From Panorama to Plains: My Recent Adventure in South Africa
South Africa has a way of getting under your skin: big skies, bigger views, and those heart‑thumping wildlife moments you replay again and again. On my recent trip I combined dramatic landscapes, unforgettable safari experiences and powerful history, travelling from the Blyde River Canyon to Kruger and on to Johannesburg and Soweto.
We started in Mpumalanga, where the landscape suddenly drops away into one of the world’s largest canyons. Standing at Three Rondavels and God’s Window, I felt tiny against the sweep of the Blyde River Canyon, with layers of green-cloaked cliffs and deep ravines disappearing into the distance.
From there, we moved closer to wildlife territory, staying first at Angel Falls View, then at Kruger Gate. Both were ideal bases for easing into safari mode: that lovely balance of comfort, nature on your doorstep and the excitement of knowing the Kruger park gates are just a short drive away.
Kruger needs little introduction, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing it with your own eyes. We spent our days exploring the park and our nights under big starry skies, with some of the most memorable moments at Tshokwane River Camp with Kruger Untamed.
Sunrise and sunset drives delivered those classic African scenes: elephants moving silently through the bush, giraffes silhouetted against the sky, and the thrill of scanning the riverbanks for big cats. There is something very grounding about the rhythm of safari days: early starts, golden light, midday siestas and that magical hour before dark when everything seems to come alive.
One of the absolute highlights was my stay at Kruger Shalati: a luxury train permanently stationed on a bridge suspended above the Sabie River. It is one of those places that makes you stop and think “am I really here?”
From the open-air pool you gaze down at the river below, watching for elephants and hippos, while the carriages have been transformed into stylish suites that still nod to the golden age of rail travel. Waking up on that bridge, with the first light creeping across the water and the sounds of the bush below, is a memory I will hold on to for a very long time.
To balance the wilderness, I finished my journey in Johannesburg, exploring both the city and nearby Soweto. If Kruger is about nature and stillness, Joburg is all energy, creativity and powerful storytelling.
If Safari, Kruger or Johannesburg are on your wish list, message me to start planning your own South Africa adventure tailored around the way you like to travel
