The 5 day Wild and Scenic Tour is the ideal short tour to see the Kruger National Park and Panorama Route. This English and German guided tour departs and returns to Johannesburg. It is also possible to self-drive or you can have a guide drive you on a private Kruger tour. The scheduled tour departs on Tuesdays with a minimum of 2 people. And a maximum of 8 people. For the self-drive and private tours, you can depart on any day. However, there could be an additional cost for other dates.
Discover Africa at a private game lodge and explore the awe inspiring Panorama Route.
Kruger National Park game viewing
Tick off the Panorama Route sights
‘Big 5’ 5 star private game lodge
Open safari vehicle game drives
Wild and Scenic Tour Summary
Head off on an unforgettable 5 day journey through South Africa’s wild and scenic landscapes. Enter the Kruger National Park, one of the planet’s last vast preserved wildernesses. And South Africa’s top ranked safari destination. Set out on exhilarating game drives with expert guides in search of the ‘Big 5’ (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros). Immersing yourself in the tranquillity and beauty of the wild. Enjoy dinner under starry skies, and share stories around the camp fire.
Journey to the luxurious Makalali Private Game Reserve in Hoedspruit. The 26 000 hectare reserve is also home to the highly endangered African wild dog. Travel along the legendary Panorama Route. Taking in the awesome beauty of natural wonders like Blyde River Canyon and Lisbon Falls. Step back in time in Graskop, an old mining town established in the 1880s at the height of the gold rush. Our journey’s grand finale is a scenic drive back to Johannesburg.
Wild and Scenic Tour Full Itinerary
Day 1, Tuesday
Your adventure begins as we depart Johannesburg, towards the Kruger National Park. We stop en route for lunch (at your own expense).
We enter the park in the afternoon and enjoy game viewing as we make our way to our lodge. Kruger National Park is home to what is famously known as the ‘Big 5’ (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino). Along with 336 tree, 49 fish, 34 amphibian, 116 reptile, 507 bird, and 147 mammal species. Arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon. We dine at the lodge restaurant.
Overnight: Skukuza Safari Lodge or similar
Includes:
Afternoon game viewing in the touring vehicle,
Dinner
Skukuza Safari Lodge
Day 2, Wednesday
Wake up early with a sunrise cup of coffee and fresh rusks (a traditional South African biscuit). Expect an exciting safari as we head out on a full day game drive with expert guides in an open safari vehicle. You will receive a breakfast pack to enjoy at a picnic spot in the park.
Explore the wilderness with heightened senses on the lookout for creatures big and small. Be ready to add to your animal and bird viewing list! There is a lot to look for, including the ‘Big 5’. Find graceful giraffes among the thorn trees. While in the vast African skies, vultures circle, marking a kill. Listen out for the compelling cry of a Fish Eagle or the unforgettable, full throated roar of a lion.
As the day unfolds, relish a tranquil lunch (at your own expense) at a scenic picnic spot. Surrounded by the park’s untamed beauty. Relax and take in the special energy of the African bush. We return to the lodge in the late afternoon. Enjoy dinner under the starry galaxy, and share stories around the campfire or at the restaurant.
Overnight: Skukuza Safari Lodge or similar
Includes:
Early breakfast and dinner,
Full day open safari vehicle game drive
Lion on Kruger safari
Day 3, Thursday
You will be reluctant to leave the wild world of the Kruger National Park, but Hoedspruit is a wildlife mecca. After breakfast, there are more opportunities to spot wildlife on the 3 hour drive to Orpen Gate, where we exit the Park and head towards the Makalali Private Game Reserve. Makalali is renowned for its diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes. With a signature skyline of the Drakensberg Mountain Range. It is also home to the highly endangered African wild dog. We stop for lunch (at your own expense) en route.
Once at the lodge, you can enjoy an afternoon high tea, cool off in the pool, or relax on a viewing deck. You will explore this private reserve, spanning 26,000ha of pristine bushveld, in an open safari vehicle with an expert game ranger in the afternoon. With two game drives, you can expect hours of excitement and wonder. You are in for a treat this evening with fine dining on the deck, before retiring to your suite for the night.
