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Good question. I can't imagine they're any safer than most places. There is even a thread around here of animals near those signs.

I remember getting out all by myself at a safe-to-alight overlook of the Olifants. It didn't take long before the primitive part of my brain was telling me to get back in the car.

I definitely don't think its "safe" to get out at the look out's and that is why they also say you do so at your own risk!
There is even a risk at picnic areas altho somewhat less due to the numbers of people.
Which is why I always have a good look around before getting out the car and then also keep a sharp look out while there.

Like a breakfast we had at Afsaal. Two male lions with their wildebeest kill across the road in the same stream that pass the picnic site. At least there was some armed guards on the tar road to keep an eye on them. And lots of traffic.

From what I have observed, the places where you can get out have had the bush around them cleared to give more visibility and to reduce the risk of animals being hidden.
Some also have some sort of fencing, perhaps not enough to stop a charging predator but maybe enough to make it stop and think.

Also animals on the whole tend to avoid areas where there are or have been a large amount of human activity.
Of course there are a lot of examples where this doesn't happen but its a general rule.

As with the others, I don't think any sign in Kruger will say it is safe to alight, only that you may do so at your own risk.
You should always be alert, even in your car, at a picnic site or in your bungalows.

I suppose its a question of first making sure that you are prepared for surprises and always be on the lookout for said surprises

Why is that I always expect ol' Spotty to join me when sitting at Mkumbe or Orpen Dam look-out points. Although its a very short distance from the car park to the actual lookouts, both these places make my hair stand on end.

How true about Orpen dam!! We got out one time and both me and my hubby started feeling a bit unsafe. we got in the car and drove 200m and there was a big male lion standing in the middle of the road heading to the lookout point...

Wow, Spinnekop I would've had a chill down my spine if I were you!

We once saw a pride of about 5 Lions litterally 20 - 30 metres from the Tshokwane picnic site walking in the road. It was early morning, so I assume they were hanging out in the picnic site during the night. Needless to say we decided NOT to get out at Tshokwane.

The "you may alight from you vehicle at your own risk" signs are usually (but not always) at spots where visibility is relatively good - thus less chance of being surprised by a predator / elephant etc.

That said, I think it is not really all that great a risk to get out anywhere in the park, but more risk in the dense bush (animals hidden), near water etc. (concentrations of animals incl. predators), therefore the "safe" signs do indicate relatively "safe" areas. The responsibility to be "aware" always lies with the person doing the "alighting" though.

I always get out at the indicated areas, after a very quick look-around, and had to get back in the car earlier than planned only once because of a very close-by roaring lion.

I regard these areas as ultra safe because there is no chance of being fined for being outside one's vehicle at those spots and ending up on the forum's "Gallery of shame" (see viewtopic.php?style=2&f=73&t=8573) for stretching one's legs

We saw a big male lion a few meters from afsaal entrance last week (end of Nov 2011) and we were very careful when we went to the picnic area.

There was also a leopard lying on the huge rocks, camouflaged by leaves, at the Kruger plate area where you can alight from your car.

Hi Brummie,

I assume the tablets are between skukuza and Tshokwane? If it is indeed those rocks, we saw Lions there on numerous occasions. Even heard a story about two tourists who were outside their vehicle and then another oncoming vehicle saw two male lions heading their way about 100m {apparently} away. So the vehicle's people shouted to them to get back into the car.

I don't even get out at those rocks,

Yes, they are now and the sign has been removed.
I think it was felt it was not safe enough due to the thickness of the bush and the distance from the car to the plaque plus the frequency of animals found there.

Not at the Kruger Tablets!
Bottom line, if there is no sign saying you may, then you may not!

I think every time when a person gets out of your vehicle in Kruger, even where it is allowed, you should understand the meaning of at your own risk as I do not think its is completely “safe”.
We had seen lions very close to the Babalala picnic spot one day
and some picnic makers walked very relaxed and pleased on the edge of the cleared area after a lovely picnic meal.
I am wondering what should a person do if the lion(s) roam into the demarcated picnic area?
I think most people will think of running.
But trying to disappear silently and unseen to your car may also not work.

We arrrived one morning very early at an empty Nwanedzi picnic site to find a leopard playing on the tables and chairs.