Having spent six weeks exploring South Africa earlier this year, I am sharing my highlights with you by creating what I believe is the best itinerary for a South African safari. I was lucky enough to explore many different areas, including Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger Area, Cape Town and the Cape Town Peninsula, and my favourite, KwaZulu Natal. However, South Africa is a HUGE country, and deciding how to make the most of your time while on safari is hard, especially if you are limited on time. That is why I have concentrated this 10-day South Africa safari itinerary around Kruger and the Greater Kruger Area, as you can enjoy the best wildlife encounters there. You will also avoid time travelling from one place to another.

So, with all that being said, let me share an epic 10-day South Africa safari itinerary with you! There is much more to do in South Africa than simply going on safari, so I hope you stay longer. However, this itinerary specifically focuses on those wanting to experience a South African safari.

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Arriving in the bush

If you are visiting South Africa internationally, you will either fly into Cape Town or Johannesburg. If you are starting from Cape Town, you will want to fly to Skukuza, but even if you are landing in Johannesburg, I would also recommend flying up to avoid the long drive, especially if you want to make the most of your time on safari.

I’d recommend flying straight into Skukuza. Airlink offers direct flights from both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Another option would be to fly to Hoedspruit. I’ve found the flights to Hoesdpruit vs Skukuza to be considerably cheaper (at least half price). You can easily arrange a transfer to the lodges or hire a car and drive yourself. Since you won’t need a car while at the lodges though, save that expense and indulge in being driven so you can enjoy the bush!

3 Nights in Nottens Bush Camp – Sabi Sands Game Reserve

For the next three nights, I recommend you stay at Nottens Bush Camp, a family-owned and run camp in one of the best wildlife locations in South Africa! With neighbours like Londolozi and MalaMala, you really couldn’t be in a better place to give yourself a chance to spot some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife species, most notably leopards, which are very prolific here.

An Introduction to Sabi Sands

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is one of the most prestigious and well-known private game reserves in South Africa. It lies adjacent to the famous Kruger National Park, sharing a 50-kilometer (31-mile) unfenced border that allows wildlife to move freely between the two areas.

The reserve has a rich history dating back to the 1940s when the land was first set aside for conservation. Over time, it has evolved into a premier safari destination while maintaining its commitment to wildlife conservation.

Sabi Sands is renowned for its incredible game viewing opportunities, particularly for frequent sightings of the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo). As mentioned above, leopard sightings are especially notable. In addition to the Big Five, Sabi Sands hosts a diverse array of wildlife, including cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, and numerous bird species. The varied landscapes, from open savannah to dense bushveld, support this rich biodiversity.

Are you ready to kick off Day 1 of your epic 10-day South African safari itinerary in one of the country’s best spots?

What to expect from Nottens Bush Camp

Nestled within the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Nottens Bush Camp offers an intimate and authentic safari experience that is hard to match. This family-owned lodge provides a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, with just eight exclusive suites ensuring personalized service and a tranquil retreat. Each suite is elegantly furnished, featuring large windows and private verandas that overlook the surrounding bushveld, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature from the comfort of your rooms. In an eco-conscious effort, the camp relies on lanterns at night, which has the added benefit of making it feel incredibly romantic and peaceful!

I recommend arranging your flights so you arrive in time for lunch and an evening game drive, which will commence at around 3:30 pm and last about 3 or 4 hours. The drives are thrilling! Enjoy this time to learn from your professional guide and tracker as they show and educate you about “the bush” and its abundant wildlife.

Your afternoon drive lasts into the evening, followed by an atmospheric dinner in camp, either in the traditional boma or on the deck/dining area. It is a time to share stories about the day’s adventures and delight in some hearty and delicious African cuisine.

After dinner, you may wish to enjoy a drink or two around the fire, or perhaps, like me, you may just want to retire to bed after the exhaustion of all the travel!

The bush camp routine!

Safaris are not a time for lie-ins, so expect an early wake-up call (5:30/6 am, depending on the season)! But fear not; caffeine will be provided as coffee and tea are served before setting off on your morning drive. Again, these drives last about 3 or 4 hours and are followed by a hearty breakfast back at camp. Between breakfast and lunch, the day is yours to use the lodge facilities (swimming pool, gym, spa) as you wish—a perfect chance to relax and switch off.

