Car rental trip South Africa | East Coast and Kruger National Park

Day 1: JOHANNESBURG - Start of your "Through the Wild East" tour

Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will pick up your rental car at the car rental desk.

Your self-drive journey begins with a first direct interaction with the people at the counter. Your first destination is the Leriba Hotel & Spa in Centurion, located approximately 45 minutes from the airport, for your first night in Africa. This wonderful 4 and 5-star luxury hotel invites you to indulge in a pampering program at its spa & wellness area. Or you can simply be enchanted by the beautiful garden.    

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Day 2: GAUTENG - MISTY MOUNTAIN  ( 334 km / 3:50h)

Your first day of travel in Africa. Today, you will drive a section of the aptly named Panorama Route to your accommodation, the Misty Mountain Country Lodge, in the heart of the Mpumalanga region.

This province begins east of Gauteng. The landscape changes rapidly the further east you drive. From the flat high plateau, you enter the rugged mountains of the Mpumalanga Drakensberg, which, as the northeastern part of the Great Escarpment, separate the inland plateau (Highveld) from the lowlands (Lowveld) to the east.

Along the spectacular escarpment runs the "Panorama Route," a scenic highlight of any South Africa trip – even for South Africans who appreciate lush greenery. In the vastness of the Lowveld lies Kruger National Park, one of the largest and most beautiful wildlife reserves on Earth.

The land of the former Transvaal is shaped by the settlement movements of the Voortrekkers, who traveled through here with their ox wagons, developing the region with great sacrifices and hardships. 

Make a few short stops along the way, as the Lone Creek Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Sabie Falls, Mac Mac Falls, Mac Mac Pools, and Forest Falls in the Sabie region invite you to pause. Or you can step back in time and explore the historic town of Pilgrim's Rest.

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Day 3: PANORAMA ROUTE 

The Panorama Route is one of South Africa's most impressive travel destinations. Here, the inland plateau (Highveld) drops suddenly and steeply by up to 1000m. Along the entire route, there are numerous spectacular viewpoints with views extending as far as Mozambique. Especially during the winter months, when the air is dry and clear, you can see almost endlessly far. One of these viewpoints is 'God's Window,' not far from Graskop.

A variety of waterfalls of all sizes and shapes line both sides of the path, and you should definitely take a closer look at several of them. The "Bourke's Luck Potholes" are an impressive rock formation created by erosion over millions of years. You should definitely see these bizarre whirlpool-shaped potholes.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the Great Escarpment is the 'Blyde River Canyon' with the 'Three Rondavels'. This view is breathtaking and unforgettable!

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Day 4: MISTY MOUNTAIN - UMLANI BUSHCAMP  (190 km / 3:20h)

This morning marks your departure for your first safari leg – another highlight of your trip. The coming days will be entirely dedicated to the wonderful African wildlife. In the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, you can explore the African flora and fauna. Observe both large and small animals in their natural habitat during game drives. You should arrive at the nature reserve by midday to comfortably embark on your first game drive in the afternoon.

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Day 5: TIMBAVATI PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

Today means an early start! You'll be woken up before sunrise. After a coffee and typical South African "Rusks" (hard biscuits), you'll head deep into the bush in open-top safari vehicles. At this time, there's a lot of activity: nocturnal animals are returning, and diurnal animals are emerging from their hiding places. In the light of the rising sun, the bush glows beautifully – a paradise for photographers! After the game drive, you'll return to your lodge, where a hearty breakfast awaits you. Afterwards, you'll have time to relax by the pool, read, or perhaps catch up on some sleep.

But there's always something to see: thirsty animals come to the lodge's waterhole, colourful birds drink from the pool, and small antelopes roam around the accommodations, enjoying the safety of human proximity. After lunch and often a "High Tea," you'll head out for another game drive in the afternoon, interrupted only by a sundowner in the bush. From now on, you'll also have the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals. Equipped with powerful spotlights, you'll search for the many animals that aren't visible during the day. An exciting day will draw to a close with a delicious dinner and a drink or two at the bar.

