Kruger National Park Travel Forum

Hi! All

I have some questions ( I hope they r not complicated ) since I am completely confused :

1) Is it better to stay in "anyone of the nature reserves" for 6/7 days ( since we are getting a resort at mabula nature reserve thru Times share ) and then visit nearby cites on some days Jo'burg etc ...( how's the transpotation in SA )

OR
Stay in one of the cities eg: Jo'burg or any suggestions ?.....and then visit any of the "nature reserves" for 1 or 2 day excursions eg: Kruger......

2) Is Mabula Nature reserve worth it ? Has anyone heard of Mabula and also "Sondela Nature reserve" ? I think it's in the same region as "Kruger". Somwhere near "Waterbath"

3) If we stay in Jo'burg...Is it possible to see Kruger( or any other nature reserves/game reserves ) in day trips or max 2 day trips and would it be worth it ?

4) How's the local transpotation....train networks, bus networks localy and within cities....

I know too many questions.....but much thanks in advance :))

take care
kaps

Hi
Mabula is 200km north of Jo'burg, and the closest entry gate to the Kruger Park is about 400+kms from Jo'burg so not exactly a day trip from Jo'burg.Mabula is in a malaria free area, Kruger is not, so you need to take prophylactic malaria treatment if you go there.
I would definitely stay in one of the game parks for a few days, 2 nights absolute minimum otherwise you really don't get to fully enjoy the experience.
Public transportation in South Africa is not good at all, not inter city (unles you fly) or within cities!!!
This is a pretty good site on S.A.
http://www.places.co.za/

To answer the questions in the order given..

Points 1)and 2)...6/7 days in any nature reserve is long. 2 or 3 days is ideal. Mabula is maybe a bit far 2 visit Johannesburg on a daily basis,as it is a 2hour drive.Mabula as a game reserve is great,and is home to the "big 5" namely elephant,lion,rhino,buffalo,leopard.
Sondela is more of a nature reserve with buck,giraffe etc, but not the big 5.It is not near the Kruger Park,which is about 3 hours from there.
I would cosider staying in Johannesburg or Pretoria and then visit either of these for 2 days.
Public transport is not one of South Africas strong points,but car rental is very cheap,and roads are good and well sign posted.

3)A day trip to the Kruger Park is not worth it..It is about 350 kilometers from Pretoria,and you need at least a full day there,preferably2. The gates open to day visitors at 6.00am,so stay nearby,maybe at Nelspruit,then go in early and have a full day. This is one of the best game reserves in the world.
The area around Nelspruit,known as the lowveld, is an area with some of South Africas best scenery,so touring this area would also be worth it

4) As mentioned,public transport not great,so car rental,or organised tours from Pretoria or Johannesburg is the way to go.

Hope this info helps you.

Regards

Mike

1. Another option you have is basing yourself at a resort/hotel/accommodation near the Kruger. We stayed at Waterberry Hill, a 20-minute drive from the Numbi gate entrance to the park. It was very peaceful, and from there we not only visited the game reserve, but many of the waterfalls and other natural wonders found in the area.
Waterberry Hill is very close to the small town of Hazyview, which provides life's basic necessities. You don't have to base yourself in one of the bigger cities like Johannesburg or Pretoria.
If I had to choose between Johannesburg and Pretoria, I'd go for Pretoria. From Pretoria you could also visit the Farm Inn (http://www.farminn.co.za/ and my South African page) as well as Rietvlei Nature Reserve (http://www.footprint.co.za/rietvlei.htm and my pages)
4. As already suggested, I would give public transportation in South Africa a wide berth!

4)The local transportation could be great if you plan everything before. But it is so so so slow, very slow...Within the city, in Cape Town for instance, it is really easy to get a taxi or a minibus, they are everywhere and not that expensive...The train can drive you to all the suburbs..The main problem is the insecurity after 7pm. It can be dangerous. Even taxis can be dangerous at night.
But taking the train is a trip, an experience..not just a way to go from a place to an other...But you really enjoy it !

Hi All!!

Thank you so much for the info guys. It will be very useful

tc
kaps