7 DAY ITINERARY FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI

Here is my 1 week Safari itinerary in Sabi Sands & Kruger National Park traveling from Johannesburg, South Africa!

1 Night in Johannesburg International Airport Hotel

I booked a round trip flight in and out of Johannesburg. The drive directly to Sabi Sands is about a 4-6 hour drive and after a 24 hour long flight, we decided to break up the journey. I got into Johannesburg airport at about 11pm, which many other international flights also get in around that time. Since it was late, I spent one night in a hotel right at the airport, which was actually so nice after such a long flight and I felt very safe since it was late at night.

1 Night in Dullstrom

On the way to Sabi Sands, we decided to stay 1 night in Dullstrom, which is a really cute fishing town.

From Dullstrom we drove to Sabi Sands, and stayed at Elephant Plains Game Reserve. It took about 4 hours. I highly recommend checking with the lodge you are staying at what the road conditions are and also if you are not comfortable driving I would definitely ask the lodge for air recommendation, shuttle transport recommendations with someone who knows the roads and area well. If I had to go by myself I would have definitely flown in and had the lodge arrange car transportation.

3 Nights at Elephant Plains Game Reserve

We checked into Elephant Plains at about 2pm which meant we were able to go on the evening game drive! Over the 3 days we went on 6 game drives! Our stay at Elephant Plains was all inclusive and included:

-Morning coffee & rusks (a type of South African biscuit)

-Coffee on sunrise game drive

-Breakfast

-Lunch

-Sundowner drinks on the sunset game drive

-Dinner

2 Nights in Kruger National Park at Orpen Rest Camp

From Sabi Sands we drove about an hour and a half to Kruger National Park. The rest camp was like a mini hotel room that had an outdoor kitchen and braai (bbq). We spent our time here driving around the camp and tracking wildlife! On our first night in the span of 2 hours we saw a Leopard, Elephants, & Wild African Dogs! After 2 nights here we drove back to Johannesburg, and then flew to Zanzibar for a week beach vacation!