South Africa Road Trip: Kruger, Cape and coast

Sunglasses, bags, camera, a yearning to explore – you've got everything you need, and you're headed to the airport! As your plane rolls down the runway, you get more and more hyped about what lies ahead. You lean back, snuggle up in your seat and start dreaming of all the adventures that await you in the African wilderness. One thing's for sure: this is going to be the trip of a lifetime!

Three, two, one, landed! Finally, your feet are on South African soil – thousands of miles away from home. Crazy, right?
The doors of your hire car unlock with a gentle click, and now you're ready to go. Adventure's calling! You're obviously hungry for your next adventure, but if you're literally hungry, too, head to Nelson Mandela Square, which boasts a statue of the leader after whom it was named and numerous restaurants. Is it the weekend? Then head to the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein! The spot is a meeting place for young South Africans who want to enjoy a relaxed vibe between delicious food, arts and crafts and live music. And if you're looking for hip cafes, jazz bars and art galleries, you'll find them in the trendy district of Maboneng. Visit a rooftop bar and admire huge murals as you enjoy a refreshing cocktail and make your day absolutely perfect.

The open road is calling – and you're answering! You wave goodbye to the city lights for now because you're off into the wild. South Africa's nature simply pulls out all the stops. So, you grab your hire car and step on the accelerator! The drive may be long, but with these views, who cares! Viewpoints keep popping up that you can't possibly ignore, and you can't help but make a quick stop for the perfect Insta pic. And just before your destination, another real showstopper awaits: the Blyde River Canyon! You have to make a small detour to get there, but it's 100% worth it; the panoramic view is simply insane!
The closer you get to where you're staying for the next couple of days, the more your excitement grows. And then you finally arrive. Tonight, you're bunking down in a breathtaking glamping lodge right by Kruger National Park! But tomorrow, you're fully dedicating yourself to a peaceful day in the park.

As you drink your coffee on the veranda, looking out across the picturesque gardens, you write the names of the Big Five on a piece of paper. Today's the day you check them off one by one! You take your hire car through the mighty Kruger National Park, which is right next to where you're staying, and embark on a self-drive safari (optional, payable on site). After just a few miles, you hit the brakes. Dark, gentle eyes appear between the leaves, a huge foot steps onto the road and suddenly, you realise what's happening. Right in front of you, an elephant emerges from the thicket! After it passes, you make a brief stop to watch a feeding giraffe hiding behind the next tree, then you reach the first watering hole. A herd of zebras has gathered, and they're having a drink at the shore while two antelopes check for lurking dangers and even more elephants come out for some refreshment. You could watch this all day long!