South Africa · 12 days · 2,100 km · Loop
South Africa — Panorama Route + eSwatini + iSimangaliso
Comprehensive Northeast loop. Panorama Route with Blyde River Canyon (3rd deepest in the world), Kingdom of eSwatini with Swazi culture, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (UNESCO, hippos and crocs in habitat), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (white rhinos). Combines culture, wildlife and geology in one trip.
Highlights
- Three Rondavels
- God's Window
- Bourke's Luck Potholes
- Pinnacle Rock
- Wonder View
- Kingdom of eSwatini (Swazi culture)
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park (UNESCO)
- Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (white rhinos)
- Sodwana Bay (reef snorkelling)
- Cape Vidal (whales in season)
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Johannesburg → Dullstroom
Johannesburg → Dullstroom · 280 km
- · Highland trout fishing
Overnight: Dullstroom Country Cottages
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Day 2
Dullstroom → Graskop (Panorama Route)
Dullstroom → Graskop · 130 km
- · God's Window
- · Bourke's Luck Potholes
Overnight: Graskop Caravan Park
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Day 3
Graskop → Three Rondavels → Hazyview
Graskop → Hazyview · 100 km
- · Three Rondavels
- · Pinnacle Rock
Overnight: Numbi Hotel & Caravan Park
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Day 4
Hazyview → Kingdom of eSwatini (Mlilwane)
Hazyview → Mlilwane · 280 km
- · Cross into eSwatini
- · Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Overnight: Mlilwane Rest Camp
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Day 5
eSwatini — Ezulwini Valley
Mlilwane · 100 km
- · Mantenga Cultural Village
- · Craft market
Overnight: Mlilwane Rest Camp
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Day 6
eSwatini → Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (South Africa)
Mlilwane → Hluhluwe · 250 km
- · Border crossing
- · Self-drive safari (white rhinos)
Overnight: Hilltop Camp
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Day 7
Hluhluwe — full game drive
Hluhluwe · 80 km
Overnight: Hilltop Camp
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Day 8
Hluhluwe → St Lucia (iSimangaliso)
Hluhluwe → St Lucia · 110 km
- · Estuary Boat Cruise (hippos and crocs)
Overnight: Sugarloaf Campsite
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Day 9
iSimangaliso — Cape Vidal
St Lucia → Cape Vidal · 60 km
- · Snorkelling on reefs
- · Whale watching (Jun-Nov)
Overnight: Cape Vidal Campsite
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Day 10
Cape Vidal → Sodwana Bay
Cape Vidal → Sodwana Bay · 130 km
- · Diving on reefs
Overnight: Sodwana Bay Lodge & Caravan Park
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Day 11
Sodwana → Pretoria
Sodwana Bay → Pretoria · 600 km
Overnight: Fountains Valley Caravan Park
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Day 12
Pretoria → Johannesburg (drop-off)
Pretoria → Johannesburg · 60 km
- · Apartheid Museum