Night 1
See Tripadvisor ReviewsThe Aviator Hotel in Johannesburg
The Aviator Hotel is a comfortable lodge near the airport in Johannesburg, offering a nice pool and well-equipped rooms.
Explore the natural wonders of South Africa by foot
There is no place on earth quite like South Africa. This country is one of the most stunning and diverse on earth, and there is no better way to experience it than on foot. The South African Hiking and Kruger Safari takes you through some of the most pristine hiking landscape in South Africa for a truly unforgettable adventure.
The South African Hiking and Kruger Safari leads you high into the jagged mountains of Drakensberg, where deep valleys and misty forests await. Spot Mozambique on a clear day from atop a 1000m sheer cliff, then meet eyes with baboons while you descend through the trees.
This tour also takes you into the famous Kruger National Park, where youâll be able to see lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, zebras, and more in their natural habitat. After sunset game drives, youâll descend deep into the canyons at Hazyview, trekking over suspension bridges in the places where Stone Age humans made their homes. The South African Hiking and Kruger Safari is a one-of-a-kind chance to immerse yourself in South Africaâs most scenic places, so book today!
Welcome to South Africa! Johannesburg is one of the largest cities in South Africa, and this is where your hiking tour begins. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
After breakfast, youâve got a longer day of driving ahead. Youâll arrive in Kruger National Park in the afternoon. Kruger is South Africaâs most renowned game reserve, home to lion, cheetah, hyena, elephant, zebra, and more. Once you enter the park, enjoy a game drive on your way to tonightâs rest camp.
Your hiking tour of South Africa kicks off with a morning hike around the Olifants River, led by a local game ranger. Then, you can enjoy breakfast and a siesta before your sunset game drive departs. Enjoy the majesty of Kruger under the setting sun, watching animals emerge and engage in hunt and play.
Today youâll head off for another area just outside of the park, enjoying a relaxed game drive to Satara Rest Camp. Enjoy the fever trees and friendly resident birds before heading off to your camp for the night. Youâre nearly guaranteed to meet animals along the way, so keep your eyes out the window.
Ready for the first big hike of the trip? Youâll depart from the lodge in the morning and start your hike on the Bushpig Trail, which traverses over the Marleskop Mountains of Eastern Drakensberg. Baboons and bushbuck peek out at you from the forest, and over 2000 plant species can be found as you pass through. Enjoy a picnic lunch, and then a vehicle will pick you up after your hike and take you back to the lodge. Enjoy a cold beer, dinner, and the view before bed.
Day 6 of your South African hiking tour takes you to Hazyview, a small farming town surrounded by fruit orchards. Hazyview is an adventurerâs paradise, with mountain biking, quadding, ziplining, tubing, and river rafting all available to you. Youâll eat breakfast on the way to Blyde River Canyon, where a hike over rocky terrain will give you fantastic views into the steep canyon. Then, near Hazyview youâll hike to Bourkeâs Luck Potholes, a collection of swirling whirlpools. Continue on to Godâs Window, an area with incredible canyons, waterfalls, and rock formations. This beautiful region is known as Paradise Country, and itâll be clear to you why it got its name. Once youâve traversed the sheer cliffs, itâs onwards to the Graskop Gorge Lift. This lift will whisk you down the face of the gorge below, where you can travel across walkways and suspension bridges through the forest. Finally, itâs to the hotel for dinner and an evening of relaxing.
All too soon, itâs the last full day of your hiking tour in South Africa. Before heading to the hotel in Johannesburg, youâll have the chance to shop at the Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre, which supports local artisans. Lunch will be served in the lovely village of Kaapschehoop, where wild horses roam freely. Youâll head up on the Escarpment Trail to enjoy stunning views over a sheer, 1000m drop into the Barberton Valley below. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mozambique! Legend has it that ghosts haunt the area, so before too long youâll hop into the car to head to Johannesburg for the night.
8 days of unforgettable hiking later, itâs time to leave South Africa. After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will take you to the airport. Safe travels home!
This guided hiking tour of South Africa is run as a custom tour for you and your group. The pricing depends on how many people are in your group.
Prices below are per person:
Please note that the pricing might change depending on the availability and the group size
This tour is based in 3-star hotels and safari lodges. The hotels offer comfortable rooms with great locations. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $195USD to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travellers up where possible.
The Aviator Hotel is a comfortable lodge near the airport in Johannesburg, offering a nice pool and well-equipped rooms.
