Lots of our guests fly to the Kruger National Park and its adjacent private game reserves for their Kruger safari. And then they fly straight out again. Unless you are seriously short on time, I think that’s a real shame, as the countryside around Kruger National Park, such as the Drakensberg escarpment and the Blyde River Canyon, is stunning. So here are my top arguments for spending at least one night in the Drakensberg Escarpment/Blyde River Canyon area, and preferably two…
1) The Panorama Route
The Drakensberg escarpment is the line of mountains before you drop down into the Lowveld where the Kruger lies. The Panorama route is the name of the drive along the edge of this escarpment, looking down into the Blyde River Canyon. Though longer than the direct route from Johannesburg to the Kruger, it is much much more attractive. So it’s well worth taking, either as a day out, or as a more scenic way to get from your country lodge to your Kruger safari lodge. This area of sculpted peaks and deep ravines, tumbling streams and green valleys provides a marked contrast to the sub-tropical bushveld of the Kruger. You look down into a majestic red sandstone gorge with sheer cliffs plunging into waters below. Gentle walking trails connect a series of delicate waterfalls.
2) Relax & Lie In
After the very early mornings of a Kruger safari, it is good to be able to lie in for some real R&R. A number of the country lodges such as Summerfields, Highgrove and Olivers have stunning spa facilities so you don’t even need to leave the lodge to enjoy yourselves. This is particularly needed if you are spending time at two different safari lodges. In this case, we recommend breaking up your Kruger safari experience with one to two nights at a country lodge in between.
It is a solid 3 hour drive to get from the Sabi Sands to the Timbavati which are the two most commonly combined private Kruger game reserves. And the direct route is not particularly attractive. So why not do a scenic panorama drive or transfer up into the Drakensberg escarpment instead, and make it an enjoyable day on holiday?
3) Enjoy some activity
A Kruger safari in a private game lodge or in the Kruger park itself inevitably involves lots of sitting in game vehicles and lots of eating of good food. The Blyde River Canyon area provides the perfect antedote with plenty of soft adventure activities on offer such as zip-lining, white water rafting, kloofing, hiking around Blyde River Canyon or perhaps just some gentle rambles to visit pretty waterfalls around Sabie. The Graskop Gorge Lift experience is also an easy way to experience the canyon flora.
