Leopard eating animal on tree

Kruger & Panorama Route, South Africa: Ultimate Self-Drive Itinerary

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Our trip to South Africa and Kruger National Park was truly unforgettable. From exploring Johannesburg and discovering the rich Xhosa and Zulu cultures, to road-tripping through the dramatic landscapes of the Panorama Route, and finishing with one of the best safaris we’ve ever experienced, this trip packs an incredible amount of adventure into just a week. After countless hours of research and experiencing it firsthand, we’re excited to share the ultimate Kruger and Panorama Route self-drive guide.

We’ll cover everything: how to plan your itinerary, what to see along the Panorama Route, where to stay in Kruger, the pros and cons of private Kruger Reserves vs. Kruger National Park (Public), how to choose your safari lodge, and whether booking your safari through a tour company makes sense. There’s a lot of helpful information here, but since a Kruger safari is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, doing your homework will make all the difference in creating an unforgettable trip.

sitting at viewpoint of panorama route overlooking the lake

Is the Panorama Route in South Africa Worth Visiting

It goes without saying that Kruger national park in South Africa is one of the best safaris you can do in Africa. With affordable lodges, the option to self drive in the park, the availability of all Big 5, and fairly easy accessibility, Kruger is world class.

But what many travelers don’t realize is that the 6-hour drive to Kruger passes right by another gem: the Panorama Route.

This stretch is packed with jaw-dropping natural landmarks, from the dramatic Blyde River Canyon (one of the most raw landscapes we’ve seen in South Africa) to the Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Pinnacle Rock, and more.

So the big question is: if you’re already heading to Kruger for an unforgettable safari, is the Panorama Route still worth adding on to the itinerary?

Our answer: absolutely, without hesitation! 

We spent 4-5 days exploring the area and loved every second. The Panorama Route reveals a side of South Africa that feels ancient, untamed, and deeply connected to the origins of humankind. It’s a landscape that left us speechless in the best way possible, and allowed us to connect with the local culture and nature, far removed from the manicured game lodges catered for tourism. 

hyena looking towards me in south africa panorama route

Why Combine Self-driving Panorama Route with your Kruger Safari

When we first planned our stay in Kruger National Park and were working out the logistics, we quickly discovered a logistical hurdle: the park sits about 6 hours away from the nearest international airport in Johannesburg. Researching the options of transport, we quickly realized that a shuttle bringing you directly to your lodge is very costly.

Panorama route and kruger national park route map

Looking into transport options, we were shocked to see how pricey the shuttles were. As of 2025, a one-way transfer for two people to your lodge in Kruger costs around 7,000 ZAR (nearly 400 USD). And while convenient, the shuttle simply drops you at your lodge, missing out entirely the Panorama Route along the way. If you want to add that on, expect to pay another 200 USD or so.

Being budget-conscious travellers, we sought out a smarter alternative: Self-drive. Instead of spending nearly 1000$ for the roundtrip shuttle, we rented a car through DiscoverCars for 6 days at just 200 USD

Not only did this save us a ton of money, but it gave us total freedom. We discovered one of our favourite hidden gem hotel retreats at Acra (don’t let their modest photos fool you, the place is stunning and so peaceful!), spent three full days exploring the Panorama Route, and then finally made our way to Umkumbe Lodge in Sabi Sands. It ended up being not just cost-effective (for barely a fifth of the shuttle price), but a far richer and complete experience.

Mirror view of elephants in Kruger National Park

Panorama Route and Kruger Itinerary

Now that we’ve hopefully convinced you to include the Panorama Route in your Kruger Safari itinerary, let’s dive into the actual planning details.

First, we’ll give you an overview of what your one-week road trip itinerary could look like, and then break it down day by day so you know exactly how to organize your trip.

cheetah walking

Then in the section after, we’ll share our recommendations on choosing which part of Kruger to stay in, which lodge to stay in, comparing the SAN Kruger (the state-owned, public section of Kruger, located mostly in the northern section) vs. Private Kruger (known as Greater Kruger, which is exclusive to Private Lodges, located mainly in the Southern section), and if you should book your Safari with a tour company.


