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Hi all! My name is George, and I’m an American living in Taiwan. I’ve been lurking on this forum for a while, and I’ve read a ton of posts (and the entire KNP website) in preparation for my trip to Kruger. I'm traveling with my dad, who is coming from Germany. I’m looking at a trip of 10 days in the park next March. I’ve tentatively decided on an itinerary, and I wanted to ask for opinions and suggestions. I have some specific questions, but if you have other, unrelated advice/suggestions, please do share.

On to my questions…

1. Can I (or my German dad) rent a vehicle at the airport and drive in the park with a U.S. (and German) license or do we need some sort of special permit/international license?

2. For Kruger in March, is a standard sedan okay, or should I get a 4x4 (see below itinerary if that plays a role)?

3. I keep hearing that some specific bungalows are better than others. Given my planned itinerary below, does anyone have experience and can anyone recommend specific bungalows?

4. Are fresh meat for grilling (braai?), bread, and other fresh foodstuffs to be bought inside the park at the camp stores?

5. A propos, should I stock up in Nelspruit before entering the park? Suggestions for stuff to get (food and drink) for a 10-day trip inside the park? Note that the first 4 days will be a wilderness trail (see below itinerary).

6. Does my below itinerary sound good? Does anyone have any suggestions that might make for an even better experience in your opinion?

7. Is driving from Shingwedzi camp to KMIA on my date of departure a bad idea?

Day 1:
Arrive at KMIA
Drive to Skukuza bush camp
Day 2:
Metsi-Metsi Trail begins
Day 3:
Metsi-Metsi Trail
Day 4:
Metsi-Metsi Trail
Day 5:
Metsi-Metsi Trail
After trail, drive to Lower Sabie camp
Day 6:
Lower Sabie camp
Bush Braai at night
Day 7:
Satara camp
Night drive
Day 8:
Satara camp
Day 9:
Shingwedzi camp
Day 10:
Shingwedzi camp
Bush Braai at night
Day 11:
Return to KMIA airport


Thank you,

George

Hi and a warm welcome to the forums, George

You will be getting good advice from our friendly forumites. I am just going to reply to:

Starting with the Metsi-Metsi Trail sounds pretty wonderful to me

Welcome to the forums George!

Lets see....
I have never heard of trouble with drivers licenses. But it never hurts to have an international one, which is just a translation.

A standard sedan will do you fine, except on the walking trail.

There is a looooooooooooong topic, possibly more than one, on shopping. But logistics, the trail days, work against you. There is no simple way to bring along frozen food for the whole trip.
I find the quality of the stuff in the shops is usually more than good enough, especially the meats. But that is from looking at it as a Dutchman. The meat in SA is great!

Drinks you can probably stow in your car during the walks, so hit a bottleshop before entering Kruger for the harder liquor and possibly wine. Beer I would not really bother with, the camps have plenty, and at (for international travellers) fair prices.

The Satara to Shingwedzi drive is possible, but a very long one. And you don't mention the time you need to be at KMIA.... See if you can swap that camp for something more south. Talamati possibly? But then you may miss out on the bushbraai.

Hi there George

I can help with question 3. But I must know what type of accom you booked e.g. LS - LST2U or BD2U ??

4. The camp shops stock fresh meat and bread and almost everything else.

Please let me know about the accom.



Leana

Shingwedzi to KMIA is pushing it a bit, you won't have a relaxed drive. Remember the maximum permitted speed is 50km/h (or in American terms 30mph).

If you need alcohol from outside the park as Duco suggested, you won't be able to get it on a Sunday, the bottle stores are closed. Inside the park is OK.

Other than that I think your itinerary looks superb.

And a herd of, or even a single, elephant on the road can really throw your schedule into a million bits.
That is why I suggest relocating more southerly.

Next time you go to Kruger you can go to the north. And do not worry, there will be a next time! Once Kruger bites...

Welcome to the forum George . You are certainly in for the time of your life

Actually , driving from Shingwedzi to KMIA is quite do-able in one day , but then you should exit the park at Phalaborwa ( 140 km - 87 miles - say 3 -4 hours drive ) , then outside the park only another 200 km ( 125 miles ) , say another 3 hours max

Enjoy yourself

Hi George and a warm welcome to the forum.

