Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

DISC OVERING SOUTH AFRIC A  15

7 Days in
Mpumalanga
Escarpment and the
Kruger National Park
Africa’s finest do-it-yourself
safari destination is
twinned on this trip with the
spectacularly scenic vistas
and waterfalls of the
mountainous escarpment
rising to its west.
• Arriving Domestic flights
connect Johannesburg with
the towns of Nelspruit,
Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa Iron-rich rock creates stunning polychromatic effects at Blyde River Canyon
on the edge of the Kruger, as
well as Skukuza and several Continue north to the running south from Lower Sabie
more minor airstrips in the spectacular Bourke’s Luck is famed for its excellent rhino-
park environs. Alternatively, Potholes (see p337) and Three spotting opportunities.
it’s an easy 4–5 hour drive Rondavels (see p337), the latter
from Johannesburg to being the most spectacular of Days 5–6: Central Kruger
Pilgrim’s Rest or the southern several viewpoints across the Less dense with tourist traffic
Kruger, but a more daunting Blyde River Canyon, and best than the south, the Central
6–7 hours back from Phala- seen in the afternoon with the Kruger (see p344) still offers
borwa and the northern sun behind you. great game-viewing, typically
reaches of the park. in more open habitats than the
• Transport Self-drive is ideal. Days 3–4: Southern Kruger north. Ideally spend your first
Either drive across from Allocate two nights to the part night in Satara Camp (see
Johannesburg, or book a of the Kruger National Park p343), which lies in an area of
rental car to pick up at one (see pp340–44) south of the relatively open grassland where
of the local airports. Many Sabie River, ideally using either cheetahs and lions are often
organized, guided tours to the largest camp, Skukuza (see observed, along with large
the Kruger are available but p342), or Lower Sabie (see p342– mixed herds of wildebeest
you will need to stick to the 3) (arguably the best, location- and zebra.
prescribed itinerary. There wise) as a base for game drives. The next day, continue
is no public transport in These are always slightly hit-or- north to Olifants Camp (see
the park. miss, but the H4-1 (see p343) p343), which has a superb
connecting Skukuza to Lower clifftop setting overlooking
Sabie is the busiest in the park the Olifants River, an area
Day 1: Pilgrim’s Rest for good reason (lions, leopards known for its plentiful tuskers
Drive east from Johannesburg, and elephants are often seen and large herds of buffalo.
taking a lunch break at the here), while the main road On Day 7, be sure to allow at
sleepy highland village of least 4 hours’ driving time to
Dullstroom (see p334), famed exit the park at Phalaborwa
for its fresh trout, then moving Gate in order to fly out of
on to the restored 19th-century Phalaborwa in the afternoon.
gold-mining village of Pilgrim’s
Rest (see p336). The historic sites To extend your trip…
scattered around this hilly With a couple more days to
village provide a great oppor- spare, you could pad out
tunity to stretch your legs after your time in Kruger with an
the drive. extra night at each of Satara
and Olifants, or (budget
Day 2: Waterfalls Tour and permitting) treat yourself to
Blyde River Canyon an all-inclusive stay at a
Spend the morning exploring private reserve (see p345).
some of the pretty waterfalls With at least five extra days,
that comprise the so-called you could head all the way
Waterfalls Tour (see p335), first north to the genuinely off-
driving south from Pilgrim’s Rest the-beaten-track Punda
to Sabie, then back north to the The African buffalo, often spotted in the Maria Camp (see p344).
Extraordinary rock formations in the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn small town of Graskop for lunch. Kruger National Park

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