Spend ten days discovering the Panorama Route, Kruger National Park, Eswatini, St Lucia, and Ballito. Fly into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) and pick up your rental car, which you’ll drop off at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban at the end of your trip. This travel route in South Africa is adventurous, so expect some potholes (especially in Mpumalanga) and varying road infrastructure. Sometimes the itinerary includes different options which are marked as 'optional'.
Total Driving Distance: ~950 km (590 miles)
Route: Kruger Airport → Graskop (Panorama Route) → Kruger National Park (Satara to Berg-en-Dal) → Eswatini (Lobamba) → St Lucia → Ballito → Durban Airport
Best Time to Go: Autumn shoulder season (April to May) for mild weather and thinning vegetation (better for spotting wildlife), or the late dry season (September to October) when animals congregate around water holes.