SANParks.org Forums

Hi Koshka ........... and welcome to the forums!

Agree with Hugh - sunset drives actually give you the best of both. We prefer the sunset drives because of this. Last year in Punda, we saw African Wild Cat (amongst other creatures) on a sunset drive - first time ever seen!
As far as we are concerned, the sunset drive returns to camp at a reasonable time - you can eat, relax and still get to bed early so that you are fresh the next morning.............and ready to exit camp as the gates open

You can book drives and walks while staying in both camps, for Maroela book at Orpen and Balule book at Olifants.
You will be picked up from the camp you are staying at, they are usually separate drives.
I think the Olifants River Walk starts at around 9:30am so you could drive yourself up to Olifants from Balule.

Hi all,

sorry if there is a place on the forum or web that this is answered....

but does anyone know the times that sunset drives leave the various camps...do they all leave at 16.30?

Does it change with the gate closing time? (we are there july and August)

Does Balule do a sunset drive? (I noticed it isnt listed on the sanparks list)

cheers

john

They usually leave 1 hour before the gates close BUT each camp is different, some change times depending on the gate closing time others don't.

Balule should do a drive, I've come across them leaving while I've been staying at Olifants. I would imagine you book at Olifants but will be picked up and dropped off at Balule.

I actually phoned the camps they numbers are on the website. For Night drives themselevs you can book via telephone at Central reservations. +27124289111

Hi Rob, I am pretty sure they do have night drives from B & D, in fact EJ often does them herself.

Lets see if she can come in here and answer your question for sure.

BnD certainly does night drives - from 1830 to 2100. Book when you get there. Elsa is correct - I often end up being called to do them!

Rob C, if you get a chance to do a night drive with ecojunkie you won't be disappointed. She is very knowledgable and just an all around nice person. She seems to know where to go to find treasures.

Hello Geckophobe, if I had a 6 year old I would not do a night drive (it is freezing in July), we are also in Tamboti in July and we have booked to do a morning drive, we do a sunset drive every year when on holiday. A sunset drive lets you have the best of both, you have the last few hours of the day, then always a spectacular sunset and then you also have a bit of the Kruger at night. Don't get your expectations up to high because you never know what you might see or might not see. Have a wonderful trip

We have booked an early morning drive from Tamboti in July does anybody know what time it starts and what time it ends? I did ask Orpen but the person I spoke to did not know thanks a lot

They probably change according to the gate opening time.

When you book in at Orpen for Tamboti check the times then. And get the receptionist to write the time and pickup place on your indemnity forms.

But please be warned, the (very) early morning drives are even colder. What is colder than freezing

I'm in full agreement about night-drives in winter - they can get very cold very quickly! I also agree with the general sentiment that a sunset drive is a far better proposition....especially for the younger ones! We've had a fair number of drives in the Park, and the sunset ones are the best of both worlds......

Night drives are great if you're into the smaller stuff - hares, bushbabies etc - but even if you spot something big and hairy, you're restricted to the beam of the spotlight.

When on a sunset drive, the transition between daylight and night is magical in iteself.... We saw a couple of youngsters get so excited about 'what could be lurking out there' -

My suggestion? Sunset drives every time!!

George P M, we always try to sit at the back of the game drive vehicle and when looking behind us it becomes very clear to see how dark the bush really is, we have numerous photographs of the pure darkness, they are wonderful. Staying in a big city like Johannesburg we don't really see "real" darkness because of all the light coming from traffic lights,houses, street lights etc.

Is it possible to chose the guides in game drives (I mean, if there is more than one game drive at the same time)?

I booked one sunset drive at BnD and one mornig drive at Skukuza, if it´s possible to ask for a specific guide can someone please tell me who should I ask for?