7-night Kruger Self-Drive Itinerary
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Kruger National Park is a great location for your first safari. Although it's easily a drive of 4 to 5 hours, once you're out of Johannesburg and on the motorway, Kruger National Park is fairly easy to reach, you can see a lot of game if you're there for just 1 day but will still enjoy yourself when you're there for a week, you don't need a 4x4, there are well-stocked shops but you don't have to cook if you don't want to and you can make it as expensive as you want when it comes to the accommodation.
So it's a great park for first-timers but even after visiting Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Etosha we still love to go on safari here. And to be honest, we were a bit nervous that we would not because of the other safari trips we had done since last visiting Kruger National Park. But we had a great time and would still hop on a plane anytime to go on safari in Kruger National Park.
In this post, we will walk you through the 7-night itinerary for a self-drive safari in Kruger National Park that we used on our 4th trip to the park. The itinerary is based on camping but could easily be adjusted when you're not camping as most camps also have huts or bungalows beside a campsite. However some rest camps only have a campsite and in that case, we will mention the closest main rest camp that you could use.
We are starting this itinerary in Kruger National Park itself but will create another blog post on planning your first trip to Kruger National Park where we will include different options to get to Kruger.
Itinerary overview
Before we get into all the details about the camps and route of this 7-night self-drive safari in Kruger National Park here's a quick overview of the itinerary including distances and driving times between the camps.
Day 1 - Arrival at Malelane Satellite Camp
Day 2 - Malelane Satellite Camp to Crocodile bridge // 55km and 2.10 hours
Day 3 - Crocodile bridge to Maroela (Camp close to Orpen) // 175km and 7.00 hours
Day 4 - Maroela to Balule Rest camp (Camp close to Olifants) // 102km and 4.05 hours
Day 5 - Balule Rest camp to Tsendze Rustic Camp (Camp close to Mopani) // 86km and 3.25 hours
Day 6 - Tsendze Rustic Camp to Lower Sabie // 209km and 8.20 hours
Day 7 - Lower Sabie - Malelane Satellite camp // 105km and 4.10 hours
There are 2 days (Day 2 and 5) that have quite a long distance because this itinerary takes you back to Malelane Satellite camp. This was a necessity for us because we had a flight to catch in Johannesburg in the afternoon to take us to the Western Cape. If you don't have this restriction you could stay over in Skukuza on your way up north, you could go as far as Olifants or Letaba as the game gets less here or leave the park at Orpen and take the scenic route to Johannesburg past Burke's luck potholes and the Blyde River Canyon.
Day 1: Arrival at Malelane - Satelite Camp
//Alternative: Berg-en-Dal
The first couple of times we would drive (5.15 hours) via Nelspruit on the N4 (now Mbombela), R40 to Hazyview towards the Paul Kruger Gate. But especially this last part of the trip is very slow as you're not on the motorway anymore. So because we're always cutting it fine in regards to arriving before gate closing time due to the time our night flight arrives, this time we decided to get into the park via Malelane Gate (4.50 hours from Johannesburg) and this was a great solution. Because you're staying on the N4 the whole time you're saving time vs driving to Hazyview and you get to skip the town centre of Nelspruit.
After checking in at Malelane Gate, it is just a short drive to the camp. There's no reception, so there's no one at the gate, so you need to get out of the car yourself to open the fence. So with a quick look around me, I jumped out of the car to open the fence to let Sam in. When he was through I closed the gate and realised it was only a small chain with just a hole and a pin to keep it closed.
the camp
Location: Malelane is a satellite camp and is close to Malelane gate (6km) and lies along the N4, which makes it a great first night stay up entry to the park.
General: Very small camp with 5 self-catering bungalows and a campsite with 17 spots and communal bathrooms & showers and a communal kitchen to cook if you don't want to braai. This camp does not have its own reception so you will need to check in at Malelane Gate.
Where to eat: As the camp is so close to the gate you won't be able to get any provisions in the park if you have to go straight to the campsite (which we had as we entered just around gate closing time). If you have enough time you can drive the 9.5km to Berg-en-Dal, which does have a shop and take-away.
Cost: we paid R285 for 1 night (which is the same at Maroela Rest Camp, +R5 from Balule Rest Camp & Tsendze Rustic Camp) but at this moment ranges from R310 to R410 depending on the season
Activities: From Malelane Gate, you can participate in a morning, an afternoon and a river walk
Which game can you spot here: Rhino, Leopard & Fish Eagle
Day 2 - Malelane Satellite Camp to Crocodile bridge
// route: 55km and 2.10 hours
the route
As always when on safari, it was an early morning, and we left the camp around 5.30 on our way to Berg-en-Dal to buy some food and drinks for the day ahead. As Crocodile Bridge was only just over 2 hours away we explored the park towards Skukuza. Starting with the Matjulu Loop (S110) going over in the S120 towards the tarred road (H3).
