South Africa. Self Drive Safari in Kruger National Park

Johannesburg – Kruger National Park Rent a car at Johannesburg International airport. Drive from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park following the N12/N4 to Nelspruit (355 km) and then another 46km to Malelane. It will take you about 4.5 to 5 hours including a stop along the way. Please note the entrance to camp gates close at sunset (17h30 in winter) and you need to be in the camp before this time. The speed limit within the park is 50 km/hour. You’ll be requested to pay a daily conservation levy. Proceed to the Berg en Dal Rest Camp (7km) and check-in at reception. Rest of the day at leisure until you do your first game drive at about 15:30-16:00. Follow the Rhino Trail in the Camp and view the eco-display in reception. Berg-en-Dal also has an Internet – should you wish to check your email. Get a detailed map of the Kruger Park at the shop and to stock up on refreshments for the game drives. Plan your game drives from the map and check at Reception the list of the day’s game sightings and locations. Start you game drive about 2.5 hours before sunset. Follow the Jock of the Bushveld Route to Crocodile Bridge (42km) searching for the elusive creatures of the bush. Remember slow travel and regular stopping produces much more action than covering a lot of ground. Return to camp before the gates close. Enjoy an early dinner at the Rhino Restaurant offering guests an a la carte menu and for breakfast a full English Breakfast or a Continental Breakfast. The restaurant also has the option of light meals for lunch. Overnight at Berg en Dal Camp (BB)

Berg en Dal Rise early to leave camp when the gates open – from 05:30 in summer – for your first game drive of the day. Early mornings and evening time are usually the most productive game viewing periods. Follow the circular route to Afsaal Tea Room. The Berg en Dal area hosts white rhino, kudu, impala, giraffe, elephant, reedbuck, klipspringer and warthog. Leopards are seen regularly in the region – some lucky people have even seen them drinking at the dam in front of the camp. Wild dogs are also found in the area. Lions are usually found in the lower plains on the roads to Skukuza and Crocodile Bridge. Return to camp and spend the day at leisure before you depart on a Sunset Drive on an open safari vehicle. The drive departs 2 hours before gate closing time and expose you to the nocturnal activities of Kruger’s secretive creatures. Experienced guides drive the groups and last for about 3 hours. After the excitement of the drive return to camp for a late dinner. Overnight at Berg en Dal Camp (BB)

Satara Depart Berg en Dal early morning after breakfast and check out for your next overnight stop – Satara. Follow the H3 to Skukuza – and then via the H1-3 to Satara. En-route you’ll find many opportunities to view game. At Tshokwane on the H1-3 approximately midway between Skukuza and Satara is a picnic spot with a small shop where you can stop for coffee break. You’ll also pass the most southerly Baobab Tree and some memorial sites. Satara is situated in an area with the bush relatively open and the animals plentiful and diverse. The camp itself has a rustic charm, with the bulk of the accommodation set out in a series of circles. The camp is well wooded and the bird-life is prolific. Satara is regarded as one of the best game viewing areas in the national park and is particularly noted for the big cats, with lions, leopards and cheetah recorded regularly. General game includes blue wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, giraffe and impala. Rhinos, buffalos and elephants are also easily seen. Of the smaller animals, the honey badger is something to look out for. At night spotted hyena regularly whoop from the camp’s perimeter. On arrival check-in at your bungalow or chalet and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Satara offers you an Eco Information Centre, Film Auditorium, the Nhuthwa Restaurant, a Cafeteria and a Shop. Enjoy an early dinner before retiring for the day. Overnight at Satara Camp (BB)

Satara Various routes available around the camp with excellent opportunities to view a variety of wildlife on your early morning and late afternoon game drives. Plan your drives and consult the sightings map at Reception. The N’wanedzi Picnic Site (24 km from Satara) provides a viewing platform with an elevated view down on the N’wanedzi River. About 2 km from N’wanedzi on the S37 Road the Sweni Bird Hide is well worth stopping at. The following are 5 “specials” to seek in the Satara area: Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Lion, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest and Honey Badger. During your game drives you are likely to see lion, zebra, waterbuck, giraffe, rhino, buffalo, elephant, impala and other buck. Meals can be enjoyed at the Nhuthwa Restaurant. Overnight at Satara Camp (BB)

Pilgrims Rest Leave the Kruger Park early in the morning via the Orpen Gate about 30 km from Satara. Proceed via the R531 towards Swadini and at the intersection with the road to Hoedspruit keep left towards the Abel Erasmus Pass and Echo Caves for your first stop. At Echo Caves take the turn-off to Blyde River Canyon (R352). Visit the Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes and God’s Window before proceeding to Graskop. From Graskop travel to Pilgrims Rest – the historic mining town. Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the old town and its variety of curio shops. Overnight at the Royal Hotel 4* (BB)

Mpumalanga -Johannesburg Depart in the morning for Johannesburg airport. Return car at the airport. Check in for your flight home or continue your travel to Cape Town or other parts of Southern Africa.