SANParks.org Forums

Sorry, but dont believe specific guides can be asked for.
Guides have different duties and they are planned into a roster
Some specialize but they all do walks and drives.

I think that if two trucks are going out then you are already allocated to a truck.

Doesn't hurt to ask though

The best thing though is to get the guide animated.... So ask questions, and when you hear the answers be appriciative.
Even the shy guides have enough knowledge and anecdotes, just get them going.

Couldn't agree more with DuQues-- if you want an awesome guide, then just be an awesome guest

As it happens when I booked a morning drive - won't say where - I asked for a guide by name and was told it could be arranged, and it was. Now it might have been great salesmanship by the front desk manager and the guide was scheduled already but if you don't ask you never will know.

Well I have asked for spesific guides and were almost accomodated everytime.

IMHO I think one must think at the guide before choosing to go on a night/morning drive. Personally it makes the drive for me. If you get a guide that shares very little interesting stuff, knowledge, ect and speeds from one sighting to another and then back to camp, I may get aggresive!!

I for example had a BAD experience at Skukuza and Satara on nightdrives and swore I'd never do a drive from any of those 2 camps in my life....but after hearing Irving Knight who was the Head Guide at Lower Sabie started at Satara today...I might reconsider...

I will be staying at Satara 9-11 May 2013 and Lower Sabie 12-16 May 2013. I would like to do morning and evening drives. How do I or what is the best way to book these? All comments welcome. This will be my first visit to the Kruger.

Thank you Foxy.
After a little digging I found the page but had to google to find:( http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/to ... drives.php

As Foxy has said you can book them directly with the camp you are staying in at the time when you check in at reception
Unless its a very busy time you can generally get in.

Also have a read Here

Can someone please tell me if they use the small trucks or only the big trucks for drives out of Shingwedzi.

Also how many people have to book for a morning walk to make it viable.

Thanks.

Im answering this for the sake of answering, when we were in Shing they used a Bakkie type Gameviewer and not a truck game viewer.

In November while staying at Shingwedzi we were in the Bakkie on a night drive, evening drive and morning drive - one time there were 14 people, so we used the Big Monster truck.
Saw a little of everything on all the of the drives - There are a group of Lions that are brothers that hang around close to camp, so we saw them a number of times.

Fynbos, I think you will find the general consensus seems to be Lower Sabie!

If you have a read Here you will see reports from MJ one of the guides there who often does the drives & walks.

Hi Ernani,

You have a lot of questions I hope these answers will help you....have fun Booking and enjoy the trip.


Which of these will offer the better sunset & sunrise drives this time of year to your opinion?

You are staying in Lower Sabie this is one of the best camps for Game Drives

What times are the sunrise/sunset drives start and how long?


Sunset drives

This activity leaves before the sun sets and gets back once the sky is dark. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive.

Night Drives

Take part in the nocturnal activities of Kruger's secretive creatures. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive. The sunset drive departs at 17:00 and lasts at least 3 hours.

Morning drives

Leave at around 04.30 in summer and 05.30 in winter. Clients are to confirm with Reception the previous night when they book in to their accommodation. As per day walks, accommodation must be booked for the previous night at the camp, as walks/drives leave before the gates open officially. The drive’s duration is 3-4 hours.

Can children age 9 join without their parents, please?

Note that children under the age of 6 are not permitted to take part in these activities for their own safety, so I think that when they are 9 years old it wouldn't be a problem....but I would ask first before making a reservation(I wouldn't let my childeren go on a Game Drive without the parents...but that's my opinion).


Take a look at this part of the SANParks Website: Kruger Game Drives, all the info I posted is from this section.

Does anyone know when you are staying at Tamboti and Maroela do you pay the game drive rates for Orpen rest camp or Orpen Gate?

Thanks