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Day 6: UMLANI BUSHCAMP - MALELANE (ca. 250 km / 4:00h)

This morning, you'll embark on another early game drive. This is your last chance, at least for now, to bid farewell to the incredible wildlife. What have you seen? All of the "Big Five"? If not, perhaps this is your last opportunity... After returning to the lodge and having breakfast, you'll leave Timbavati and drive south. You'll pass through Nelspruit (Mbombela) with its famous Botanical Garden. Continue on the N4 towards the Mozambican border. Here, there are numerous attractions you could visit.

Alternatively, you can, of course, drive from Timbavati straight through Kruger National Park... This is certainly the more scenic option! But be mindful of the time to ensure you pass through the park gates before they close in the evening.

Your accommodation for the night is located near Malelane.

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Day 7: MALELANE - SWAZILAND  (approx. 210 km / 3:10h)

Today you can visit Kruger National Park again and perhaps catch up on any "Big Five" you might have missed so far, or you can depart for Swaziland already in the morning. The route is very scenic, but not particularly fast. Along the way, you'll experience South Africa's little sister, which is similar yet so different. Today's destination is the rustic Stone Camp in the Mkhaya Game Reserve.

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Day 8: SWAZILAND

The Mkhaya Game Reserve is probably the most famous game reserve in Swaziland. It is somewhat secluded and cannot be driven through with your own vehicle. This makes it particularly wild and ideal for extended game drives in open-top vehicles or for guided bush walks. You will have the opportunity for these activities both in the morning and in the evening. Stone Camp does not have electrical power outlets. Please ensure all necessary devices are fully charged beforehand.

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Day 9: SWAZILAND - ST. LUCIA  (approx. 260 km / 3:00h)

This morning, you'll once again have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Africa's nature – this time, Swaziland's. After hopefully many more animal sightings, you'll leave the highlands and slowly descend towards the coast with its wonderful beaches, lagoons, and distinct wildlife. The Avalone Guest House in St Lucia will be your home for the next two nights.

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Day 10: ST. LUCIA

Time to rest and relax. Or perhaps some activities? There's plenty to do in St. Lucia! A boat trip on the lagoon is a must. Here you'll find many hippos and crocodiles, which can be observed particularly well from the water.

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Day 11: ST. LUCIA - LIDGETTON  (approx. 350 km / 4:10h)

The drive follows the Dolphin Coast. Along the way, you'll have opportunities to discover secluded beaches and enjoy unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean. You'll also find a wealth of South African history along the route, from battlefields of various wars and memorials to great tribal chiefs, to historic towns – there's much to explore.  

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Day 12: LIDGETTON - BERGVILLE  (approx. 170 km / 2:10h)

The drive takes you along the dramatic backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains. Large parts of the mountains are protected as a national park, and you'll have the opportunity to explore them today and tomorrow. This area is excellent for extensive hiking.

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Day 13: BERGVILLE

The entire day is dedicated to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. There are various hikes, from easy self-guided trails to full-day tours to the summit of the Amphitheatre. This requires prior registration, but it could be a fantastic way to conclude your trip. Alternatively, you could rent mountain bikes, go horseback riding, play golf, and much more... There's simply not enough time to do it all!

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Day 14: BERGVILLE - BETHLEHEM  (approx. 140 km / 2:00h)

Since February 2008, the Four Paws organization has operated the Lionsrock Lodge & Big Cat Sanctuary, a 1,250-hectare reserve dedicated to housing older big cats from European zoos and safari parks. It's a 10-year success story in international animal welfare. 

Here, the cats are offered dignified twilight years. Today, the lodge is your destination, and you're sure to hear the occasional roar of the lions during the night. 

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Day 15: CONCLUSION OF THE JOURNEY IN JOHANNESBURG

Upon your arrival at Johannesburg Airport, you will return your rental car. If you haven't booked an onward program, your holiday unfortunately comes to an end here. We are sure you've had many experiences and gathered unforgettable memories.

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