Kruger National Park Travel Forum

Hi

We are satying in Gomo Gomo for 4days/3 nights in June and read that walking safaris are offered in the afternoon....anyone been on these? What is the normal procedure?

Impression I get, is walking with tracker/armed guide through the bush, looking at all the fabulous wildlife, including flowers/birds and of course game. What happens if when 100's of metres away from the lodge you come face to face with aggressive game...be it hungry cats, or aggressive game protecting young...bad tempered black rhino etc. Has anyone eperiences, or stories to tell of what actually happens on the walks?

Thanks

I have booked a trip to stay at the Protea Kruger Park in October with my wife and 14 yr old son. In the UK we have started to read about the increase in crime in particular car jacking between JNB and Kruger Park and now having second thoughts. Can anyone comment on the situation and provide any information on policing etc. Thank you

Hi all

I am planning to stay in the above lodge ( Timbavati) in June/July and am undecided as to whether to book a thatched roof chalet or an "east african tent"...has anyone stayed here and could they advise which is best?. It appears the tents are on stilts and have a verranda with a deck/chill out area, whilst the chalets are secure structures with a "locked door" and no apparent area to sit.

Also what is the norm with reagrd to luggage, is it left in the tent. Is it secure enough? I am sooooo looking forward to this but would appreciate any feedback in relation to this/wildlife we are likely to see and the general atmosphere. We are looking forward to meeting people of all sways of life!...any advice would be gr8 PS Do the game come in at night???

We are looking at taking our 4 boys for a safari in the Kruger National Park area (ages range from 8 years old to 12 years old). In addition to game drives and our sons interacting with local children, we would love to experience places like (doesn't have to be these exact places -- places like them):

(1) Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre

(2) Endangered Wildlife Project at Kapama

(3) God's Window , Three Rondawels

We have been told by some people that we could have a good chance of getting a open-air guided safari drive by ourselves throughout the trip -- due to the fact we have 6 people. Do you think this is correct? What other ideas do you have for us having 4 boys with us (activities, lodgest, etc..)? We would like to be in South Africa at least 8-9 days. Our budget is $1400 US dollars per person (not including airfare).

Currently, we have been recommended to stay at "Marcs Tree Lodge" and "Tremisana Lodge" by Viva Safaris at www.valuesafaris.co.za. The company making that recommendation is ecoAfrica at www.ecoafrica.com. However, I can't find any reviews on either of these 2 specific lodges. It appears they are about 30 miles from the gate of Kruger National Park. They are in our budget.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. What about "Siyabona Africa Safaris"? Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks.

I will be at the Kruger National Park for only a Day and a Half. And there's an operator called Siyabona that I am considering. Do you have any experience good or bad with them?

Hi all,

Am in KNP for 4 days this November

1. Can you recommend a company to do a safari with?

2. I am in a party of two... anyone want to join the safari?

3. Can you recommend an area of KNP to visit?

4. Recommend accomodation in KNP?

Thanks all

Hi,

We are looking at completing a volunteer program in a wildlife rehabilitation centre and would love to hear from anyone that can recomend one? What are the costs? What is the accomodation & food like and just the experience in general.

Thanks in Advance,
Rach & Jay

Has anyone experienced Pafuri Camp in the Makuleke Reserve? We are considering it for January 2007.

Hi all,

Am planning a trip to KNP in late September of this year and have put together a possible night stop itinerary.

Night one - Orpen

Night two - Olifants

Night three - Satara

Night four - lower sabie

Night five - Biyamite

Night six - Jock safari lodge or Lower sabie

Night seven - Pretoriuskop

Is it advisable to be constantly travelling between camps or would you recommend staying a couple of nights in one area?

Can anyone advise on an area I should see that might not come into these area's?

Many thanks in advance

has anyone stayed here ? I understand it is close to the Kruger Park, Id like to know if the chances of seeing the big 5 are as good as in the Kruger
thank you

Hi guys :-)) We are going on a trip to Kruger & Mpumalanga in August 06 in some more remote areas. However, when I contacted the vehicle hire firm they cannot provide a cool box. Please can you advise if we can hire (ideally) a thermo-electric cool box somewhere in the Joburg area. We have been searching the web but could'nt find anything.

I am planning to go to South Africa for the first time for about a week in September. I am interested in both political history and wildlife. I was planning to fly to Joburg, spend a couple of days there and then fly to Kruger National Park for 3 days there. Does that make sense ? Is Joburg safe ? Or is it better to stay in Pretoria ? Any advice would be appreciated.

We are going to Kruger and our friend who is South African has booked the following. If anyone has stayed in any of these, we would appreciate any feedback:
Lower Sabie Rest - Safari Tent
Olifants Rest Camp - Bungalow
Letaba Rest Camp -Bungalow
SAtara Rest Camp -bungalow
Also what is the difference between hut, safari tent and bungalow?
Thanks

Hi all
Wanting to know if anyone has any suggestions for accommodation in the Okavango and chobe areas? I am a bit of a spoilt brat when it comes to comfort and will be needing something very very comfortable, not to fussed about the cost but would prefer overlooking the water in the Okavango.
Have searched the internet and found so many to choose from but would like to hear feedback from people who have actually stayed in these areas and which accommodation they themselves would highly recommend to others.
Thankyou

Hi everyone,
we 3 people from Czech Republic going to Mozambique in the beggining of July. We want to stop for 1,5 or more days on our way in Kruger. We are travelling on budget. I would like to know following:
- what type of car do we need to go within Kruger (2WD/4WD,...)
- is it easy to find accommodation in the park (I suppose to stay in tents/camping)
- we will visit the southern part. Which places would you recommend?

Many thanks for your replies!!

Martin

My partner and I are thinking about hiring a car and doing a self drive trip from Johannesburg to Kruger NP. Has anyone got any tips for us relating to:

1. Where to stay at Kruger - nothing too expensive, just as long as it's clean, comfortable and good location for game viewing?
2. What sort of vehicle we should hire?
3. Is there anywhere to buy food for breakfast, lunch and dinner at KNP?

Thanks : ))

Hey guys
fab site, loads of helpful advice and information much appreciated.
I will be heading to KNP in early June of 2007 with my boyfriend and a few family members, we are looking for luxury tented accommodation mid-range pricing. Names that keep coming up when searching are Plains Camp, Thornybush Chapungu and Ngala, has anyone stayed at any of these places? If so any info offered would be fantastic or any recommendations of other tented accommodation within close vicinity of the park.
Lastly does anyone know if these lodges offer vehicles for guests to drive themselves around the park?
To all travelling to S.A may yout trip be exciting and safe.

Hey guys
fab site, loads of helpful advice and information much appreciated.
I will be heading to KNP in early June of 2007 with my boyfriend and a few family members, we are looking for luxury tented accommodation mid-range pricing. Names that keep coming up when searching are Plains Camp, Thornybush Chapungu and Ngala, has anyone stayed at any of these places? If so any info offered would be fantastic or any recommendations of other tented accommodation within close vicinity of the park.
Lastly does anyone know if these lodges offer vehicles for guests to drive themselves around the park?
To all travelling to S.A may yout trip be exciting and safe.

Hi, Going to Kruger in August, doing a tree day drive then staying two nights in Gomo Gomo lodge in the Timbervati area. Has anyone stayed here or any info on the area in general would be appreciated. Thanks Trish

Hi there!
Going to Kruger in may, so at the beginning of the winter months.
Apparently there is less vegetation in winter and animal spotting is easier.
I suppose that vegetation will still be a little thick in may...

Am hesitating between a standard car or a Nissan x trail because of the cost difference. Is a lower car going to take away from our enjoyment because of the high grass? Would it be worth having a higher car like a 4wheel drive? Is there going to be much difference. Am worried about being disappointed but am not rich.
Any suggestions would be very welcome
Graeme

Now for the details... sorry if the Q's sound alittle ignorant :(

1. We're booked on Kulula from Cape Town to Jo'burg. Will this flight land at the domestic airport (is there one?) or at the one and only Joburg International? (We're booking a car from the airport. Wouldn't want it to wait for us at the "other" airport if indeed it exists !)

2. We are keen to book the Nissan Almera from Avis. There will be 3 of us. Will this be suitable for KNP esp the gravel road and "off the beaten" paths? Any special "coverage" we should consider?

3. Ok ... this is one of the "safe" questions which sometimes might urk the locals... well here goes ... is it safe to drive after dark from KNP to Jo'burg?

Thanks!

Hi again!

Am not able to secure accommodation in Kruger Park (for a day only) :(
ie on the day of our arrival, so am considering Raptors View Wildlife Estate, Hoedspruit. Has anyone been there or know about it? We'd rather skip "town-like" kind of accommodation.

Thanks!

Hi :)

What (and how long) is the shortest possible drive from Kruger to Johannesburg? You see, our flight home leaves JNB at 1:40pm. We'd rather spend the last night in Kruger than Johannesburg. Will it make sense to spend that last night in Ber-gen Dal or Pretoriuskop (from our map, these 2 restcamps appear to be nearest to the gates). We're also open to other options.

Thanks!

How early do we need to book accomodation for August? We are planning to stay in the South. Thanks

We're planning a trip to Cape Town -> Kruger Park -> Victoria Falls. Is early May a good time for the 3? I understand that in summer the spray at Vic Falls can become so thick that it obscures the view. How will it be in May? I'll post this in the other 2 forums. Thanks!

Hi,

I will be travelling by myself in South Africa next May and I want to visit Kruger. Since I will be alone I only want to spend one day in the park. What is the best and most economic way of doing this. Are there one day tours I could join or should I rent a car? I intend staying in Nelspruit. Would I get a good deal from there?

my wife and i will be staying for three days there in march 2006
,any advice regarding weather,clothing,mosquitos etc. would be much appreciated,
thank you in anticipation
geo

Me (54 years old, living in Munich) plan a journey to SA in February. In Johannesburg, I want to rent a car and drive to the Kruger National Park, too. But I will stay there only during the daytime (maybe twice), and only in the western part. Is for this short trips a Malaria prophylaxis necessary? If yes, can I buy the pills in a pharmacy? And without prescription? Thanks, Klaus

I will be visiting Kruger sometime before Christmas; currently the plan is to drive there from Jo'burg on December 1st and drive back on the 10th.

I'm looking for people to share the fun, driving, costs, experience, animal-spotting, etc.

I plan to stay in the camp 'cottages' and to mainly self-drive, but to also take some camp excursions.

I'm male, 25, and from the UK. Any sex, age, nationality, etc. is fine!

Send me a message or post here if you are interested and we can talk about it.

David

My wife and I are considering travelling to southern Africa in the second half of next April. We have limited time to explore ex Johannesburg before heading further south. We have about a week, and wanted to know the pros and cons of a guided safari in Kruger National Park vs a guided safari in Botswana (Okovango Delta and Chobe National Park) - in terms of what wildlife we would see (variety, ease and likelihood of viewing), weather, malaria risk, plus any other possible pros and cons of each?

Thank you,
Andy