SANParks.org Forums

I see on the Drives info page (http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/to ... drives.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) that all-day-drives are also on offer now. Sounds like an interesting experience, has anyone got experience with this, info on departure/return times and tariffs?

By the way - the walks/drives tariffs PDF online has rates listed that are valid until October 2010 - does anyone know if they have changed in the meantime?

Day trips are available, but need to be booked and arranged in advance with the camp concerned. They need to ensure they have a guide and vehicle available. Prices will depend on the number of guests booking and the length of the trip, etc.

BB,

Its not that difficult to understand why people want to go on day drives.

1. You have an guide which knows the area and can interpret the natural phenomenon.
2. Guides can go on certain management road which otherwise wasn’t possible.
3. If and when you are one group you can tell the guide where you would like to go to.
4. The guide would know the places where sought after animals could be found due to latest sightings.
5. A lot of people do have the stamina to go on a day drive which rather prefers to look for game than to sleep-that’s why they visit the game parks.

Only but a few reasons, hope you understand now.

John n poppy,

The day drives are worth the while, just make sure you do advise the field guide of your interests and what you would like to do (taking pictures) they will handle the drive accordingly

Hi everybody, we are planning a travel in South Africa for the next weeks and we'll be in Kruger Park for 4 days between June the 12th and 15th.
We would like to know if it will be possible to take part of a half-day open vehicle safari with local guide in Skukuza Rest Camp.
Anybody has been in there and took part of that kind of activity?
This question because we haven't found any information about it in the official sites.
thank you very much

Marco and Monica from Italy

Hi
You are able to book(in advance) the whole vehicle for half a day's viewing either morning or afternoon for a private drive. You will then pay for the amount of people they normally would fit onto said vehicle(normally eight). This has to be booked quite far ahead though. Phone the camp to organize.

Bornfree.

I am the big 40 next year and as a treat to me I would like a full day guided drive in KNP.

I am trying to find this info from sanparks but after several emails have ended up with a telephone number,,which I will call this week.

In the meantime does anyone have any info on these (advertised on the sanparks page)

How much they are?
Where from?
For how long?
Do you hire the whole truck and driver?

or any other info you have..

I have tried to get info before but i am really struggling

thanks

john

I know the camps offer these subject to guide and vehicle availability.
Usually the 10-seater vehicle would be used, and you can ensure that you have exclusive use of it by paying a bit more.
The best would be to contact the camp(s) you are thinking of using.
If I find out anything more re prices etc I will post here.

If booked well in advance you should have no trouble getting what you want. I do suspect you may have to pay for 10 seats though for exclusive use. Will try to check.

Greetings from Berg en Dal

John please mail me (Stephen.nel@sanparks.org) the dates and requirements on nr of people etc. then I can see what we can put together for you or I can forward it to the relevant camp. We can always look at something special to ease your way into the naughty forties…

Warm regards from Kruger

Hi mites,
I've been following all the chitchat enthusiastically for the past several weeks, since I booked my family for a week in the park over September.
I haven't been in the park for 4-5 years now since I took my 10yo son for an amazing week, my SO has visited only once as a new(ish) bride nearly 20 years ago and my daughter who has never had the privilege.
Plus SA family who are spoilt in that they spend 2-3 weeks every year, under that great big sky.
I must say that I'm suffering from excruciating anxiety with the long wait, as well as mild depression in anticipation of the post-Kruger blues.
I've tried convincing SWMBO that a quick 10 day recce trip in the next few months would be in order to ensure everything goes as planned for September, but I haven't been able to get this over the line yet. Anyway, enough self-pity for the moment, and to my subject.
The park website mentions "new additional drive options" where "trained officials take visitors to sections of the park which are usually not accessible to tourists" and that these should be organised directly with the relevant camps.
We're spending 3 nights at Mopani and so I called and spoke to one of the managers who advised that while this sort of activity was usually done from Phalaborwa Gate, they could accommodate us from Mopani.
Very kind, and reasonably priced too at R940/person which includes brekkie and lunch, starting from 5 a.m. and returning around 4 p.m.
My question is, has anybody done a similar activity and if so, what was the experience like.
I have this vision of being taken off the beaten track and having the most amazing experience, but not sure of I'm setting myself up for a bit of a fall?
I'd appreciate any comments.

Welcome to the Forum, Pawps

I have never done it myself, however........a lot of people enjoy something like that. I believe a person could learn and experience quite lot from those "activities".

When i do things myself and it is a flop, i have no excuse to blame someone else but myself.

Warm welcome to the forum Pawps!

Certainly sounds like a wonderful concept.

There is a bit of info, abeit quite old now Here which would indicate they have been around for some time unless its something different.

Please do let us know how it went if you do decide to go on one of them.

Welcome to the forum Pawps.

As you know, there are some magic days in Kruger and some 'slow' days.

Just because you are going down lesser used roads does not nevessarily mean that is where all the animals are hiding.

I would approach it as a different activity and not have any expectations, just enjoy whatever unfolds. It could be great birds, great scenery or a wow moment.

Tell us how it went when you return please.

G'day Elsa, thanks for the link which has been very helpful.
It looks like this drive option has actually been around for a while and isn't as new as I had thought.
I think we'll probably have the 4WD to ourselves (7 of us) and I'm sure my eagle-eyed SA family will want to be taken off the beaten track.
We'll definitely be going, and so just need to survive the long wait!
I've developed an excellent controlled-breathing routine that has helped contain my otherwise anxiety-induced hyper-ventilation.
That, and lots of long exhausting runs!