Kruger Limpopo
3
Day Itinerary •
South Africa
Three days in Kruger and Limpopo delivers the most extraordinary Big Five safari experience in Africa, from the remarkable dawn game drives in Kruger National Park with its 17,000 elephants and the finest lion density in South Africa to the outstanding private reserve leopard sightings and the extraordinary Blyde River Canyon, the finest canyon in Africa. This focused route covers the essential Kruger and Limpopo experience. Three full game drive sessions in the extraordinary Kruger National Park and the remarkable night safari on Day 1, the fine private reserve safari with off-road access and the outstanding bush walk on Day 2, and the extraordinary Blyde River Canyon and the remarkable God's Window Escarpment on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
May to September, dry season for finest game concentration
Getting There
Fly into Skukuza (SZK) or Kruger Mpumalanga (MQP) airport
Getting Around
Self-drive in Kruger, private lodge vehicle for private reserves
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,500 to 8,000 ZAR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, game drives from vehicle
DAY 1
KRUGER
MORNING
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK DAWN GAME DRIVE
The most extraordinary game drive in Africa, the remarkable Kruger National Park dawn drive departing at first light when the extraordinary Big Five and the remarkable predators are most active. The fine Kruger National Park is the largest national park in South Africa at nearly 20,000 square kilometres and the finest self-drive safari destination in the world, where the remarkable lion prides, the outstanding elephant herds of 17,000 animals, the fine leopards, the extraordinary buffalo and the remarkable rhino roam in the finest savanna ecosystem in Africa.
MIDDAY
CENTRAL KRUGER WATERHOLES AND BIG FIVE VIEWING
The extraordinary afternoon game viewing around the remarkable waterholes of the central Kruger between Satara and Olifants rest camps, the finest game viewing concentration in the park where the outstanding elephant herds come to drink throughout the day and the remarkable lion and leopard sightings around the extraordinary Timbavati and Nwanetsi rivers are the finest in the park. The fine Satara camp surroundings have the highest lion density in Kruger.
AFTERNOON
SUNSET GAME DRIVE AND NIGHT SAFARI
The extraordinary Kruger National Park sunset and night drive, the finest wildlife experience after dark in South Africa, when the remarkable nocturnal species emerge including the extraordinary leopard hunting along the fine riverine trees, the outstanding aardvark and the remarkable serval cat. The fine spotlight from the game drive vehicle reveals the extraordinary diversity of nocturnal Kruger wildlife unavailable on the daytime self-drive routes. Guided night drive approx 450 ZAR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kruger National Park self-drive rule of staying in your vehicle except at designated rest camps is the finest wildlife encounter philosophy in Africa. The remarkable Stevenson-Hamilton and Orpen hides in the central Kruger, where visitors sit at ground level at fine water holes and game approaches to within extraordinary metres of the vehicle-free hide, are the finest hidden fixed-point wildlife experiences in the park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kruger rest camp Substantial breakfast before the extraordinary dawn game drive. Fine biltong and remarkable rusk with coffee before departure. | Lunch: Rest camp restaurant or bush Simple provisions at the remarkable rest camp. Extraordinary sandwiches and fine South African pap at the camp. | Dinner: Rest camp braai Outstanding traditional South African braai at the extraordinary rest camp. Fine boerewors sausage and remarkable lamb chops.
DAY 2
PRIVATE RESERVE
MORNING
GREATER KRUGER PRIVATE RESERVE SAFARI
The extraordinary Greater Kruger private reserves adjoining the western boundary of the national park, including the remarkable Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the fine Timbavati and the outstanding Balule, where the extraordinary private lodge game drives with expert rangers and the remarkable off-road vehicle access give the finest Big Five encounters in South Africa. The fine Sabi Sand is the finest leopard-viewing reserve in the world with remarkable sightings on almost every drive. Private lodge rates include all drives.
MIDDAY
BUSH WALK WITH ARMED RANGER
The extraordinary guided bush walk in the Greater Kruger, the finest wildlife experience in South Africa, where the remarkable armed ranger leads a small group through the extraordinary African bush on foot, interpreting the fine tracks, the outstanding dung beetles, the remarkable termite mounds and the extraordinary ecology of the Lowveld at walking pace. The remarkable chance of encountering buffalo or elephant on foot in the extraordinary Kruger ecosystem is the finest adrenaline experience in South African wildlife.