Panorama Route and Kruger Itinerary Overview

  • Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg, rent car, Drive 2.5 hours to Acra Retreat Mountain Lodge
  • Day 2: Drive to Graskop (stay 2 nights), on the way visit Stone Circles, Big Swing, or MacMac pools
  • Day 3: Explore Pinnacle Rock and God’s window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, hike Blyde River Canyon
  • Day 4: Drive to Kruger’s Sabi Sands: Umkumbe Lodge
  • Day 5-8: Spend 3 nights spotting the Big 5 around Umkumbe Lodge in Sabi Sands Kruger
  • Day 8: Drive back to Johannesburg (6 hours)
Panorama route and kruger national park route map

Detailed Panorama route + Kruger Itinerary

Here, we’ll break down the itinerary step by step, along with practical tips to help you plan and enjoy a hassle-free road trip.

Day 1: Arrival at Johannesburg + Acra Retreat Mountain Lodge

The closest international airport to Kruger National Park is Johannesburg, the main travel hub of South Africa. Once you land, you’ll want to pick up your rental car and begin the road trip.

After what is likely a long flight from your home country, we recommend breaking up the 6 hour drive journey to Kruger by making an overnight stop at Acra (located only 2.5 hours from O.R. Tambo Airport). 

At first, we only planned this stop as a way to split up the drive, but it ended up becoming one of our most memorable stays in all of South Africa! Acra Retreat Mountain Lodge sits perched on a cliffside with sweeping views over the African landscape. The rooms are spacious, beautifully designed with cultural touches, and on warm days you can cool off in the outdoor pool overlooking the mountains.

What really made the stay special, though, was the hospitality of the host, Holgen. He greeted us like old friends, cooked a delicious (and very reasonably priced) dinner, shared drinks with us, and told stories from his South African childhood late into the evening. It felt less like a hotel stay and more like a night at a dear friend’s home.



Day 2:
Drive to Graskop, visit Stone Circles, Big Swing, or MacMac pools

Wake up early at Acra Retreat and spend the morning enjoying their included multi-course breakfast before heading back on the road. The drive today is only 2 hours to Graskop, the gateway town to the Panorama Route, so you will have time to do some sightseeing along the way.

Blaauwboschkraal Stone Circle Ruins

Just a quick 15 minutes drive from Acra, you can make your first stop at the Blaauwboschkraal Stone Ruins.

These ancient stone circles, believed to be built thousands of years ago by early farming communities, are scattered across South Africa and may have been used for livestock enclosures, dwellings, or ceremonial purposes.

stone circles in south africa

Some experts have pointed out that many of these circles align with solstices, lunar cycles, or stars, suggesting advanced knowledge of astronomy even before colonial times. Some alternative theories even propose they were ritual sites or energy centers, earning nicknames like “South Africa’s Stonehenge.” 

Their real purpose remains unknown, but during our visit, we did feel an undeniable energy there. Nan’s digital watch, which we’ve been using flawlessly for over 2 years, also sudden malfunctioned while we were there and the screen showed 2 horizontal bars. After we left, we were able to reset the watch. Coincidence or maybe there is something there?

stone circles in south africa

Other stops: The Big Swing, MacMac Pools, or Hoedspruit endangered species Centre

Then, to continue your road trip, you can make a stop at the Big Swing, MacMac Pools, or even Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre where you can see cheetahs from up close. Here is a quick overview of the options:

  • The Big Swing: Freefall over 70m, at 140km/h, as you plunge into Graskop Gorge on the ultimate bungee-jump swing! At Graskop Gorge, they also have several other activities including zipline, cliff walk, forest walk, suspension bridges, and more! 
  • MacMac Pools: The MacMac Pools are a series of natural rock pools fed by cascading waterfalls, perfect for a refreshing dip. Unfortunately, when we visited, there was a drought so the pools were empty. 

  • Hoedspruit Endangered Species CentreMeet cheetahs, lions, African wild dogs, rhinos, and even vultures up close at this amazing conservation centre. We did the two-hour tour and found it fascinating—plus it’s a great way to support their vital work protecting endangered species.

Where to Stay in Graskop (2 nights)

Graskop is the main gateway town to the attractions of the Panorama Route. It is the ideal town to use as a base for your 3 days exploring the nearby attractions. Below we’ve highlighted some of the best places to stay at in Graskop:


Day 3:
Pinnacle Rock/God’s window + hike Blyde River Canyon

This day ended up being one of our absolute favourites along the Panorama Route. While spots like Pinnacle Rock, God’s Window, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes (all three are easy viewpoint stops along the way) wowed us with their dramatic landscapes, it was hiking in the Blyde River Canyon that truly stole the show.

The trail led us straight into some of South Africa’s most ancient and untouched scenery, with towering mountain plateaus rising above the valleys, trails dotted with otherworldly mountain aloes.