After lunch, the same routine will repeat itself as the day before: 3:30 pm game drive, sundowners in the bush, and a hearty dinner around the fire. The beauty of a safari, however, is that no game drive is the same, so the only things being repeated are the timings!

You can always opt for a bush walk instead of a drive if you’d like to experience something different. The lodge will also move the dinner location from night to night to give you a different experience for their meals. 

After one final morning game drive and with no doubt over 1,000 photos on your camera, it is time to move on to your next lodge of the trip: Shimungwe Lodge. The transfer will take around 2.5 to 3 hours.

3 Nights at Shimungwe Lodge – Thornybush Game Reserve

For the next three nights, I recommend you stay at Shimungwe Lodge, one of my favourite lodges during my stay in South Africa. As soon as I arrived, I felt instantly at home! The team is fantastic, and since they only have four rooms, it is incredibly intimate! Shimungwe is located in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve.

An introduction to Thornybush Game Reserve

Thornybush Game Reserve is a prominent private game reserve in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It is part of the Greater Kruger National Park landscape and spans approximately 14,000 hectares (34,600 acres) of pristine wilderness. Known for its remarkable biodiversity, Thornybush offers visitors an exceptional wildlife experience.

Thornybush is home to abundant wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and various antelope species. The reserve’s ecosystems support a wide range of flora and fauna, providing excellent opportunities for game viewing. During my stay, we even saw wild dogs—my first-ever sighting!!

What to expect from Shimungwe Lodge

Like with Nottens Bush, you will arrive in time for lunch at this small, intimate, homely camp in another brilliant wildlife viewing area! Shimungwe was once a family holiday home and has kept its warm and private atmosphere with its four beautiful suites. It has stunning views over the dry riverbed below the camp, and the service is friendly and attentive. I hope you get the same welcome committee that I did!! An elephant! He was a regular feature during our stay there, either munching on the trees right outside my room at night or waving hello from the dry riverbed!

Your afternoon game drive will leave at about 3:30 pm and is led by an incredibly experienced guide and tracker team (Daniel and Lucan) who love showing their guests the sensational wildlife in the area. Daniel and Lucan remain the best trackers from my six weeks in South Africa! Make sure you pay attention, as it is a fantastic opportunity to learn! And keep an eye out for lions—they are very prolific here!

After your game drive, you will enjoy a cosy dinner around the fire with hearty, homely food prepared with love. Listen to your guide as he shares some amazing stories of the bush with you, and connect with each other in this extremely warm and peaceful environment.

No time for lie ins!

The routines are pretty much the same everywhere you go, and Shimungwe is no different. You will receive an early wake-up call at about 5:30/6 am, and after tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, you will set off on your morning game drive to see what you can find.

After the excitement of the drive, you will be welcomed back with a big breakfast. You now have a couple of hours to relax before it’s time for lunch. You may wish to enjoy a nap, or you may wish to relax in the pool. My recommendation? Get yourself a good book and relax on the swinging chair! After lunch is served, the daily routine repeats itself.

On your final day at Shimungwe, you will check out after breakfast and make your way to your final stay on the trip: Tanda Tula Lodge. The drive will take about 2 hours.

3 nights at Tanda Tula Lodge – Timbavati Game Reserve

For your final three nights, I would recommend treating yourself to a stay at Tanda Tula, one of the premier safari lodges in South Africa. It is also the lodge with the best food!! They have awards to corroborate that! The staff is spectacular at Tanda Tula, and nothing is too big or small. Evans, part of the welcome committee, will forever remain engrained in my memory as the most cheer-inducing individual I have ever met!

An introduction to Timbavati Game Reserve

Timbavati Game Reserve is a renowned private game reserve located in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. It forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, sharing unfenced borders that allow wildlife to roam freely between the reserves. Spanning approximately 53,000 hectares (131,000 acres), Timbavati is celebrated for its diverse ecosystems and rich wildlife populations.

