best way to see wildlife
#1
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best way to see wildlife
We are going to South Africa in September. We were fortunate enough to get a time share both in Cape Town and Sabi River Sands. We plan to rent a car at Johannesburg and self drive in Kruger. Is this a wise choice? Would we be better off going on a safari with a group? How long are most guided trips?
Many thanks for you past and future information.
Joy
Many thanks for you past and future information.
Joy
#2
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Sabi River Sands is in Hazyview, right? Looks like that is about 50K from Paul Kruger gate. Or about a 1 hour drive to get to Kruger. Then maybe another hour to really be into Kruger. Do you want to spend 2 hours driving each day, each way into and out of Kruger?
We like Kruger very much, we also very much like the safari camps in the private reserves bordering Kruger, i.e. Sabi Sand and Timbavati reserves. Two very unique wildlife experiences. When we tour Kruger (like starting in 14 days from now ) we rent a car and stay in Kruger at one of the many "rest camps".
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/default.php
FWIW, after 7 days in Kruger we will turn in the car and go to Kings Camp (Timbavati Reserve) for 8 nights. Did this in 2007 and know it will be great.
There are group tours of Kruger. But sorry, never done one. Hopefully someone else will add to this.
regards - tom
We like Kruger very much, we also very much like the safari camps in the private reserves bordering Kruger, i.e. Sabi Sand and Timbavati reserves. Two very unique wildlife experiences. When we tour Kruger (like starting in 14 days from now ) we rent a car and stay in Kruger at one of the many "rest camps".
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/default.php
FWIW, after 7 days in Kruger we will turn in the car and go to Kings Camp (Timbavati Reserve) for 8 nights. Did this in 2007 and know it will be great.
There are group tours of Kruger. But sorry, never done one. Hopefully someone else will add to this.
regards - tom
#3
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Kruger is a great park and I always urge visitors to spend at least one day there. As to best wildlife viewing in this region I'd put it this way:
Self-drive Kruger: very good
Stay at Sabi Sand/Timbavati lodge, group car: better
Stay at Sabi Sand/Timbavati lodge, private car: best
I've never done a group drive in Kruger. They really don't look that appealing to me (an introvert). It's so easy to self-drive in Kruger and go off on your own on side-roads that I've never been drawn to the group experience.
Tom's right that a daily round trip from Hazyview could get old.
Best, Steve
Self-drive Kruger: very good
Stay at Sabi Sand/Timbavati lodge, group car: better
Stay at Sabi Sand/Timbavati lodge, private car: best
I've never done a group drive in Kruger. They really don't look that appealing to me (an introvert). It's so easy to self-drive in Kruger and go off on your own on side-roads that I've never been drawn to the group experience.
Tom's right that a daily round trip from Hazyview could get old.
Best, Steve
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We've been to Kruger many times and always driven ourselves. We also always sign up to go on drives with the park rangers. They are really wonderful. We love this combination.
To me, you've made the right choice by renting a car.
Celia
To me, you've made the right choice by renting a car.
Celia
#6
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Self-driving is the best, in my opinion, since you already have a place to stay.
There are 2 other gates (Numbi and Phabeni) that are closer to Kruger than the Paul Kruger gate, so it shouldn't take you an hour to get to the gate. It's taken me less than an hour to get from the airport near Nelspruit to Numbi, and that's with a detour and 20+ hours of travel.
There are 2 other gates (Numbi and Phabeni) that are closer to Kruger than the Paul Kruger gate, so it shouldn't take you an hour to get to the gate. It's taken me less than an hour to get from the airport near Nelspruit to Numbi, and that's with a detour and 20+ hours of travel.
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You will be staying at Sabi River Sun (timeshare and hotel) which is just on the outskirts of Hazyview. This is not to be confused with the Sabi Sands Game reserve which is a private game reserve on the Western boundary of KNP. Self drive is very accessible and there are two gates as stated that you can enter through. Make sure to buy yourselves a route map book either at the gate or the nearest camp and make sure you do not try to cover to much territory in one drive. Check the sightings boards in each camp and do not be worried to stop and ask people who might be stopped what they are looking at and acquaint yourselves with the general habitat and what is to be found in the different areas. I would suggest that you book a sunset/night drive with Sanparks which depart from the Numbi, Phabeni as well as the Paul Kruger Gate. There is lots of helpful advice on www.sanparks.org.za. Another excellent sight is www.wildlifesightings.co.za which will help to show where all the main Big 7 sightings currently are! Enjoy!
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I really appreciate the information all of you have been kind enough to take the time to send. I feel much better about our self drive plans and I am glad to hear about the sunset/night drive with Sanpaks!
Joy!
Joy!
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Hi,
I totally agree with PennyinSA.
But going back to one of your original questions - is it a good idea to drive from Joburg to Kruger? The map may suggest other routes, but the best plan is to take the N12/ N4 to the turnoff to Belfast, then Dullstroom - Lydenburg - Sabie - Hazyview. It's a stunning drive and other routes that look quicker are actually slower (and less attractive) because of people / cattle on the road etc.
Although self-drive safaris are fine, from personal experience I strongly recommend taking a guided vehicle / tour for the first drive at least. If you are on your own you will miss so many animals and will not understand what you are looking at when you find it. We've be on 15+ safaris (and live in SA) and are only now becoming confiedent enough to do it ourselves (and we're not conservative travelers). If you have the chance of a walking safari I'd really recommend it as well.
I hope this helps.
Rob. Satpack Travel.
I totally agree with PennyinSA.
But going back to one of your original questions - is it a good idea to drive from Joburg to Kruger? The map may suggest other routes, but the best plan is to take the N12/ N4 to the turnoff to Belfast, then Dullstroom - Lydenburg - Sabie - Hazyview. It's a stunning drive and other routes that look quicker are actually slower (and less attractive) because of people / cattle on the road etc.
Although self-drive safaris are fine, from personal experience I strongly recommend taking a guided vehicle / tour for the first drive at least. If you are on your own you will miss so many animals and will not understand what you are looking at when you find it. We've be on 15+ safaris (and live in SA) and are only now becoming confiedent enough to do it ourselves (and we're not conservative travelers). If you have the chance of a walking safari I'd really recommend it as well.
I hope this helps.
Rob. Satpack Travel.
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