We did the 6.9 km Tufa, Guinea Fowl, and Leopard trail and it was spectacular. Along the way, we passed through striking rock formations, rivers, and some of the country’s most unique flora.

To wrap up the adventure, make sure to stop at at Kadisi Restaurant inside the Blyde River Canyon Reserve. The food was outstanding, and we even sampled a few unique South African wines.

This wraps up an amazing day of adventure and you can either return back to Graskop at your hotel or opt to stay the night at Blyde River Canyon’s A Forever Resort to enjoy the awe-inspiring landscapes for longer!

How to visit the hike in Blyde River Canyon

The hike starts inside the Blyde Canyon area of A Forever Resort, so you’ll need to pay an entrance fee to access the trails.

To reach the trailhead at the Lower Viewpoint, first stop at the resort reception where you’ll pay the fee, pick up a map, and get directions. The trails are fairly easy to follow and well-marked, but it’s worth asking at reception which route they recommend based on how much time you have for hiking.

There is a parking lot right beside the trailhead so it is easy to access. 


Day 4: Drive to Kruger’s Sabi Sands: Umkumbe Lodge

Today, you’ll be leaving the Panorama Route and continuing your journey to Kruger National Park.

In the upcoming sections, we’ll be discussing how to best choose a lodge in Kruger National Park, the benefits of staying at Greater Kruger (private area of Kruger, like Sabi Sands where we stayed) versus the State-sponsored Kruger (we’ll call it SAN Kruger), and other insider travel tips!

For our trip, we chose to stay at Umkumbe Lodge in the Private Kruger’s Sabi Sands reserve and would whole-heartedly recommend it to any friend and fellow traveller.

We recommend spending 3 nights and 4 days to explore Kruger National Park. That’s exactly how long we stayed, and it felt just right, enough time to to be excited throughout all the incredible game drives while still leaving us wanting a little more when it was time to go. There are countless fantastic lodges to choose from, but for this itinerary, we’ll use our personal favourite, Umkumbe Lodge, as the example.

The drive from Graskop to Umkumbe will take around 2 hours. If you are going into the Greater Kruger (private Kruger), there are two main gates to enter from: Newington Gate and Shaws Gate.

Make sure to pay attention to and note down which gate you entered from because that is the gate you MUST also leave from. When we left, we accidentally took the wrong road and went to the other gate, and the guards refused to let us out, forcing us to drive through the whole park and return back to the initial gate. 

⚠️ Other essential tips for reaching Kruger:
  • Right nearby the entrance gates of Kruger, there seems to frequently be police speed patrols posted there. Unfortunately, these police officers are corrupt and will try to stop you to give you a fine or a bribe. This is particularly the case between Hazyview and the entrance of Kruger, where they post the speed limit at 60km/h. We thought it was only us that was unlucky enough to get stopped but after talking to several other guests at our lodge, it seems to be a very common occurrence. So be careful, drive a good amount below the speed limit, and be vigilant for police. 
  • As previously mentioned, make sure to enter and exit from the same park gate.
  • Try to arrive early (before 2-3pm) at your lodge so that you can join the sundowner (usually starting around 4pm) game drive the same evening.
  • If you’re staying in Sabi Sands or another Private Kruger reserve, all your game drives will be done in the lodge’s own safari vehicles, so there’s no need to use your car inside the park. We simply parked ours at the lodge for three nights and loved the ease of having everything taken care of for us.

Day 4-8: Spend 3 nights in Kruger National Park

The next four days will be among the most thrilling experiences you’ll have in South Africa. At private lodges, your days follow a well-curated schedule:

  • a morning game drive
  • a hearty breakfast
  • an afternoon bushwalk
  • lunch
  • and finally a sundowner to enjoy one of the most spectacular African sunsets.

Every detail is handled by the lodge so you just show up with your sense of adventure (and your camera) to soak up the unforgettable moments.

Overall, we would recommend staying at a game lodge within the Greater Kruger (the private Kruger zone) for a more exclusive experience. Other than Umkumbe Lodge, two other lodges that we were considering and would recommend are the Langa Langa Safari Camp (Budget), and the Lion Sands River Lodge (Luxury).

They are both located within the Sabi Sands park where you have some of the greatest concentration of predators, especially the Leopard (which we were lucky enough to see on two occasions!). 

Comparing all the different lodges can quickly become overwhelming, which is why we recommend using Safari.com. They’re true specialists of all things safari and the best part? You’ll pay the same price as if you booked directly!