To try and add to what the others have said so far

1. As Duco has already said, maybe an international license might just be a safe guard in case some of the rental companies demand it.

2. A normal sedan is usually fine in the park, only time you need a 4 x 4 if if you are going to do any of the 4 x 4 trails which you haven't indicated on your itinerary or you want the extra height advantage.
The bush and grass can be quite high in March so really up to you but not essential.

3. Perimeter bungalows are usually the most sought after but going on your itinerary again I would say not essential.
For great bush sounds the Safari tents at Lower Sabie, LST2U can't be beaten and the Satara perimeter BD2V ones also for seeing animals patrolling the fences.
But do book as soon as possible as they get snapped up very quickly and March can be a very busy and popular month.

4 & 5. Most food stuffs can be bought in all the camps otherwise a meal at the restaurants especially Shingwedzi is great.
but I would try and get as many non perishables in Nelspruit or one of the other supermarkets close to the gates as possible and then just top up with the other at the camps.

6. Your itinerary sounds fantastic other than the long drive from Shingwedzi to the airport on your day of departure unless your flight out is pretty late or you do as okie suggests.

Thank you to all for the warm words of welcome and the many kind and useful suggestions. I have taken them all to heart. It seems that a sedan will be sufficient in KNP, so I'll opt for that. I checked a little more into the driver's license situation, and it seems that my dad (who is German) will need to get an international driver's license, but I will apparently be fine with an American license since it is in English. I'll make sure to buy the hard stuff (my dad is fond of a bit of Schnapps here and there) outside of the park. In fact, since I'm flying in the day before, I might as well get the hard stuff duty-free at the airport.

Leanawel, I have not booked lodging yet. I have checked LST2U at Lower Sabie, and it is booked solid for my dates. BD2V at Satara, however, is available for the dates I want. Can you suggest an alternative option for Lower Sabie? I would also welcome any recommendation for the 1st night (Skukuza) and the two nights in Letaba (see updated itinerary below), since I'm pretty much doing this blind as far as choosing lodging, never having been there myself.

In light of the many forumites encouraging me to make my drive to the airport less stressful for my final day, I've altered my schedule a bit. How does this look now? Would you suggest I book more walks/drives at the camps where I'll be staying?

Day 1:
Arrive at KMIA
Drive to Skukuza bush camp
Day 2:
Metsi-Metsi Trail begins
Day 3:
Metsi-Metsi Trail
Day 4:
Metsi-Metsi Trail
Day 5:
Metsi-Metsi Trail
After trail, drive to Letaba camp
Day 6:
Letaba camp
Bush Braai at night
Day 7:
Satara camp
Night drive
Day 8:
Satara camp
Day 9:
Lower Sabie camp
Day 10:
Lower Sabie camp
Bush Braai at night
Day 11:
Return to KMIA airport

Hi there

LOWER SABIE
The LST2U's are just great, but unfortunately very popular. You can also go for a BD2U or a BD3U chalet, they are all just great and give a very good view on the river.

SATARA
The BD2V at Satara is the best accom there.

SKUKUZA:
I do not know what your budget is. The very best accom in Skuz, but unfortunately also very expensive, is the LUXURY RIVERSIDE BUNGALO, I think the code is LRBW or LRBE I am not sure (W for west of the restaurant or E for east of the restaurant). Have a look at the CAMP MAP (CAMP HOME) and you can get an idea of the situation. The safaritents (although without own bathroom) are also very popular, situated against the fence (with a view on the bush) and not expensive at all. If you go to AVAILABILITY, you can click on the accommodation code and the info and photos will give you a good idea. Skukuza is a very big camp with lots of accom. The best are in the front with a view on the river, but you can also go and sit near the fence.

LETABA: I do not know Letaba well, visited this beautiful camp years ago. Again, look at the CAMP MAP and get an idea. Every unit with a view usually has a V or U in the code.

You can also go to the topic ACCOMMODATION PHOTOS IN KRUGER and on page 1 you will find an index for all the photos - this will be very helpful. After booking, you can always try and make a special request for a specific number. Happy and if you are unsure - let us know

Leana

If you're staying longer than 1 night, the perimeter huts are great, but if you're only staying in Letaba for 1 night, and travelling for most of the day to get there, one of the "other" huts should be adequate. There is a nice walk along the perimeter next to the river to take in the view. If you, however want to have all your accommodation on the perimeter you may find it difficult to get accommodation.
I'm not sure where or what time the MetsiMetsi trail ends, bear in mind that Letaba is very far north, (160kilometers from Skukuza) and it will take you about 4 hours if you don't stop for any animals, keeping to the speed limit.

Welcome to the forum George.

Just a few pointers.

March is in the rainy season. It could rain on your walking trail. Mosquitoes and therefore malaria need to be addressed.

The bush wil be thick and not great for sightings too far off the road.

Migrant birds will still be here, so birding will be good.

Hi Leanawel,

Thank you for the quick reply. I looked at the camp maps, and that is very useful. I didn't see the maps before, but now that I've downloaded them, it's easy to see where the huts are relative to the rivers, etc. After seeing the advice people gave me and looking at the maps, it seems that the general rule is that water-front huts are generally the best.


Hi Lonehill_Birders,

Thank you for the advice. I didn't even think about that! What you say makes sense. If the wilderness trail ends late, then driving all the way to Letaba might be a bear. Maybe I should choose Satara as my first stop after the Metsi-Metsi Trail, and then I can do Letaba after that?


Hi Bush Baptist,

Thanks for the advice. Rest assured that my dad and I will be taking malaria very seriously. We'll be wearing long sleeved clothing, pith hats with nets, and we'll have lots of strong DEET repellant on hand. We'll also take anti-malarial medications. I'm worried about side-effects, though. I've never taken anti-malarial medication before, but I have heard stories from people who contracted malaria because they stopped taking their anti-malarials. They said they stopped taking them because the medication was giving them "psychotic dreams" and other negative side-effects.

EDIT: I've read here somewhere that anti-malarial medication is easy to get in South Africa and much cheaper than buying it abroad. Is it over-the-counter, or do you need a prescription? Is there a type someone can recommend that is easy to take and won't give us bad dreams or other side effects?

Hi George,

There is some information about the various malaria meds here. Please remember to consult your doctor to get the right nedication for you personal circumstances. As far as I am aware the meds are prescription only and are not any cheaper in SA than in any other country.

Have a great trip.

We have several forum members who are better equipped than me to advise, but until they post here, I can start the ball rolloing.

Unless the rules have recently changed you do need a prescripton for any anti malarials.

Yes some do have side effects which vary with different medications and vary from person to person, but as you said - better a few side effects than contracting malaria.

One of the prescribed anti mamarials is actually an anti biotic called Doxycycline, and that is the one my SO and I always take. We are both lucky enough not to have ever had any side effects from it.

It does warn you that direct sunlight is best avoided for too long a period, but you say you will be covering up anyway.

As I said we have some forum members who are far more knowledgeable than me, and they may answer your questions, but I would also get it sorted before you leave home.

I don't know how it all works in the USA........we are lucky in UK each doctor's surgery has a travel clinic these days, and they advise on all jabs recommended and the anti malarials.

Your trip is certainly taking shape, and I'm sure you are both excited.

As far as meat is concerned, maybe we've been unlucky, but the meat bought in the camps has always disappointed us. Noe the best quality and quite expensive. The same with general groceries. If you are stopping to buy booze, there will be a supermarket nearby, and I personaaly would get as much stuff from there. You can always top up in the park shops wirth things like fresh milk and bread.
That is of course just my opinion, some people will say the park shops will be fine.

You must be getting so excited..........I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time.

Have you booked your car hire at KMIA....you will need to. All the main companies are there.

Don't forget inside the park you can only buy petrol with cash. Debit and credit cards are not accepted.

You can however buy meals from the restaurant and stuff from the shops with a debit/credit card.

Hope all that helps.



Sorry Sara, you must have posted just before me.............but I'll leave my post in anyway.