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We are visiting Kruger for the first time in June! Two nights @ Olifants (riverview bungalow) and two nights @ Lower Sabie(safari tent)- any must do's/don'ts?? Any advice will be greatly appreciated:)

Hallo bethmary, all I can say is enjoy, enjoy, enjoy and take a lot of pictures

WElcome to the forum. and the main thing is enjoy yourselves . June is a good month and cold at night but usually warm during the day .
Oliphants .. river view GREAT
Lower sabie Just watch out for those naughty men in grey suits ..and the larger ones in Dark brown suits they will steal anything that might look like food . So keep you food locked in that little cage that comes with the Safari tents.

Hi bethmary and a very warm welcome to the forum!

You have chosen 2 wonderful camps for a first time visit and I hope this trip will open up a whole world of wonder and adventure and ensure that there are many more in the future.

I would advise you start by having a look FAQ's and then once you have done that have a read Here
Click any of the Topics that look as if they would answer some of your questions and have a read in there.
There is just much info and great advice in here.

Also have a read through Olifants Camp
and Lower Sabie

Enjoy and if there is anything else specific you would like to know then shout.

Bethmary, welcome to the one and only SANParks Forum

One thing i am asking you to do, IS TO FLY THE FORUM"S COLOURS...and enjoy your trip

Hi bethmary,
Welcome to the Forum. Do take advantage of the organized activities like the night drives. They extend your viewing hours and a great chance to see nocturnal animals.

Hi Bethmary,

Welcome to the forum! The first thing I would personally really really want you to realize as a first time visitor is this: Kruger National Park is a very special place on this planet! It sounds silly to say but I think very few people realize that. It really is a world class experience. I recently visited two world famous reserves in chobe national park and moremi (known as the jewel of africa) - both in botswana and although they are great - Kruger can hold it's own let me tell you that. :-)

Now that I got that out of my system..... You have chosen two awesome camps! To be honest, they are two of my personal three favorites (along with satara).

In terms of advice, I can currently think of the following:
- Start with Elsa. She is a wealth of information! Have a nice deep look at her input and links etc.
- Continue to spend time on this forum. Read trip reports and general discussion in the KNP area of the forum.
- When driving around looking for game, don't hesitate to stick to the main roads. Not sure how many pairs of eyes you have in the car but when I drive around alone or with only one other person, I tend to stick to the main roads. One tends to get isolated on the little dirt roads where you are then dependent on yourself only to spot animals. On the main roads there's a bit more traffic which means you can more often see what other people see. ( and vice versa ). Even though I know some forum-mites will disagree with me here, I believe this is good advice for a first time visitor.
- I feel quite strong about this one: when going for a drive, try not to plan your trip too much. One tends to plan your trip for the day and cover too great a distance. Keep your distances short, drive slow, stop a lot, look around, switch off the car, listen, absorb and look around some more. I've learnt that when there's a schedule or itinerary, one tends to miss a lot!
- Even though not necessary, it helps to align your clock with that of the bush. I usually get up early in the mornings and drive out when the gates open and spend time in evenings absorbing the night life. Take a nap in the afternoon if necessary.
- Don't underestimate what you can see in and around the camp at night! Take a walk around camp from 20h00 or so. I've had some very special sightings from right inside the camp.
- If there's anything you're sill unsure of, don't hesitate to ask on this forum. This is the friendliest bunch of people i've ever come across :-)


Sorry for the long read, I always do that - I just can't keep a post short LoL.

Saved the most important for last though: just enjoy it! Relax, don't rush anywhere and just enjoy it!!

Ciao

Bethmary, a very warm welcome.

I could not imagine better choices of accommodation. Enjoy every moment of these magical views.

My one piece of advice would be to keep your drives south of Olifants at that time of the year. The S39 is usually a great road to travel and the S100 is also close enough for a drive.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy

Oh you're going to have an amazing time!!!

I agree with all that's already been said, but I would add: talk to people.

Get talking to the people next door, ask then what they've seen and where they've seen it, share your sightings.
Get up early to be at the gate before it opens. Get out of your car and breath in deep. The fresh cold air certainly wakes you up and get talking to the people there.
Share your sightings out on the road.
If you see folks flying the yellow ribbon they will stop normally if you have one too.

This way I have had some of my best sightings, by hearing something has been seen in a certain area and deciding to change my plan and head there instead.

Oh and another thing - through talking to people you'll open yourself to the "you just missed..." situation. Try not to let that bother you, as you never know what is round the next corner!!!
Gemma

Have a wonderful first visit! The anticipation builds and builds as the date get closer!
Like PantoffelSlippers we have been to several other parks and reserves all over southern africa - and we loved every one! But what I would say about Kruger is that we keep coming back! I think of Kruger as the people's park. It is accessible for everyone, there is something for everyone and you can really make the experience your own.

Enjoy your trip!I'ts an amazing place and you always wanting more