Discussion · VoyageForum

Voyajou Globetrotter ·2025-01-21

That’s when I start feeling a bit lost [:)].

You’re not *that* lost. [:)] Two observations: - Unless you’ve got something specific planned (like walking among animals in a reserve), one night in Eswatini should be enough. - Graskop is still a ways from JNB, even if the sun rises early in April.

All in all, it looks like a great trip—varied and full of discoveries.

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-22

Thanks Jean-Luc! Oh, that actually reassures me a bit [:)] I was actually thinking we’d just spend one night in Eswatini—partly to take a break on the way to Kruger since we won’t really have time to visit the country (gotta make some choices [:)])—so adding one more night in the Santa Lucia area to enjoy it a bit more, like visiting Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park.... That said, I still have two questions on my mind:

1. Do the two stops in Kruger make sense? 2. Would you (or anyone else) have a solution for getting back to Johannesburg? I was thinking the drive from Graskop might be a bit much, especially since we need to be at the airport by around 11:00 AM.

All suggestions are welcome [;)]

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-22

I was also wondering if crossing Eswatini in one day and going straight from St. Lucia to Kruger is doable? That way, we’d get an extra night in St. Lucia (2 nights instead of 3) and one more night in Kruger, making it 5 nights instead of 4 so we can enjoy it a bit more... does that make sense?

Rjulie95 Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

1- Do the two stops in Kruger make sense?

Yeah, it works—you’ll get to see both sides of safaris in South Africa.

2 - Would you (or anyone else) have a solution for the return trip to Johannesburg? I was thinking it’s still quite a long drive from Graskop, especially since we need to be at the airport by around 11:00 AM.

For the return trip, I once stayed at this lodge. The town itself isn’t worth much, but it gets you a lot closer to Jo’burg.

"Je suis africain, non pas parce que je suis né en Afrique, mais parce que l'Afrique est née en moi." Kwame Nkrumah.

"J'ai appris que le courage n'est pas l'absence de peur, mais la capacité de la vaincre." Nelson Mandela

https://www.en-voyages.fr

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

Hi! Good, short trip sounds good! 3 nights = 2 days in Knysna… Why not? Undermilkwood as accommodation… It’s a long drive… A stopover on the way for one night? Point Hotel Mossel Bay Night in Agulhas? Umhlanga… safe? See Voyajou’s comment St Lucia yes and yes Eswatini where? Kruger okay One night on the Panorama Route Good stay in Graskop at Thaba Tsweni? On the way back Dullstroom at Critchley Hackle Lodge… possible good deal via Booking

This is my first draft

michel85200

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-22

Thanks Michel for your feedback! I’ve added a few questions about your comments below 😊

Hi Good CT is fine 3 nights = 2 days in Knysna... Why not —> 2 nights are enough? I was thinking of 3 nights for the lagoon and the area.

Undermilkwood as accommodation... It’s a long drive... A stop along the way for one night? Point hotel Mossel Bay Night in Agulhas? —> stopping in Agulhas on the way from Stellenbosch with a night in Mossel Bay, is that right?

...are you sure? See Voyajou’s comment —> here, since we’re leaving Knysna to catch a flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban, I thought it might be good to spend the night there to rest before heading to Santa Lucia... but maybe I’m miscalculating since it’s our very first trip to South Africa 😄 St Lucia yes and yes Eswatini Where? —> here I was wondering if it wouldn’t be simpler to cross the country to reach Kruger from St Lucia... to save a night and add it to Kruger, making it 5 nights total. We’d visit Eswatini another time. Kruger okay One night on the Panorama Route Sounds good staying in Graskop at Thaba Tsweni? On the way back Dullstroom at Cricthtey Hackle Lodge... possible good deal via Booking —> I’ll check it out

This is my first draft

—> thank you so much already for your tips!

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

I read Voyajou’s comments—they know *soooo* much about this country! If you arrive early in Durban, head straight to St Lucia. Don’t add Hluhluwe—you’ve gotta make choices. Isimangaliso is different. Eswatini… where? There are two options: I think doing Eswatini *and* Kruger in one day is a *reeeally* long day. Either you stop there—Mkhaya, Phophonyane, Milwane, or Hlane.