This lodge is situated on a hill overlooking the Olifants River in Kruger National Park, offering fantastic views and plenty of recreation opportunities.
This lodge is only a stoneâs throw from the heart of Kruger National Park. The rooms are traditionally decorated, spacious, and comfortable.
Gecko Lodge offers ensuite rooms with beautiful gardens, and is known for its peaceful atmosphere.
The Aviator Hotel is a comfortable lodge near the airport in Johannesburg, offering a nice pool and well-equipped rooms.
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodation for 7 nights is included.
Personal and luggage transfer to and from the airport is included, as well as transportation during the tour.
How hard is the South African Hiking and Kruger Safari?
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will be hiking short to moderate distances on easy terrain, with one longer day that can be shortened.
Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the South African Hiking and Kruger Safari?
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Johannesburg to start this tour?
You can fly directly into OR Tambo International Airport, where you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
Is the South African Hiking and Kruger Safari guided?
Yes, you will have an English-speaking guide for the duration of the tour.
Where does the South African Hiking and Kruger Safari end?
The tour ends in Johannesburg, where you will be transferred to the airport.
Are equipment rentals included?
No, please bring any personal equipment desired.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to South Africa?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for South Africa?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UKâs Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to South Africa for this tour?
The South African Hiking and Kruger Safari is available from January to the end of October. South Africa experiences very hot summers and occasionally chilly winters, so many travellers enjoy visiting in the late spring or early fall.
All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.
Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.
Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the âAsk a Questionâ button below.
There are no written reviews yet.
58 total ratings, 0 with reviewsStephen L.
Iâve been using 10Adventures route guides for a while, but had never booked a tour. My wife and I booked a self-guided hike in Greece and were so impressed with how we were able navigate the route without a guide with the detailed and easy to follow itinerary. We enjoy travelling independently, and 10Adventures made that happen.
Melinda S.
I was going through a tough time and really needed a getaway so I decided to book a tour through 10Adventures. My trip to Peru changed my life in so many positive and eye-opening ways. I am so thankful for the kind, empathetic team at 10Adventures.
Lina K.
Iâve adventured around a lot of Canada and the US, but Iâve always wanted to explore other parts of the world. I felt a bit scared before booking my trip to Israel, but my conversations with the team at 10Adventures helped ease any worry. I canât wait to explore more of the world!
Gabriela H.
Travel companies have had to go through a lot during the pandemic but 10Adventures were super flexible and accommodating nonetheless. I had to cancel my tour in France due to the pandemic. 10Adventures was great and let me reschedule for a later date!
Mikael V.
My wife Sarah and I had a great experience booking our 7-day cycling trip through Portugal via 10Adventures. The communication between us and Nadine leading up the trip was top-notch!
Alexandra D.
Communicating with 10Adventures feels like talking with a family-run business. I love to explore and travel, and exploring with the comfort of knowing I can talk to the team at 10Adventures with almost immediate feedback helps to ease any stress that comes with adventuring!
Eric S.
Whenever Iâm looking for my next adventure 10Adventures never fails. Their routes all over England are my main go to for exploring and I have only had great experiences booking both guided and self-guided trips in Europe and South America with them. I am looking into Africa next.
Valeria R.
I tend to have a lot of questions before travelling and was so happy to find that the team at 10Adventures responded to every single one of my inquiries in a timely fashion. I was never left waiting and waiting for a response. This was much appreciated!
Isabella N.
I have horrible dietary issues making it super hard to book a pre-planned trip sometimes, but the communication through 10Adventures helped me navigate this situation! I am so grateful for all of their help. I cant wait to book with them again!
Erika S.
I just got back from backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, and WOW. What an unreal journey! The alpine meadows, waterfalls, and the lakeside camping spot were memorable highlights! I wonder what other tours 10Adventures has to offer. That one went so well that I am now convinced I need to book another!
Robert D.
I'm not a big fan of traveling because of my fear of flying, but my girlfriend convinced me to go on the Aurora Borealis Tour in the Yukon. I will never forget the mesmerizing northern lights. Such a romantic (and cold) getaway. I would highly recommend it.
Monica L.
Wow! I am so happy with the experience I had with booking through 10Adventures for my tour in Italy! I worked with Nadine and she was super easy-going and helpful when it came to tweaking the itinerary provided on the website. 10/10 would book through 10Adventures again.
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will be hiking short to moderate distances on easy terrain, with one longer day that can be shortened.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana
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