Self-Drive South Africa: Kruger Family Magic - 9 Days

The name says it all - the perfect family holiday to the magnificent Kruger National Park in South Africa. We have specifically designed this holiday with family travel in mind - ensuring you can have full control of your trip and can pace it to your family's needs with your own SUV vehicle, staying at family-friendly, comfortable and affordable accommodation and most of all giving your family the opportunity to create the most special of memories experiencing South Africa's incredible wildlife.

Start in Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route where breathtaking vistas, scenic waterfalls and lots of adventure activities - hiking, mountain biking, zip lines and elephant encounters - make for a spectacular stay. You then have six nights to explore the iconic Kruger National Park and discover its vast array of wildlife. This game reserve is a Travel Africa favourite and we are certain you will have an incredible time doing your own self-drive games drives or enjoying an included ranger-guided night drive.

The perfect family holiday to enjoy the wonders and wildlife of South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Blyde River Canyon / Panorama Route - wildlife and birdlife of Kruger National Park.

Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Nelspruit) - Hazyview - Blyde River Canyon - Kruger National Park - Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Nelspruit)

Start: Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Nelspruit)
End: Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Nelspruit)

Note: This itinerary can start and end in Johannesburg if required.

Car hire - Group R vehicle (Hyundai Tucson - small SUV - or similar) for 9 days. Pick up & drop off Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Nelspuit). For details of the different vehicle types available please see - Self Drive Safaris.
Premium level vehicle insurance (Zero Excess) - including collision damage waiver, personal accident insurance, theft protection, third party liability, unlimited kilometres, additional driver and Wi-fi router with 1GB data per day.
Accommodation as indicated below - all rooms indicated are family rooms sleeping 2 adults and 2 children.
Meals as indicated below.
2 hour Kruger National Park Night Drive.
Relevant Travel Africa Information sheets.

With Travel Africa you are safe in the knowledge that you are working with people who are experts in self-drive travel. We have driven the types of vehicles you are looking to hire and driven them in the places, and on the road conditions, that you will experience. We have enjoyed all kinds of self-drive trips in southern Africa for over 25 years – from quick flits along the Garden Route to 8 month adventure trips with fully equipped 4x4s and roof top tents throughout southern Africa.

We give you peace of mind by working closely with you to custom-make and book your itinerary – ensuring you have the most appropriate type of vehicle and accommodation for your trip. We also provide you with detailed trip dossiers, which include routes, directions, tips and hints on driving in southern Africa, ensuring you have all the information you need to enjoy every minute of your trip and feel comfortable and secure with your holiday plan!

Our in-depth knowledge of destinations, conditions, vehicles and equipment, based on extensive personal experience, gives you the peace of mind you need for your self-drive safari.

Interactive itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Travel distance: Approximately 60kms, good roads.

Collect your hire vehicle from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport and drive to your lodge accommodation in Hazyview, part of the Panorama Route – an extension of the Drakensberg Mountains. At the heart of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon which is situated in an area of sculpted peaks and deep ravines, tumbling streams and green valleys. The drive alongside the Blyde River Canyon, a majestic red sandstone gorge with sheer cliffs plunging into waters below, is magnificent. The region provides a marked contrast to the sub-tropical bushveld, with scenic mountain passes, relaxing walks, horse-riding, mountain biking and golf all on offer. For the family you will find gentle walking trails connect a series of delicate waterfalls or nearby is Pilgrim’s Rest, a restored mining village that was the epicentre of the 19th century gold rush. You have 2 full days to explore and enjoy this stunningly scenic area which is also home to various adventure activities perfect for the family - hiking, mountain biking, zip lines, elephant encounters and more.

Stay at:
Rissington Inn (Garden Suite) or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 160kms good roads (speed limits apply on national parks roads).

One of the finest nature reserves in Africa, the Kruger is a vast wilderness of thorn trees, prolific game and sub-tropical heat. It is home not only to The Big Seven – elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, cheetah and wild dog, but also to an abundance of smaller, equally fascinating animals and birdlife. The size of Wales or Israel this amazing wildlife paradise contains a vast array of habitats that attract different animals and birdlife in different seasons. Your time in Kruger is spent on early morning and afternoon game drives, choosing your route based on what has been seen in the area. Alternatively park yourself at one of the many waterholes and see what comes along … huge herds of elephant or buffalo needing an afternoon drink or mud bath, or if you are lucky a pride of lions needing water after devouring a kill!

Your time will be split between a number of different rest camps / safari camps located in different areas of the park. This will give you the opportunity to explore different habitats and environments in search of the various animal and bird species that can be found in them. Central Kruger is characterised by open plains and grasslands where herds of zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo roam enjoying the fresh grasses and shrubs - watched over by the attendant predators such as lion and cheetah. Small rivers criss-cross this region providing camouflage for leopards and also pockets of water for herds of elephant to drink and play in! The south of the park is crossed by two major perennial rivers - the Sabie and the Sand - which provide a lifeblood for the animals. These rivers attract a huge amount of wildlife including pods of hippo, lazing on the river bank, herds of elephant, it is fun to watch them have a mud bath and play in the river, buffalo, which always seem to have lion prides following them and leopards, which love to use the riverine trees and bushes as the perfect ambush spots! Moving to the south-west of the park you start to find hills and koppies, perfect country to find rhino grazing and smaller antelope species such as duiker and klipspringer.

During your stay in the Kruger Rest Camps you have a two hour guided night drive included with national parks rangers.

Stay at:
2 nights: Satara Rest Camp, Central Kruger, Self-Catering Family Bungalow (Room Only) or similar
2 nights: Lower Sabie Rest Camp, Southern Kruger, Self-Catering Family Bungalow (Room Only) or similar
2 nights: Nkambeni Safari Camp, South-West Kruger (in a small private concession on the edge of the park), Luxury Tented Suite including breakfast and dinner
(distance between each camp is approximately 100kms, national parks roads)

Deluxe Kruger Safari Lodge Add-On options:
The perfect add-on to your Kruger is a stay at a deluxe safari lodge located in one of the private game reserves that adjoin the park. For ideas of Kruger safari lodges Travel Africa can tempt you with please see Deluxe Kruger (Luxury Safari Lodges).

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