Or you spend a night, so for me, Hlane—rhinos on foot! Why Stellenbosch? It’s not my thing, but it’s your trip, and that’s just my opinion. Three nights in Knysna, even with the Thesen Island oysters (inside joke with Voyajou), seems like a lot to me.

michel85200

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

Totally agree!

michel85200

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

I’m keeping the address even if it’s mine.

michel85200

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

And Rjulie is also full of great tips!

michel85200

Rjulie95 Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

I’ll take the address even if it’s not mine

That’s what the forum’s for! 😊

"Je suis africain, non pas parce que je suis né en Afrique, mais parce que l'Afrique est née en moi." Kwame Nkrumah.

"J'ai appris que le courage n'est pas l'absence de peur, mais la capacité de la vaincre." Nelson Mandela

https://www.en-voyages.fr

Attila Globetrotter ·2025-01-22

Hello,

2 nights in Santa Lucia 2 nights in Eswatini 4 nights in Kruger Park (2 nights in Skukuza and 2 nights in Balule for a private reserve) 1 night in Blyde Canyon 1 night somewhere to get closer to Johannesburg (Graskop?) knowing we have to return the car on 11/04 at around 11:00 AM.

I’d also head straight to Santa Lucia if the flight arrival time in Durban allows it.

Just one night in Swaziland. Why not Mlilwane? I have great memories of Reilly's Rock Hilltop Lodge.

A clear night in Imfolozi, especially if the arrival in Santa Lucia was moved up. (So 3 nights in Santa Lucia, 1 night in Imfolozi, 1 night in Mlilwane).

Why Skukuza in Kruger? Or why not, depending on preferences...

Balule? I stayed at Mohlabetsi. Though I’m not a fan of the private reserve setup, I still have good memories of it. Very professional and welcoming.

For the return night, I’d sleep closer to the airport. Eleven o’clock is early! Around Middelburg would allow for a later wake-up. And less anxiety about missing the flight...

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Girardinpho Veteran ·2025-01-23

2 - Would you (or anyone else) have a solution for the return trip to Johannesburg? I was thinking that it’s still quite a long drive from Graskop, especially since we need to be at the airport by around 11:00 AM.

Any suggestions are welcome [;)]

On our way back from the Kruger region, we stayed at the https://yallayallaboutiquehotel.com/ in Witbank. We found the themed rooms really fun.

Nathalie

Photos et carnets de voyage : http://www.girardinphoto.net

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

Thanks for the feedback!

1. Do the two stops in Kruger make sense?

Yeah, it works—you’ll get to see both sides of safaris in South Africa.

--> I’ll refine this further since I’m now staying 5 nights in Kruger to make the most of it.

2. Would you (or anyone else) have a solution for the return trip to Johannesburg? I figured the drive from Graskop is still pretty long, especially since we need to be at the airport by around 11:00 AM.

For the return trip, I once stayed at this lodge. The town itself isn’t worth much, but it gets you much closer to Johannesburg.

--> Thanks for the great tip! It’s way closer!

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

Hi Michel

- The issue is that we’re leaving Knysna in the morning for Port Elizabeth airport to fly to Durban, but the flights are either too early or too late. Apparently, it’s a 3-hour drive from Durban to St Lucia?

- We’ll add one night in Eswatini to break up the trip since it’s quite long.

- We were thinking of spending 2 nights in Stellenbosch to explore the wine region, but if that’s too much, I can cut it to 1 night and add a night near Mossel Bay on the way to Knysna to shorten the drive, with a stop in Agulhas.

- We’ll reduce our stay in Knysna to 2 nights instead of 3. We’ll add 1 night in Kruger to make the most of it.

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

Hi Agnes, Thanks for your feedback!

- As I mentioned to Michel, the issue is that we’re leaving Knysna in the morning for Port Elizabeth airport to fly to Durban, and the flights are either too early or too late. According to Google Maps, it takes about +/-3 hours to drive from Durban to St Lucia.

- We’ll add one night in Eswatini. I just need to figure out where.

- Kruger isn’t completely set yet. It’s still a draft, but we’ll add an extra night to enjoy it a bit more. So we’ll stay for 5 nights. I still need to plan the route, knowing we’ll start in the south.

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

2 - Would you (or anyone else) have a solution for the return trip to Johannesburg? I was thinking that it’s still quite a long drive from Graskop, especially since we need to be at the airport by around 11:00 AM.

All suggestions are welcome [;)]

On our way back from the Kruger region, we stayed at https://yallayallaboutiquehotel.com/ in Witbank. We found the themed rooms really fun.

