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Santiago to South Africa: Johannesburg and Kruger National Park

Santiago → Johannesburg → Kruger National Park

Johannesburg
"Johannesburg_skyline_2017.jpg" by Mark Hillary, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Johannesburg skyline 2017 (Johannesburg)
Photo: Mark Hillary, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Big Five safari Best season (general guide): May–Sep

Kruger National Park is one of Africa's largest reserves, and the winter dry season is the best time to see wildlife there. This plan spends two nights in Johannesburg and five in the park. From Santiago you'll connect through São Paulo or another hub.

In Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum tells the story of segregation and the struggle against it. A guided visit to Soweto adds the township's history.

The drive east to the Lowveld can follow the Panorama Route, with viewpoints over the Blyde River Canyon. In Kruger, the SANParks rest camps make a good base, and the park runs guided dawn and night drives. Moving camps halfway through lets you see different parts of the park. Private reserves along the western boundary offer drives with guides and trackers.

From May to September, the grass is short and animals gather at water, making them easier to see, according to SANParks. Mornings and evenings are cold, so pack warm clothes for the open vehicles.

Pacing: self-driving in Kruger is easy on good roads, but speed limits are strict and the gates have set opening and closing times, so plan your day around them. Book rest camps early, especially in the school holidays.

Guided morning walks and night drives run by SANParks are a good way to see the park with expert guides. Take binoculars and a field guide to help identify the birds and animals.

Ask a travel clinic about malaria prevention for the Lowveld before you go. In Johannesburg, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps and keep valuables out of sight.

Rest camps have shops, restaurants and braai areas for cooking your own dinner.

Sunrise and sunset are the best times on the roads, when predators are most active.

Suggested outline

  1. Santiago

    Start

  2. Johannesburg

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    The Apartheid Museum and a guided visit to Soweto.

  3. Kruger National Park

    Overland · 5 nights suggested

    Five nights of self-drive and guided game drives, staying in rest camps.

    Kruger National Park
    "Kruger_Zebra.JPG" by Nithin bolar k, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Johannesburg — Arrive; rest· Santiago → Johannesburg (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Johannesburg — Apartheid Museum and Soweto
  3. Day 3 · Kruger National Park — Drive to the Lowveld via the Panorama Route· Johannesburg → Kruger National Park (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Kruger National Park — Dawn and afternoon game drives
  5. Day 5 · Kruger National Park — Game drives in the south
  6. Day 6 · Kruger National Park — Move camps; drives
  7. Day 7 · Kruger National Park — Final drives
  8. Day 8 · Kruger National Park — Travel home from Kruger National Park· Kruger National Park → Johannesburg (overland), then Johannesburg → Santiago (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

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Johannesburg

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Kruger National Park

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