Your journey starts in Johannesburg. If you land in the morning, collect the rental vehicle straight away and drive to Somabula Nature Reserve. If you arrive in the evening, spend the first night in a B&B and collect the 4x4 the following morning.

You stay at Somabula Nature Reserve.

From the Gauteng highveld, drive east towards the Panorama Route. The first hours pass quickly on the highway. Near eNtokozweni, Milly’s Restaurant makes a good lunch stop beside the water.

Later, the road becomes narrower and more mountainous. Pilgrim’s Rest is an optional stop before reaching Graskop. Panorama View Restcamp overlooks the Graskop Gorge.

Today follows the Panorama Route via God’s Window, Bourke’s Potholes and Blyde River Canyon. Blyde River Canyon is the largest green canyon in the world. Give yourself time for the different viewpoints along the way.

The final section towards Swadini Forever Resort and Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve remains part of the scenic route. At the end of the day, Swadini’s warm thermal springs sit close to your overnight stop.

Today you enter Kruger National Park. Explore the park in your own 4x4. You can also book SANParks activities such as a ranger walk or night drive.

On a night drive, the focus shifts to animals that are less visible during the day. At Letaba Restcamp, the restaurant overlooks the Letaba River, where wildlife regularly comes to drink in the evening.

The Kruger route continues towards Satara. This part of the park is known for its concentration of big cats. Lion and leopard are among the animals you may encounter.

You stay at Satara Restcamp Campsite.

Today you drive towards Lower Sabie. The vegetation changes around the Sabie and Sand rivers, and wildlife remains a constant part of the drive.

Wild dogs and rhino are regularly seen in this region. You stay at Lower Sabie Restcamp.

After Kruger, a longer driving day takes you across the border into eSwatini. The MR1 runs through the hills of eSwatini and past Malolotja Nature Reserve.

You then pass Mbabane before continuing to Hlane National Park. You stay at Ndlovu Camp.

Stay a second day at Ndlovu Camp. The day is a free day for mountain biking, a game drive or a guided walk.

You decide entirely how to split your time between activities and resting at camp.

Today you drive towards the KwaZulu-Natal coast and the iSimangaliso Wetlands around Kosi Bay. This is a longer driving day. Water, coastline and beaches await you at the far end of the route.

You will stay in a lodge near Kosi Bay.

A full day in the iSimangaliso Wetlands. Head out independently or book an excursion through the lodge.

From the Indian Ocean, turn inland towards Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park. The park is known for its black rhino population. The Big Five are all present here.

You stay in a self-catering safari tent at iMfolozi Mpila Camp. The camp is unfenced, so wildlife can move through it.

Stay another night at iMfolozi Mpila Camp. The full day is open for game drives and time spent looking for black rhino.

Hilltop Restcamp makes a good lunch stop overlooking the hills.

Today the journey changes character as wildlife gives way to a cultural and historical stop.

Joruney through hills and open plains towards Dundee. Several museums lie in and around town. The museum at Blood River Heritage Site covers the history and the 1838 battle between the Voortrekkers and the Zulu.

You stay at The Lapha Guesthouse.

Drive back to Johannesburg today and return your vehicle. Overnight at Sunrock Guest House before your flight tomorrow, or fly out this evening instead.