Three days is enough to sleep in a Boeing, spend a full day in Kruger and see the Panorama Route. This itinerary runs Friday to Sunday from Johannesburg or Pretoria, with Aerotel in Hoedspruit as your base. Stretch it to four or five nights if you want a slower pace.
The trip at a glance
- Length: 3 days, 2 nights
- Drive from Johannesburg: about 5 hours (450 to 490 km). From Pretoria about 4½ hours. You can also fly Airlink or CemAir to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS), about 10 minutes from Aerotel.
- Base: Aerotel Hoedspruit, a Boeing 737-200 and a Boeing 727-100 turned into hotel cabins
- Kruger: Orpen Gate is 64 km, about an hour from Aerotel
- Best time: The dry winter months, May to October, are best for game viewing. The park is green and quieter in summer.
Day 1, Friday: drive to the Lowveld
Leave early to beat the traffic and head east on the N4, then north through Dullstroom and over the Abel Erasmus Pass. Dullstroom makes a good coffee stop about halfway. Aim to reach Hoedspruit in the early afternoon.
Check-in times are shown when you book, and the crew can arrange earlier arrival if the cabin is ready. Take a first look inside your aircraft, then spend the afternoon at the pool. At the end of the day, have dinner at the Runway restaurant, which serves guests and the public until 20:00.
Day 2, Saturday: a full day in Kruger
Start early, because animals are most active in the first hours after the gates open. Gate opening and closing times change with the season, so check the SANParks website before you go. Allow about an hour from Aerotel to Orpen Gate.
The area around Orpen and Satara is well known for lion and leopard sightings, and the waterholes are worth a patient stop. Take water, snacks and a picnic, bring your Wild Card or buy a day permit at the gate, and plan to be back out of the park before the gates close. If you would rather not drive, ask the crew about guided game drives.
Back at Aerotel, share the day's sightings over a drink and dinner at the Runway.
Day 3, Sunday: Panorama Route, then home
After a leisurely breakfast and check-out, head towards the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world. The usual stops are:
- Three Rondavels viewpoint, the classic view over the Blyde River Canyon
- Bourke's Luck Potholes, rock formations carved by swirling water, with short walking paths
- God's Window, a viewpoint over the Lowveld that is often in cloud, so mornings are your best chance
- Graskop, for lunch and a stretch before the drive home
From Graskop, most visitors go home via Lydenburg and Dullstroom or via Sabie and the N4. Plan on about 5 to 6 hours back to Johannesburg. Our guide to the Panorama Route from Hoedspruit has more detail on each stop.
What to pack
- For Kruger: binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, neutral-coloured clothing, a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water
- For comfort: a light jacket for cool mornings, swimwear for the pool, comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent
- For the road: a charger or power bank, offline maps, some cash, snacks and your ID
What does it cost?
Your biggest cost is the accommodation, and rates change with season and availability, so the price for your dates is shown live when you check availability. Breakfast is included in the 737 cabins and the 727 is bed and breakfast. On top of that, budget for fuel, Kruger entry fees (check the current SANParks tariff), and meals and activities.
Make it your own
- With children: children of all ages are welcome, and the Boeing 727 Presidential Jet can be booked for exclusive use by 4 to 6 guests. See family accommodation at Aerotel.
- As a couple: see a romantic getaway in Hoedspruit.
- More days: add a second Kruger day or a balloon flight. See things to do near Aerotel.
Ready to book? Check availability and live rates, or ask the crew to help plan your weekend. They also write about who they are.
Frequently asked questions
Is a long weekend enough for Kruger and the Panorama Route?
Yes. Orpen Gate is about an hour from Aerotel, so Saturday can be a full day in the park, and the Panorama Route fits on Sunday on the way home.
How far is Aerotel from Johannesburg?
About 450 to 490 km, roughly 5 hours by road. From Pretoria it is about 4½ hours.
Can I fly instead of driving?
Yes. Airlink and CemAir fly to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS), about 10 minutes from Aerotel.
When are the Kruger gates open?
Opening and closing times change with the season. Check the SANParks website before you go.
Are children welcome?
Yes. Children of all ages are welcome at Aerotel.
