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!

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.

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

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

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

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!

If you do, make sure that you do the private reserve at the end.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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)

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).

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

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

Agreed, lots of things to think about, and now I've got one more to think about. Geez, thanks a lot, Tom. :)

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

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

Agree with CB, a week of self drive will exhaust you. That is what we did in Kruger in Sep of 2009, 6 days of mostly driving, about 10 hours a day was too much. If you are going to drive that much 3-4 days is about right. Then go to a private reserve camp and let them do everything for you :) .

regards - tom

Well we are going to Kruger again in August for 22 days - all in the park, all self-drive. After spending way too much time on the SANParks forums I realise there are lots and lots of people who do the same! Have done the private reserve thing and it was great but once was enough. For a first trip then definitely a mix of both would be the ideal.

Wow 3dogs, fascinating, 22 days. Which camps? Are you resident of SA? Do you have your own car or will you rent/hire one? Any area, any thing, any activity that you particularly like to see and do? I'm looking for ideas for our next time. Which could even be this May.

regards - tom

We fly to Phalaborwa and start from there. pick up car at the airport (one of the most charming you will find anywhere) and then stock up at Spar just a km from the gate and then head in to the park. For this trip we are going to:
Shimuwini
Shingwedzi
Punda Maria
Shipandani Hide
Letaba
Satara
Lower Sabie
Tamboti
in that order. Then back out at Phalaborwa. We are not South African residents, just obsessed Australians! :) This time to keep costs down we have booked some of the huts and tents without kitchens. So we are bringing some 'camping' stuff to help self-cater in the communal kitchens.
We have hired with aroundaboutcars in the past who were terrific but this time we have booked with Carhire3000 who have good reviews and excellent prices.
In the park we spend a LOT of time game driving - from first thing at gate opening then usually head back to camp at about 11am if we are not moving to next camp. Relax for a bit then head out mid afternoon til gate closing. I think we will try to plan more drives this time around stopping for lunch at one of the terrific picnic spots and relaxing there and then heading on again. We also love to book a morning game walk. Have done these at Shimuwini and Shingwedzi. Both were excellent and I highly recommend it. Not as keen on doing the camp game drives, however having said that the sunset drives can be terrific. My strategy is to ask at the office mid afternoon how many people are booked on the drive. If none or very few, we book it. This has worked well from the less busy camps. Any other questions please ask.