We traveled to Kruger national park in September. Although September is the end of dry season, the year of 2016 was very dry and lots of waterholes were dried out. We spent a week in the park; we entered through Punda Maria gate and headed down to Bergendal. The entrance took about 20min, a we started to explore the park shortly. Right away we say impalas, kudus, mongooses; later the same day elephants and giraffes. On our first day we saw almost all major groups of animals, except the predators. Seeing all the game and megafauna was fantastic and jaw dropping, as I only have seen them at a zoo before.
The next day we say a pride of lions sunbathing on the road - also a great scene. I won't be despising each of our days, just will say that we saw the big five game and many more animals, except the wild dog.
The landscape along the road was mostly yellow or red grass, however there were a few stunning canyons. The bird hides were always available.
We rented an
Read more
SUV with a tent and it was enough. All the rest camps have showers, water for cooking and dishwashing, basic stoves and boiling water, and barbecues. Among the rest camps we liked Tzendze the most. A couple of days we stayed in hotel roms (the tents in Lower Sabie facing the river definitely worth every cent).
We didn't do to the restraunts, but there are some with beautiful views over the rivers.
This time we didn't take a guide, however the next time we are going to try a night tour and/or a walking tour. I think if you take a guide it's better chance to see predators.
Among other things I'd like to mention:
we encountered very few mosquitos and insects in general due to the fact it was dry season;
If you travel for a couple of days I'd suggest to take a guided tour
If you're traveling for more then 3 days and are going to visit more sanparks, buy a wild card
Early morning and sunset are the best time for predators and visiting waterholes
Look where the traffic jams are: probably there's something interesting going on
Raffaella
IT
Visited:
August 2016
Reviewed: Nov 28, 2016
Email Raffaella
| 35-50 years of age
| Experience level: over 5 safaris
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
The kruger is so big and so full of animals that you need to go there and stay there for some days sleepling in different lodges
Daryl L. Hunter - Hole Picture Photo Safaris
US
Visited:
October 2016
Reviewed: Nov 16, 2016
An amazing place, full of photo opps despite the drought.
amanderson2
US
Visited:
June 2016
Reviewed: Nov 2, 2016
Email amanderson2
| 35-50 years of age
| Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best wildlife experience
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
4 / 5
I have been to Kruger a couple of times and already have reservations to return. The wildlife viewing is exceptional, I have seen the big 5 on most days. The terrain is varied from area to area and you can have many up close encounters along the roads. There is always something new and unique to watch and see and no day is the same. I prefer self drive. I like to stop when and where I want for as long as I want. For instance sometimes I watch a pride of lions for a couple of hours. Kruger is a special and unique place and an excellent value, I believe the best in Africa. For me Safari is all about the animals and Kruger has it. I prefer to rent self catering accommodation and run entirely on my own schedule. I also appreciate being able to access facilities like bathrooms and shops during my time at the park. The modern amenities are kept in the camps and do not interfere with your experience. The amount of visitors allowed into the park is limited so it does not get overcrowded. Even
Read more
during busy seasons I have found off roads and areas that were barely trafficked. The park is well run, maintained, and organized and provides an outstanding safari experience in many forms to fit all tastes.
Bdszimbo
GB
Visited:
September 2016
Reviewed: Oct 22, 2016
Went to Kruger in dry season so game viewing was excellent. Saw all Big Five as well as many antelope, hippos, crocodiles, birds, wild dogs, porcupines, hyena, apes, and variety of other stuff. Only missing was young but not the right season.
Was very dry and brown so lot of good sightings around Sabina river and waterworks.
Camp Skukusa was excellent, guides were knowledgeable, food was good and roads were good. Good time to visit SA with exchange rate.
