If you dream of a trip combining wide-open spaces, wild animals, impressive waterfalls, and breathtaking landscapes, South Africa absolutely checks all the boxes. We spent 10 intense days between safaris in the legendary Kruger Park, nature breaks in Hazyview, and hikes in the spectacular Blyde River Canyon.
In this article, I’m sharing our complete itinerary, our insider tips, the accommodations we tested, the must-do activities… and especially all the little tricks that really make a difference if you’re planning your own road trip.
Let’s go! 🔥
Practical Info Before Leaving for South Africa
How Many Days to Plan?
Ten days is really the ideal length to see the essentials without rushing. You have:
3 to 4 days of safari in Kruger
3 days in Hazyview for waterfalls and outings
2 to 3 days at Blyde River Canyon
Shorter would be frustrating. Longer would be perfect, obviously 😄
Car Rental and Driving
You’ll easily find a car to pick up directly at Johannesburg airport. No need for a 4×4 for this itinerary: the roads are good and the Kruger tracks are accessible.
And I strongly recommend making a stop at Alzu Petroport on the N4: a gas station with a mini animal park. Really nice to break up the drive!
Overall Budget
For 10 days, plan around:
Accommodations: €20 to €100/night depending on the camp or lodge
Car + gas: €200 to €300
Safaris & activities: €20 to €60 per outing
Food: varies depending on whether you cook or not
Internet: we’ll explain why it’s essential right after
Having Internet in South Africa (and Why It’s Essential)
If you’re heading to Kruger, you’ll quickly discover: ➡️ there’s no Wi-Fi in the Rest Camps.
So if you’re counting on Wi-Fi for GPS, WhatsApp, or the app to track animals… it’s going to be tricky.
We always use a Holafly eSIM when we travel. It’s super simple:
you order online,
you receive a QR code,
you activate it in seconds,
and you have unlimited internet for the entire trip.
Honestly, it changes everything. We used it to:
track the latest animal sightings,
use Google Maps in the park,
book our activities,
post our stories live.
👉 And if you want to save a bit, you get 5% off with the code LAREUNION on your eSIM Holafly.
Our Complete South Africa Itinerary (10 Days)
Day 1 — Arrival in Johannesburg: Cheap Hotel Steps from the Airport
Our first night was in a small hotel just 5 minutes from the airport. Nothing fancy, but for €15 a night, it was perfect for sleeping, picking up the car, and heading to Kruger the next day.
Day 2 — Johannesburg → Kruger Drive (Letaba Rest Camp)
Plan on 7 to 8 hours of driving to reach the park. It’s long, but the scenery flies by.
Arriving at Letaba Rest Camp, we discover our first bungalow:
two single beds (that you can push together),
a bathroom,
a small fridge,
a terrace with barbecue,
a camping vibe in the middle of the savanna… magical.
Perfect for getting into the safari mood.
Day 3 — Safari + Sunrise Walk in the Savanna
Waking up at 4 a.m. for a pretty unique experience: walking in the savanna with armed rangers. We didn’t see a ton of animals, but the immersion is incredible:
sounds,
smells,
morning light,
fresh animal tracks…
An activity I recommend if you really want to feel the savanna.
Safari Tip: The Latest Sightings App
It’s a community app where travelers share animal sightings in real time. Thanks to that, your chances of seeing lions, leopards, or rhinos skyrocket.
Once again: really handy to have internet thanks to Holafly.
Day 4 — Mopani Rest Camp: Self-Drive Safari
Self-drive is for me the most immersive and most economical way to do safaris. We go at our own pace, stop where we want, explore quieter areas…
Mopani Camp is simple but very pleasant. And on safari, we came across:
zebras,
buffalo,
giraffes,
lots of wildebeest…
Always impressive to drive alone among the animals.
Day 5 — Olifants Rest Camp: The Best View of the Trip
Olifants is THE camp I recommend if you have to choose just one.
The restaurant and viewpoint look directly onto the river, with an incredible view. We got a gorgeous sunset drive with elephants, hyenas… the atmosphere was magical.
Day 6 — Heading to Hazyview: A Dream Lodge for €300 for 3 Nights
We leave Kruger for Hazyview where we’d booked 3 nights at the Kruger Park Lodge. And honestly… incredible value for money.
For €300 for 3 nights, we had:
an entire house,
three bedrooms,
three bathrooms,
a huge kitchen,
a pool,
an amazing view.
We’d never seen such quality for this price. Perfect for settling in for a few days.
Day 7 — Graskop Gorge Lift + Mac Mac Waterfall
The Graskop Gorge Lift is nice but pretty developed. Worth doing if you’re in the area, but it’s not the must-do activity.
On the other hand, Mac Mac Waterfall is really beautiful! Cheap entrance, gorgeous viewpoint: go for it.
Day 8 — Last Safari in Kruger: We Complete the Big Five!
Last 4 a.m. wake-up to return to the park… and then, jackpot:
a leopard,
a rhinoceros, the two animals we were missing.
We leave the park with the Big Five complete 🔥
Day 9 — Drive to Blyde River Canyon + Check-in at Forever Resort
Forever Resort is a safe bet:
spacious chalets,
kitchen,
great location,
ideal for visiting the canyon.
On the way, plenty of waterfalls and very accessible viewpoints.
Day 10 — Hike with a View of the Canyon
From the resort, several hikes start directly behind the chalets. Ours was about 5 km with incredible panoramas of the canyon. A real highlight to finish the trip.
Where to Stay? Our Tested and Recommended Accommodations
Around Johannesburg
✔ Simple, cheap hotel 5 min from the airport (€15). Perfect for the first night.
In Kruger Park
✔ Letaba, Mopani, Olifants Rest Camp All three are clean, simple, authentic. Olifants is our absolute favorite.
Hazyview
✔ Kruger Park Lodge Incredible value for money. Ideal for couples, friends, or families.
Blyde River Canyon
✔ Forever Resort practical chalets, hiking trailheads, good atmosphere.
Budget for 10 Days in South Africa
Here’s an idea of what you can plan for:
Accommodations
Between €20 and €100 per night depending on the area.
Safaris
Morning Walk: ~€20–25
Sunset Drive: ~€20–30
Kruger Park entrance: ~€20/day
Internet
A Holafly eSIM is ideal. Plan around €20–30 for several days, and you can use the code LAREUNION to save 5%.
Transportation
Car rental: ≈ €20–25/day
Gas: ≈ €1–1.20/L
Tolls on the N4
Practical Tips for a Successful Trip
Book Rest Camps in advance, especially in high season.
Head out early for animals: sunrise and sunset = best time.
Don’t count on Wi-Fi in Kruger. → Get a Holafly eSIM (code LAREUNION).
Don’t drive at night.
Download Latest Sightings to maximize your chances of seeing big cats.
Bring a sweater: mornings are cold even in summer.
Our South Africa Itinerary Wrap-Up
South Africa completely won us over. Between lions at sunrise, the dizzying views of Blyde River Canyon, and our quiet evenings in the Rest Camps, this trip will stay with us for a long time.
If you’re planning a similar itinerary, I hope this guide helps you organize your days, safaris, and accommodations.
And especially, if you have any questions about Kruger, Hazyview, or the canyon, let me know in the comments—I’ll be happy to answer!
Safe travels and enjoy 🇿🇦✨
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