SANParks.org Forums

Some of the sun-set and night drives, SANPARKS do go onto the no-entry roads which are obviously for Parks use only and not for the public. We have had great sightings on both the sun-set drive and night drive from Satara and Mopani. Dont forget to dress warmly for those winter nights it can get pretty cold.

That's a quote from here.

They do indeed pick you up at Balule. For walks as well.

Hi Biggsy ... and welcome.

The Sunset drives usually leave approx. an hour before sunset and takes three hours. So depending on the time of year you should be home by 8 or so.

So you could be in bed by 9 / 10.

The walk leave from camp approx. 6 (again depending on the time of year).

So yes, quite possible to do both.

Some camps offer a night drive that departs after the sunset drive has returned. This may become a bit late ... depending on how much sleep you need.

The morning drives depart an hour before camp gate opening times, so that may be around 5am or earlier.

The sunset drive starts an hour before dark and finishes approx. two hours after, so it includes a night drive component ... the best of both worlds!

Is it possible that a disabled person is able to go on a sunset drive. I am not sure whether anyone is allowed in the front of the vehicle with the ranger. My dad is 81 (a stroke patient) and taking him for his second visit to KP in Dec. If its not possible, then I would explain this to him. We are a big group going and would hate him to be turned away. Any suggestions for me.

On both the sunset drives and the morning drive we took in Lower Sabie in the last 2 years there were people sitting in the front seat with the ranger - on the morning drive it was a young un-accompanied boy whom his mother dropped off with the ranger and then left, so hopefully it won't be a problem with your dad .....

My dad, 86, sits in the front next to the guide. We just help him to get in.

If I go alone, I like to sit in the front too, because I get a good view for frontal sightings.

Your only problem might be somebody else who wants to sit there, like we did, but the tearful boy's parents saw reason.

In the 10-seater it is fairly easy to get in the front seat - in the big truck, which you would need for your party it is almost impossible to get in the front unless you are fairly agile - and it would be difficult to try to help someone in too! However the back is easy to get into as the step lowers to almost ground level, and then there are 2 more steps.

Hi Meandering mouse - its not a case of rules being more important than my dad, but more about disappointing him. He would need to be lifted up into a higher vehicle. As his right side doesn't function, he is a dead weight, in a wheelchair and can't walk unaided. As Ecojunkie explains about the big truck, that may be too difficult for him to climb those stairs in the back. The front would be great as we can get him into a 4 x 4.
I am booking for him as I have enough help to assist.
As they say ... a boer maak a plan!

fee - the big truck is more like a lorry! The front seat is very high with only a very small foot sized plate to help you climb up into the seat, and not much space to manoevre in. You would find it easier to lift your dad into a seat at the back - and he would probably be more comfortable too.

Timing also depends on the situation of the camp.

Here at Malelane camp we do a sunset drive which starts at 1700 throughout the year because we get a lot of outside bookings (pick up at the gate) and changing the time according to season creates problems. When I helped out at Croc Bridge they did change the time of the sunset drive to try and get an hour of light and 2 hours dark - and there were times when folk coming from outside missed the drive because they thought it was later - or arrived early and then had problems back at their lodge having arranged dinner for their expected time back!

The camps that do both sunset and night drives will also normally have fixed times because the same vehicle are needed for both drives (sometimes the same guide too).

So the answer is - it depends on the camp and circumstances! The website cannot deal with small changes all the time so will advertise the average. If you want specific details contact the camp concerned and ask to speak to the duty manager, or even better, the head guide.

Hi Tiko and welcome to the forum. You don't have to do pre-booking before entering the park. You can do your booking at the camps reception where your are staying.
Hope this helps and enjoy your trip

I will be going to the kruger in a week's time. Can anyone advise me if punda has both the sunset and the night drive or only one of the two

They do both. Sunset at 4-7 and night 7.30-9.30