4 Day Kruger Park and Panorama Route Safari
Our 4-day Kruger Park and Panorama Route Safari combines two of South Africa's most popular destinations in one affordable fully-guided tour. Go on small-group open safari vehicle game drives in the Kruger National Park and explore scenic Panorama Route highlights in an air-conditioned minibus while overnighting in comfortable, air-conditioned bungalows. Feel free to ask us about group discounts.
Highlights
- Scheduled departures from Johannesburg or Nelspruit
- Speak to us about custom departure dates (subject to availability)
- Maximum of nine guests per vehicle
- 3 nights' accommodation inside Kruger National Park
- Comfortable air-conditioned, en-suite bungalows (no camping)
- Open vehicle game drives with an expert, English-speaking guide
- Big Five game viewing in the best Kruger wildlife areas
- Full-day, fully-guided tour of scenic highlights of Panorama Route
Itinerary
Day 1
You will be collected from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg or an airport hotel in the immediate vicinity at around 07h00 for the scenic 5-hour trip to Kruger National Park in an air-conditioned minibus.
Shortly before entering the Kruger Park, we swap vehicles and continue on an open safari vehicle. Once we enter the gate, our first game drive will begin en route to camp. Wildlife you can expect to encounter includes impala, kudu, waterbuck, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, hippo, baboon, monkey, buffalo, elephants, and many other species. Some animals like rhino, lions, leopards, wild dogs and cheetah are seen less often and require a bit more luck.
You will arrive at camp for check-in by sunset, which gives you time to freshen up in your air-conditioned, en-suite bungalow before dinner.
Dinners are informal affairs under the stars, weather permitting, or in the camp restaurant. They are usually prepared by your safari guide, who will introduce you to traditional South African food. We sometimes use a catering service, but the theme is always typically South African.
Open safari vehicle game viewing in the Kruger
Day 2
The best time to go game viewing is before sunrise and sunset because that's when the wildlife in the Kruger is most active. It's also when your chances of spotting elusive nocturnal animals are at their highest. This means you'll leave on your morning game drive before sun break. Your safari guide will usually stop at a waterhole, viewpoint or picnic site where you can enjoy some coffee and other refreshments, as well as stretch your legs.
A hearty breakfast is usually served around mid-morning, either at a picnic site in the Kruger or back at camp.
Game viewing is unpredictable, so we don't follow a strict schedule. However, we usually try to arrive back at camp by late morning. How you choose to spend the noon hours is entirely up to you. You can laze around the pool, watch animals from the deck, browse items in the curio shop or indulge in a noontime siesta.
Leopard spotted shortly before sunset
Lunch, which is on your own account, can be purchased from the takeaway deli or campsite supermarket.
In the afternoon, you set off on your second game drive of the day. As temperatures drop, animals leave their resting places and become active once more. This makes game viewing easier and your chances of spotting the Big Five, other game and birds are good. Your guide will often stop along the way to point out interesting plants, trees and insects.
Each excursion in Kruger is unique because you never know what you're going to see. There is one thing you can count on, though, and that's the expert guidance from our safari guides. They will be able to interpret animal behaviour, share interesting stories and tell you fascinating facts about the fauna and flora that call the Kruger home.
You'll return to camp at sunset and enjoy another delicious dinner around the fire or in the camp restaurant.
Rare African wild dog in the Kruger
Day 3
Day 3 will see you exploring the scenic highlights of South Africa's iconic Panorama Route in Mpumalanga. After an early breakfast, you'll be collected by your guide for a full-day tour of the mountainous Panorama Route's various waterfalls and viewpoints.
Don't forget your camera because you'll want to capture the sweeping vista from God's Window, the remarkable rock formations called Bourke's Luck Potholes and the beauty of Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondawels. Time permitting, we also stop at Berlin and Lisbon Waterfalls.
Blyde River Canyon
Lunch is on your own account and there will be the opportunity to purchase something to eat on one of our stops. Please note that the cost of Graskop Gorge Lift is not included.
On return to camp before sunset, you'll have time to freshen up before convening again for dinner.
Panorama Route viewpoints
Day 4
Day 4 sees you on your final morning game drive which starts, as always, before sunrise. Keep your eye out for cheetah and wild dog. After breakfast, you'll have time to pack. You'll be collected and taken to the gate where you'll once again swap vehicles from the open 4x4 safari vehicle to an air-conditioned minibus for your trip back to Johannesburg. Depending on traffic, you can expect to arrive in Johannesburg between 17h00 and 18h00.
Cheetah spotted in the Kruger
Please note
We pass through Nelspruit at around 12h30 on the day our scheduled safari leaves from Johannesburg, so we can also collect you in Nelspruit instead of Johannesburg. On the last day of your 4 Day Kruger Park and Panorama Route Safari, we can drop you off in Nelspruit en route to Johannesburg.
You will need to inform us of your preference well in advance, however.
Also, if you are planning to catch an international flight out of Johannesburg on the same day your safari ends, do not book an international flight that departs before 21h00.
Includes
- Return road transfers from OR Tambo International Airport (or surrounding hotels) in an air-conditioned minibus
- Kruger Park entrance fee and daily conservation fees
- 3 nights' accommodation inside the Kruger Park in standard en-suite bungalows with air-conditioning
- All breakfasts and dinners
- Limited refreshments, tea and coffee
- All game drives on an open safari vehicle with an expert guide
- Full-day, fully-guided tour of Panorama Route tour
- Entrance fees for God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondawels
Excludes
- Personal travel insurance
- Lunches and meals not specified
- Drinks
- Optional extras
- Graskop Gorge Lift on Panorama Route
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
Scheduled Tour Departures
This trip departs and ends at Johannesburg on the following dates. If you know which dates suit you, go ahead and make a selection below. If none of these dates suit you, please do contact us to request a custom departure at an additional cost on the date of your choice, subject to availability.
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