Get ready to delve into the rich and fascinating history of South Africa! We are firm believers that you cannot truly get to know a country without understanding its history. This 10-day itinerary takes you on a journey through time, exploring the country’s incredible past at some of the top historical and cultural sites, including Mapungubwe, the Cradle of Humankind, Mapungubwe National Park, and the Kruger National Park.

South Africa is a truly unique destination, and we believe that its history is one of the things that makes it truly special. Get ready to be blown away by the stories of the past and the beauty of the present. Let’s explore together as we follow this 10-day itinerary!

Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park itinerary – 1 618km

Day 1: Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. Johannesburg is not the most beautiful of cities, but it is steeped in history. Depending on how much time and energy you have, spend the day exploring the city by visiting some of its top attractions, such as the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, and Nelson Mandela Square.

A guided tour of Soweto comes highly recommended. Phillipians 4 FOUR is a popular organized tour company that can take you on full-day or half-day tours. Be sure to include a visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum.

In the evening, try the Thathu Restaurant for some delicious African dishes for dinner. Stay overnight in Johannesburg. The Little Forest Guest House offers reasonably priced accommodation, or check Booking.com.

Day 2: Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

Drive to the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site, about an hour from Johannesburg, for the second leg of our itinerary. This site is known for its collection of hominid fossils and artefacts, including the famous Mrs Ples, Little Foot and Homo Naledi.

A fabulous way to see the area is to take a hot air balloon flight. Air Ventures offer unforgettable flights starting at the Cradle of Humankind.

Head for the Visitors Centre to get an overview of the important fossil discoveries in the area. Visit the Sterkfontein Caves and other caves in the area, where many of these fossils were discovered. Why not stay overnight at the Cradle Boutique Hotel, or head back to Johannesburg for the night?

Day 3: Pretoria and Mokopane

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before driving to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Visit some of its top attractions, such as the Union Buildings and the National Zoological Gardens. The Gardens have a coffee shop on the premises. Alternatively, take a short drive to Grounded at Echo, a coffee shop nearby that we enjoyed while we were there.

Continue along the N1 to Mokopane, a town known for its cultural heritage and history. Visit the Makapansgat Caves, where early human ancestors lived over 3 million years ago. The Makapansgat Valley and Caves are a visually breathtaking area with a rich biodiversity and an important role in the Cradle of Humankind.

This cave system has attracted palaeontologists worldwide. The Makapansgat Limeworks is the oldest site and has evidence of human occupation from the Early Stone Age, while the Hyena Cave contains early hyena remains. To explore the Makapansgat Caves, contact the Arend Dieperink Museum in Mokopane for guided tours that start at the museum at +27 015 491 9735. Stay overnight in Mokopane.

Day 4 & 5: Mapungubwe National Park

The drive north to Mapungubwe National Park is a 3-hour drive, and this marks the halfway point in our itinerary.

Take the N1 to Polokwane, where you can take the opportunity to stock up on groceries, as there are limited options further north.

Then, take the R521 to the Mapungubwe National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Situated along the northern border of South Africa, where Botswana and Zimbabwe converge, Mapungubwe National Park is defined by striking sandstone formations, mopane woodlands, towering baobabs, age-old floodplains, and unique riverine forests that provide a dramatic backdrop for an abundance of wildlife.

Spend the day exploring the Park, home to the remains of an ancient African kingdom dating back to the 11th century. Visit Mapungubwe Hill, which was once the kingdom’s capital, and the Interpretation Centre, which provides insight into the history and culture of the region.

Mapungubwe was a highly sophisticated society, considered to be South Africa’s first kingdom, which flourished between 1050 AD and 1270 AD before it was abandoned in the 14th century.

The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, which includes the untouched remains of palace sites, settlement areas, and two remaining capital sites, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and is now part of the Mapungubwe National Park.

Accommodation is available in the Park.

Day 6 & 7: The Panorama Route

There are two options. From Mapungubwe, drive towards Musina, then head south. This is a slightly longer route but takes you along the back roads to Sabie. The second option is to drive back down the N1 to Polokwane and take the back roads from there. This route is a six-hour drive. We suggest you stop at the little town of Lydenburg for lunch and a well-earned break. You could choose to spend the night just outside of the town so that you are fresh for the next day’s drive, which is where the spectacular scenery begins.

Shortly after you leave Lydenburg, you will drive along the scenic Long Tom Pass to Sabie.

The R532 road, which passes through a variety of serene waterfalls such as Sabie Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Mac Mac Falls, is the most popular section of the route. This scenic route runs from Sabie town and leads to an abundance of stunning destinations, including God’s Window, the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the three Rondawels. Just under 5 kilometres north of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, you can experience the famous Lowveld View, offering an indescribably stunning view of the Blyde River meandering through the valleys below, the Blydepoort Dam in the distance, from a height of 1 219 meters above sea level.

Check out booking.com for the many accommodation options in this area. Your second night in this area could be spent at Graskop or Hazyview. From either of these towns, it is a short drive to the Kruger National Park the next day. At this point, you may want to depart from this itinerary and spend a couple more days here.

Day 8 & 9: Kruger National Park

There are so many rest sites to choose from in the Kruger National Park. The choice of which rest camp to stay in largely depends on which part of the park you wish to explore. Each rest camp offers a unique atmosphere and facilities, and the best way to choose a camp is to research the location and amenities of each camp and choose one that best suits your needs. Once you have selected a camp, you can explore the surrounding area and enjoy the park’s incredible wildlife and natural beauty.

Kruger National Park is a world-renowned wildlife sanctuary that covers nearly 2 million hectares of land, making it one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It is home to an unrivalled diversity of life forms, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros), as well as numerous other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and plants. Take a game drive or drive yourself around at your own pace.

Day 10: Johannesburg

Drive back to Johannesburg and spend the day exploring the city at your leisure, preparing for your trip home. In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of Johannesburg’s many excellent restaurants and perhaps catch a live music performance or show. You can then stay overnight in Johannesburg before heading home the next day. Our itinerary comes to an end, but we hope you will be back to explore more of South Africa soon.

Safe travels, and we hope you enjoyed your stay in South Africa!

If you enjoyed this itinerary, look here for our 5 best road trips in South Africa for more.

Would you like a shorter itinerary?

After your stay in Mokopane, head east towards Blyde River Canyon and then continue on to the Kruger National Park.

Would you like a longer itinerary?

We wouldn’t recommend adding too many other places to this itinerary. Instead, stay a little longer at places you are particularly enjoying. See a bit more of Johannesburg, Pretoria, or the Kruger Park. Pilgrim’s Rest is always an interesting little town, so a detour there would be enjoyable.