Reserve Kruger game drives?
 

We will be staying in Kruger Park in mid-September and have already booked accommodations at Lower Sabie, Satara, Oliphants and Letaba. Do we need to book the game drives in advance or are they pretty easy to reserve on arrival? Also, of the camps mentioned above, is one better for morning or evening drives than the others?

We were in Kruger in early June which I think is not as busy as September but at that time we had no trouble booking activities on arrival.

We found the night drive at Olifants disappointing - the guide just couldn't be bothered and just drove - didn't spot, didn't stop when we spotted something ourselves until we shouted at him to do so!

BUT the walking tour along a stretch of river filled with hippos was excellent with excellent guide too.

I reserved all of our drives in advance, just in case, when I went last August.

Did an early morning drive at Lower Sabie. We saw 2 cheetahs on that drive, and many white rhinos at close distances (to the point that everyone was a little bored with them). Warning--it gets cold on these early morning drives--be prepared!

Did a Sunset drive at Skukuza. We saw lots of smaller nocturnal animals (a bush baby, genets, rabbits, hyenas) and lots of steenbok. Also saw a mom/baby rhino and a male lion. The sunsets are pretty.

Did a "late night" drive at Satara. This was the least productive in terms of game numbers. We did see a few lions, a hyena, and a civet, but I was a little disappointed.

I think that the Satara area has a lot of potential to see some night-time carnivores (lions, leopards, hyenas). If you want to see rhinos, stay in the the southern area of the park.

Also, as Kavey said, the walking tours are the best. You may not see as many animals, but the experience is not to be missed, in my opinion.

Gritty,

Which parts of the Kruger is very good for Cheetah viewing?

I know in the Sabi Sands areas it's very hit or miss as the cats move in and out of traversing zones which are usually full of other competing predators!!!

What about the timbavati?

Hari

Hari,

Good question. I'm certainly no expert, but based on the habitat type I envision them being in (open savannah), I would think that the cheetahs would be found more in Satara and Lower Sabie areas. You're right, though, that they're probably very nomadic so they can dodge all of the lions.

The ones we saw were a huge surprise. We were driving through a huge burned-out area when we saw them. The whole area looked very wildlife-scarce. Apparently there was enough prey around for the cheetahs.

We did one evening drive at Olifants and it was OK but I wouldn't do it again. The morning walk I did there was outstanding though. I would definitely recommend doing at least one of the walks -- seeing giraffes and watching elephants mudbathe while on foot was an amazing experience! We just booked these activities when we got there.

I have heard that the bush braais are a fantastic experience too and we plan to do one of those when we go next. They include a game drive on the way to and from the braai site. Not all the camps offer them but I know Lower Sabie definitely does.

There is also an astronomy activity (guided stargazing with a telescope) at Olifants which is supposed to be very good but I have not done it.

If you do decide to book a drive, just remember: you can drive yourself from sunup to sundown, but you can't do night drives yourselves. So personally I would choose a night drive -- you might get to see some nocturnal creatures that you would not get to see otherwise. Not all of the camps offer night drives but I know they definitely do at Olifants and Satara.

My husband did one of the bike activities at Olifants and really enjoyed that also.

Lots more info on game drives & walks on the Kruger activities forum -- there is one thread just dedicated to drives & walks:
http://www.sanparks.org/forums/viewf...52c29ab335ce98

Someone even posted a link to a report of his morning walk at Satara, complete with GPS route map and photos -- enjoy:
http://www.thekruger.com/satara/morningwalk.htm

Hari -- There is a thread where people post their Kruger cheetah sightings & locations & photos here:
http://www.sanparks.org/forums/viewt...c&start=30

I would recommend that you pre-book a sunset drive (as opposed to a night drive) at Satara. Although it is probably easy enough to get on to most of these drives and walks, there is no need to hesitate and possibly miss out. I would also consider booking a spot on one of the morning walks.
Then see how it goes. You might even be tired of seeing so many animals that you prefer not to do too much.
Cheetahs need the open plains to run down their prey and you are more likely to find them in the area north of Lower Sabie but south of Olifants. However, consider yourself lucky if you do spot a cheetah.

Thanks Gritty, Lisa and RKR,

Plenty of great info......much thanks

Hari

Thanks for all the good advice. I think I'll book a morning walk at Olifants and sunset drive at Satara, then plan the rest as we go along.