Timbavati is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including the Big Five. The reserve is also famous for its rare white lions, which are occasionally spotted in the area. Other notable species include cheetahs, African wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and numerous bird species.

Timbavati Game Reserve is deeply committed to conservation and sustainable tourism. The reserve actively participates in anti-poaching initiatives and wildlife protection programs. Additionally, Timbavati works closely with local communities to promote environmental education and economic development through responsible tourism.

What to expect from Tanda Tula

This intimate, tented camp provides guests with an authentic safari experience while ensuring the utmost comfort and elegance. The seven spacious suites are beautifully furnished with plush bedding, en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers, and private decks with plunge pools overlooking the serene African bush. The lodge’s design harmonizes with its natural surroundings, creating a peaceful retreat where you can unwind after adventurous game drives.

At Tanda Tula Safari Lodge, the focus is on personalized service and exceptional wildlife encounters. My favourite part? Sitting out by the pool and watching all the elephants come to the watering hole in the afternoons! That, and the gourmet dining under the stars!

The routine at Tanda Tula

The routine is the same, but with the added bonus of high tea before you go out on your game drives. They also arrange bush breakfasts right by the river bed, which is extra special. Honestly, you won’t eat anywhere better than here!

On your first day, you will arrive in time for lunch and a chance to relax in your own private plunge pool before convening in the lounge for high tea ahead of your evening game drive. Don’t miss the Eaton Mess!

During our first game drive, I encountered the cutest baby elephant! It kept mock-charging our truck in the most comical way. Sundowners are also part of every safari, and you can enjoy your favourite cocktail in the middle of the bush while watching the sky turn red.

Once back, you are guaranteed to be delighted by a gourmet dinner. The location changes every night, from group dinners in the boma to intimate dinners on the deck. I can make you one promise: you won’t find better food on safari in South Africa!

Don’t expect lie-ins during this 10-day South African safari itinerary. The wake-up call at Tanda Tula will also be between 5:30 and 6 am. But these early wake-up calls are always worth it. I highly recommend booking a massage between your morning and evening game drives.

An alternative to Tanda Tula

Tanda Tula was amazing, but it is a 5-star lodge with the appropriate price tag. If you are looking for something that still provides all the comfort but at a lower price point, then I’d recommend Simbavati River Lodge, a 4-star that punches well above its weight. The lodge overlooks an active riverbed, which is a massive draw, and the impeccable service and delicious food are also impressive.

At Simbavati River Lodge, you will also find a spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, and a waterhole right in front of the camp that is frequented by wildlife all day. So you really can’t go wrong here either.

Regardless of whether you stay at Tanda Tula or Simbavati, on your final day of this 10-day South Africa safari itinerary, you will be picked up after one final breakfast with a camera full of pictures and a lifetime’s worth of memories and driven to Hoedspruit Airport which is about 1.5 hours away.

It is never easy to say goodbye to the African bush, but all good things must come to an end—unless you are like me and find a way of making a living by constantly being on safari!

Considerations before booking a safari

When I first started researching safaris in South Africa, I was blown away. So many game reserves and properties seemingly offer the same services that I didn’t know where to start. This is where Evan from Nala Africa Safaris came in. We had connected on Instagram, so I reached out to get some advice, and he ended up planning my entire six-week trip for me.

One of the primary considerations when booking a safari in South Africa is the traversing rights. Even though various lodges may be located within the same game reserve, not all lodges have the same traversing rights, which means you could be tracking an animal only for it to cross an invisible line that you are not allowed to follow.

Having the help of someone in the know can make all the difference to your enjoyment, so I urge you to reach out to Evan to help you plan or at least advise you on your upcoming adventure. He is a lodge expert and will, therefore, be able to match you to the perfect properties while keeping everything within your budget.

Will I be bored with so much downtime?

I’m used to Tanzanian safaris, where you are on the go all day, so I was unsure how I would adapt to South African safaris, where you have the middle of the day to yourself. I was expecting to have all this time to crack on with work or relax, but the reality is that I had no time to get bored. This is what a typical routine looks like:

5:30- 6 am: Wake Up call

6 – 6:30 am: Morning game drive

8:30 – 9 am: Stop for a morning coffee in the bush (why not add a splash of Amarula?)