We like to take the loops off the tarred roads or the small roads to the waterholes or pans so along the H3 we took the 2.2km dirt road towards Renosterpan.
After Renosterpan we continued on the H3 for a quick stop at Afsaal Traders Rest for some snacks and a quick bathroom break. You never know how long it will be till you come across the next one so I would advise taking the opportunity when it's there.
From Afsaal Traders Rest we continued on the H3 till the S113 and then worked our way down towards Crocodile Bridge over the dirt roads.
the camp
Location: Crocodile Bridge is one of the main camps and lies along the crocodile river. The camp is close to Crocodile Bridge Gate and lies 1 hour further east along the N4 than Malelane and is only 30 minutes from the border with Mozambique.
General: It is one of the smaller main camps with a campsite with 18 spots and communal bathrooms & showers and communal cooking facilities, 8 safari tents and 20 bungalows.
Where to eat: The camp has a small shop and takeaway.
Cost: we paid R323 for 1 night and it was the second most expensive campsite with Lower Sabie being the most expensive with R361. At this moment the price ranges from R310 to R410 depending on the season
Activities: You can participate in a bushwalk and game drives.
Which game can you spot here: Rhino, Lion, Giraffe, Hyena, Kudu & Cheetah
What we saw between the 2 camps: Giraffe, Rhino, Zebra, Kudu, Lion, Elephant, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Waterbok
Day 3 - Crocodile bridge to Maroela
// Alternative: Orpen or Lataba for bungalows or Tamboti for tented camp
// route: 175km and 7.00 hours
the route
After the night drive, we had a slower start to the day but were still on our way just after sunrise. Because it was going to be a long drive to Maroela (close to Orpen Camp and Gate) we mostly stayed on the tarred roads.
From Crocodile Bridge, we took the H4-2 to Lower Sabie. This camp has a large Mug & Bean restaurant with a deck overlooking the river but also has a take-a-way for coffee and pastries. So this can be a great stop for breakfast.
When you leave Lower Sabie Rest Camp you can take a couple of different routes, but because we were limited in time we took the H10 and made a quick stop at Nkumbe View Site where you have a high advantage point and can look over the valley below. Here we had a great sighting of a klipspringer high on the top of the hill. Another great stop is at Mlondozi, which is a picnic spot with a great view.
From here we continued on the H1-3 towards Satara and then turned to the H7 to Orpen to check-in for Maroela.
Hyena, part of a clan, close to Crocodile Bridge - Kruger National Park
the camp
Location: Maroela is a satellite camp and lies along the Timbavati River. The camp is close to Orpen (2km) and only has a campsite.
General: It is one of the two camps in the park that only has a campsite and therefore does not have a reception. You can check in at Orpen. It has 20 spots and has communal bathrooms & showers and communal cooking facilities. At the corner of the campsite is a viewing platform that looks out on the bank of the Timbavati River.
Where to eat: The camp has no shop but you can go to Orpen for a small shop and takeaway.
Cost: we paid R285 for 1 night. At this moment the price ranges from R310 to R410 depending on the season
Activities: You can participate in a morning, an afternoon and a river walk
Which game can you spot here: Buffalo, Hyena & Elephant
What we saw between the 2 camps: Hyena, Giraffe, Kudu, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Klipspringer, Leopard.
Day 4 - Maroela to Balule Rest camp
// Alternative: Olifants
// route: 102km and 4.05 hours
We followed the H7 to the Nsemani waterhole. From here we continued on the dirt road S40 to Timbavati, which is a picnic site with bathrooms. In this area of the park, you can clearly see that there is a change in vegetation with long yellow grass and fewer bushes.
After our stop, we took the S127 towards the H1-4. Because we were staying at Balule we had to check-in at another camp and we decided to go to Olifants instead of Satara so that we could have lunch overlooking the Olifants River. If you have the time, we would highly recommend stopping here for the view.
From here we drove the route to the camp. The region lived up to its name as we kept on seeing a large number of elephants.
the camp
Location: Balule is a satellite camp and lies close to the Olifants River. The camp is close to Olifants which is one of the main camps (10km).
General: It is one of the smaller camps with a campsite and several huts. Therefore it does not have a reception and you can check in at Olifants or Satara. It has 6 huts and 15 camping spots and has no power points. The huts and the campsite need to use the communal bathrooms & showers and communal cooking facilities.
Where to eat: The camp has no shop but you can go to Olifants or stop at Satara on your way up for groceries.
Cost: we paid R280 for 1 night. At this moment the price ranges from R300 to R390 depending on the season
Activities: You can take a bushwalk and game drives.
Which game can you spot here: Hippo, Hyena & Elephant.
