Self Drive at Kruger National Park?

Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 10:06 PM
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Self Drive at Kruger National Park?

Hi everyone,

I am looking to visit South Africa in September/October. We are debating between going with a private reserve or self-drive at KNP. What would you recommend? Basically, what is the difference between going on a safari on a private reserve versus self-driving in KNP (other than the cost, driving yourself)....is there more to see with one or the other?

Thanks in advance!
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 12:03 AM
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We did both a few years back. Here is our trip report for some input

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-mauritius.cfm

Loved Kruger Self Drive, but there are benefits to other options. In my opinion, this forum tends to lean towards the luxury lodges.
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 01:35 AM
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We have self-driven in Kruger on three different holidays. And stayed in four different private camps in the Sabi Sand and Timbavati reserves. The single biggest difference is that in Kruger you are not allowed to go/drive off of the established road system. While in the private reserve camps you may go off-road and frequently do. By going off road you can find and view much more game then when restricted to only on road. For example, in Kruger for totaling about 14 days (on 3 trips) we saw leopard once, one time and rhino never, lion about six times. In private reserves you will see those animals every day and likly every game drive. Going to a private camp is the only way to insure you will see the big 5 up close and often in a three day stay. In a three days at Kruger you will see many elephants, impala, zebra, giraffe, water buck, buffalo, and many birds. But leopard, lion, rhino maybe and then there may be 20 cars on the road vying to get a view.

Yes, the private camps in those reserves tend to be luxury camps because those are the kind of camps that are there. We love Kruger and also feel the private camps are a good value for wildlife seen and professional guiding provided. Kruger is not free, if you rent/hire a car, stay in the typical bungalow, pay park fees, eat in camp restaurants, for two persons it will cost about $300 per day. A private camp for two will cost $600 on up, $1,000 being typical, for two per day.

regards - tom
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 03:38 AM
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My DH and I are avid self-drivers, although all of our self-drive trips include some nights at tented camps, so we enjoy the best of both worlds.

We like the independence of self-drive. We are able to go where we like, when we like, and for as long as we like. If we wish to sit beside a bee-eater all afternoon, we are able to do so. If there are too many vehicles at a sighting, we are able to leave. We enjoy each others company, and we don't have to worry about who else is assigned to our vehicle.

I would argue that experienced self-drivers will see as much as any guided group, even without going off-road. In 2004, when we were not nearly as experienced at self-driving in Africa as we are now, we saw during a 8-day self-drive through Kruger: 3 leopards, 6 cheetahs, 21 lions, 2 servals, 1 honey badger and so much more. Admittedly, self-drivers are at a disadvantage because they are not connected to the bush telegraph but, frankly, with the traffic that results, I am happy to do without it. I suspect that most people would say that the true downside of self-driving is that you have to do your own cooking and laundry.

I would not wish to give the impression that we do not appreciate the company and expertise of guides. We have learned much from many over the years.

My suggestion would be to try both. Spend several days self-driving in Kruger and then head to one or two private camps in the reserves that border Kruger. That way, you'll know your preference for future trips - and trust me, there will be future trips! We first visited Africa in 2004, and we have been back every year since but one. I am, at this moment, in Cape Town. Do the self-drive first - the accommodation in Kruger, while very nice, would be come-down after the private camps, as would (no offense intended) your own cooking.

Below is a link to photos and a report from a self-drive that we did at Christmas with family and friends. It should give you a pretty good idea of what self-driving is like - different South African park, but same idea. The first bit is about Cape Town - skip to the middle of page 2 for the start of the self-drive. CR

http://bert-and-bin.smugmug.com/Trav...9180243_8Kkvjg
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 06:56 AM
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Last April we did a combo of the 2. 6 nights self-driving in Kruger and 3 nights at a private camp in Sabi Sand, Umkumbe. I really think we got the best of both. I couldn't believe the sheer numbers of animals we saw self-driving, large herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffe, 3 different lion sightings (3 walking right past the car once), lots of hippos, rhino, birds, crocs and on and on. We did not see leopard (always just a little too late) but we did see one in Sabi. I really loved going at our own pace, stopping for breakfast along the way, getting out at the various hides, and just "being" in the camps.

We stayed in 3 different SanParks rest camps in the south part of the camp, Berg-en-Dal, Skukuza and Lower Sabie. Berg-en-dal has a great perimeter walk around the camp where we saw 3 rhino only a few minutes after arriving in camp. Lower Sabie is execellent, probably the most popular rest camp in the park. We were only able to get one night there but it was fanastic. Their restaurant overlooks the river and you can dine will watching hippos, crocs, giraffe, and buffalo. Skukuza is a larger, busier camp, but in an great game viewing area as well. We also did a bush walk out of Berg which I highly recommend.

Umkumbe was also wonderful, a different experience where you can get very close to the animals (leopard and lions right next to the jeep). It is a small camp, maybe 6 rooms. We also did a bush walk there.