Thanks Nathalie for the tip! I’ll definitely keep it in mind since it’s much closer [:)]

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-23

Hi

After re-reading more carefully...

If you're spending a night in Eswatini coming from St Lucia... I suggest Hlane. Just to have a nice, cheap camp, and a rhino drive with (at the ranger's discretion) a chance to approach the rhinos on foot. There's another section (there are three in total—one with lions and elephants accessible only by drive with a ranger, one with rhinos and smaller wildlife, and the last with only smaller wildlife that you can explore on foot, by mountain bike, or by car) you can add depending on your preferences.

11 AM at Rambo—actually, Dullstroom is too far... so I’ll pass the ball to others...

michel85200

Girardinpho Veteran ·2025-01-23

Hi Luis,

If it might interest you, we’ve put together travel journals of our trips on our site here. For the Kruger area and surrounds, check out the Mozambique journal.

Nathalie

Photos et carnets de voyage : http://www.girardinphoto.net

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

Hi Michel! I’m actually thinking of spending a night in Hlane—thanks for the tips! [:)]

But I’m not quite sure I understand your last sentence: 11 a.m. in Rambo, and Dullstroom is actually too far... so I’ll pass the baton to others...

For now, I’ve revised two itineraries based on the discussions here:

20-03-25 Flight to Cape Town 21-03-25 Night in Cape Town 22-03-25 Night in Cape Town 23-03-25 Night in Cape Town 24-03-25 Night in Cape Town 25-03-25 Simon's Town 26-03-25 Stellenbosch 27-03-25 Mossel Bay 28-03-25 Knysna 29-03-25 Knysna 30-03-25 Flight Port Elizabeth - Durban (night in Umhlanga) 31-03-25 St. Lucia 01-04-25 St. Lucia 02-04-25 St. Lucia 03-04-25 Swaziland 04-04-25 Kruger Park 05-04-25 Kruger Park 06-04-25 Kruger Park 07-04-25 Kruger Park 08-04-25 Kruger Park 09-04-25 Blyde River 10-04-25 Johannesburg 11-04-25 Departure to Brussels

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

Hi Nathalie, Awesome! I’ll read the travel journal tonight at my leisure :-) Thanks!

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

and the 2nd option where I leave directly from Cape Town to Knysna and then make my way back slowly toward Cape Town to catch the flight to Durban since there are more and earlier options. That way, I could go straight from Durban to St Lucia and gain an extra day:

20-03-25 Overnight flight to Cape Town 21-03-25 Night in Cape Town 22-03-25 Night in Cape Town 23-03-25 Night in Cape Town 24-03-25 Night in Cape Town 25-03-25 Simon's Town 26-03-25 Knysna 27-03-25 Knysna 28-03-25 Mossel Bay 29-03-25 Stellenbosch 30-03-25 Stellenbosch 31-03-25 Flight Cape Town - Durban heading to St Lucia 01-04-25 St Lucia 02-04-25 St Lucia 03-04-25 Swaziland 04-04-25 Kruger Park 05-04-25 Kruger Park 06-04-25 Kruger Park 07-04-25 Kruger Park 08-04-25 Kruger Park 09-04-25 Blyde River 10-04-25 Johannesburg (approx.) 11-04-25 Departure to Brussels Does this make more sense?

Voyajou Globetrotter ·2025-01-23

I don’t know about you, but they’re confusing me. And honestly, Michel kinda scares me acting like Rambo [;)] (he was talking about O.R. Tambo, which is the name of Johannesburg Airport (JNB)).

Durban Airport is way north of the city and even north of Umhlanga. It doesn’t seem smart to head back south to Umhlanga just to go north again the next day. The coastal road is beautiful and has plenty of places to stay (like Westbrook Beach, for example). I’d stick with your original plan. Your flight day to Durban will be pretty packed, and you’ll have enough time in the St. Lucia area since you’ll arrive in the morning.

@Michel

Three nights in Knysna—even with the oysters from Thesen Island (inside joke with Voyajou)—seems like a lot to me.

But there are also local mussels in Knysna. And fries!

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-23

Not Rambo but Tambo! !

michel85200

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-23

You see right through my mistakes Rambo / Tambo

michel85200

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-23

Thanks Jean-Luc! Yeah, that makes more sense now.

Anyway, I worked on this itinerary based on everyone’s comments… What do you think?

