South Africa, the land of the Big 5, stunning landscapes and delicious wines! Whatever type of traveler you are, a trip to South Africa promises to be unforgettable. This South Africa itinerary in two weeks starts and ends in Johannesburg. Along the way you’ll drive the Panorama Route, pass the world-famous Kruger National Park, search for hippos in St. Lucia and explore the Drakensberg Mountains while hiking. Quickly discover the ideal itinerary for South Africa in 2 weeks from Johannesburg!
Before traveling to South Africa
Many travelers want to see everything in South Africa: from Kruger and the Drakensberg Mountains to the Garden Route and Cape Town. But often the long distances are very underestimated, and before you know it, you’re just driving. Do you only have two weeks for South Africa? Then we recommend you focus on one part of the country. That way you have more time to take it all in and it doesn’t feel so rushed. With this itinerary you will explore the east of South Africa and see some of the best highlights that the country has to offer!
Is South Africa safe?
Yes! South Africa is a safe country to travel through with the proper precautions. In and around the larger cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, there are certain neighborhoods, called townships, where it is better to stay away. Furthermore, it is also advisable not to drive after dark. Furthermore, as with any big city, you should use your common sense: watch out for pickpockets, follow your instincts and don’t be reckless. We already made two big trips through this beautiful country and never felt unsafe.
Also important to know is that malaria occurs in some parts of South Africa, such as Kruger National Park. Therefore, before you leave for South Africa, visit your family doctor to inform you whether or not to take malaria medication.
How to get around in South Africa
The best way to get around in South Africa is undoubtedly with your a rental car. Public transportation is very limited and with your own car you have the freedom to go wherever you want. Some places are also very remote and only accessible by car. Furthermore, you can make “self drives” in national parks such as Kruger and iSimingaliso Wetlands with your own rental car. A self drive means you drive yourself around the parks. Nothing like searching for the Big 5 on your own!
A frequently asked question is whether South Africa is safe to drive by yourself. Having already toured the country twice by rental car, we can assure you that it is. Driving during the day is fine, although some roads are in less good condition than others. However, it is strongly discouraged to drive after dark and also all the sights always close before dark. Finally, keep in mind that they drive on the left in South Africa.
The ideal travel itinerary South Africa in 2 weeks
This itinerary starts and ends in Johannesburg and for two weeks you really experience the South Africa feeling! Do you have longer than two weeks in South Africa and want to explore more of the country? At the end of this South Africa round trip, we give you some options to travel further.
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Day 1: arrival in Johannesburg
The first day of this South Africa itinerary starts in the capital city of Johannesburg. Depending on what time you land, you can visit the Apartheid Museum visit. This interesting museum gives you more insight into the history of Apartheid in South Africa and the role Nelson Mandela played in it. It is not the most cheerful museum, but is an important part of South Africa. Do count on at least 3 hours for the museum. There is ample parking at the museum where you can safely park your car. Afterwards, choose a lodge or hotel where you can have dinner such as Eagle Rock Executive Guesthouse. That way you don’t have to go out and you can start your South African tour the next day recharged!
Where to stay in Johannesburg
The hotels listed below are easily accessible from the airport and have secure parking for your car. We recommend that you avoid the area around the airport as there are sometimes instances of crime there.
- Budget (€): The Link Guest Lodge
- Comfort (€€): Eagle Rock Executive Guesthouse
- Luxurious (€€€): The Houghton Hotel & Spa
Day 2 – 3: Graskop (Panorama Route)
+/- 410 km ● 5h drive
Today you will drive 5 hours to your first stop in South Africa: Graskop. This cozy town is the base to spend the next few days exploring the Panorama Route to explore. On day two, be sure to stop at Lone Creek Falls and Mac Mac Falls (note: both waterfalls cannot be visited after 5pm). The next day you will then have more time to visit the remaining stops on the Panorama Route such as The Three Rondavels, Bourkes Potholes and Berlin Falls.
