SANParks.org Forums

Hi Guys,

Am doing my second trip to Africa in August/Sept this year. Last time (2009) was 3 weeks in Kruger and had an absolute ball, got come back for more !

This time I've got 9 days at KTP and 22 at KNP. I did a few night drives in Kruger, and enjoyed them, I am always keen to see the nocturnals where ever I am. Ive got a mixture of camps at the Kgalagadi, and note many of them unfenced. As I'm keen to see nocturnal animals I'm just wondering if you are allowed to travel the roads around camp yourself at night (probably no more than 10ks from camp).

I came back with 9000 photos last time I went, wonder how many this time ???

Thanks for any replies and best wishes to all !

Andy
North Queensland
Australia

Hi Andy - Great to see you here.
So true what you say - Once the African Bug has bitten you will never get it out of your system!!

Regarding night drives from the unfenced wilderness camps - One has to comply with the park rules and regulations and has to be back in camp by gate closing time (even if there are no gates)

So, no, unfortunately you will not be able to drive around after dark from the wilderness camps.

The three main rest camps do offer guided sunset drives which you can book at the camps.

Have a great time in KTP and KNP -

Andy,

You are not allowed to drive outside the unfenced camps at night, but don't worry, the nocturnal species often come and visit you!

Thanks for all the info guys,

I'm in KTP early August, so I'd imagine it'll get a bit nippy at night, one thing I'd like to see are scorpions, we have quite a few species in Australia, but they aren't the easiest to find, I'm also
interested in all the smaller things, to me anyway, nature is just amazing !!

I'll look around the camps a bit at night now...

Andy

Sorry we will just miss Andy, as we are in KTP at the bebinning of Sept.(Our first ever visit!!)
Hope that you have a great time there and in my beloved Kruger!!

Look for scorpions on (mainly) windy nights Andy. The theory is that their prey is winged insects that are grounded in the wind.

Hello AndyM

Somewhere there is a link to pics of scorpions taken with an ultra violet light
Hopefully one of the more PC literate mods/mites will post a link for you

Enjoy !

Morning all,

Thanks for the information shared with AndyM. I have been out on a !Xerry Trail and couldn't answer.

@AndyM,

As the forumites mentioned you would not be able to drive around at night from the wilderness camps, you are however more than welcome to book and join the provided activities from the three main camps and KTC.

KG

Are children under twelve permitted on the game drives?

This one?

@avavdb,

Kgalagadi does offer an activity where children under the age of 12 will be allowed on a drive, there are a few conditions which will apply. The activity is named 'Exclusive Private drive' whereby family groups/friends will be taken out where any kids will not disturb the other guests which might have been in a normal sunset situation.

You can mail me to get more information.

Jannie (KG)

I have never been bothered by children on night rides. They have all been well behaved and absorbed in the activity. One particular 9 year old found us a stunning serval sighting in Kruger on year.

I have, however been seriously bothered by those behaving like children because of an excessive intake of intoxicating liquid.......

Hi AndyM
It will be our first trip to KTP in September and we definitely want to do sunset drives to see all the night creatures. One tip for finding scorpions. When we were at Letaba in KNP we took nightly walks along the riverside path. Shining a light in to cracks in the tree trunks found us some fair sized scorpions. Enjoy your trip.

Hi vgstephens
We may bump into you on 13th September at Twee Rivieren. We WILL be flying yellow ribbons.

Regards,

DASSIEDELIGHT

@ DASSIEDELIGHT

That would be great if we do.
We will be flying our Yellow Ribbons as well, so hopefully we won't miss each other!!
After 35 years of visiting Kruger, this will be our first ever visit to KTP, so we're very excited!!

Hi Vg

I was also a regular visitor to the Kruger and my first ever visit to Kgalagadi was in December 2010. What asurprise and experience! All the open areas in the park - like I said before: "What you see, is what you get." You don't need to guess what is behind the bosch. And the staff are so friendly and helpful.

Now I am totally hooked on the Kalahari - been there already twice after my December visit. Can't wait for my next return to the KTP. I am sure you'll have the same experience.