Kruger And Panorama Route

On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, you'll catch a connecting flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport just outside of Nelspruit. You'll collect your Avis rental car and head for Hazyview, your home for the next three nights. Hazyview is a small town in the Kruger Lowveld located just 20 minutes from the Phabeni Gate of the Kruger Park. Its central location makes it the perfect base from which to explore the attractions of the Panorama Route.

You'll stay at the charming Rissington Inn, a stylish but relaxed country lodge owned by local travel writer (and frequent Portfolio blog contributor), Chris Harvie. Make sure to stop by and say hi and you might just feature in his delightfully satirical newsletter, the Rissington Rag.

The Panorama Route starts at the foot of the Long Tom Pass outside Lydenburg and follows the descent from the mountains and plateau of the Great Escarpment, before ending at the border of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The route takes in the wonderful small towns of the Lowveld, including Lydenburg, Sabie and Graskop, the latter of which professes to have the greatest pancakes in Mpumalanga courtesy of Harrie's Pancakes. Also featured are Pilgrim's Rest, a restored gold-mining town that is now a national monument, Kiepersol and your home away from home, Hazyview.

As well as the fascinating small towns which make up the route traversed by Percy Fitzpatrick and his faithful bull terrier, and which he later recounted in his book, Jock Of The Bushveld, you will see some of South Africa's most incredible natural attractions. God's Window is a viewpoint on the Escarpment where you can see as far as the Mozambique border on a clear day. Cliffs drop 700m down into valleys, making you feel like you're standing on the edge of the world. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are natural geological formations formed by centuries of water flowing through the sandstone bedrock. The result is a series of cylindrical rock sculptures that look as though they've been dropped straight from the moon. The Three Rondawels are pointed mountain peaks named after three of the more troublesome wives of 19th century chief, Maripi – Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto. Blyde River Canyon, South African's own answer to the Grand Canyon, is carved out of nearly 2,5 km of red sandstone and affords some of the most panoramic views in the country, hence the route name. Echo Caves, quartz column The Pinnacle, Sudwala Caves and plentiful waterfalls make up the rest of this spectacular passage.

Say goodbye to your newfound friends at Rissington Inn and hop in your car for the 2 hour drive to Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge, where your thrilling Big 5 Kruger experience begins. Mohlabetsi is in Balule Nature Reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Owners Tony and Alma will welcome you to their bush oasis and ensure your stay is filled with animal sightings, excellent South African food and a personal encounter with our natural world that will leave you feeling profoundly changed.

The lodge consists of six ethnic, thatched rondawels, all comfortably furnished African style with al fresco showers and overhead fans. Communal spaces include a sparkling swimming poo, a hammock garden and an outdoor lapa with views across a well-frequented waterhole. Your dinners under the stars will be accompanied by traditional songs and dance by African ladies and quite possibly punctuated by the roaring of lions. Meals reflect Africa’s heritage and are prepared using the freshest available ingredients. The lodge has several specially modified Landrovers for comfortable Big 5 game drives as well the opportunity to arrange bush walks to see the smaller Kruger creatures that are often missed on drives.

You'll make your way back to Kruger International Airport before heading on to Joburg to catch your return flight home. Enjoy going through all your photos on the way, until the next time we welcome you back to Africa.