South Africa road trip: Glamping, city life and the Big Five

Sunglasses, bags, camera, a yearning to explore – you've got everything you need, and you're heading 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 gonna 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 and tuck into a hearty South African dinner between rooftop restaurants and the huge Mandela statue. And if it's the weekend, Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein is the place to be! Live music and chill locals – here, it's all about pure 'Jozi' vibes. Afterwards, roll over to Maboneng for a top-notch urban adventure, complete with colourful street art, cool concept stores and hidden jazz clubs. Then for the finale, nab a stool in a rooftop bar and raise a glass to Joburg! 

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.

Enjoying a hot cup of coffee on the veranda with a view of the radiant gardens, you write the names of the Big Five on a piece of paper. Today's the day to check them all off one by one! In an open 4x4 game viewer, your assigned ranger takes you and other explorers through the impressive Kruger National Park, which is right next to your lodge. You've barely driven a short distance when you stop again. Dark, gentle eyes emerge from between the leaves, and a huge foot steps onto the dusty path. Only now do you realise what's happening. It’s an elephant exiting the thicket to cross the road right in front of you! A quick stop to watch a feeding giraffe half hidden behind the next tree, then you reach the first waterhole. A herd of zebras drinking on the bank, two antelopes cautiously checking to ensure there's no lurking danger and more elephants – you could watch this all day long!