20-03-25 Overnight flight to Cape Town 21-03 to 25-03 in Cape Town 25-03 Simon's Town 26-03 to 27-03 Knysna to ease back toward CT since there are no more flights to Durban 28-03 Mossel Bay 29-03 to 30-03 Stellenbosch 31-03 Flight from Cape Town to Durban, then on to Santa Lucia 3 nights in Santa Lucia 03-04 Swaziland 5 nights at Kruger Park 09-04 Blyde River 10-04 heading closer to Johannesburg 11-04 Departure from Brussels

Doesn’t it look pretty solid too? The good thing is we only have one long trip from Simon’s Town to Knysna, but it’s chill with a stop here and there, and after that it’s less of a rush

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-23

That sounds like a great plan! 😊

michel85200

Attila Globetrotter ·2025-01-23

We’ll add 1 night in Eswatini. I just need to figure out where.

Generally, the choice is between the country’s 3 parks: Hlane, Mlilwane, and Mkhaya.

Mkhaya requires more time than just one night and a morning. Hlane has chalets with a charmingly rustic vibe, but you can’t really explore it without a 4x4 (outside of guided tours). Mlilwane is the "good-living" stop—more about nature than wildlife.

You’ll find a bit more info on these spots in steps 10 and 11 of this travel journal.

So we’ll stay 5 nights. I still need to plan the route, knowing we’ll start in the south.

5 nights, then.

Option 1 – Main camp villages: Lower Sabie (x2), Satara (x1), then Olifants (x2).

Option 2 – Bush camp immersion: Biyamiti (x2), Talamati (x2), Balule (x1—rustic), or Shimuwini.

Option 3 – Kruger + private reserves: 3 nights in Kruger / 2 nights in a private reserve.

All these camps are listed in my different travel journals.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-23

Good evening I share this point of view Milwane is great for stretching your legs Mkhaya is a private reserve that deserves more time Hlane isn’t bad… personally, rhinos at 15 meters when you’re on foot is… The chalets are nice, the overall vibe is pretty good, and It’s right in the middle! !

michel85200

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-25

Thanks Agnès! We were thinking of doing a mix of village camps, bush camps, and private reserves. I’ll read your travel journals now to get some inspiration. Do you have any favorites among the different categories? Which category did you enjoy the most? I’m asking to help figure out how to split the nights [:)]

Attila Globetrotter ·2025-01-25

Personally, I prefer the more intimate bush camps.

I find the main rest camps too busy and touristy.

But staying in a bush camp means preparing your own dinner, so you’ll need to buy groceries since there’s no restaurant. (The bungalows have all the necessary equipment, except at Balule, which is a very rustic camp with shared bathrooms and toilets.)

For a 3-night stay in Kruger and 2 nights in a private reserve, I’d recommend 2 nights at Biyamiti or Talamati (so 2 nights in a bush camp) and one night at Olifants (a main rest camp with a stunning view). Just keep in mind you’ll need the full day to travel leisurely from Biyamiti to Olifants.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-25

I couldn't book at the Biyamiti bush camp unfortunately because it was already full for my dates, so I booked 2 nights at Lower Sabie instead. I wanted to stay in the south to avoid too much driving coming from Hlane, which I also chose because it's closer to Kruger. I'm thinking of 1 night at Olifants and 2 nights in a private reserve at Balule...does that make sense?

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-25

Not trying to promote anything here, In Manyeleti, just past Orpen, There are: Honeyguide, Ndzakha, Buffelshoek, Pungwe It’s less luxurious than Balule, but you’re a bit more in the KNP

michel85200

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-25

I’ll check out your suggestions because Balule is really expensive!😲

Attila Globetrotter ·2025-01-25

Lower Sabie is well located for exploring the south. For the last night, you first need to know which private reserve it’ll be so you can choose accommodation based on the distance to cover.

Mohlabetsi seems to have skyrocketed in price. I paid 600 € for 3 nights (all-inclusive for 2) a good ten years ago...

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Rjulie95 Globetrotter ·2025-01-25

I went to Pungwe a few years ago—I loved it. Felt like *Out of Africa* 😊

"Je suis africain, non pas parce que je suis né en Afrique, mais parce que l'Afrique est née en moi." Kwame Nkrumah.

