7-Day Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon & Kruger Park

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Spectacular Panorama Route along the Northern Drakensberg Escarpment

Our route takes us through the agricultural and mining areas of the Highveld. We then continue to the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga, where we visit many attractions along the Panorama Route. The attractions include God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the viewpoint over the Blyde River Canyon at the Three Rondavels. The Panorama Route is arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in South Africa! It leads through the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg. Here, in the northeastern part of the Great Escarpment, the inland plateau declines and opens up fantastic views of the plains of the Lowveld, up to a thousand meters below. The Panorama Route offers the most remarkable vistas over the Lowveld and is home to several phenomenal geographical features such as waterfalls, canyons, gorges, and river-eroded potholes.

In the late afternoon, we arrive at our charming guesthouse on the edge of the escarpment. Dinner is at Westlodge Bed & Breakfast.

Main Destination:

Panorama Route (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Westlodge Bed & Breakfast

• Luxury guest house located Panorama Route (Highlight)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinks not included

Blyde River Canyon and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

After breakfast, we continue along the Panorama Route, descend the escarpment, and arrive at Moholoholo Forest Camp in time for lunch. Later this afternoon, we will visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. The centre is proud of its efforts in wildlife education but is often faced with the difficult decision of what to do with an injured or poisoned animal that cannot be released back into the wild. As a result, the centre has several permanent residents who are ambassadors for their respective species—visitors can get up close to these incredible creatures. As the sun begins to set, we enjoy an open vehicle game drive on the Moholoholo Game Reserve. You can see some night creatures such as serval, African wildcat, African genet, porcupine, aardwolf, aardvark, nightjar, hyena, and various owls. Predicting what you will see is impossible, but every drive has surprises. Dinner is enjoyed in the Boma around a crackling fire.

Main Destination:

Moholoholo Wildlife Centre (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Accommodation:

Moholoholo Forest Camp

• Luxury lodge located in Moholoholo (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Boat Cruise on the Blyde River Dam and Elephant Encounter

After an early morning bush walk and breakfast, we travel to the Blyde River Dam for a scenic cruise on the dam. The boat cruise takes you to the rare living Kadishi Tufa waterfall and the Three Rondawels. The canyon is famous for the Kadishi Tufa waterfall; at 200m in height, it is the second tallest Tufa waterfall on earth. The Kadishi Tufa fall resembles a face that is crying profusely and is thus sometimes known as the weeping face of nature. The dam itself is home to hippos and crocodiles.

We visit the Elephant Whispers Sanctuary in the afternoon for a guided elephant interaction. Experience the thrill of being close to these magnificent creatures, and witness their intelligence, compassionate nature, and the deep bonds they share with their handlers. While the elephant handlers share their wealth of knowledge, you have an hour of touching and feeding the elephants. After the Elephant Whispers Sanctuary tour, we will arrive at Hippo Hollow Country Estate for our overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (Panorama Route)

Accommodation:

Hippo Hollow Country Estate

• Mid-range hotel located in Hazyview (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Game Drive in Kruger National Park

At dawn, we depart for a short drive to the entrance gate of the Kruger National Park. Breakfast packs will be provided by Hippo Hollow Country Estate, which we will enjoy at a picnic spot inside Kruger National Park. We will spend the morning game viewing. The Kruger National Park is truly the flagship of the South African national parks and home to an impressive number of species. The world-renowned national park offers a wildlife experience that ranks among the best in Africa. At around midday, we arrive at the luxurious Shishangeni Private Lodge. Shishangeni Private Lodge is an exclusive lodge on a private concession in the Kruger National Park. On arrival, lunch is enjoyed, and you will have time to relax before your first exciting game drive in a specially adapted open 4x4 vehicle. At dusk, sundowners are enjoyed deep in the bush, after which the drive continues. On your return to Shishangeni, you will enjoy dinner before retiring to your bush suite for a well-deserved rest.

Main Destination:

Kruger National Park

Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)

High Season December to January and July to August

Best Weather Apr-May and Sep-Oct (Mild and little rain)

Wildlife in Kruger NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

HyenaCommon

White RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

Accommodation:

Shishangeni Private Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Kruger NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Open Vehicle Game Drive in Kruger National Park

An early wake-up signals an exciting day in the African bush. Start your day before sunrise, dunking a homemade rusk into a steamy cup of coffee before setting off on your morning safari. An assigned ranger will take you into the bush on an open-vehicle game drive. Since this is Big Five territory, encountering lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo is possible on this safari. On your return to Shishangeni Private Lodge, enjoy an extensive cold and hot buffet breakfast.

The rest of the day is at leisure—retire to your room and relax or laze at the pool. Lunch is served on the deck with beautiful views of the surrounding bushveld. After an afternoon siesta, meet for afternoon tea before heading out on your late afternoon/evening game drive. At dusk, sundowners are enjoyed deep in the bush, after which the drive continues, using spotlights to search for nocturnal animals. You will enjoy dinner at the lodge’s restaurant or, weather permitting, around a crackling fire.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park

Accommodation:

Shishangeni Private Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Kruger NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Final Game Drive in Kruger National Park and Return to Johannesburg

After a final 3-hour early morning open vehicle game drive and breakfast, you are collected at Shishangeni Private Lodge and travel back to Johannesburg, where we will drop you off at a location of your choice. A light lunch is included on the way back to Johannesburg.

Note: Should you travel to Cape Town at the end of this safari, Airlink has a daily direct flight from Nelspruit (MQP) to Cape Town (CPT), flight Airlink 4Z664. This flight departs from MQP at 1:25pm and arrives at 4:10 in CPT. Please inform Mmilo Tours at the time of your enquiry if you will be taking this flight to Cape Town so that we can adjust the tour price, as you will not be traveling back to Johannesburg after your safari. Mmilo Tours will then arrange a private transfer from Shishangeni Private Lodge to Nelspruit Airport for you to be in time for your onward flight arrangements.

Main Destination:

Greater Kruger

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.