Adventurous Self-Drive Safari in South Africa - 14 Days

Highlights

• Discover the highlights of Johannesburg, from the museums to Soweto Township
• Embark on morning and afternoon safaris in national parks and private reserves
• Stay in bush lodges offering luxury amenities in the pristine African wilderness
• Immerse yourself in country life and go hiking around mountain towns

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg, Optional Activities

Welcome to South Africa! Dubbed "Rainbow Nation" by Archbishop Desmund Tutu, the southernmost county on the African continent lives up to its nickname. Its diverse ethnic groups include various Indigenous tribespeople and Afrikaners—descendants of Dutch Settlers who arrived in the 17th century. 

You'll arrive in the dynamic city of Johannesburg, known as "Joburg" or "Jozi" to locals. Despite having three national capitals, Johannesburg isn't one of them—though it is the nation's largest metropolis. You'll experience this cultural hub in all its glory when, after arriving at the airport, a driver transfers you to your hotel in the city. Then, you can head out and explore on your own.

Even with just an afternoon, you can enjoy a few of the city's cultural and historic highlights. If there's time, you can head to the city's outskirts and tour the township (district) of Soweto. Or, stay in town and visit the Apartheid Museum to learn how those segregated urban settlements came to be. Then, after dinner, maybe pop in at a historic nightclub to hear live jazz. 

Day 2: Drive to Kruger National Park, Afternoon Game Drive

Rise and shine! This morning, you're off to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Located in northeast South Africa, not only is this the country's first-ever national park (founded in 1926), but it's also one of the largest on the continent at 7,576 square miles (19,623 sq km). The options for safari adventures here are nearly limitless, which you'll discover upon arrival.

And half the fun is getting there. In the morning, you'll get behind the wheel and hit the road for the 4-5-hour drive to Kruger. It's quite something to watch the city give way to Africa's famous bushveld (subtropical wilderness landscapes). This is a land of vast savannas and soaring mountain plateaus—so savor the ride. At the end of it, you'll arrive at your accommodation: Mjejane River Lodge. Perched on the banks of the Crocodile River and surrounded by thousands of acres of raw African wilderness, it's here that the paths of predators and prey cross, and you'll have a front-row seat.

You won't wait around, either. After dropping off your bags, meet your guide for an afternoon game drive. Spend a few hours in an open-topped 4WD vehicle prowling the park. This ruggedly beautiful savanna is home to 147 species of mammals, including the Big Five safari animals: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. It's also a paradise for birders, as the 508 species here include various hawks, eagles, storks, and parrots—don't forget your camera!

Days 3-4: Game Drives & Bush Walks in Kruger

This is what you've come for—safari game drives across the African savanna! Spend the next couple of days on safari tours that depart right from your lodge. From an open-topped, 4WD vehicle, you'll search for the Big Five. There's no shortage of these animals, as the park is home to around 1,500 lions, plus tens of thousands more elephants, leopards, and buffalo. You also might see both black and white rhinos (though the population of black rhinos here is a mere couple of hundred).

Also, you won't spend these days entirely in the car. There will be opportunities to get out, stretch your legs, learn about the local flora from your expert guide, and take tea and coffee breaks. You can also opt for a bush walk to hike around the savannas as your guide teaches you how to track animals via their prints. You'll likely see more animals in the early mornings when they're most active (particularly at the watering holes where they congregate).

Day 5: Scenic Drive to Graskop Gorge

Hit the road this morning and drive about 2.5 hours north, venturing into the dramatic plateaus, escarpments, and lush wilderness of Mpumalanga province. Within these mountainous landscapes is Graskop, a vast gorge carved by the Motitsi River. 

You can craft today's drive and itinerary to suit your own pace, but can't-miss stops include the lift that takes you 167 feet (51 m) down the sheer face of the Graskop Gorge and the 170-foot (52 m) suspension bridge across the canyon. If you're feeling adventurous, opt for a ziplining or bungee swing adventure. Wind your way along the boardwalks through the gorge's lush Afromontane forest to glimpse waterfalls and wildlife amid a soundtrack of raucous birdsong. After a day of exploring at your own pace, retire to your hotel in town to rest up for another day of driving tomorrow.

Day 6: Scenic Drive to Hoedspruit via the Panorama Route

It's another day to tour the highlights of Mpumalanga province. This time, you'll visit multiple dazzling landmarks at your own pace as you explore the Panorama Route, a 99-mile (160 km) stretch of road that follows the edge of the Drakensberg range and features some of the most incredible scenery in eastern South Africa.

First, you'll stop at Blyde River Canyon. At 66,585 acres (26,946 ha), this is the third-largest canyon in the world. Its soaring cliffs rise as high as 2,625 feet (800 m), much of it blanketed in lush, subtropical foliage. You'll also visit the Berlin Falls, which plunge 260 feet (80 m) from a green valley over ocher cliffs down into a dark lagoon. Then, continue to God's Window, an incredible viewpoint overlooking a 2,952-foot (900 m) ravine. You'll also see the natural rock pools known as Bourke's Luck Potholes.

A real highlight of this road trip is the Three Rondavels—huge rock formations that resemble ancient stone beehive huts. Here, you'll enjoy spectacular views over Blyde Canyon. At the end of the afternoon, you'll continue to the town of Hoedspruit and get settled into Wild Blue Lodge, a tranquil riverfront property nestled in the Ndlovumzi Game Reserve.

Day 7: Blyde Dam Boat Cruise

You've seen the Blyde River Canyon from a few of its famous viewpoints—now it's time to venture down into the gorge for a river cruise. Transfer to the river in the morning and meet your guide for the 90-minute boat ride down the Blyde River. Your guide will reveal fascinating info about the history and geology of the area as you make your way to the river dam. 

Nearby is the Kadishi Tufa, a massive waterfall that cascades 656 feet (200 m) over dolomite rocks. The entire area is home to exotic wildlife, including hippos, crocs, kudu, and waterbirds like fish eagles and the African finfoot. After the cruise, you'll transfer back to the lodge, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying its many amenities and activities, from spa treatments to game drives. As evening falls, watch the sunset over the nearby Drakensberg Mountains.

Day 8: Drive to Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Afternoon Game Drive

Hit the road after breakfast on a four-hour drive south to your next safari destination: Sabi Sands Game Reserve. This 494-square-mile (1,283 sq km) private reserve is adjacent to Kruger National Park (the two share a fence line), and like Kruger, Sabi Sands is renowned for its exceptional wildlife-viewing opportunities.

You'll stay at Umkumbe Bush Lodge, the first "glamping" experience in the reserve. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the rugged bushveld (subtropical wilderness) landscapes while still enjoying modern comforts like air-conditioning and a swimming pool. But the location is the real star—sitting next to the Sand River under a canopy of native trees, it's the perfect place to enjoy the surrounding wildlife. 

Speaking of which, if you arrive early, sit down to lunch and choose from a menu of global favorites prepared with locally sourced ingredients. If you get here later in the afternoon, enjoy high tea and spend the rest of the day on an introductory game drive in an open-topped 4WD vehicle. During this excursion, your knowledgeable guide will reveal info about the area and its animals, which include the Big Five: lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants, and buffalo. Upon return, dinner will be served at the lodge.

Day 9: Sabi Sands Big Five Safaris

Rise early and embark on a dawn game drive to see the Big Five denizens of Sabi Sands when they're fresh and energetic before the afternoon malaise sets in. There's at least one safari on the itinerary today, and you can opt for a second game drive later in the afternoon. While Sabi is renowned for its Big Five and one of the best places to see the elusive leopard in the wild, it's also home to countless other remarkable species, like hyenas, hippos, waterbucks, jackals, aardvarks, Cape porcupines, and giraffes. 

In between the safari activities, you'll have time to relax by the pool and enjoy delicious meals prepared by the friendly staff. You'll also want to avail yourself of the spa facilities, where you can enjoy a massage or wellness treatment to rejuvenate body and mind. These treatments are often outdoors, allowing you to relax amid the natural splendor of Sabi Sands. 

Day 10: Morning Bush Walk, Free Afternoon

This morning, you'll explore Sabi Sands on foot on a guided bush walk. See the wonders of the bushveld up close as you explore trails that are incessable by vehicle. Your ranger guide will be there every step of the way, pointing out the exotic flora and fauna native to the reserve. Some interesting specimens, like African termite mounds, are often missed when traveling by car. A real highlight is learning to track animals by their prints—the way bush folk have been doing since time immemorial.

Relax back at the lodge for the rest of the day, spending the afternoon poolside or choosing a quiet spot to observe the diverse wildlife that frequents the shores of the nearby Sand River. Later on, you'll have the option to join another game drive or bush walk excursion at dusk, when the animals are at their most active.

Day 11: Drive to Tzaneen, Visit Organic Farm & Dairy

Say goodbye to Sabi Sands this morning and drive about three hours north to Tzaneen. Located in Limpopo province and nestled in the foothills of the Wolkberg Mountains, this charming agricultural town is surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation. The surrounding countryside abounds with picturesque landscapes, and the town is a convenient hub for exploring these natural wonders.

Upon arrival, experience the agriculture highlights of Tzaneen on a tour of the Wegraakbosch Organic Farm and Dairy. This family-run operation is over 100 years old, and in that time, the owners have endeavored to operate it as naturally as possible, with minimal environmental harm. This involves using solar power, growing pesticide-free produce with water from natural springs, and cleaning the dairy without chemical soaps.

During the visit, you'll stroll the fields, learn the secrets of natural farming, and gather organic eggs. At the dairy, you'll participate in a cheesemaking workshop, feed calves, and learn to hand-milk cows. At the end of the afternoon, you'll drive to the nearby Graceland Eco-Retreat, a comfy family-run lodge in the forest. Settle into your own airy private studio or chalet, where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Kudu River Valley (and if you're lucky, the resident giraffes grazing the surrounding bush).

Day 12: Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour

Leave after breakfast on a drive to nearby Magoebaskloof, a rugged mountainous region inaccessible until recently. The scenic landscapes include indigenous forests, towering mountain plateaus, vast river gorges, and cascading waterfalls. It's the perfect place for adventure sports and a haven for birders—its misty Afromontane forest canopies are home to rare Cape parrots, crowned eagles, black-fronted bush shrikes, and mountain wagtails.

You'll see these forest canopies up close today when you transfer to a platform at the Letaba River Gorge. Here, you'll put on a helmet, strap into a harness, and soar over the canyon on a zipline. As you fly from platform to platform, you'll pass by 65-foot (20 m) waterfalls, come face-to-beak with kingfisher birds as they swoop over the river below, and watch for more colorful birdlife and chattering monkeys in the trees. After the tour, you'll return to your eco-retreat and have the rest of the day free.

Day 13: Magoebaskloof Hiking Trails

Finish strong with one last outdoor excursion. Rise early and lace up your hiking boots for a jaunt around Magoebaskloof. The region is known as "The Land of the Silver Mist," with landscapes right out of a fairy tale, featuring lush valleys, native forests, and mist-shrouded mountains. Rare and magnificent avian species like the secretary bird and African grass owl have been spotted in the surrounding grasslands, while Sykes' and vervet monkeys, caracals, bush pigs, and bushbucks roam its woodland.

The trail you'll follow takes you through rich pine forests, over crystalline streams, and past romantic waterfalls to the small town of Hanaertsburg. The route continues back to Tzaneen, where you'll meet a driver for the ride back to your accommodation. Stake out a spot on the terrace and enjoy one last sundowner as the last rays of light dip behind the horizon.

Day 14: Drive to Johannesburg, Depart

Your great African adventure has unfortunately reached its conclusion. But rest easy knowing that safari memories are a highlight of any photo album. In the morning, get behind the wheel one last time for the drive back to Johannesburg and the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Baai!

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