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I plan an annual "Dads 'n Boys" trip to the Kruger. This is a pretty special time for us because the three generations of males in our family spend a happy 5 or 6 days together without the usual rules and niceties of female company . Brushing of hair and washing of faces is not considered a priority and, while we don't quite go to "Lord of the Flies" extremes, the main focus is on birding and shooting the breeze

The trip this year is from 14 - 18 December. I'm a staunch Northerner, never really venturing much south of Letaba/Olifants, but I'm giving Lower Sabie a go this year. This is not an area with which I am familiar (apart from occasionally driving through it on the way to "oop North") I have already had some invaluable advice from Salamander in another thread, and would greatly appreciate it if any of my fellow 'necks would be able to offer further advice on good spots to "park-and-view" in the area.

Glad you are giving the South a go, its not as bad as you may have heard

Sunset dam right outside LS is a great spot to park and view, lots of hippos, crocs and water birds and you might just get lucky with something special coming down for a drink.

Dukes water hole south of LS is also a really good spot, WendyA had the most amazing leopard sighting there earlier this year, and Lions are never to far from the water hole. I have had some great woodie and brown headed parrot sightings at the waterhole in the past as well.

Since it doesnt sound like you are in the South to often, I would suggest you give lake panic a go, there is always great water bird action there.

Mlondozi is a great spot to relax and unwind, you never know what you might see playing in the dam bellow.

Enjoy your trip and I wish great sightings upon you

Some years back we spent two days at Skukuza before going up to Letaba. What an eye-opener for a "Northerner"

Skukuza was busier than Fourways Mall on the evening before Mothers Day

And the roads around and about weren't much quieter

I go to the Kruger to get away from all that .

But I must say, after all the positive reviews of Lower Sabie, I'm rather looking forward to the trip.

Get down south or northeast of LS.

Quieter roads and great predator sightings. Birding not too shabby either.

Take a slow drive down the S21, don't know what it is but something draws me to this road every time we are in the area.

Ola from the South SAGecko
It is a special place that teaches you a lot of patience. Otherwise I would have killed the speedsters and be in jail already

As Spargs said:
Mlondozi-->amazing
Sunset dam-->breathtaking
Lake panic-->mesmerising

Then I just love the H10 and s29 which has great bird life especially the rollers and bee eaters.
I have seen a lot of raptors on the H4-1 and S28 as well :thumb_up:

Then if you have time the s65 is my favorite road, quiet and serene and I have had the greatest sightings there ever!

I know you will loose a part of your heart there in the south, they always do

Thanks everyone. All info already in the iPad for reference when we're there.

The South is December is usually a zoo The S28 SE of LS is widely regarded as one of the best roads in Kruger. I will not build up your expectations too much, but the S28 and S137 to Duke waterhole is tops! Have a pop in at the bird hide just off the S28

To the North East of Lower Sabi lie some quieter roads to escape the crowds As has been said, Mlondozi is an iconic spot to sit Just North of Mlondozi lies the S122. Not many cars travel this road, and it is one of my favorite roads! It is open grassland where you can see for miles! Kori Bustards, Secretary birds, Ostriches, jackal, and the usual grazers are often seen there! The S122 and the adjacent H10 stretch, is home to a large and healthy pride of Lions called the Muntshe pride. They are who I seek when in the area The S29, H10 and S122 and S28 and prime cheetah country too

Another quiet road is the S30 Salitjie road to the NW of LS. It runs alongside the Sabi River parallel to the LS-Skuks highway on the other side of the river. You will enjoy many beautiful outlooks here Dense bush with towering old trees line up next to the river. Kingfishers, Hippos, Elephant and monkeys are likely to be ticket on your sightings list Other people have seen cats there, I have just enjoyed the peace

At least once in your trip, you should travel the entire H4-1 to Skukuza. It is the main highway of Kruger, but a beautiful highway at that You need to be able to say you drove the most popular road in Kruger

The S21 that comes out from the H4-1 to the NW of LS, is another quiet road. Game viewing has generally been poor for me. However, the scenery is shanana!! And the cars will be minimal

Ta Cheetah. One thing is for sure, you get some damn helpful people down South :-)

Pleasure

It would be most interesting to get some feedback from you after your trip?
I'm sure you will have a blast