AFTERNOON
SUNSET AND NIGHT DRIVE IN PRIVATE RESERVE
The extraordinary private reserve night drive with the outstanding spotlight and the finest ranger commentary, giving the remarkable leopard, civet, bushbaby and the extraordinary African wild dog sightings unavailable in the national park after sunset. The fine bush dinner in the extraordinary boma under the African sky with the remarkable sounds of the Lowveld wildlife is the finest outdoor dining experience in South Africa.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Manyeleti Game Reserve adjoining the Kruger and Sabi Sand, the least known of the Greater Kruger private reserves and the finest value-for-money Big Five safari destination in South Africa, is one of the most remarkable hidden wildlife areas in the country with the outstanding predator sightings at a fraction of the Sabi Sand prices. The remarkable Honeyguide Tented Camp in Manyeleti is the finest affordable private reserve experience near Kruger.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Private lodge Outstanding luxury safari breakfast. Extraordinary African bush setting with remarkable birdlife. | Lunch: Lodge or bush lunch Fine light lunch at the extraordinary private lodge or remarkable packed bush lunch on the extended morning drive. | Dinner: Private lodge boma dinner The finest outdoor African dining experience. Extraordinary boma fire, fine South African wine and remarkable five courses.
DAY 3
PANORAMA ROUTE
MORNING
BLYDE RIVER CANYON AND THREE RONDAVELS
The most extraordinary canyon in Africa and one of the finest in the world, the remarkable Blyde River Canyon in Limpopo, a remarkable 26km gorge dropping 800 metres through extraordinary red syenite cliffs. The fine Three Rondavels viewpoint, where the remarkable circular rock towers rise from the extraordinary canyon floor like traditional African huts, is the finest single viewpoint in South Africa outside Table Mountain. The outstanding Bourke's Luck Potholes at the canyon entrance are the finest geological feature. 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
GOD'S WINDOW ESCARPMENT VIEWPOINT
The extraordinary God's Window viewpoint on the Drakensberg Escarpment above Graskop, the finest single elevated view in South Africa, where the remarkable 1,000-metre cliff edge of the Escarpment gives the most extraordinary view over the extraordinary Lowveld stretching to Mozambique on clear days. The fine forest walk from the parking area to the viewpoint through the remarkable Escarpment mistbelt forest is the finest short walk in Limpopo. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
GRASKOP GORGE LIFT AND DEPARTURE
The extraordinary Graskop Gorge and the remarkable glass lift descending 51 metres into the fine gorge below the town, giving the most extraordinary close-range view of the Graskop Gorge waterfall and the outstanding subtropical forest below the Escarpment. The fine Harrie's Pancakes in Graskop is the most beloved roadside restaurant on the Panorama Route.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls hidden in the remarkable Escarpment forest near Graskop, two of the finest waterfalls in Mpumalanga, are accessible from the fine Panorama Route but overlooked by most visitors who focus on the Blyde Canyon. The remarkable Lisbon Falls at 90 metres and the extraordinary Berlin Falls at 80 metres in their fine forested gorge settings are the finest hidden waterfalls on the Panorama Route.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Graskop or Hazyview hotel Good breakfast before the Blyde River Canyon drive. | Lunch: Blyde River Canyon area Simple outstanding lunch near the extraordinary Three Rondavels viewpoint. | Dinner: Hazyview or Nelspruit Outstanding South African dinner in Hazyview. Fine grilled warthog and remarkable Limpopo wine before departure.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
SANParks Rest Camps Satara or Olifants camp. Self-catering chalets. Approx 1,500 to 4,000 ZAR per night. Private Lodge Sabi Sand or Timbavati lodge. All-inclusive. Approx 5,000 to 30,000 ZAR per night. Budget Kruger rest camp camping. Approx 300 to 600 ZAR per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Kruger rest camps and private lodge well ahead. Summer holidays and July fill months in advance.
2. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the Kruger lowveld. Consult a travel health clinic before departure.
3. The finest game viewing in Kruger is from 6 to 9am and 4 to 7pm. Drive slowly and stop often.
4. Never exit your vehicle in Kruger National Park except at designated rest camps and viewpoints.
5. The private reserves have the finest leopard sightings in Africa. Sabi Sand averages multiple per day.
6. Fill up with petrol at Kruger rest camps. Fuel is available inside the park but plan your route.
Total Budget
1,082 to 31,532 ZAR/day