TRAVEL TIP: The ideal stop to break up this long drive is at the gas station “Alzu Petroport N4“. In fact, this gas station overlooks a landscape where you can see zebras, buffaloes, ostriches and even rhinos walking!
Where to stay in Graskop
Graskop is not very big but it does have a wide range of accommodations for every budget. We stayed in Dar Aname Guesthouse where we had a fantastic breakfast with an even better view!
- Budget (€): Rustique
- Comfort (€€): Dar Aname Guesthouse
- Luxurious (€€€): Quaint Luxury Villas
Day 4 – 5: Kruger National Park
+/- 80 km ● 1h15 drive
Today you drive on to the absolute highlight of this trip: Kruger National Park! On day 4 you can do a self-drive in the Kruger National Park and with some luck you will already see some of the Big 5 animals. Still not seen all the animals? Be sure to go for a game drive the next day. This is an organized safari where you sit much higher up and go out with a guide. This also increases your chances of seeing animals. We went on two game drives during our stay at the Kruger Gate Hotel and can only recommend this. By the way, from the pool of this beautiful hotel you look into the Kruger National Park. With some luck you will see elephants and giraffes passing by like us while you are swimming!
Where to stay in Kruger National Park
For the Kruger National Park, you have an awful lot of options in terms of accommodation. Depending on your budget, you can choose to sleep outside the park such as in the towns of Hoedspruit or Hazyview. For a unique experience, you can also sleep in a private lodge in the park. We do recommend that you go for a hotel that offers game drives for the full experience.
- Comfort (€€): Nyaleti Lodge or Unembeza Boutique Lodge & Spa
- Luxurious (€€€): Kruger Gate Hotel
- Private Game Reserve: Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge
Day 6 – 7: eSwatini (Swaziland)
+/- 320 km ● 4h30 drive
Leave early today so that you will arrive in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) by early afternoon. After crossing the border and getting a new stamp in your passport (as you are entering a different country), you will continue on towards Mantenga Cultural Village. Here you will get more insight into the traditional life of eSwatini and attend a fantastic local dance performance. After your visit to the local village, drive on towards Mlilwane Game Sanctuary.
You will spend the next few nights in a traditional African hut: a rondavel. On day 7 you can explore the reserve. In Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, zebras, kudu and impala roam freely on the property. You can take various guided or unguided walks, go horseback riding or rent a bicycle and explore the domain by bicycle. For hiking we recommend the Hippo Trail of 6.7 km. There are no dangerous animals walking around (including hippos), so you can walk around in peace. Stay far enough away from the water, though, because crocodiles do inhabit the pond.
TRAVEL TIP: Be sure to check with your rental company if you are allowed to enter eSwatini with your rental car. This is because not every car rental company allows this.
Where to stay in eSwatini
To make the most of your short visit to eSwatini, we highly recommend Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary recommended. Not only will you sleep in a traditional rondavel, but the surrounding area is truly beautiful. Would you prefer something more comfortable? Then Summerfield Botanical Garden Resort is a great option!
Day 8: Bayala Safari Lodge
+/- 245 km ● 4h drive
Today you will cross the border again and be back in South Africa. In the afternoon you will arrive at Bayala Private Safari Lodge. Just in time to participate in the game drive that is included in your stay. The reserve is home to the Big 5 and this is where we saw our first cheetah! The next few days you will really relax and enjoy all the comforts of this beautiful lodge.
This is an optional stop. Staying in a private game reserve is a unique experience in South Africa. However, this comes with a price tag. If you prefer to travel a little more budget-friendly, we recommend driving directly on to St. Lucia from where you can also take day trips to the Hluwlhe-iMfolozi Park for a self-drive. This is the oldest game park in South Africa, and because it’s a lot smaller than Kruger, you’re more likely to spot the Big 5.
Day 9 – 10: St. Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park
+/- 95 km ● 4h drive
The next stop on this South Africa itinerary is the friendly town of St. Lucia, where hippos walk the streets at night. During the day, we definitely recommend this Hippo & Crocodile tour to make. Here you sail in a small group on the St. Lucia River through iSimangaliso Wetlands. Given the large hippo population (as many as 800), there is almost a 100% chance that you will see hippos here! In the evening, stroll down the main street and have dinner at one of the cozy restaurants such as John Dory (delicious sushi!) or Reef & Dune. Take a seat on the terrace, and you may even see hippos passing by while you eat.