"J'ai appris que le courage n'est pas l'absence de peur, mais la capacité de la vaincre." Nelson Mandela

https://www.en-voyages.fr

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-25

I didn’t realize private reserves would be that expensive—it’s way over our budget for us (we’re in the middle of home renovations), so we’re looking at other options… but the good news is our itinerary is finally set! Just need to figure out the last 3 nights in Kruger… but reading through sites and travel journals like yours, I can’t wait to get there I have a feeling this is going to be another amazing trip

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-25

Roughly speaking, Manyeleti It’s between 800 and 1000 € for two nights all-inclusive for two people. April is an expensive month

michel85200

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-27

Hi Agnes, as I mentioned, I’ve booked 2 nights at Lower Sabie and we’ll head toward Olifants Rest Camp.... do you know if we leave early in the morning, can we make it in time for sunset at the game reserve? We’re planning to spend just one night there so we can spend the last 2 nights somewhere else... still figuring that out.

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-27

Here’s our travel plan—almost finalized! [:)]

20-03 --> Overnight flight to Cape Town 21-03 --> CT 22-03 --> CT 24-03 --> CT 25-03 --> Simon's Town 26-03 --> Knysna 27-03 --> Knysna 28-03 --> Mossel Bay 29-03 --> Stellenbosch 30-03 --> Stellenbosch 31-03 --> Flight from Cape Town to Durban, heading to Santa Lucia 01/04 --> Santa Lucia 02/04 --> Santa Lucia 03/04 --> Swaziland (Hlana) 04/04 --> Kruger Park (Lower Sabie Camp) 05/04 --> Kruger Park (Lower Sabie Camp) 06/04 --> Kruger Park (Olifant) 07/04 --> Kruger Park (still to be decided) 08/04 --> Kruger Park (still to be decided) 09/04 --> Blyde River Canyon 10/04 --> Probably staying overnight in Middelburg for proximity to the airport 11/04 --> Return to Brussels

We’re pretty happy with it! [:)] Just the last two nights in Kruger left to figure out

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-27

Personally, I love Shingwedzi, but it’s high up! Satara before heading out?

michel85200

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-27

True, Shingwedzi is too far north... And Satara brings us back down from Olifants. I was wondering if there’s a nice reserve or camp on the way back west, since after that we’re heading to Blyde River Canyon?

Attila Globetrotter ·2025-01-27

It's 150 km as the crow flies. At an average of 30 km/h, that's 5 hours. Add 3 more for breaks and a possible detour—8 hours total.

Leaving at 0600, you could be at Olifants around 1400.

Personally, I’d choose a game walk (so at dawn) over a sunset drive.

One more night at Olifants and the last at Shimuwini (Bush camp).

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-27

Thanks Agnès! I finally decided on the game walk in Olifants. However, we’ll only stay one night there because afterward we’d like to head more toward the West to get closer to Blyde River Canyon. If we go toward Shimuwini, it takes us back up north only to come back down later. I found Grietjie Nature Reserve while searching—does anyone (or you) know it?

Dolfino Regular ·2025-01-27

Or, how about 2 nights in Olifants and then 2 nights in Hoedspruit to explore the Blyde Canyon area?

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-27

Hi there, The RSA has become A haven for wildlife. The estimates I’ve read say 400,000 wild animals in 1970, 12 million today. (Wild animal / domesticated animal) I didn’t say animals in a wild environment. In RSA, countless private reserves—almost wild—have sprung up, especially around the KNP and the concept of the Greater Kruger… a notion that’s been twisted. Reserves of 2,000 to 10,000 hectares have appeared, which seems like a lot, but really isn’t much. In these reserves, the land is divided into plots where each one sets up its own lodge in a "wild" vibe. Example: Dinokeng near Joburg. Lots of examples around Hoedspruit too. In this reserve near Balule—so close to the KNP and officially without fences— it’s exactly this concept. Another example: Marloth Park. Just outside Kruger, but you can see it. An area with animals and tons of lodges. So, This isn’t a private reserve, even less "wild." It’s a nice place to stay with the option to visit the KNP. Personally, not my thing. You can also discover things other than animals in this area… Just a heads-up: My opinion, but your trip! !

michel85200

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-27

For Blyde Lots of tips My own Thaba Tsweni Chesnut Lodge Hippo Hollow A splurge Ikhetla Lodge

michel85200

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-01-27

Iketla lodge No H It’s Shangaan, I think

michel85200

Voyajou Globetrotter ·2025-01-27

Or maybe 2 nights in Olifants and then 2 nights in Hoedspruit to explore the Blyde Canyon area?

I like this option.

Our South Africa Trip Itinerary

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