Timbavati, Greater Kruger * Panorama Route * Bazaruto Island, Mozambique
This Family Kruger Safari & Mozambique Breakaway is rewarding combination of Big Five adventure and coastal bliss the perfect bush and beach escape. It’s ideal if time is in short supply such as at Easter or one of the shorter school breaks.
Begin your journey with three nights in the Timbavati Wildlife Reserve, a private Greater Kruger game reserve, where family-orientated guides bring the wilderness to life through exciting, educational safari experiences. After your safari, enjoy a scenic tour of the Blyde River Canyon, one of South Africa’s most striking panoramas, before spending a night at a relaxed country inn near Kruger Airport. (Note: We include this night so that you don’t have to miss your final morning game drive, and also to have a relaxing break after the excitement of a safari.)
The adventure continues as you fly directly to the Mozambique coast, where white sands, azure-blue ocean, and coral reefs await. Spend four sun-soaked days swimming, snorkelling, and unwinding among swaying palms and warm Indian Ocean breezes. It’s the perfect way to balance safari adventure with pure relaxation.
Like all Cedarberg Africa journeys, this itinerary is just a flexible starting point. Choose your preferred game lodge or beach retreat, or extend your holiday with a stay in Cape Town, the Winelands or the Whale Coast for a classic two-week family escape.
We show the Upgrade Price using Azura Marlin Lodge.
This itinerary also adapts beautifully as a romantic getaway — see our Cape Town, Kruger & Mozambique honeymoon for inspiration.

On arrival at Hoedspruit Airport you are met and transferred to Simbavati River Lodge in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger Park.
You enjoy open-vehicle game drives with an experienced ranger and tracker who work together to give you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and the natural cycles of the bush. Their bush knowledge, practical skills and love of nature promise you informative, exciting and rewarding encounters with the wildlife.
Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate & friendly game lodge with a stunning river setting in the heart of the wonderful Timbavati Private Game Reserve, known for its excellent leopard sightings. This safari lodge is ideal for safari enthusiasts, couples and families on safari. There’s a choice of tented accommodation for couples with private deck, en suite bathroom as well as outside shower. Families can be accommodated in one of the family chalets which has two separate bedrooms sharing one bathroom. Children over 6 are welcomed on game drives and after breakfast, younger children can enjoy a range of activities with the camp staff from identifying animal tracks, to arts & crafts with natural bush materials they’ve collected, to helping make cookies for tea.
The pattern for the next few days is to rise early with the animals as they start to hunt in the cool of the day. You begin your game drive immediately after early morning tea and coffee. The drive finishes in time for a late breakfast which will be keenly appreciated after your early morning activity.
Relax around the lodge during the heat of the day or take a bush walk with a ranger (adults only). This affords you the ultimate, close-to-the-wild experience, and a chance to focus on the smaller bush inhabitants including birds, insects and butterflies. You can also discover the interesting worlds of trees, grasses, flowers, geology and ecology of course; occasionally big game can be seen on walks including the Big Five. After lunch and a siesta, you meet again for tea which is followed by a late afternoon game drive. As the sun sets, the afternoon drive becomes a night safari following nocturnal animals as they begin to hunt…..
Today you have a final early morning game drive followed by brunch. Then you are collected by your guide for a scenic tour of the Blyde River Canyon en route to your country lodge.
Rissington Inn is an affordable, award-winning country lodge in the heart of the Lowveld close to Hazyview and the Kruger National Park. It is also within easy touring distance of Blyde River Canyon. Stylish but relaxed and informal, the inn is the perfect stopover on your way to the game reserves and an ideal base from which to explore all that the Blyde River area has to offer.
Rissington Inn’s 16 individual rooms and suites are surrounded by 10 acres of extensive colorful gardens and offer comfortable, spacious and airy accommodation. All rooms have their own entrances and verandas. Each has a private bathroom and the garden suites also offer outside showers. The two Hillside Suites each have a spacious sitting room, two en-suites bathrooms, an outside shower, a large stoep, and share a private swimming pool and the best views on the property. Both are ideal for families or 2 couples travelling together.
Rissington Inn’s congenial, easy-going hosts ensure cheerful, attentive hospitality allowing guests total freedom to unwind and enjoy the peace of the bush, lie by the sunny pool or walk down the valley with its spectacular birds and game sightings. The lodge is known for its imaginative cuisine in the a la carte restaurant, in particular, its superb breakfasts and extensive menu.
This morning you are transferred to Kruger Airport in time for the flight to Vilanculos on the Mozambique mainland (included in the tour price). From there you are transferred by boat to your island for a four night stay at the beach.
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is a resort-style lodge with each chalet and villa offering modern luxury, with air-conditioning, mosquito screens, sumptuous en-suite bathrooms, minibars, satellite TV and telephone.
It is hard to imagine somewhere more romantic than the islands of Bazaruto off the coast of Mozambique – empty white sandy beaches, lush vegetation and an azure blue sea for swimming amongst the rich coral life. The protected reefs surrounding the islands support dolphin, dugong, game fish and giant lobster. The shallow, crystal-clear waters offer spectacular safe snorkelling protected by the dazzling soft coral reefs. The more adventurous will enjoy the thrill of a night dive or wreck dive whilst beginners can take a PADI dive course. Experience the exhilaration of big game fishing, fighting marlin (between October and March) as well as barracuda, kingfish, tuna and sailfish.
Upgrade Option: Heli transfer to Azura Marlin Lodge, Ocean View Family Room, Full Board & selected non-motorised activities.
After a last morning enjoying the island you return to Vilanculous by air in time for your return flight to Johannesburg (included in the tour price).
Rough Indication for Domestic flights – We have not included the flight from Johannesburg to Kruger (as you may choose to add on Cape Town at the start), but a rough estimate is R14400 to R18200 for a family of four (approx $885 to $1120).
An estimated price for the flight from the Kruger to Vilanculos and then back to Johannesburg is included in the price above. But it is subject to change.
Sample pricing shows for a family of 4 with 2 children, 12 years and under. Ask us for a quote if you have teenager or more/less children.
Meals and accommodation as shown in digital brochure (Bed & Breakfast for 1 nights, 4 nights on Fully Inclusive and 3 nights on Full Board & Game Activities (excl drinks), road transfers, return flight from Kruger to Vilanculos & then back to Johannesburg, services of a ranger, game drives & activities on safari, non-motorized water sports on Benguerra Island
EXCLUDESFlight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit Airport, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified