SANParks.org Forums

Hi All,

We are looking for some guidance on how to plan our Kruger Park visit in December. Three adults will be in Johannesburg in mid-December 2013. I have spent time researching by have been overwhelmed by the information. Also concerned that December is holiday period and accommodation may be a challenge.

So far:
- We plan to hire a car in Johannesburg and drive to Kruger.
- Spend 4/5 days.
- While we did consider private parks, we now think the "public" park will be more than adequate.
- We don't have specific interests however seeing the big 5 would be great.
- We are looking for lodge accommodation (rather than a tent unless gear could easily be hired).

We are having trouble picking the route, so have considered limiting our visit to a specific region? The southern region seems logical due to proximity to Johannesburg although travel distances appear reasonable within the park.
The Central Region
The Far North Region
The Northern Region
The Southern Region

Or should we make a choice by gate?

We have found the following link that seems to make some good suggestions. These seem good however may be governed by our accommodation options:
http://www.krugerpark.co.za/Krugerpark_ ... rives.html

Questions:
1) Is car hire better to be done in Johannesburg or nearby Kruger?
2) What happens if we cannot pre-book accommodation in the park?
3) Are there any suggested routes others would recommend?
4) How did you plan your trip to Kruger? Did you just arrive?
5) How prepared should we be?

Apologies for the questions however any little bit of guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Hi darrinm81 and a warm welcome to the forum,

You have definitely come to the right place for answers to all your questions!
we love giving advice and helping people plan their trips!

Firstly, is this your first time to Kruger?
If it is and you only have 4/5 days to spend in the park then I would suggest you stick to the south and slightly higher as that is where the best chances of finding the Big 5 are to be found and then on subsequent trips you could explore further.

Mid December is a very busy time and I would advise that you start booking accommodation asap.

Have a look at Availability and choose some camps, Skukuza, Lower Sabie, one of the very popular camps, Berg & Dal, Crocodile Bridge or Pretoriuskop and see what is available for your dates.
The general consensus is not moving every day but spending at least 2 nights per camp.
Gives one a bit more time to explore and area and not spend the time packing and unpacking.

I think I would advise you to book bungalows which can be with or without a kitchen or bathroom so your budget can decide.

If you go to a camp on the link I gave you you will see the different types of accommodation offered.

Unless you plan on flying into Nelspruit airport, KMIA you would need to hire your car in Jhb and drive to the park.

I am sure you will get lots of other advice from the members as well, but please do ask as your progress with your planning.

Hi darrinm81.
Elsa has already given you sound advice.
I will just add that if you are a first time visitor to the park with only 4/5 days to spare I would advice to spend it at one camp in the south for the duration of your holiday.
Here I'm thinking of Skukuza or Lower Sabie.
You can explore most roads in the south from here or even decide to take a drive up to Satara for a day trip and see how the central parts looks like.
December will be a busy month ultimately.

Thanks for the warm welcome and very helpful advice. This will be our first trip to Kruger and depending on cost & availability, we are currently considering 4/5 days.

I will look at the link you supplied. It appears there are vacancies for December but will aim to book soon!
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/to ... bility.php

Based on the advice so far:
1) Hire car in JHB;
2) Stay at one/two main camps in the south (eg Skukuza, Lower Sabie);
3) Book soon to avoid the December holiday rush;

Just some further questions....

I take it that you simply use the main camp to park your car/sleep/eat, and then do day trips out? Once in the park you can basically do what you?

Flying versus driving to Kruger - Some say the drive is boring, others say there are delays at the airport. Is there a recommended route to drive (c. 5 hours) and things to see along the way? Uncertain if either transport method has a significant benefit over the other?

darrinm81,

I don't want to disagree with any advice given above. If you're there for 5 days, try 2 camps for 2 nights each. Berg & Dal and Lower Sabie maybe? But to be honest, just take what you can get for now.

The safari tents are great value. All you need for a comfortable night's rest. However you'll need your own utensils etc, and I'm guessing you won't have that with you if you're flying in. Most other bungalows have all you need.

As for travel I'd suggest the drive from Jhb. You'll probably save a bit of money rather than flying to KMIA. The drive to Malelane gate shouldn't take you more than 4hrs with a short pitstop along the way. (N12 then N4 Freeway all the way) Budget 5hrs which will include a grocery shopping break along the way. (Malelane has all you need in this regard)
Then a drive to Lower Sabie or Skukuza is about 2hrs. (Sometimes more, sometimes less)

Other than that, all other answers are on this forum, or ask away...
As for visiting in December... Bring sunscreen and bug spray!!!

