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Allen Holmes Wildlife
GB
Visited:
May 2015
Reviewed: Jul 5, 2015
Email Allen Holmes Wildlife | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A self drive safari experience, a lifetime of memories, Kruger is amazing!
So when I was planning a photographic safari holiday on a tight budget, I considered my options carefully. The thing is safari holidays, are for some a once in a lifetime experience, so I wanted to get this right. The memory of that single day in Kruger, just kept popping back into my head, the roads, the rest camps, the weather and the wildlife, were all positives. So I opted for Kruger as my two week Safari destination.
Kruger National Park is exactly that, a national park! Not a safari park or a zoo, the wildlife isn't looked after, it looks after its self. This means it can be unpredictable. So if you are considering a self drive safari in Kruger, it's worth researching the behaviour of the game, especially the Elephants and Rhino's, as you will come into contact with these animals
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on the roads. So how good is Kruger as a safari destination? Well the main issue here is the wildlife and apparently Kruger has one of the largest bio-diversity's of life, of anywhere in Africa and plenty of large animals to keep your shutters clicking all day long. One particular morning we had seen the Big 5 by 9.30am. The birdlife here requires a mention too, it really is amazing, especially the raptors.One thing to remember is that although you are not allowed out of your vehicle within the park, there are places where you can get out. there are some excellent hides, usually overlooking watering holes (great places for viewing game and birds). Some of the larger bridges also allow you to alight from your vehicle, theses can be great too. Rest camps are fantastic places, whether you are staying the night or not. Restaurants, toilets, shops, petrol stations and launderettes can be found at most. You can even continue your days wildlife watching here at the rest camps, with surprising success.
Our choice of time of year to visit was May, earlier would have given us a greater number of bird species, but still it was fantastic in May for birds. the weather was sunny nearly all of the time, yet not too hot!
Food and fuel was reasonably priced.
One thing I should mention is that we had a slow puncture in our hire car. After stopping at a rest camp for some food, a garage attendant advised us on our slowly deflating tyre and repaired it for us. 20minutes later we were on our way, with the knowledge that we weren't about to get stuck in the middle of the park.
If you are considering a self drive safari, I can't imagine a better place. the roads a fantastic, even the dirt roads. They are regularly maintained, which may cause some delay, but who's in a hurry whilst on holiday? There are speed traps, so do stick to the speed limits, remember the park is for the animals and we are just guests.
Another question you may ask is, do we stay in the park or outside the park? We stayed outside the park, but if I was to visit again, I would stay inside. The reason for this is, the entry gates can be busy and a little disorganised (Although, some are better than others.). Staying inside the park means you only have to enter once.
Will we see the animals close enough to get decent photographs? This is a question I asked myself before booking the trip, especially as you have to stay inside the vehicle and stick to the roads. Well, I need not have worried as the game was so relaxed and used to the vehicles, that it behaved as if they weren't even there. Hyaenas did come up to my drivers window, which was a bit unnerving and Bull Elephants in musth should be treated with total respect. Elephants with young, should also be given space, you wouldn't want to upset an animal that is bigger than your car.
Follow the rules and you should have a trouble free trip, the main thing is to enjoy it!
crafty1tutu (Ann Cameron)
AU
Visited:
August 2014
Reviewed: Jul 1, 2015
Email crafty1tutu (Ann Cameron) | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A magical holiday
We have been to South Africa a few times and on three occasions have spent time in Kruger National Park. On our last trip in 2014 we booked a cottage in Marloth Park for 10 days and spent each day in Kruger driving ourselves around. We saw many and varied animals and the thrill of the day was searching out new animals. We normally travel in the cooler months as it is more pleasant and comfortable being in the car and the animals are more active. We also find that the dry foliage also makes it easier to spot the animals. Although most of the eating areas have been taken over by commercial businesses, there is no trouble finding a place to eat (it had more atmosphere before when run by smaller businesses). A lot of people may feel safer travelling with a guide, but we have always enjoyed driving ourselves around without any problems. You just have to be aware that there are wild animals about and be alert and not get too close to them, so that they feel threatened. It is a magical trip - one that everyone should strive to do at least once in a lifetime.
romicom
ZA
Visited:
March 2015
Reviewed: Jun 28, 2015
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best of it all is the Kruger: good restaurant, excellent facilities and dedicated knowledgeable staff.
Walter Lichtenberger (MosSixtieOne)
Visited:
March 2014
Reviewed: Jun 4, 2015
Take a lot of time, drive carefully and follow strongly all the rules. Enyoj the largest game reserve in South Africa. May you will see the big five?
Jaco Beukman | www.go-nipper.com
ZA
Visited:
December 2010
Reviewed: May 25, 2015
Email Jaco Beukman | www.go-nipper.com | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
South Africa's flagship with much to offer. Can be too crowded though, people speed on the roads and too many lodges and buildings inside the park - a future killer. Honor to recycling breakthroughs lately.
Massai_1 (Carsten M.)
Visited:
November 2014
Reviewed: May 25, 2015
:: Artie | Photography ::
Visited:
May 2014
Reviewed: May 24, 2015
The most amazing experience of my life so far
It was wonderful to see the abundant wild life thriving in their natural environment unworried by the presence of humans. The weather was fabulous and our safari guide was excellent, very committed and seemed to relish her job as a privilege. the lodge we stayed at was very comfortable and the staff welcoming, and we had fresh cooked meals every day. However the wild life was the highlight of our visit.
Celia
GB
Visited:
April 2015
Reviewed: May 23, 2015
Email Celia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A beautiful animal, bird or view round every corner.
I have been to quite a few locations round the world in pursuit of my hobby of wild-life photography. Nowhere else is the abundance of wild-life so available. The 'big five' are wonderful to see but so is the profusion of smaller things - birds, reptiles, butterflies etc. and I came away with a great portfolio of photographs.
I had great help from my guides, both English for photography and South African for bushcraft. The standard of accommodation was good at the various camps we stayed at and most notable was the friendliness and helpfulness of the camp staff everywhere. I'll be back as soon as I can!
John Bragg of Oregon
Visited:
September 2014
Reviewed: May 16, 2015
Differences between Kruger and the adjacent private game reserve are that Kruger closes promptly at 6pm (reserves permit night driving for watching predators), requires vehicles to remain on paved or rocked roads (reserves allow off-road driving); requires roofed vehicles with side doors (reserves allow open body safari vehicles); and of course, Kruger has more traffic. Kruger also has lots more animals because it is so much bigger than all the private reserves combined. I hope to go back to the Sabie River country. I selected a small, family-operated
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safari company with a bush camp inside Sabi Sands and their main camp just outside of the reserve, about fifteen minutes from the Paul Kruger Gate. The bushveldt is simply fascinating for a photographer, and especially at sunset.
moonnuthatch
GB
Visited:
March 2014
Reviewed: May 6, 2015
Birding and animals superb, but too commercialisedfor my liking. Understandable, but too many vehicles gather round the most notable animals.