Oil lanterns in the bush

This morning you'll head out early from Pretoria by rental car and you'll take the N4 to the eastern province of Mpumalanga. Gradually, the countryside will become more meadow-like and hilly and traffic will become scarce. After a while the Drakensberg peaks will loom in the distance and you'll come across the impressive, in some areas 700m deep, gorge of Blyde River Canyon. Your trip ends in the village of Hazyview, idyllically located between sugar cane and banana plantations, at the Kruger Park border. You'll spend the night just outside of the village in a cosy guest house with swimming pool surrounded by fields. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from the area. We recommend the Ant & Elephant for good meals and large portions.

Today you'll have plenty of time to explore your spectacular surroundings. Go for a drive along the Panorama Route and Blyde River Canyon and have a look at the unusual shaped hills at the Three Rondavels, see the result of wind and erosion at Bourkes Luck Potholes and enjoy the high-elevation view at Gods Window (see picture above). You can see all the way to Mozambique when skies are clear. There are several other interesting stops along the way such as the quaint village of Sabie or former mining town Pilgrim's Rest with its' historic houses, facades and stores. Be sure to stop at one of the friendly cafés for lunch.

Just short of Klaserie you'll take the Orpen Gate exit at Kruger Park. During our search for South African safari tour 'gems' we found several private game reserves with small-scale lodges and tented camps in this area. These camps are located in intimate and secluded areas in the middle of the bush and are made up of only a handful of rooms or comfortable safari tents. You'll spend two nights here. The last part of the road that leads to your bush lodge, straight through the game reserve, is quite bumpy. We recommend that you drive slowly, not only because of the road but also so that you can spot animals as you ride along. At the end of the day you can sit down next to a roaring campfire, have a good glass of wine and look up at the thousands of twinkling stars above you. This is undeniably the best way to truly experience the African bush. 

After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your new friends at the bush lodge and you'll drive down to Kruger's Orpen Gate. Entrance tickets and maps are available at the entrance to the park. We really enjoyed having the maps since they were both useful and a great momento to take home with us. Although you may get the urge to push the pedal to the metal, keep in mind that the speed limit in this area is 40-50 km/hour. You can choose your own route across the park's paved and sand roads. Gradually you'll head further and further south through Kruger. The roads are in excellent condition and you'll encounter all kinds of different animals during your drive. 

Tip: use the park maps to find water holes in park... this is the best place to see wild animals

If you need to stretch your legs for a bit, there are many camps and rest stops along the way you can stop off at. Keep in mind that the speed limit in this area is 40-50 km/ hour and that the park is larger than you would imagine; the park gates close around 18.00. You'll spend the night in one of the southern camps: Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Berg and Dal or Crocodile Bridge. You'll spend the night in a rondavel (a round hut with a thatched roof) or a nice tent with a braai/ bbq spot. The camps have a bar, restaurant and a store (open until about 19.00), so you can make your own dinner if you want to. Click here for a Map of Kruger.

After breakfast this morning, this South Africa safari tours module ends and you'll continue on  to one of the park gates, for instance Malelane, Kruger's southern gate. Along the way you'll do one last 'game drive' on your way to Swaziland and Mlilwane Park. Click here for the connecting culture and nature module, Beehive huts and St. Lucia.

Aside from Oil Lanterns in the Bush we also offer four other modules in this part of South Africa. Each of the modules are different from the others. During the Kruger Walking Tours module you'll experience the park in a very unique way. While being accompanied by a ranger you'll go on very special hikes through the park and you'll sleep in the heart of the bush. You can also choose for a more exclusive option and the ultimate 'Out of Africa feeling' during the modules Exclusive Kruger Game Drives or Tented Lodge Safari. These modules will take you to the Big 5 private game reserves Timvabati (with Exclusive Kruger Game Drives) or Edeni (with Tented Lodge Safari). Aside from staying in private game reserves such as with the modules Oil lanterns in the bush, Tented lodge safari and Exclusive Kruger game drives it's also possible to combine Hazyview with a stay in Kruger Park itself. You'll go on game drives with your own rental car and sleep in basic rondavels in the park. Click here for the Rondavels in Kruger module.