7-Day Kruger and Panorama Budget Self-Drive

This self-drive tour offers the client the opportunity to experience the Kruger Park’s wildlife and the beautiful Panorama route in an exiting fashion to avoid the extreme price on luxury lodges on offer. This tour is for the keen nature lover who likes to choose his/her own adventure and excursions as you drive the route and accommodation we have on offer. You will have exactly the same experience as any luxury tour but have more freedom.

Highlights

  • Visit South Africa’s top game reserve.
  • Enjoy a pristine African bush experience.
  • Have incomparable wildlife encounters.
  • Experience the thrill of self-drive game drives.
  • Enjoy mid-range lodging in an authentic African setting.
  • Get a chance to spot the Big 5.
  • Appreciate the Kruger’s fantastic bird life.

What’s Included

  • Rental Vehicle, GPS, super cover insurance and unlimited km’s.
  • 6 Nights accommodation in total.
  • Self-Drive game drives.
  • Park and Conservation Fees.
  • Extensive, personalized day-to-day itinerary, including area info and local tips.
  • All bookings & booking fees.

Itinerary

Day 1 Johannesburg Airport to Nelspruit

Make your own way to Johannesburg Airport to pick-up your rented self-drive vehicle at OR Tambo International. Start early to have a full day to explore.

The drive is about 350km on a good highway. As it is your first day in South Africa you can get to bed quite early to get ready for a week of fun and wildlife. Get yourself something to eat at the Kiosk at the self-catering Lodge or zip into Nelspruit City for a nice meal at a restaurant.

Day 2 Graskop in the heart of Panorama Route

Start early and enjoy breakfast-on-the-go as you have a full day to explore the Panorama route. The morning is fresh and cool and you head direction Sabie town for the first portion of the Panorama Route. Drive slowly through the town or enjoy breakfast.

From here put your nose direction Pilgrim’s Rest which was restored some years ago to its original state where the Gold diggers and opportunists chasing wealth. Walk through this historical town and visit Harrys Pancakes!

The next stop is Graskop and a must see is God’s Window. Treat yourself with the Graskop Gorge Lift to learn about the vegetation this area offers. This will really put you at ease before you check in at Mulberry Lane on a Macadamia Farm just a stone-throw away. Here you can book a silk worm tour and spoil yourself with the finest silk material.

The barbecue area with your own spa bath invites you and you may enjoy a home-cook meal or South Africa braai or dinner there.

Activities and meals for client’s own account.

Day 3  Bourke’s Luck Potholes in Panorama to Kruger Orpen Gate

Today will be the highlight of your Panorama tour on-route to Kruger Park. After breakfast head in the direction of the Blyde River and do not forget to stop at the different view points to take pictures of the greenest River Canyon on earth.

The next activity is a must: Stop at the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and take a short walk to where the two rivers, the Blyde and Treur meet.

The Three Rondavels view point a little further is something to behold. From here the road takes you in the direction of Hoedspruit through the Strydom Tunnel.

The town of Hoedspruit is a good stop to stock up for the Kruger Park, however there are shops within the Park’s Rest camps.

If you have time left after Hoedspruit pay a visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered species where you can meet orphan cats, wild dogs and some of the Big 5 in amore secure environment.

After this continue to SleepOver at Orpen Gate for the night.

All activities and meals for the client’s own account.

Day 4  Satara Restcamp in Kruger

Be up early as possible. Enter the Kruger Park at Orpen Gate and start your first slow game drive through the Park. This area is the ideal home for the big Cats. The area consists of short- and long grass savanna veld with some acacia trees dotted on the horizon. Be sure to drive slowly not to miss an opportunity.

Drive further to the north to Olifant’s Camp and enjoy a late breakfast or early lunch at the restaurant sitting high above the Olifant’s river with pictures views of teaming wildlife.

Check in at Satara and make sure that you have the late afternoon or early evening free to book yourself a guided game drive.

This is one of a few places in the world where there is a possibility to see the white Lions of the Timbavati.

If Satara Rest Camp is fully booked we will recommend another rest camp.

All activities and meals for your own account but the office can also book this in advance to ensure availability.

Day 5: Skukuza Rest camp

The ideal day would start like this: Grab a coffee-on-the-go and drive out on a early morning drive or book yourself a guided bush walk or guided game drive. The earlier, the better your chances to spot the scarce and elusive nocturnal animals.

Get back to camp at 09h00, pack your bags, enjoy a breakfast at the restaurant and set off direction Skukuza.

The largest congregation of game is in the south of the Park. Drive right south to Lower-Sabie rest camp on the Sabie river and enjoy lunch before your return to Skukuza for the night via Pretoriuskop Rest Camp. Do not miss out on the very luxury signature Train Restaurant at Skukuza. There are several choices here.

Book your self dinner or enjoy another guided evening drive.

All activities and meals for the client’s own account however, the office can book this in advance to ensure availability.

Day 6: Kruger Park to Kruger Gate

This is your last morning to enjoy the Kruger and its wild animals. Make the most of your time today by doing self-drives to different directions within the Park. Look on the animal sightings board to locate the scarce animals you have not seen yet and drive out there.

Take the day slow as you can exit at Kruger Gate just before it closes. Make sure of the time and keep in mind the speed to calculate the time for possible stops to ensure that you are in time for the gate times. Your accommodation for the night is just outside the gate at SleepOver Kruger Gate.

Get yourself dinner at the Kiosk at SleepOver or enjoy a typical “braai”.

Day 7: Kruger to Johannesburg

Make sure of the correct time of the return of the rented vehicle and your return home. Plan your day accordingly. It will take about 5-6 hours to get to the Airport from here. Also plan for stops to eat and drink.

So the last day of a memorable tour comes to an end.

Safe travels and we see you soon for another adventure in Southern Africa. Make your own way to Johannesburg

Tour Costs

  • 1 Guest – Total Price: R19 365 – per person
  • 2 Guests – Total Price: R13 539 – per person sharing
  • 3 Guests – Total Price: R10 684 – per person sharing
  • 4 Guests – Total Price: R12 076 – per person sharing
  • 5 Guests – Total Price: R11 733 – per person sharing
  • 6 Guests – Total Price: R12 360 – per person sharing
  • 7 Guests – Total Price: R13 332 – per person sharing
  • 8 Guests – Total Price: R10 965 – per person sharing
Download the Itinerary