Overnight at Makalali River Lodge or similar
Includes:
Breakfast, Afternoon High Tea and Dinner at the lodge
Game viewing in Kruger National Park in the closed touring vehicle from Skukuza to Orpen Gate
Afternoon open safari vehicle game drive
Makalali River Lodge accommodation
Day 4, Friday
Early morning in the bush is extraordinary. The clear air is filled with birdsong; animals make their way to drinking holes. Be part of the wilderness on a guided walk through the bush, or head out on an open vehicle game drive. After a lodge breakfast, we drive along the Panorama Route where the scenery shifts from bushveld to the lush green mountains and valleys.
We stop for lunch (at your own expense) along this route. First, we visit the Blyde River Canyon. The world’s largest green canyon filled with waterfalls and ancient geological formations that will astound you. Including the Three Rondavels – three conical peaks resembling African huts. Stand on the bridges over the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Where millennia of swirling water have carved giant holes into the sandstone. Watch misty rainbows formed by the cascading Lisbon Falls as it plunges 94m of sheer rock face.
Blyde River Canyon
If time permits, take a short walk to the bottom of the falls. We continue to the highest point of the day, at God’s Window before seeing the Pinnacle. A tall, freestanding rock formation that offers unrivaled views of the Canyon.
We overnight near Graskop, a town established in the 1880s at the height of the gold rush, and now part of the local timber industry. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at your hotel.
Overnight at Hoyohoyo Angel’s View or similar
Includes:
Breakfast
Morning open safari vehicle game drive
Blyde River Canyon and The Three Rondavels
Bourke’s Luck Potholes
Lisbon Falls
God’s Window
The Pinnacle
Dinner
Day 5, Saturday
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before we make our way back to Johannesburg. We will stop for lunch (at your own expense) en route and arrive in Johannesburg in the afternoon. You can be dropped off at OR Tambo International Airport or the main Sandton and Rosebank hotels.
Includes:
Breakfast
NOTE for airport drop-off: It is advisable to book a local flight departing after 6 pm.
Wild and Scenic Tour Rates
Scheduled* Tour Rates from 1st November 2024 until 31st December 2025: €1499 per person sharing.
Single Supplement: €360.
Children from 7-11 years pay €750.
Only one child permitted per 2 adults sharing and subject to availability at accommodation
The adult sharing rate will apply to one child sharing with one adult
*This tour is with other people so if you prefer to a private tour, use these rates.
Wild and Scenic Private Tour Rates until 31st October 2025
Number of travelers
Per Person Rate
1 person
€3655
2 people
€2105
3 people
€1755
4 to 6 people
€1725
7 to 9 people
€1495
Single Supplement
€400
Child seats are available on request at a surcharge on private and self-drive tours.
Wild and Scenic Scheduled and Private Guided Tour Includes:
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle of appropriate size
Experienced tour guide and driver or driver/guide
Entrance fees, conservation fees and sightseeing as per itinerary
Porterage
Green Seat donation in support of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Trees for Tourism
Wild and Scenic Scheduled and Private Guided Tour Excludes:
Flights, visas, travel insurance, optional excursions, gratuities, drinks and meals not mentioned
OR:
For the more adventurous, discover the same itinerary with a hired vehicle (not included).
Self-drive Wild and Scenic Tour Rates until 31st October 2025
Number of travelers
Per Person Rate
1 person
€1573
2 people
€1072
3 – 4 people
€1059
5 – 7 people
€1046
Single Supplement
€410
Wild and Scenic Self-Drive Tour Inclusions:
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Arrival English Airport Meet and Assist
Green Seat contribution
Select conservation fees and excursions as per itinerary
Exclusions
Car hire (based on number of people),
Flights, visas, travel insurance, porterage, gratuities, drinks and meals not mentioned
Conservation fees, entrance fees, optional excursions as per itinerary
Book a Kruger National Park tour with us that includes the magnificent Panorama Route. *Options: Scheduled (with others), private basis or self-drive.
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