You basically drive around, very slowly, looking for game. Great way to spend a holiday. The camps offer morning drives and walks and sunset drives. All the main camps have a shop and most (excepting Orpen and Croc Bridge) have a restaurant and/or cafe and a swimming pool. Spend time on yout stoep (porch Sometimes wandering around the camps, especially along the fences (where possible) is very interesting.

Flying versus driving is something I struggle with every time I visit. Its much cheaper and you have a wider choice to hire a car in JHB. However the drive is a long one and my last drive back from the park to JHB was an absolute nightmare and I said never again. Flying into and out of KMIA is so much more relaxing, although I do resent the time hanging around OR Tambo (because I build in too much transit time). So I would say it depends on when you are landing and where you have come from. Driving will give you much more of a feeling for the country and the first time you do it is very exciting. After that it gets tedious.

Enjoy your trip and please ask for advice, we love helping people plan trips. And we also love to hear all about it when you get back.

Thanks again so much for the info. This has helped greatly! We now have more of an idea what to do. It also narrowed the scope that should help searching/browsing this forum.

I will look into the cost of flights versus car hire option. A 4/5 hour drive doesn't seem the end of the world - especially when you compare the time door-to-door travelling by air.

Regarding accommodation given we won't be travelling with camping gear the bungalow lodging seems most applicable. We just need to book something fairly soon. Two camps over two nights seems sensible.

More reading for me to do on the camps mentioned:
Lower Sabie
Skukuza
Berg & Dal
Crocodile Bridge
Pretoriuskop
Satara (day trip out)

Thanks again!

Welcome to the forum darrinm81.

You have been given excellent advice by the 'pros' already.

I recommend;

Try to get your 5 days in by Thurs 12th, because the major influx will start on Fri 13th. If you get accom after that, it is ok, but it might get busy on some roads.

Book max 2 camps if possible - you would otherwise be tempted to pack/unpack in prime viewing time.

You can do about 200 km per full day, so enter at a gate that will allow you to arrive at your sleepover camp by about 18h15, or as soon as you can to check in and go out again.

You can buy an excellent map book at the entry gate. It gives detailed routes, mammal & bird pics and a lot of other info. Cost about 4 quid or 6 USD.

Plan your daily route the night before and speak to other guest about their sightings. People love to share what they have seen. Keep the map book withyou because seasoned visitors will tell you road numbers.

Do a sunset drive or a morning walk one day. They are 'different', not necessarily most productive, but could be.

It is in the rainy season, but it could be rather hot.

Good luck!

Hello there,

You are in for such a treat!!!

Personally I would recommend 2 nights Skukuza/Lower Sabie and 2/3 further nights in Satara (if available).

If you have the means, rather fly in as the roads will be busy at that time. 16 December is a public holiday in SA so the traffic back can be wild.

Do not stress too much on what to do - just buy a map book at the entrance gate and drive around. That is the true magic of Kruger.

Enjoy your planning!!!

You have another option, last year we rent a car in Joburg and dropped it in Nelspruit airport.

Hi darinm81! Welcome to the forums.
You have found THE place to find out more about your KNP holiday!

The South would also be my choice for the 5 days. 2 nights at 2 different camps.
This way you can experience two different camps.
Berg en Dal and Lower Sabie sounds like two good choices to me - but hey - you can choose any camp in the South - they're all great! Availability might be the guide in the end...

Driving from JHB to Malelane Gate will take you 4-5 hours.
As mentioned - door-to-door, the flight will probably take you just as long or longer.
Driving the N4, especially via the Schoemanskloof side, can be quite beautiful through Mpumalanga.
There are nice shops and places one can stop on the way - but I won't do too much of that - Kruger will be awaiting you! It is a good road.

Driving in KNP is lovely.
We usually go on a morning drive - out early, drive around, make breakfast in a gas braai/cooker which you can rent at a picnic site, drive a little more, then back to camp for an afternoon nap (especially over the hottest part of the day, when all the animals are hiding in the shade as well).
Then out again late afternoon for a 2-3 hour drive.
As already suggested - you can buy a Kruger Map-book on arrival at the park and plan from there.
Most camps have sightings boards - where people indicate where they have seen nice sightings during the day.
Look at them to get an idea as to which roads are "hot" with sightings.
And talk to other people.
Especially if you see someone whose car has a yellow ribbon tied to it.
That means they're on these forums, very friendly and will love to share their sightings with you!

Remember to get antimalarial tablets from your doctor - it is peak season for malaria in Kruger. Unfortunately - he/she will not be able to give you an antidote to the serious addiction you will most likely develop to Kruger...