Canadian World Traveller Spring 2020 Issue

and Johannesburg. Each airport has rental
car facilities for you to begin your safari (journey)
immediately.
Even for the most experienced of drivers, getting
behind the wheel in Kruger is an experience
unto itself. Nonetheless, despite the
occasional elephant traffic jam, renting a car
and navigating the park at your leisure is
unquestionably the best way to experience this
adventure to the fullest. A self-drive through
the park allows you the freedom and flexibility
to stop for a minute or an hour to gaze at
the animals in their natural habitat. As only
park rangers have the ability to drive off
marked roads, so whether you’re with a private
guide or on your own, the views will be
the same.
As with most wildlife-centered trips, luck plays
a role. It is impossible to predict the type of
game you will see, if any. Technology, such as
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the Latest Sightings app allows users to
enhance the safari experiences of others by
posting animal sightings and activity in realtime.
Each rest camp also has a board where
guests can mark sightings as well. While lowtech,
the board gives guests clues as to where
the animals have congregated in past days.
Since the average game-drive will keep you in
your car for hours at a time, Kruger is home
to both five-star private lodges (min.
$1,000/night) to the most pedestrian of tents
(min. $50/night). Regardless of accommodations,
sleeping within the confines of Kruger is
critical to maximize game viewing. Guests
staying in the park are allowed to begin and
end their game drives up to one hour earlier
or later than those coming in for the day. This
extra time allows you to beat the traffic and
find the best viewing spots.
Each camp offers a variety of lodging, from
the tents to clean, private bungalows with en
suite bathrooms (min. $150/night).
Furthermore, most camps have a full-service
restaurant and an on-site convenience store.
As the majority of guests opt to braai (barbeque)
their own meals, stores are stocked
with a variety of fresh and frozen foods as well
as fruits and vegetables. The largest campsite,
Skukuza, looks more like a mini village than a
typical camp. Included within its confines is
the aforementioned airport, gas station,
restaurant, library, a conference centre and
even a 9-hole golf course. Travelers often
begin or end their journeys here, making it
the most popular campsite.
Although squeezing in a quick 9-holes might
signal the start of a good day for some, we
recommend to begin each day with a rangerled
game drive. As animals are most active in
the early morning and evening, park run vehicles
are the only way to experience the environment
during the periods when the gates
are closed to the general public. Despite
spending your day on a game drive of your
own, guests occasionally overlook the excursions
conducted by the park rangers. Driving
traditional open-air vehicles, most major
camp sites offer drives at sunrise, sunset and
in the evening, in addition to bush walks.
Rangers undergo two years of training and
often have many more years of experience,
evident by their ability to spot and track
wildlife as well as answer any and all
questions. Furthermore, these drives
ensure a complete sensory experience,
as rangers often shut down their engines to
allow guests to appreciate the sounds of the
wildlife. While the occasional elephant or buffalo
traffic jam during a self-drive is thrilling
and definitely a highlight, we suggest that
guests participate in two ranger-led activities
per day to ensure the best of what Kruger has
to offer.
To truly immerse yourself in the majesty of the
park, when checking in at any of your campsites,
inquire about a bush braai. These special
excursions only take place if a minimum
of six guests are interested and offer the oncein-a-lifetime
opportunity to eat a five-star
meal under the South African stars. With only
torches lighting the way, guests dine in the
dark while listening to the sounds of wildlife.
With an armed ranger standing guard to prevent
any unwanted dinner guests, the bush
braai will be the highlight of your trip.
For us, after four full days in Kruger National
Park, it became abundantly clear how guests
return year after year and staff like Ezrom
have yet to experience a dull moment at the
office. Whether you’re spending an hour on
the side of the road gazing at a herd of elephants
or you’re on the prowl for that elusive
leopard, the freedom and unpredictability of
the park is unmatched on earth.
With accommodations that meet all budgets
and needs, fully stocked stores, restaurants
and the abundance of wildlife, Kruger
National Park offers a life-changing experience
for individuals, couples and families.
Courtesy of the South African government, a
safari has never been more accessible and
affordable.
All accommodations and ranger-led activities
can be booked online at: www.sanparks.org.
As the park is busy throughout the year, it is
recommended to book a minimum of six
months in advance. Should you have any
questions regarding accessibility, SANParks
staff are readily available to answer any and
all questions via e-mail.
www.krugernationalpark.org.za
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Canadian World Traveller Spring 2020