The best time of year to come on safari in the Kruger is during the cooler months between April and September. The days are milder and the humidity is lower. The bush is also less lush, so it will be easier to spot wildlife, and the Big 5. You are almost guaranteed to see a wide variety of game at the waterholes early morning and evening.
Visit the private game reserves of the Sabi Sands for luxury and pampering. Most packages include game drives, bush walks and all meals. Spa treatments are also available on request for those wanting to relax in style. Being on an open safari vehicle is the best way to track and experience the Big five and other wild life up close and personal. The bush walks are the most intimate way to experience wildlife. The smells, sights and sounds are unlike anything you have encountered before! Your qualified guide will be happy to answer your questions and share stories that only the locals know. Of all the private reserves we can highly recommend Ulusaba and Lion Sands. Accommodation prices range between R1 400 to R12 750 pp per night. Tours into the local townships can also be arranged where you can experience a variety of colorful cultures.
For those wanting the self catering and self drive option you can book into one of the rest camps in the Kruger National Park itself. Skukuza is the largest and most popular; it is basically a town in itself. There are a few other rest camps where you can stop to browse curio shops and buy snacks and essentials. Taking the self catering option will allow you to drive around and view animals at your own pace. Be sure to get a map on entering the park and make sure that you adhere to the seasonal gate times and speed limits, they are quite strict! In addition, each gate and camp will have enlarged maps on display indicating where the large animals have recently been sighted. An air conditioned car is a must, especially during summer months. If you are a bird watcher, visiting the bird hides is an absolute must, and don't forget the bird book and binoculars, you are in for a treat!
Once inside the Kruger National Park you may feel like you are far removed from anything but bush, but don't forget that Hazyview is only a stone throw away from the most western entrance gates. In and around Hazyview there is everything from mild to wild to entertain the whole family. Induna Adventures provides anything from gentle Horse Trails to the adrenaline of Ziplining, Quad Biking and River Rafting. Other adventures in the area include elephant interactions, hot air ballooning and microlighting. The scenic Panorama Route is also a great way to spend a day sight seeing outside of the Kruger. Visit the world famous Blyde river Canyon and the breathtaking God's window.
You haven't really experienced South Africa until you have seen the unspoilt wilderness, huge density and diversity of animals in the Western Kruger. So come and visit the land where the sun rises!About the Author:
