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Kruger Highlights: Unveiling Kruger’s  Treasures

(FAQ below)

The Kruger Highlights itinerary is an 8-day journey that reveals the beauty and variety of the Kruger region. On this Kruger Highlights tour, you’ll explore the Panorama Route and spend three nights in the world-famous Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, known for outstanding Big Five game viewing.

To make your arrival easy, a short flight from Johannesburg takes you straight into the Kruger region. This saves you from a long drive on your first day. However, if you prefer to reduce costs, it’s also possible to drive from Johannesburg to Hazyview and start your Kruger Highlights adventure there.

If you’d rather avoid driving altogether, we can organise transfers and day tours. This way, you can relax and focus on enjoying your time in South Africa. Starting in the Hazyview area allows you to rest after your international flight. Moreover, it’s a convenient base, as the Phabeni Gate is only 15 minutes away. With a packed picnic breakfast, you can also take a self-drive safari into Kruger National Park. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to begin your bush adventure at your own pace.

The Panorama Route is a true highlight. With breathtaking views, deep canyons, and dramatic scenery, it offers a full day of exploring. Highlights include God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Blyde River Canyon. During the rainy season, you may also see beautiful waterfalls along the way. Furthermore, the route is ideal for travellers who enjoy nature and photography. As a result, it’s a very popular addition to any Kruger itinerary.

In Sabi Sands, your stay includes morning and afternoon game drives. In addition, you have the chance to join a bush walk with your ranger. This is a brilliant way to experience the bush on foot and learn about the smaller details often missed on drives. Therefore, we always recommend it for those wanting a deeper connection to the environment. When not on safari, you can relax at the lodge, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, or spot wildlife at the waterhole.

The Kruger Highlights itinerary can also be done in reverse. It’s easy to connect from the Kruger region to Cape Town with a direct flight, making it simple to extend your trip. Alternatively, we can help you add more safari nights or even a beach extension if you’d like to explore further.

Overall, the Kruger Highlights is the perfect introduction to South Africa’s safari and scenic beauty. Additionally, it’s ideal for first-timers and return visitors alike.

For safari first timers, here is a blog with more information

Your Itinerary

Day 1-3 - Hazyview - Panorama Route

Arrival in Johannesburg early morning, taking a connecting flight to the Kruger region where you will collect your hire car take the short 40 minutes to Hazyview where you will be based at Rissington Inn for the next 3 nights on a B&B basis.  This gives  you 2 full days to explore the area – spend one day exploring the Panorama Route and the next day you can visit for  a day or the morning in the main Kruger National Park – or just relax at the lodge which is a little haven for birds and even has some of its own resident wildlife.

Accommodation

Day 4-6 - Kruger: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Today the holiday gets a little ‘wilder’ as you head to the northern Kruger region, staying in the Timbavati private nature reserve for the next 3 nights.  Your stay includes a total of 6 game drives starting from one afternoon drive on arrival and then a morning and afternoon/evening game drive the following day plus a last one on the morning of departure.  Umlani Bush Camp offers an authentic, but comfortable home away from home experience in a great game viewing location.

Accommodation

Day 7 - Sabie

After your morning game drive and breakfast, its time to head off to the Sabie region for your last night.    You can take a lazy drive through some pretty scenery, via the Abel Erasmus Pass and the Robbers Pass via Pilgrims Rest.  And if you time it right, there could even be time to stop in Graskop for one of their famous pancakes before heading to Sabi Town House where you will spend your last night on a B&B basis.

Accommodation
Travelling in South Africa

Day 8 - Back to Johannesburg

Today it is time to enjoy your last breakfast before taking to the road for the long journey home.  The drive to Johannesburg is an easy one, on a good highway and will take around 3 – 4 hours, so you will have some time in the morning to do some last bits of shopping or just have a lazy morning before taking to the road (if you prefer it is also possible to fly back).

Arrival by the late afternoon in Johannesburg to meet your evening flight back to London, well rested and full of great holiday adventure stories!

What's included?

Included:
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • Excursions specified
  • Car hire (premium insurance & zero excess with unlimited kilometers)
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
Excluded:
  • Flights
  • Non-specified meals, drinks, excursions
  • Expenses of a personal nature, i.e. laundry, telephone expenses, gratuities, porterage fees, etc
Details:

Please note that the price is based on low-season rates and all prices are correct at the time of writing.

Flight prices change a lot and for this reason, the flights are not part of the quote.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Kruger Highlights Itinerary

Is Timbavati part of Kruger National Park? Timbavati is a private game reserve that borders the Kruger National Park, with no fences between them. This means wildlife roams freely, offering the same Big Five safari experience but with fewer vehicles and a more exclusive feel.

Is Umlani Bush Camp located inside a private reserve? Yes, Umlani is situated in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, giving you access to off-road game drives, bush walks, and expert tracking—experiences not typically available in the main Kruger park.

Is this safari malaria-free? Timbavati is in a low-risk malaria area. We recommend speaking with your GP or travel clinic for the latest advice on prophylaxis. Long sleeves and repellent are always a good idea at dusk.

How long is the drive from Johannesburg to Umlani Bush Camp? The journey takes about 6–7 hours by road. We can also arrange a short flight to Hoedspruit, followed by a road transfer directly to camp, saving you time and energy.

What’s the best time of year for a Kruger safari? The dry season (May to September) is ideal for wildlife viewing, with animals gathering around waterholes. However, the summer months (October to March) bring lush scenery, birdlife, and dramatic thunderstorms.

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