Marcelo
BR
Visited:
August 2016
Reviewed: Oct 19, 2016
Email Marcelo
| 35-50 years of age
| Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding experience
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
We stayed at Skukuza camp in company of Outlook Safaris. I do not have words to describe our experience during range drives, accommodations and Outlook Safari services. They are really prepared and organized to offer best experience during your visit, since transfer from airport to Skukuza everything were made by professionals. Breakfast, branch, dinner, game drives, animals information etc., were perfect.
chris jones
GB
Visited:
August 2016
Reviewed: Sep 28, 2016
Email chris jones
| 35-50 years of age
| Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fantastic, memorable experience of South Africa's wildlife
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
4 / 5
5 / 5
4 / 5
We first visited the Kruger in July 2015 with Wildwings Safaris (staying at Skukuza and Satara) and had such an amazing time that we visited again in August 2016 (staying at Letaba, Mopani and Shingwedzi). Kruger is huge (about the size of Wales or Israel) so there is plenty of habitat to support a wide range of wildlife. We had excellent views of the 'Big 5' and other great wildlife such as Wild Dogs, Honey Badgers, Sable, Roan antelope (north of Shingwedzi) and Tsessebe. Both visits took place during the southern winter (dry season) and the weather was dry, warm and sunny with game viewing easier then due to the drier vegetation. We stayed in the SANParks rest camps and these were an ideal base, with handy shops for buying your own groceries if self-catering or restaurants if not. There was also a petrol station at each camp. Our guide with Wildwings Safaris (Simon) was excellent and really enthusiastic - it was like he was on holiday with us! He was also a keen birder
Read more
(as am I) so it was great to be able to stop and enjoy plenty of Kruger's varied birdlife too. They also arranged our other accommodation in South Africa flawlessly - I can't recommend this company highly enough. We also enjoyed the SANParks evening/night game drives and bush walks, which provide an alternative way to see the bush after the gates have closed and a chance at seeing something unusual, such as Porcupine, Genet and Side-striped Jackal. We love Kruger and will definitely be back again.
Anouk Pilon
NL
Visited:
September 2016
Reviewed: Sep 26, 2016
Email Anouk Pilon
| 20-35 years of age
| Experience level: first safari
Amazing to experience the wilderness of Kruger that's led by animals!
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
Kruger is one of the most amazing places I've ever been. I expected to go there just for the wildlife, but ended up admiring not only the animals but the beautiful and expansive nature and even started to appreciate all the beautiful birds. One of our greatest experiences was the wilderness walk we made. We stayed in a beautiful small camp in the middle of nowhere, were no cars and tourists can come. We slept just a few metres away from a waterhole with elephants, buffalos, rhinos and other animals around us throughout the day. Walking with the rangers was a once in a lifetime experience that you shouldn't miss when you visit Kruger. It was a great change after a few days of wildlife spotting in the car. However, I can recommend driving through Kruger as well. It's a great way to spot animals and enjoy the beauty of the park. We stayed at .. and .. and drove every day from 06:00 - 18:00. These early and late moments of the day are the best since animals you don't see
Read more
during the day show themselves and give some spectacular viewings. I always thought that going to Kruger was only for 'rich people', but it's very affordable if you just go there with your own car and stay in a tent or small cottage in one of the camps. A must do when you're in South-Africa! And please bring your binocular and camera, but don't forget to enjoy the moments and don't just see the animals through your camera :-)
JoshBakerPhotography
AU
Visited:
April 2016
Reviewed: Sep 24, 2016
Vista Safaris through Budget Safaris. Incredible - well recommended!
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
I visited Kruger with my wife as the first part of our honeymoon. The park itself was amazing. We were fortunate enough to see The Big Five in one day which was truly incredible. Our tour guides and trip was organised through Vista Safaris and I couldn't be happier with the service they provided. Their knowledge of the animals and area (and ability to spot animals) was second to none, their attitude toward customers was welcoming and they went out of their way to ensure we had a great time. Kruger itself is a huge park with diverse and fascinating wildlife. You get to see a vast array of animals within a relatively short distance within the park.
We stayed in Balule Nature Reserve at the Tremisana Lodge and would definitely recommend it. The sunset safaris and the night time safaris were amazing, and the highlight for us was seeing elephants at night beside the old land cruiser. The food was great and the evening vibe at the lodge was really good fun. We were there for 5 nights
Read more
and spent each evening talking about what we had done that day with other guests over dinner and a couple of beers.
brunogarennealabadi
FR
Visited:
September 2006
Reviewed: Sep 18, 2016