Ilse and her family were traveling in South Africa with a rental car

16 Days in South Africa - an Unforgettable Journey Between Safari, Gorges, and the Indian Ocean

On this trip, we were able to experience breathtaking landscapes, intense safari adventures, and relaxing days at the Indian Ocean.

Particularly, the combination of several wildlife reserves was fantastic. We saw different landscapes and animal worlds, and of course, we were able to observe the famous 'Big Five' in their natural habitat.

Our journey began with a domestic flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit and then took us to the Blyde River Canyon.

From there, we drove along the Panorama Route to Hazyview. Passing by spectacular landscapes, waterfalls, and pristine nature ....

Next, we went to Kruger National Park, where we could observe the fascinating wildlife.

Alongside elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, impalas, and many other animals, we also saw leopards, lions, and cheetahs!

A truly special experience was the 'Train on the Bridge.' An extraordinary ambiance in the middle of the African wilderness!

From here, we continued to the Mjejane Reserve on the Crocodile River.

With experienced rangers, we went on a game drive early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Each game drive is different - and that's what makes safari so fascinating!

You never know what awaits you around the next corner ....

The onward journey then took us through the Kingdom of eSwatini. Traditional villages, agriculture, and the traditional way of life are palpable there.

From here, our journey continued south towards KwaZulu-Natal. Our destination was the Rhino River Reserve, where another intense nature and safari experience awaited us. The region is known for its rhino population, and of course, we could also observe these impressive animals during the game drives. This lodge was also extraordinarily beautiful!

As a highlight, we encountered eight lions on our last safari, with whom we were face to face! Unforgettable!

From the wilderness, we then headed to the east coast of the Indian Ocean. Here too, we were lucky enough to observe more animals!

A pod of dolphins swam along the coast - a dream!

At the end of our eventful journey, we returned from Durban to Johannesburg and back to Frankfurt.