kruger feature private reserve night drives and full-day park exploration. Exclusive bush lodges with splash pools offer guided safaris and wildlife viewing at lodge waterholes.

  

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  • Day 1

    Johannesburg to Private Game Reserve

    Leave Johannesburg at 6:30 AM to avoid rush hour traffic. The drive to the Lowveld region takes about 5 hours through beautiful landscapes. Get breakfast at OR Tambo airport or pack some snacks since your first included meal is dinner. Stop in Haenertsburg for lunch and mountain views. You'll reach your bush lodge in time for an afternoon game drive.

    
  • Day 2

    Private Game Reserve

    Your day starts early with coffee and South African rusks. Pack something warm since mornings can be cold even in summer. Morning game drives last 3-4 hours. One visitor shared: "The rangers have amazing tracking skills - they spotted a leopard in a tree that we would have completely missed!" After brunch relax by the pool during the hot afternoon. Animals often visit the waterhole near camp throughout the day. End with a sunset drive that continues after dark to spot nocturnal wildlife.

    
  • Day 3

    Panorama Route to Hazyview

    Take the scenic Panorama Route after breakfast. Visit Blyde River Canyon early when crowds are thin and visibility is best. When walking to God's Window wear shoes with good grip because paths get slippery in wet weather. You'll spend the night at a Hazyview lodge built on stilts over the Sabie River. The property has nature trails through indigenous forest where you can spot over 30 bird species.

    
  • Day 4

    Full-Day Kruger Safari

    Start at 5:30 AM to enter Kruger National Park when gates open at 6 AM. This early hour is perfect for seeing predators. Bring binoculars and a secure hat for open vehicle sections. Your guide will help you understand animal behaviors and tracking. Rest camps have bathrooms and lunch spots but bring cash since card machines aren't always working. Head back to your Hazyview lodge before dark.

    
  • Day 5

    Return to Johannesburg

    The 5-hour drive back follows old gold mining routes. Book evening flights after 6 PM to allow for traffic. As one traveler said: "The journey feels much shorter on return since you're sharing safari stories and photos with your group."

    

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