3-day Kruger Park safari and Panorama Route from Johannesburg

Two nights hunting the big five, then a scenic drive home through the Drakensberg

A 3-day private safari tour from Johannesburg combines full-day game drives in Greater Kruger National Park with a return journey along the Mpumalanga Panorama Route. The tour runs with small groups of 3 to 10 travelers, includes accommodation at a 3-star lodge, an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English or German, and breakfast packs on game drive days. You tailor the itinerary to your preferences, and the operator picks you up from Johannesburg.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Kruger National Park

• Depart Johannesburg
• Drive to Hazyview
• Arrive at camp in late afternoon
• Optional sunset game drive

Day 2: Full day Kruger Park safari

• Early morning game drive
• Spot big five and other animals
• Return to lodge by afternoon

Day 3: Panorama route and return

• Early morning drive to Panorama route
• Visit God's Window and Blyde River Canyon
• Drive back to Johannesburg

The experience

The drive from Johannesburg to Hazyview takes 5 to 6 hours, arriving at Kruger Adventure Lodge or equivalent in the late afternoon. That first evening is yours to settle in. An optional sunset game drive in open vehicles runs for about 3 hours at your own cost if you want to start spotting wildlife right away. The lodge is a 3-star property on the western edge of Kruger National Park, positioned for the early starts ahead.

Day two is the full game drive. You leave before dawn for a 120-kilometer circuit through Greater Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa and home to the big five. The park stretches roughly 360 kilometers north to south and 70 kilometers east to west, bordering Mozambique. Breakfast packs travel with you. Lunch is on your own. You return to the lodge by 3 p.m., giving the afternoon to rest before dinner. The small group size, never more than 10, means better sightlines and a quieter vehicle experience than larger tours.

On the final morning, breakfast is at the lodge before you head back toward Johannesburg. The route follows the Panorama Route, a famous tourism corridor that runs along the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains in northeastern Mpumalanga. You stop at attractions like God's Window and Blyde River Canyon on the way, breaking up the drive home. Lunch is at your own expense. The itinerary can be tailored to your interests, so if certain stops matter more than others, the guide works with your preferences.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and game drives.
• live guide in English or German.
• two nights at a 3-star lodge in Hazyview.
• breakfast packs on the game drive day and breakfast at the lodge on the final morning.
• full-day game drive in Greater Kruger National Park.
• stops at God's Window and Blyde River Canyon on the Panorama Route.
• hotel pickup from Johannesburg.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Steinbock African Safari

Is this one for you?The early starts (before dawn for the game drive, 5 to 6 hours driving on day one) suit travelers who are comfortable with a brisk pace and want to maximize wildlife viewing time. Groups of 3 to 10 mean you travel with other safari enthusiasts rather than a large coach, and the tailor-made itinerary lets you skip attractions that don't interest you and linger where they do.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the big five, and will I see them on the game drives?

The big five are lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and African buffalo: the animals most sought after on African safaris. Greater Kruger National Park is home to all of them, and the full-day game drive is designed to spot them in their natural habitat, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

How early do we start the game drive, and how long is the full day?

The game drive starts very early in the morning, before dawn, and covers 120 kilometers through the park. You return to the lodge by 3 p.m., so the drive itself runs most of the day, with breakfast packs provided and lunch at your own expense.

What's included in the accommodation, and where do we stay?

You stay at Kruger Adventure Lodge in Hazyview or a similar 3-star property for two nights. The tour includes accommodation, breakfast at the lodge on the final morning, and breakfast packs for the game drive day. Dinner is at your own expense both nights.

Can I customize the itinerary, or is it fixed?

The tour is tailor-made according to your preferences, so you can adjust stops and activities within the 3-day structure. The Panorama Route stops like God's Window and Blyde River Canyon can be prioritized based on what interests you most.

Is there a minimum or maximum group size?

The tour accommodates a minimum of 3 travelers and a maximum of 10, which keeps the group small enough for good game viewing and a more personal experience than larger safari tours.