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I prefer sunset-drives too - to a certain extent. Both have their own merit, though.
On sunset-drives you get a bit of daylight and if you're at the right place (Letaba, for instance), the ranger will stop at an appropriate location for sundowners and sunset views. After that you still get about two hours of night-drive, so you get to see nocturnal animals.
Night-drives are totally night events that concentrate exclusively on nocturnal animals.
There is an age restriction on both drives, but I'm not sure what it is, right now. It's either 10 or 12, if I'm not mistaken.

hi

how do the night drive bookings work? do we do it in the camp, or can we book via the internet?

thx

Hi cadac,

You can book via reservations if you like. You can call them or send an email with your reservation number.

Me neither, but I seem to remember it is 6.

Good day all

Just over a week and I will be in Kruger!!! I have been looking at what activities we will be up to, and came across "Night Drives" at Satara. Previously I have been on a night drive at Lower Sabie, which left at 5 and came back at 8.30 or so. Now I thought that this night drive was a "night drive"!!!

My question/s are therefore as follows:
1) what time is a night drive and for what duration. It looks like it is not at all the camps?!
2) I need to decide what camps to do sunset / night drives from. I will be staying at Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie, Satara and Berg en Dal. Will definitely do one at Berg en Dal after reading the trip reports, but would appreciate advice on the others. Pros / cons appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi there

Satara has both sunset drives and night drives
Sunset drives start at 5 and end at 8 where night drives are shorter and start at 8 till 10 pm

Either CB, LS or Satara offers great drives and you are sure to see something so it is a much of a muchness over which of these camps you choose.

We've done both sunset and night drives on several occasions and I'd say I prefer the night drive ( starting at 8 pm as opposed to 5 pm - sunset drive ) for the simple reason that when you drive out at 5pm there are still cars out on the roads but on the proper night drive there aren't any regular visitors on the roads any more !
If you pay your R200 - or whatever it costs - you expect something out of the ordinary and you don't want to be on the road when normal day visitors are also still out there ?
Another reason is that the nocturnal animals don't always start moving around the moment the sun sets , but sometimes only a bit later, so the 8pm drive could be more rewarding than the 5pm drive ?

Sunset drives have some advantages. Many of the nocturnal animals actually become active at dusk already, and you will be able to see them before dark, often even having a better view than when spotting that same animal after dark.

Also, you do see more animals while it is still light outside, making the whole experience a better package.

Yes, if you are only interested in nocturnal animals, spending more time after dark is a good idea, and the night drive may be better. I have however found that a night drive can become very monotone, even when you do spot the odd nocturnal animal.

To me the silence of a sunset in the middle of the bush is just magic.

Night drive / sunset drive? Both are special and not to be missed!

After reading another post I would like to add this (not sure if someone wrote something like this already)

The whole idea of the sunset/night drive is to see what the bush is like when it gets dark after the camp gates are closed.

To see what goes on in the bush when you can't see it without going on such a drive. There is a few things to keep in mind which may also make your drive more pleasant.

Don't go on the drive expecting to see a kill or the big 5 etc then you go for the wrong reasons and chances are you are going to be disappointed. If you go on these drive for the experience of it and to see the bush at sunset/night and enjoy the night then you will enjoy it.

If you see things like lions, leopard kill etc you are lucky but that is not what the reason for the drive is. According to my own experience on these drive (have been on many at different camps) there is a few things to know/keep in mind.

You might learn something on the drive by asking/listening to the driver. (have heard that some drivers say things like a male lion always eats first where evidence show that its not ''always'' the case) apart from small things generally these drivers I believe field guides have a good knowledge of the bush and the animals and might teach you some interesting facts.

Some of them are really nice and ''people friendly''. A few things there are spotlight at the back of the truck and its the person who chooses that seat that is responsible for shining the light when it starts to get dark. I have seen people shining everywhere they are not supposed to. You are supposed to search for reflecting animal eyes by scanning the terrain left right and left again as the animal might look at you for that split second. Also on the ground near (not on the tar road) and far and occationaly in trees. Any person that sees an animal is supposed to say stop in an audible voice so that the driver can hear you.