Spend the next day in South Africa’s third largest national park: iSimangaliso Wetlands. In this vast nature reserve you can find four of the Big 5 (only the lion is not). Furthermore, iSimangaliso Wetlands is located on the ocean and you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa: Cape Vidal. If you travel between June and November, with any luck you might even see whales swimming by. St. Lucia is right on the Bhangazi Gate from where you can drive into the iSimingaliso Wetlands for a self-drive.
Where to stay in St. Lucia
The town of St. Lucia is not big. You have a main street with nice restaurants and bars, so being within walking distance of this is pleasant. The hippos only walk around at night when it is already dark and prefer grassy plazas and quieter streets.
- Budget (€): Flamingo Holiday Flats
- Comfort (€€): Leopard Corner Lodge
- Luxurious (€€€): AmaZulu Lodge
Day 11 – 13: Drakensberg Mountains
+/- 500 km ● 6h drive
Day 11 marks the longest drive of this 2-week South African itinerary. As you leave St. Lucia behind you, you will see the South African landscape change more and more. Your final destination is the imposing Drakensberg Mountains. To break up the drive, we recommend a stop at Hawick Falls and Nelson Mandela Capture Site. Check in at the beautiful Mountain House & Cottages. These cozy cottages are situated on a hill from where you have a fantastic view of the Drakensberg Mountains. The sweet Shetland ponies that come to greet you on the property are a nice bonus.
Royal Natal National Park
Over the next two days, you will go deeper into the Drakensberg Mountains into. In the Royal Natal National Park you will find plenty of walks for every level of ability. The most famous hike is the Tugela Gorge Hike. The end point of this hike is Tugela Falls, the highest waterfall in the world! When we were there in June (the dry season), this waterfall did stand dry and the hike is round trip. So we decided to do another hike: the one to Tiger Falls and Gudu Falls (which were not dry). This hike is a loop and we really loved it, highly recommended!
Where to stay in Drakensbergen
A popular base for exploring the Drakensberg Mountains is the village of Bergville. Here you are in the middle of two popular places: Royal Natal National Park and Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve. Dalmore Guest Farm is highly recommended here. We ourselves stayed in the beautiful Berghouse & Cottages with fantastic views of Drakensberg Mountains
Day 14: Johannesburg
+/- 330 km ● 4h drive
The end of this tour of South Africa has sadly arrived! On day 14 you can take a last walk around the Berghouse & Cottages before driving back to Johannesburg. We even saw zebras on our last day with the Drakensberg Mountains in the background. Depending on what time your flight is, you then drive straight to the airport or spend one more night in Johannesburg.
Further travel South Africa
Do you have more than two weeks and want to explore more of South Africa? Then you have several options to continue your journey:
- From Johannesburg, you can fly to both Cape Town and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). From Cape Town, you can easily explore South Africa’s wine region such as Stellenbosch and Franschoek. If you fly into Port Elizabeth then you can drive to Cape Town via the Garden Route.
- Skip the Drakensberg Mountains and drive on to Durban airport after St. Lucia. Again, you can then choose to fly on to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) or Cape Town.
Best time to visit South Africa
The seasons in South Africa are reversed from those in Europe. That is, the South African summer runs from December to February. You can follow this South Africa itinerary all year round, but each season has its pros and cons. We ourselves were there during the South African winter (June to August). The advantage is that there is less vegetation and you see animals faster because it is also less warm. It is also less crowded and expensive than in summer. At night it can be very cool and it is also dark early in winter (already around 17h). If you go in summer, you have greener landscapes, longer days and it is warmer. But this part of South Africa generally has a warm and sunny climate all year round.
Still have questions about this South Africa itinerary from Johannesburg? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or feel free to email info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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