Sydafrika

Hi We really hope someone can give us an advice. After a arrival in Pretoria and a business meeting we have 5 days before going on a plane to Cape Town. Our plan is: Rent a car for 5 days and go to Graskop. Stay there for the 5 days, exploring the area and maybe go on a day tour to Kruger NP. Then return to Pretoria returning the car before going to Johannesburg airport. It’s our first trip to South Africa. Is it a good or bad plan ? Best wishes Susanne and Jesper

Gardyloo

I think it's doable, but much depends on where in Kruger NP you want to go; it's a very big park and not all parts are within daytrip range of Graskop. I'd probably head toward the main Skukuza rest camp and do some kind of loop from there; I'd allow 2 hours each way between Graskop and destinations like Skukuza.

Depending on your budget, you might think about spending a night (or two if possible) in a game lodge in one of the private reserves that abut the national park, such as the Sabi Sand reserve. These lodges can go off-road (not allowed in the park) and go on nighttime game drives, greatly expanding the opportunities for wildlife viewing. A morning departure from Graskop would put you in these reserves in time for the evening drive the first night, then a morning drive the next day and an evening drive if you can manage two nights. You'd leave on the third morning for the drive back to Graskop (around 2 - 2 1/2 hours) - or all the way to Pretoria (around 6 hours.)

It's likely to be quite hot and humid, maybe rainy, and you should decide whether to include malaria prophylaxis in your planning.

We stayed a couple of times at the Graskop Hotel - love the place, full of funky art - and you have to walk next door to Harrie's Pancakes at least once, but beware of addiction. The Panorama route loop from Graskop is stunning.