When you approach dangerous animals dont make sudden movements, scream, talk loudly etc you might provoke an attack or scare the animal away. Follow the drivers instructions at all times and even in summer just for incase take something warm a jacket or something... And remember to visit the toilet before the drive as those +- 3 hours can get long if you really need a toilet...

If these general lines are followed Im sure most people will have a more pleasant drive and there wont be complaints afterwards like the drivers dont give good enough instructions on the spotlights etc like there have been before.

Ive also seen that a quick "...there is spotlights at the back use them to shine for eyes...'' dont always work as the people dont shine right or dont shine at all

Hi there,

FIRST of all: WELCOME to this forum!!

I would ALWAYS recommend a sunset drive. First of all, there is nothing more beautiful than taking time to actually observe the African sunset (2 mins). Secondly, a sunset drive gives one the oppurtunity to enjoy both 'daylight' photographs of the drive, which is often problematic with a night drive. lastly, with kids, a nightdrive starts late and is a hour shorter

Both Satara and Lower-Sabie area's are perfect for such a drives, although my personal preference is Satara, with its high denisty of cats and easy spotting terrain.

As for the walks, the late afternoon walks are IMHO better in winter (eg. June/July), as you start in midday heat or just thereafter, which means in summer time it can be quite hot. A morning walk is quite early, BUT you have the oppurtunity to start and end with a nice and still bearable temprature I'd advise a morning walk!

You can book it by emailing SANParks, with the given specified dates etc. Enjoy particularly the walk, I have done one in July at Lower-Sabie, and it was simply wonderful!!

Im am so

The sunset drive and night drives are both equally enjoyable.I think that night drives are special as you have the opportunity to see alot of nocturnal animals that are not normally seen during the day, eventhough it is alot more difficult to get good pics on the night drive.

The sunset drive is longer and you still have light for a while, so taking pics is easier. but in my experience we have seen more of the nocturnal animals on a night drive than a sunset drive. BOTH are really good at satara , so which ever one you choose will be an experience!!

BB, I'll agree with the other posters here. Like Imberbe I tend to wear long trousers but I also use short gaiters over the end to stop unwanteds getting into my boots.

Bino's a must and definitely water. I use a medium sized bum bag with water bottle pouches on the side which also contains my first aid kit, and other bits and bobs that might come in handy.

My last walks in KNP were in June and the mornings were a bit nippy to start off with. The first ones I wore a light jumper under my shirt which I then took of and stowed in the bum bag, but later I changed to a light weight vest jacket and just rugged up for the drive out to the kick off point. This kept me warm enough at the start and I could then open it later on.

I spend a bit of time out in the bush here and some of the hunters run around in camo gear but I've found that light browns / khakis / olive / greens do as effective a job as any camo gear. Whites and brights a definite no no.

Welcome to the forum and beware of addiction!

I actually think morning drives are great! The animals have been busy overnight, and are going 'home' to rest and so are more relaxed - and sometimes well fed! If there has been a kill you may find the culprits still feeding or defending their prize.

It also seems that the animals are less wary of the vehicle as they have not had a whole day of being chased away from the roads by speeding vehicles and people hanging out of windows, etc.....

The birds are waking up and calling....

It is a lovely time of day.

I think that is a popular misconception and explains why they are not so well booked up. In fact the drive goes out about an hour before the gates open, so you get out in the park when others cannot, and it is still dark so you see the night animals.

The morning walk, on the other hand, goes later as it has to be light enough to walk safely when you get to the starting point.

Hi all!
FYI: This is from the "night drive vs, sunset drive" thread so please read it in that light; just thought Saskia summarised the differences very well.



At Punda Maria, the morning drives aren't as popular which is in line with what EcoJunckie stated. I love morning walks though!!
I agree with gerharddb: it depends on what you're looking for, but you should try different activities!
Just remember that the Park is quite diverse.

Happy sightings