Kruger National Park Travel Forum

Hello,
My husband and some friends have a trip planned to Kruger National Park in January. We will be renting a car and travelling either from Johannesburg or Nelspruit towards Hazyview and then the park. Some of our travelling companions have become quite concerned about the possibility of being criminally attacked en route because of the repeated warnings of extreme violence throughout South Africa (on various government's websites). Although the information provided focuses mainly on Capetown and Johannesburg, the warning stands for throughout South Africa. I am wondering if anyone can tell us of their experience in and around Nelspruit, Hazyview and in that area of Kruger Park? Did you feel nervous and unsafe in these areas or while on the road in transit? Your feedback would be appreciated.

Hi, we are doing this trip next month, and a beautiful scenic trip it is too. We decided to avoid Jo'burg and fly to Nelspruit to pick up our car as things do improve out of the Jo'burg area although one should always keep ones wits about them and stick to the rules of not stopping for hitchhikers, not stopping for accidents etc, on such occassions make sure you have the no. of the police and call them as sometimes things are not what they always seem. Stick to the main roads and you should be fine, don't drive after dark, make sure you have enough fuel and you will have a glorious time I am sure.

Happy holidays

My husband and I did the trip last March and loved every minute of it. Admittedly one does have to be a bit cautious...the previous poster is right about not stopping, keeping your valuables secured, and always keeping your car locked (even when stopped in traffic), but we felt relatively safe. We sought out the internet spot in Hazyview and worked through the line ups in the local post office (where we were the only whites) but again we found people friendly.
The scenery is spectacular, the drivers pretty crazy (there is an interesting custom of slower vehicles just driving along the shoulder area to allow others to pass...it takes some getting used to!) and Kruger was amazing! We did not spend any time in Jo'burg other than an overnight near the airport.
(We also spent time in Capetown and loved it as well...one of the most beautiful cities we have ever been to!)
I would be happy to answer any other questions that you might have if you wish to email me.
Have a great trip! It was certainly a highlight for us.
Nancy

Nancy, that bridge in your pic looks suspiciously like the one at Storms River mouth. :-)

I am a local so my opinion on the subject of safety doesn't count. Most people who have never been here think that I am nuts to live and raise a family here. After they visit they ask me where to buy property . . . . .

Actually Gerald, that bridge is in New Zealand...gotta love those suspension bridges!

I forgot to mention to the original poseter (xenawantsapony) about the parking lot attendant thing. It was such a common practice to have some one act as a 'safe keeper' of the vehicle , even in grocery store parking lots, along the city streets in Cape Town and even at hiking trail heads. Most wore identifying badges and all were polite. The small fee or tip we provided seemed to be sufficient and we had no problems with our car. There may have been the occasional hustler but we treated them all with the same courtesy and find we received same in return.

I recommend that you fly straight to nelspruit instead of starting by car from joburg. Not because its unsafe but mainly due to the boring scenery up to belfast which is about 2 hrs away from joburg. Its only from From Belfast to Nelspruit to Hazyview then to the park, that the scenery gets interesting.

Its also mostly straight through driving from Nelspruit, not much stop and go trafic, so its ok. Went there last september, and was able to reach the park gate in the nick of time before they closed for the day and did not encounter any problem along the way.

I made the route from Nelspruit to KNP in the 2005 and made it back safe with NO problems. There will be (or at least there was) a lot of people on the roads walking, selling oranges, ect. We put our bags in the trunk (the boot) of the car. Drove straight to the park and had an excellent time!

Enjoy your time in SA.

If you do decide to fly instead of drive into Kruger, I'd strongly advise against using Nelair. We used a number of the small airlines that fly into the park adn amongt he lodges, all with great results except Nelair. It was one of teh most horrible experiences of my life. Stick with someone else.