Woman standing among the fall foliage and mountain in Argentina

My Essential Travel Gear

📸 Camera: Olympus EM1 Mark II
🔘 Wide Lense: Leica 8-18mm, f2.8-4.0
🔘 Zoom Lense: Olympus 12-100, F4.0 Pro
🎒 Camera Sling: WANDRD 6L Rogue
🎒 Camera Backpack: Shimoda Explore and PGYTECH One Pro Flex
🪝 Camera attachment onto backpack: Peak Design Capture
💾 Portable Hard Drive: Crucial X8/X9 2TB
☁️ Essential Backup of all my photos and files in the Cloud: BackBlaze

🥾 Favourite Hiking Boot: Han Wag GoreTex Hiking Boot


Day 8: Drive back to Johannesburg (6 hours)

And this marks the end of your South African Panorama Route + Kruger road trip. After a morning game drive and breakfast, you’ll be heading back to O.R Tambo Airport on a 6 hour drive. Again, while exiting Kruger, make sure to go well below the speed limit and look out for those speeding patrol police. 

Alternatively, if you have some extra time, we highly recommend spending a couple of days exploring Johannesburg. While it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as the more famous Cape Town, we absolutely loved our time there and felt it offered a deeper, more authentic immersion into African culture.

Johannesburg city

This post is part of our series about South Africa. If you want to learn more about South Africa, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:


Should you Stay in Kruger or Great Kruger

Okay, now that you’ve chosen Kruger National park for your safari experience, the next huge decision is whether to spend your time in the State-sponsored Kruger (located mainly in the Northern section. We will refer to it as SAN Kruger = Kruger) or the Private Reserve of Kruger (Mainly located in the Southern Section. We will refer to it as Private Kruger = Greater Kruger).

The two offer very different experiences, and your choice will hugely shape your safari. As a general summary, Private Kruger is only open to guests staying at its lodges, so it feels more exclusive, intimate, and personalized. SAN Kruger on the other hand, is perfect for those more on a budget (although they also have some luxury lodges there) and wanting to experience a self-drive safari, which you can’t do in the private reserves. 

Leopard on the tree in South Africa

Both have their perks, and below we’ll break down the key differences so you can decide which is best for you.

Exclusivity and Crowds

One of the biggest advantages of Private Kruger is the exclusivity. Access is limited to guests staying in the lodges, which means you won’t be surrounded by hordes of other vehicles. Each lodge manages its own territory, and even at the most exciting sightings, you’ll rarely share the moment with more than two or three other jeeps. There’s also a system in place where guides communicate and take turns at popular sightings, ensuring it never feels overcrowded. 

Compare that to SAN Kruger, where a lion on the road can easily draw a traffic jam of 20-plus cars. Having experienced both types of safaris, we can say the difference between a quiet, intimate encounter and a chaotic crowd completely changes the safari experience.

Finally, guests staying in Private Kruger can access both the private reserves and SAN Kruger, while SAN Kruger visitors are not permitted in the private reserves.

Self-Driving Vs. Guided Game Drives

In Private Kruger, all safaris are done on guided game drives in specialized vehicles, while SAN Kruger gives you the choice between joining guided drives or heading out on your own in a self-drive adventure. Having done both, we honestly don’t think one is “better”. It really comes down to what kind of experience you want. 

Guided drives are unbeatable for spotting elusive predators and learning from expert trackers, while self-driving gives you the freedom to linger as long as you want at a watering hole or quietly watch a herd of elephants. We did self-drives in Namibia’s Etosha, guided drives in Private Kruger, a mix of both in Uganda, and only guided drives in Tanzania, and each brought its own kind of magic.

Off-road safari exploration

One of the things that made our Sabi Sands safari so unforgettable was the ability to go off-road in the specialized game vehicles.

Predators often hide in the shade of a tree or deep in the bush, well out of sight from the main roads. Normally, you’d only catch a glimpse of them through binoculars, but at Umkumbe we were able to carefully leave the road and get a much closer look, while always keeping a respectful distance.

Leopard eating animal on tree
Without going off-road, we would’ve never found this leopard hiding in the tree eating it’s prey!

Out of all our safari experiences in South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, and Tanzania, Sabi Sands has been the only place that offered this exclusive privilege, and it truly elevated our safari experience.

At SAN Kruger, you’re limited to the designated paved roads and aren’t allowed to go off-road at all.

Better Leopard sightings

Leopards are often considered the hardest of the Big Five to spot on safari, but Sabi Sands has built a global reputation for its thriving leopard population. While no sighting is ever guaranteed, the chances here are among the best in the world. During our own 4-day stay, we were lucky enough to encounter these beautiful cats up close not just once, but twice!