What we saw between the 2 camps: Lion, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, Zebra, Waterbok, Hyena, Steenbok.
Lone bull elephant near Maroela Rest camp - Kruger National Park
Day 5 - Balule Rest camp to Tsendze Rustic Camp
// Alternative: Mopani
// route: 86km and 3.25 hours
Instead of directly driving up north over the H1-5 and H1-6 towards Mopani we took the H1-5 to Letaba and took the H9 towards Phalaborwa Gate. As the next day was going to be a long drive down south this was the only chance to see this side of Kruger.
And we were not disappointed when we arrived at the Sable Hide. This is a large hide overlooking the Sable Dam that can also be booked as a sleepover hide. This is a private hide so if you want to stay over you need to book the whole hide. But it is quite rustic as there is no electricity and therefore no light, you need to bring your own food, wood, water and utensils. We did not stay overnight but we did spend a good hour here watching the elephants swimming at the dam.
Elephants swimming at Sable Hide - Kruger National Park
From the moment we left the hide we took the H14 up north towards Mopani but hardly saw anything. Because of this and because the next day was going to be our final full day in Kruger with an 8-hour drive to Lower Sabie we decided to change our reservation from Tsendze to Satara. So after changing our reservation we took the H1-6, H1-5 and H1-4 back to Satara.
Elephant close to the car at Sable Hide - Kruger National Park
the camp
Location: Tsendze is a campsite and lies close to Mopani rest camp (7km). It is called a rustic campsite and has no electricity.
General: It is one of the two camps in the park that only has a campsite and therefore does not have a reception. You can check in at Mopani and need to do that at least 1 hour before gate closing time. It has 30 spots and has communal bathrooms & showers and communal cooking facilities. Freshwater taps are shared per 3 campsites.
Where to eat: The camp has no shop but you can go to Mopani for a small shop and takeaway.
Cost: we paid R280 for 1 night. At this moment the price ranges from R310 to R410 depending on the season
Activities: You can take a bush walk and game drives that need to be arranged from Mopani but you will be picked up at Tsendze.
Which game can you spot here: Buffalo, Waterbuck & Elephant
What we saw between the 2 camps: Elephant, Zebra, Steenbok.
Day 6 - Tsendze Rustic Camp to Lower Sabie
// route: 209km and 8.20 hours
// Became: Satara to Lower Sabie // 140km and 5.40 hours
Leaving Satara we started followed the H7 towards Orpen camp and turned off at the S36 towards Muzandzeni picnic spot.
From the Muzandzeni picnic spot there we took the S26 towards the Welverdiend waterhole. After this, we continued towards the H1-3 and came through the burned area, which again was quite empty. So we decided to get to the camp a bit earlier using the H10 and have dinner at the restaurant overlooking the Sabie River.
the camp
Location: Lower Sabie is one of the main camps on the Sabie River and lies in between Skukuza and Crocodile Bridge.
General: It is a large camp with 33 campsites, 30 huts with communal ablutions, 24 permanent furnished safari tents, 60 bungalows, 2 family bungalows and a guest house.
Where to eat: The camp has a large Mug & Bean restaurant with a deck overlooking the river and there is a take-a-way for coffee and pastries
Cost: we paid R361 for 1 night. At this moment the price ranges from R360 to R410 depending on the season
Activities: You can participate in morning, afternoon and riverwalks and game drives.
Which game can you spot here: Leopard, Hippo & Lion
What we saw between the 2 camps: Lion, Rhino, Hyena, Giraffe, Elephant, Buffalo
Day 7 - Lower Sabie - Malelane Satellite camp
// route: 105km and 4.10 hours
This was our final day in Kruger National Park so we had to make our way from Lower Sabie to Malelane camp so that we could leave early in the morning from Malelane Gate and drive back to the airport in Johannesburg.
From Lower Sabie, we drove to Crocodile Bridge camp on the H4-2 for a quick stop and supplies for our last dinner.
The rest of the day we mostly followed the dirt roads first towards Jock Safari Lodge (S25, S26, S23) and from there down leading towards Malelane on the H3.
What we saw between the 2 camps: Hippo, Lion, Waterbok, Steenbok, Elephant, Wildebeest, Rhino, Giraffe, Leopard (this remains a ?)
For info about Malelane; see day 1.
And there you have it...
..our 7-night Kruger Self-Drive Itinerary. We hope you enjoyed it and if you have any questions just leave your comments below. And if you are planning your own trip let us know below what your itinerary is.
Want to know more about Kruger and self-drive safari’s? Keep on reading the following blogs:
Personal Experience of our Self-drive safari in Kruger National Park
Photo Diary: of our 7-night Kruger National Park Self-Drive Itinerary
How much to budget for a self-drive safari in Kruger National Park
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