These photos were taken during 16 days driving through South Africa and Swaziland. In the middle of it we went to Namibia for 12 days, but I have kept that out of the gallery and the costs overview below. I posted a separate trip report for Namibia here earlier.

I'll be happy to provide more information if you request it. Below you will find a preemptive strike on my behalf, covering our route and all costs.

If you want an even fuller trip report (100 photos), please see http://bjornfree.com/safi/

At about 70 USD per day, I think this trip was great value for money. We had full freedom to go anywhere we wanted, and we did. The costs could be brought down a lot by camping instead of using hotels/cottages, but we were able to find proper beds within our price range every night.

Route:

• August 1: Johannesburg - Rustenberg
• August 2: Rustenberg - Sun City - Lichtenburg
• August 3: Lichtenburg - Kimberley
• August 4: Kimberley - Upington

(Went to Namibia between here, see https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/3pcshu/my_highlights_from_12_excellent_days_of_selfdrive/ )

• August 17: Upington - Bloemfontein
• August 18: Bloemfontein - Amphitheatre (Drakensberg)
• August 19: Amphitheatre - Saint Lucia
• August 20: Saint Lucia - Hluhluwe
• August 21: Driving in Hluhluwe-iMFolozi National Park
• August 22: Hluhluwe - Mlilwane (Swaziland)
• August 23: Mlilwane - Hlane National Park (Swaziland)
• August 24: Hlane - Malelane (South Africa)
• August 25: Malelane - Hazyview (Kruger Park full day game drive)
• August 26: Hazyview - Blyde River Canyon - Sabie
• August 27: Sabie - Johannesburg

Costs:

Note that all costs are for two people combined. Accommodations were all double rooms with bathroom, mostly nice ones. We booked nothing ahead, just found a place to stay when or just before it got dark. Could have been a lot cheaper with some planning.

Altogether: 16 nights for 10,702 rand (770 USD, 705 Euro)

• 1 night Rustenberg Road Lodge: 585 rand
• 1 night Lichtenburg Lakeside Guesthouse: 740 rand
• 1 night Kimberley Road Lodge: 580 rand
• 1 night Upington Eiland Camp: 600 rand
• 1 night Upington Hotel Desert Palace: 760 rand
• 1 night Bloemfontein Road Lodge: 580 rand
• 1 night Amphitheatre Backpackers: 550 rand
• 1 night Saint Lucia Sunset Lodge: 850 rand
• 1 night Hluhluwe Gooderson Dumazulu: 835 rand
• 1 night Hluhluwe Bushbaby Lodge: 660 rand
• 1 night Mlilwane Wildlife Reserve: 795 rand
• 1 night Hlane Ndlovu Camp: 815 rand
• 1 night Malelane Selati 103 Guest Cottages: 590 rand
• 1 night Hazyview Kruger Adventure Lodge: 400 rand
• 1 night Sadie Merry Pebbles: 562 rand
• 1 night Randburg (Johannesburg) Mercure: 800 rand

Transportation:

• Rental car (as part of a 28 day rental including Namibia side trip): 430 USD , 375 Euro
• Fuel: 6445 rand (465 USD, 425 Euro)

Eating:

Our food was pretty evenly split between stocking up at supermarkets and eating out.

• Supermarkets: 2104 rand (150 USD, 140 Euro)
• Eating out 9 nights: 2145 rand (150 USD, 140 Euro)

Attractions and national park fees:

• Predator park: 250 rand
• Sun City: 120 rand
• Big Hole: 180 rand
• Royal Natal National Park: 80 rand
• Crocodile Center: 100 rand
• iSimangaliso: 131 rand
• Hluhluwe-iMfolozi: 231 rand
• Mlilwane Wildlife Reserve: 80 rand
• Hlane National Park: 80 rand
• Hlane Sunset drive: 650 rand
• Kruger National Park: 525 rand (first day)
• Kruger National Park: 525 rand (second day)
• Blyde River Canyon: 100 rand
• Lion Park: 90 rand

Altogether: 3142 rand (230 USD, 210 Euro)

Other expenses:

• SIM Card with 3 GB data: 350 rand (25 USD, 23 Euro)
• Speeding ticket: 750 rand (54 USD, 50 Euro)

Total:

• Total costs: 2274 USD, 2068 Euro
• Per person: 1137 USD, 1034 Euro
• Per person per day: 71 USD, 64 Euro

I hope you find this useful. Happy trails! :)