Leopard walking in Kruger National Park

Exclusive experiences

While this advantage can vary depending on the lodge, Private Kruger generally offers activities you won’t find in SAN Kruger, most notably guided bush walks and night drives with spotlights.

Stepping out of the vehicle and walking on African soil, fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the wild, is an experience unlike any other. We got to do this once during our 4 day stay at Umkumbe and it allowed us to observe and admire many small details about the African nature that we would’ve missed if in a game vehicle. 

checking out the horns of an animal carcasse

Type of Game Vehicle

Last but not least, another variable that can hugely impact your safari experience is the type of Game Vehicle. Having now done multiple safaris in different lodges and countries, I can confidently say the game vehicles we had at Umkumbe in Sabi Sands were the best.

Their specialized vehicles are open-top, with no vertical bars obstructing your views, and were wide and very comfortable, allowing you to really feel like you are connected with the surrounding nature.

The traditional game vehicle on the other hand, are usually seat compartments built on the back of a truck, with covered top and vertical bars supporting it. It might seem like a minor detail, but Umkumbe’s fully open vehicles create an unparalleled sense of immersion, letting you connect with the animals and the bush in a way we haven’t experienced anywhere else.

Accommodation and Lodges

Overall, Private Kruger generally caters to mid-range and luxury budgets, offering a more exclusive safari experience. SAN Kruger, by contrast, provides a wider range of accommodations to suit almost any budget, from self-catering campsites to ultra-luxury lodges.


Should you book your Kruger safari through a Tour company 

Even once you’ve chosen which part of the park you’d like to visit, it can still be quite overwhelming picking one specific Lodge. We spent hours upon hours researching and comparing the different lodges, and it can sometimes be challenging to find out all the lodging details and pricing, as that information is not always readily available online.

cheetah in Kruger National Park

For this reason, we would recommend contacting the safari specialists at Safari.com. Contrary to what I had initially thought, with Safari.com, you actually get the same rates as if you were to book the lodge directly since they earn their commission directly from the hotels rather than charging it on you (I actually checked by asking them for a quote and asking the lodge directly for a quote). However you benefit from the specialized support and expert guidance of their team. 

If we were to do it again, we would certainly arrange our safari through a specialized safari agency like them. In fact, we have planned a full 8 day itinerary to see the great migration in Tanzania and it was fully arranged with the help of a safari tour agency. Not only did it save me a ton of time, but also made the itinerary planning process totally stress-free. Finally, and to our great surprise, the price of the tour turned out to be cheaper than if we booked directly each individual item on our own. 

Although we love arranging trips on our own as travel bloggers, I believe Safaris in Africa are one of the rare situations where going through a specialized tour agency is the way to go


Recommended safari tour agency for Kruger 

I know what you’re thinking: first you choose Kruger, then you decide between SAN Kruger and Private Kruger, then whether to go with a tour company, and now you have to pick which tour company? It can definitely feel overwhelming. 

To make it easier, we’ve done the research and can recommend a highly trusted option: Safari.com.

As mentioned earlier, Safari.com brings over 20 years of safari experience and charges the same rates as booking directly with the lodge. This makes planning completely stress-free, and you can share all your preferences so they can help you choose the perfect safari.

hyena sitting below the tree

On top of that, here are a few more standout features of Safari.com:

  • SAFARI.COM voted Africa’s Leading Safari Company in the World Travel Awards 2024 + 2025
  • Same price as booking direct since they receive their commission directly from the hotel/supplier
  • You have expert care included, full support before/during/after your tour 
  • Includes free travel insurance and financial protection. Safari trips are very expensive and having this travel and financial protection is indispensable. 
  • They have a 4.9/5 rating with over 1131 reviews on Trustpilot (with a 96% 5-star rating, the highest in the industry), 5.0 on Tripadvisor and 4.9 on Google

You can browse their safaris here or reach out for a free no-obligation consultation. Or if you’re convinced about visiting the same lodge we did, Umkumbe, then you can check out their Umkumbe Safari Lodge page here

Safari.com Website page with Kruger safaris

Why We Chose to Stay at Umkumbe Safari Lodge

When planning our Kruger Safari, we did countless hours of research comparing the different lodges before choosing to stay at Umkumbe Safari Lodge. If you’re curious about how we ended up with this decision, or why you should visit Umkumbe, below we share our top reasons:

  • They are very reasonably priced but maintains an excellent quality. Most other lodges were costing close to 1000 CAD per day, whereas at Umkumbe, we paid closer to 550 CAD/day. 
  • They have some of the best open concept game vehicles we have seen in any lodge
  • Your daily routine: 2 game drives and optional bush walk included in the price, full board, tea and coffee, complementary sundowner alcoholic drink
  • They have fantastic game rangers. We were with Tyrone over the 4 days and he was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, caring, and made every game drive exciting!
  • The Rangers can drive off road in this part of the reserve, which was a huge advantage
  • They have bush walks, sun downers, and night drives available here
umkumbe lodge lounge area

If availability is not shown here, you can reach out to the lodge directly, or better yet reach out to Safari.com to help you with all the logistics (they all the up-to-date pricing and availability info). 

Other Private Game Reserves within Great Kruger

Although we strongly recommend staying at Sabi Sands, there are also several other amazing Private Game reserves in Great Kruger (Private Kruger). Below we’ll share a few of them and some of their standout features:

  • MalaMala Game Reserve – One of the oldest and most famous private reserves, renowned for its excellent leopard sightings.
  • Lion Sands Game Reserve – Offers luxury lodges along the Sabie River with incredible predator sightings and private game drives. This is where you find the Lion Sands River Lodge (Luxury) that we previously mentioned
  • Singita Game Reserves – Known for ultra-luxury lodges and exclusive safari experiences across multiple concessions.
  • Ulusaba Private Game Reserve – Owned by Sir Richard Branson, offering high-end lodges and spectacular bush experiences.
  • Timbavati Private Nature Reserve – Famous for its white lions and varied safari experiences, adjoining Kruger.
  • Kapama Private Game Reserve – Offers a range of lodges from luxury to mid-range, with guided game drives and bush walks.

If you try to look up individual private game lodges within each park, you’ll see that most are not bookable online through Booking.com or Hotels.com, and many even lack pricing information on their official website. For this reason, it will be a lot easier enlisting the help of the Safari specialists at Safari.com


How Many Days to Visit Panorama Route and Kruger

We spent a total of 8 days exploring the Panorama Route and Kruger National Park, with 4 days in a private game lodge. Four days in the lodge felt just right where every moment was thrilling, and we left wanting just a little more. The remaining 4 days, including an overnight at Acra Mountain Retreat, gave us enough time to see the main highlights of the Panorama Route

That’s why our guide presents what we believe is the ideal one week or 8-day itinerary for experiencing both Kruger and the Panorama Route. If you have a bit of extra time, we would recommend spending 2-3 days discovering Johannesburg, or flying over to one of the traveller’s favourites, Cape Town. This makes for the perfect 10 day South Africa Itinerary.

If you have over a week of extra time, then we would highly recommend doing the world-famous Garden Route road trip. Also make sure to check out our Cape Town Itinerary, but read up on if Cape Town is safe to visit for tourists first!


Driving in South Africa Safety Tips

Last but not least, we wanted to share some driving tips for South Africa:

  • Speed limit: As previously mentioned, there is strict reinforcement of speed limits especially in the section between Hazyview and the entrance of Kruger National Park. Make sure to be extra vigilant. 
  • Corrupt Cops: We and several others at our lodge experienced this first-hand. 
  • Drive slower in areas with wild animals: This applies especially within the parks. Even if you are going into Private Kruger, you will need to drive within the park to reach the lodge. Speed limits are usually between 20-40km/hour.
  • Driver on the left side of the road: in South Africa, they drive on the left side of the road, with the driver seat on the right side. This is opposite to most countries in the world so be aware of that before renting your car.
  • Keep windows closed, doors locked, and be vigilant at red lights: this applies to all of South Africa, but more importantly when driving in the big cities. Since you will be renting your car from Johannesburg, make sure to follow these rules for the 30-40 minutes it takes to drive out of the city. 
  • We also shared 8 Essential tips for staying safe in South Africa. The guide is more specific to Cape Town but these recommendations apply to all of South Africa.

Using WISE card in South Africa

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

Wise card

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.


Summary: Kruger National Park and Panorama Route Itinerary 

We created this guide not just to cover the logistics of planning your Kruger and Panorama Route trip, but also to highlight the key considerations and thought processes that many travelers overlook. We hope it helps you plan your South Africa adventure with confidence. Having experienced some of the best safaris here, after also traveling through the Western Cape, Namibia, and Uganda, we hope your journey will be just as unforgettable. If you’re also looking for other amazing experiences in South Africa, make sure to check out our Guide to Road Tripping through the Garden Route!


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