3-Day Kruger Safari with Panorama Route from Johannesburg
Blyde River Canyon, three waterfalls, and a morning hunt for Africa's largest predators
A 3-day tour from Johannesburg that pairs the Panorama Route's signature viewpoints (Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window and Berlin Falls) with a full-day open-vehicle safari at Kruger National Park. Day one sweeps through Mpumalanga's scenic highlands; day two is an early-morning and afternoon game drive in search of the Big Five; day three returns you to Johannesburg by mid-morning.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg to Hazyview via Panorama Route
- Depart Johannesburg to Mpumalanga
- Breakfast and shopping in Dullstroom
- Visit Blyde River Canyon
- See the Three Rondavels
- Explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes
- View from God’s Window
- Visit Berlin Falls
- Travel to Hazyview for overnight stay
Day 2: Full Day Safari in Kruger Park
- Early morning departure to Phabeni Gate
- Morning open vehicle safari
- Lunch at Skukuza
- Afternoon game drive in Kruger Park
- Return to lodge for overnight stay
Day 3: Return to Johannesburg
- Breakfast and check out
- Depart Hazyview to Johannesburg
- Enjoy scenic journey back
What’s included
- Two nights' accommodation at Tembo Guest Lodge in Hazyview.
- a professional guide and driver for all three days.
- all national park entry fees and taxes.
- bottled water throughout the tour.
- air-conditioned vehicle transport from Johannesburg and back.
Times
- Every day 07:00
Before you book
Operated by Africa Moja Tours & Safaris
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
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The experience
The route starts before dawn on day one, leaving Johannesburg at 6:00am to reach Mpumalanga as the sun rises. A stop in Dullstroom (a small town known for trout fishing and mountain views) breaks the drive before the Panorama Route proper begins. The Blyde River Canyon, a 26-kilometer gorge and the third-largest canyon on Earth, dominates the landscape. You'll see it from multiple vantage points across the day, each one revealing a different angle of the subtropical vegetation that fills its walls.
The named stops: Three Rondavels (three peaked mountains shaped like traditional African homesteads), Bourke's Luck Potholes (a geological formation carved by water erosion with walkways threading through it), God's Window (a viewpoint north of Graskop overlooking the lowveld), and Berlin Falls (the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga). Are spaced across the afternoon and early evening. You reach your overnight lodge in Hazyview by nightfall. Day two begins before sunrise at Phabeni Gate. The open vehicle lets you scan the grassland and woodland for the Big Five during the cooler morning hours when animals are most active. After lunch at Skukuza, an afternoon drive covers ground you may have missed. Day three is a return drive to Johannesburg, departing at 10:00am after breakfast.
Your guide and driver speak English or French and navigate the park roads. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the long stretches between sightings. Bottled water is provided throughout. Two nights' accommodation, all park fees and taxes, and transport from Johannesburg are included. Meals beyond breakfast are your own cost.
Is this one for you?Three days is tight enough to fit between other plans but long enough to cover both the Panorama Route's signature viewpoints and a full-day Kruger safari without rushing the drive. If you have only a weekend or want to see South Africa's top scenic and wildlife experiences without committing to a week, this span works. If you want multiple full days in the park or time to explore Hazyview on your own, you'll need a longer tour.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What is Bourke's Luck Potholes and why is it worth a stop on the Panorama Route?
Bourke's Luck Potholes is a geological formation in the Blyde River Canyon created by water erosion over millennia. The site has walkways and bridges built through the potholes themselves, letting you walk among the rock formations rather than view them from a distance. It's one of the most photographed stops on the route.
When do you actually search for the Big Five at Kruger, and how much time do you spend in the park?
The game drive starts before sunrise on day two (early morning is when lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos are most active), and continues until lunch. After lunch at Skukuza, you return to the park for an afternoon drive, so you have roughly six to seven hours of searching across two sessions.
Does the tour include meals, or do I need to arrange food?
Breakfast is included at your lodge each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included. You'll eat at Skukuza during the day-two stop and arrange your own meals otherwise, though your guide can recommend options in Hazyview.
What is God's Window, and what can you see from there?
God's Window is a viewpoint located north of Graskop that overlooks the panoramic lowveld and offers a sweeping view of the Blyde River Canyon from above. On a clear day the vista extends far across the landscape. It's one of the most recognizable photo spots on the Panorama Route.
Is this tour private, or do I travel with other passengers?
The tour is shared. You travel with other guests in the same air-conditioned vehicle and stay at the same lodge. Your guide and driver are dedicated to the group for all three days.
What happens if I want to extend my time in Kruger or spend more days on the Panorama Route?
This tour is fixed at three days and returns to Johannesburg by mid-morning on day three. If you want more time in either location, you would need to book a longer tour or arrange additional nights separately.
3-Day Kruger Safari with Panorama Route from Johannesburg
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from US$ 791 per person
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