If you are interested, you can see our photos here (broken down by location)


http://kellyee21.smugmug.com/SouthAfricaApril2011-1
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 10:01 AM
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You guys are fantastic! Thanks so much for the tips and for sharing your experience! I think we may end up doing both - maybe 2 days of self drive and 2 with a private reserve so we can have a taste of both. Looks like we can't really go wrong with either. Thanks again everyone!
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 06:23 PM
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If you do, make sure that you do the private reserve at the end.
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 07:20 PM
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rampup82, agree with you that you'll have the best of both worlds by doing the split, and I agree with mkhonzo in keeping the private reserve for last.
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Old Feb 24th, 2012, 09:22 PM
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Color me same, do private camp last and try to add another day to it to make it three day stay. It's likely you can drive your (rental) car to the camp and after stay dive it back to airport. If that arrangement works out best for you. Or, we typically pick up Avis car at JNB, drive Kruger, drive to camp and car rental ends and car returns to Avis. The camp takes us back to airport, perhaps Hoedspruit (HDS) for shuttle flight back to JNB.

regards - yom
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 04:23 AM
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Tom, how does that work?, i.e., leaving the car at the camp when you arrive. Does Avis send someone to pick up the car, does the camp have someone drive the car to a drop-off point? Does Avis add a drop-off fee; if so, how much. Thanks, Steve
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 08:48 AM
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Steve - Ok, example, going to Kings Camp in Timbavati after driving Kruger. (Got car at Avis JNB). Avis has an office at Hoedspruit airport (HDS). (Budget may also?). Arrange ahead with Avis HDS agent, you drive to Avis and pick up agent, agent rides with you (about 30 min drive) into Kings Camp, agent takes car back to Avis HDS. This "car collect" costs an extra few $$$ ($30?). Tip agent a few $$. I've done it three times, works good, agents do it a lot. Also done same using Avis office in Kruger Skukuza main camp.

We like to use Avis because USA based company and if any problems, easy to deal with. Also, be careful about return car times, Avis was very fussy, one minute late and like they charged lots $$$ for overtime.

regards - tom
ps - when returning any rental car I take photos all around car to show that when I returned it it had no damage.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 10:41 AM
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cary999,
You say "In a three days at Kruger you will see many elephants, impala, zebra, giraffe, water buck, buffalo, and many birds."

Would you see these (plus the other big 5s) in the private reserves? In other words, if we would decide to only do 1-2 private reserves, would we have the chanse to see everything?

And I understand...one can never see "everything" in one trip...but still, let's say, as much as possible?
Thanks
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 11:26 AM
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xyz99 - yes you will see big 5 and all the others. Although strangely the terrain around Sabi Sand reserve is not that great for zebra or giraffe, but you will see them. Some animals like zebra prefer an open plains environment. For 2-3-4-5 days I would go to a private reserve. You will see all plus it will be "up close and personal". The camp will pamper you with delicious meals and service. That's why do Kruger first then let a private camp spoil you.

regards - tom
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 12:00 PM
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Thanks cary,
The safari is still a few years ahead of us, but I am reading and getting ideas
If we have 6-7 days (this does not include travel or anything else), should we do 2 private reserves, or just one and the NP? I am very torn about that...cost is a factor, but for such a trip, the main objective will be seeing the animals (and the birds, that's important, too)
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 12:06 PM
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Tom, thanks for that! I usually fly to MQP then drive up to and around Kruger NP before heading to Sabi Sand, where my car sits while I do my thing. When done, I drive back to MQP. But it's good to learn of your alternative, which seems pretty sensible (depending I guess on how long the car sits around).
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 01:11 PM
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I'm sure you could do same drop off thing with Avis in MQP, or Skukuza. Yes, you have to do a cost trade off of letting car sit at camp versus flying back. Also time, how long does it take to drive from safari camp to JNB, 6-7 hours? If your flight out of JNB is 8pm driving may be cutting it close time wise. Flying back from MQP or HDS you should be back with (too many) hours to spare even doing the morning game drive at camp.

regards - tom
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 01:18 PM
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Oh wait, I see, you still fly MQP to JNB. Then you need to look also at shuttle from safari camp to airport. All of them do it either themselves or commercial. The shuttle may cost $50 and that's about a day of car rental. Many details to consider and I try to balance cost with time, convenience, and not missing camp game drives. But I do hate those $300 one person charter flights between camps .

regards - tom
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 02:41 PM
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Agreed, lots of things to think about, and now I've got one more to think about. Geez, thanks a lot, Tom.
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Old Feb 26th, 2012, 08:49 AM
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FWIW, this from a trip report posted today here -
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...erve-to-go.cfm
Quoting - "Kruger is fantastic but too big, and u can easily spend 2 whole days or more without actually seeing any animal (or at least not any of the Big 5!)"

Well, impossible to not see any animal in 2 days!! Even elephants you will see daily. But sort of reinforces my general comments on Kruger big five. Also, the report has other comments on Kruger.

regards - tom
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Old Feb 26th, 2012, 11:22 AM
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We did both (plus some) last year. We love both self drive and private reserves. We were exhausted after a week of self drive - we just did too much! So being taken care of is very nice in combo with self drive. Just plan better than we did in Kruger and have a cooler, thermos and food. The restaurants in the camps are fine so you don't need to cook, but breakfast and lunch can be taken on the road. Try to book accommodations that are called "self catering" so you get all the utensils included and get a private kitchen. Go on the park run game drives - it will give you an idea of what you are looking for and how to find them (besides the crowds).

Here is my trip report in case you are interested. Can't wait to do it again.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...zulu-natal.cfm
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