South Africa: Kruger area, Manyeleti Reserve
Jan 4th, 2002, 10:20 PM
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South Africa: Kruger area, Manyeleti Reserve
Our family of four just returned from an outstanding trip to South Africa. We flew in to Jo'Burg, then drove to the Kruger area. The roads were fine, well marked, with plenty of service areas, and exceptionally clean toliets (important when travelling with kids). We felt safe as we drove about. We stayed at Honeyguide Tented Safari Camp in the unspoiled Manyeleti Reserve bordering Kruger. Honeyguide is an upscale safari experience, but not as expensive (or as deluxe) as some of the more well-known names. It is a more authentic safari experience, I think. There are 12 luxury, permanent tents along the river, with flush toliets, showers with hot and cold running water, and a minimal amount of electricity. Beds are comfortable. Tea is brought to the tents at 5 am, and a game drive in a range rover follows at 5:30 until around 8:30, when you return to the camp for breakfast. A game walk follows breakfast, then free time until lunch at 3 p.m. There is a small pool. At 4 p.m. the evening game drive departs, sundowners are served in a pretty spot along the way, and the drive returns at dinner time, about 8:30 p.m. The meals were all lovely. The Manyeleti reserves shares an open border with Kruger, the animals can come and go. The big five were plentiful there. Though our leopard sighting was only a glimpse, others staying there at the same time saw leopards and cheetahs. Lions were plentiful, as were elephants, zebras, giraffes, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lots of birds, impala, wildebeest, etc. etc. etc. In fact, the lions were often close to camp. Our first morning there, the lions passed down the riverbed in front of our tent and we were awoken by the tremendous noise the baboons made as the lions went by. Children under 12 were not allowed on the game walk, probably wise as we did see lions while on foot. I wouldn't recommend this Camp for anyone with very young children. It was a bit incovenient having the kids (ages 10 and 12) in the other tent at night, as we were not allowed out of the tent at night without escort (because of the danger from animals). We were there three nights, a good amount of time. Our family was with another couple for the game drives. On the drives we could go off-road and get very close to many of the animals, esp. lions, buffalo, elephant, rhino. This is a big advantage to going only to Kruger and seeing the animals (from a distance) that happen to be by the road. On our last day there, new arrivals were added into our group and we felt too crowded during the drives. The three rows of passenger seats in the RR fit six much more comfortably than 8. Some insect-fearing guests were uncomfortable with the critters flying around the open-air dinner at night. Overall, I would highly recommend Honeyguide. The price included the accomodation, drives, food, but not drinks and was R1500 per person per night for adults and R750 per child per night in their own tent.<BR><BR>After departing the Kruger area we toured the beautiful Blyde River canyon and its scenic spots and then stopped in White River for the night. The town itself is nothing special but we stayed at a B&B there called Bougain-Villa, which had the nicest hosts we encountered in SA. It was like staying with friends. They also served a beautiful gourmet dinner for a very reasonable price. The next morning we departed for Jo'burg and the airport to go to Capetown. I will put that report under a separate entry. I'll be happy to try to answer any questions if you have them.
Jan 5th, 2002, 01:42 PM
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Susie, thanks for such a detailed and inspiring report! My husband and I are beginning to think about our next trip to SA. We have heard of Honeyguide, but not been there ourselves. With your information we will certainly consider it.<BR><BR>We have had similar happy experiences at all the B&B's we've stayed at in South Africa.