10 – 10:30 am: Return to camp for breakfast (or bush breakfast). The pace is always relaxed, and you will undoubtedly end up sharing stories with other guests.

11 (ish): Time to relax. Why not book a massage or keep fit by visiting the gym? Or perhaps, like me, you will find some visitors by your room and will end up entertained watching wildlife from your decking.

1 pm: Lunch. In some lodges, this could be a picnic, which you can enjoy wherever you like; in others, it may be a sit-down meal.

No better investment in yourself, thank taking time to relax

Once you have finished lunch until 3 pm, you have free time to relax. In Tanda Tula, I spent this time in the pool enjoying the company of a herd of elephants, while at Shimungwe, I sat on the swinging chair catching up on my socials. One of the best things about being out in the bush is the chance to recharge and connect with nature. Don’t underestimate just how fast time will pass when surrounded by the wild.

3 – 3:30 pm: Time for your next game drive. Some places will offer afternoon tea beforehand.

6 pm (ish): Sundowners in the bush –  another chance for more Amarula?

6:30 – 7:30 pm: Return to camp for dinner after a short game drive in the dark. Dinner is usually finished around 8:30 – 9 pm, leaving enough time for a couple of drinks before you undoubtedly want to lie down for the night.

Beyond a 10-day South Africa safari

This itinerary is specifically for avid safari goers. I have written additional itineraries that include a mix of culture, scenery, and safaris, depending on what takes your fancy.

I fell in love with South Africa’s diversity, and it would be a shame to come and not explore more of it. If you have the time, add four days in Cape Town; you won’t regret it. Alternatively, if you want to explore jaw-dropping landscapes, use Ubuntu Luxury Villa in Hoedspruit as your base and explore the Panorama Route and Blyde Canyon.

Evan from Nala Africa Safaris can help you arrange all of those, or alternatively, check out my other South African itineraries. I’m always writing new ones, so make sure you sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss any of them!

Why am I recommending the Kruger Greater Area and not Kruger National Park?

You may have noticed that all the recommendations lie within the Greater Kruger Area rather than Kruger National Park. You might be wondering why. There are no fences between the Greater Kruger Area and Kruger National Park, so in essence, they are one and the same, and animals can move freely between them, meaning that the opportunity to spot wildlife will not be compromised. In fact, it will be enhanced!

While in Kruger National Park you can enjoy a self-drive safari, in the game reserves you will be on game drives with an expert guide and tracker. In fact, the lodges I have recommend have the best guides and trackers to ensure they truly enhance your safari experience. They can also drive off-road, and therefore, you will also be able to get much closer to wildlife. In contrast, in Kruger, you are limited to the marked roads, so if an animal decides to go into the bushy overgrowth, you will no longer be able to see them.

I find guided drives much more enriching and fulfilling, something which I discuss at length in my self-drive safari post. You can get private guides in Kruger, but they don’t do anywhere near as good a job and are more like drivers and spotters than educators.

There are private lodges within Kruger that also offer an all-inclusive experience. However, those guides are still required to stick to the marked roads, which again can be very limiting for game viewing.

For all these reasons, I recommend the Greater Kruger Area (which, for all intents and purposes, is the same as Kruger National Park).

How do I book this 10-day South Africa safari itinerary?

You could try to book it all yourself, but I’d advise against it. Instead, I recommend you contact Evan from Nala Africa Safaris, who will be able to organize it all for you and tailor the itinerary to your needs.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with Evan while in South Africa, and I was so impressed with his knowledge and passion for all things safari. He went above and beyond so many times during my six-week trip to make sure I had the best time, and even when I was doing activities that in no way benefited him (like self-drives), he was still always on hand with advice and recommendations.

Honestly, even if you intend to book it all yourself, reach out to Evan first! His email address is: evan@nalaafrica.com

My final thoughts on this 10-day South Africa safari itinerary

I can only think of one flaw in this itinerary: there is so much more to do! So, if you can extend your trip, do it! You won’t regret it!