| Kruger Travel Guide:
 The
Kruger National Park, which measures a whopping two million hectares,
is approximately the size of the whole of Wales. Although there are still
fences between parts of the Kruger National Park and Mozambique and Zimbabwe,
so the planned Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park is not quite yet a reality.
When it is, it will be spectacular. Actually, Kruger already is. Most of
the park is situated in the Lowveld. Restricted to broad valleys below
1 000m above sea level, the Lowveld is what many people consider to be
the 'real' Africa. In this low-lying subtropical climate, broad-leaved
trees and thorn trees co-exist happily in relatively open woodland, interspersed
with long grass - and, of course, game. Wildlife abounds.
In the far north, it gets
hotter and the vegetation changes to mopane woodland and, right in the
northern part of the country, huge baobab trees dominate the landscape.
The rivers here tend to be broad and slow-moving and may consist of no
more than a few unconnected pools at the end of the dry season but that's
when the game congregates around the few known water sources - so it all
evens out. You may have heard the cynical remark that Kruger is 'too developed'
with loads of town-like camps and other infrastructure. Well, yes. The
park does have a number of good accommodation options - more than 20 SANParks
camps and a few private luxury lodges as well. That may sound like a lot
- but remember that Kruger is the size of Wales - and in all that space
there is one town - the main camp, Skukuza, is virtually a small town -
about a dozen tiny hamlets with less than a hundred families and a few
out of they way camps that would probably relate to a small farmstead.
That leaves an awful lot of real wilderness. |
| You can do Kruger
as a self-drive or as a guided tour. Other exciting options include walking
safaris, mountain bike trails and a self-drive 4x4 trail. The nearest airport
to the park is the Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport, just outside
Nelspruit.
The southern, more popular, part of Kruger is about four hour's drive from
Johannesburg, and a little less from Pretoria. The drive to the more remote,
far less utilised, northern part, takes a few hours longer, but it's not
on the same route. You could do a great circular tour if you had ten days
or so to spare. Fly in to KMIA and enter the park in the south, drive very
slowly to the north, spending a day or two at different camps en route,
and then drive back to Johannesburg. (Or the other way round, of course.)
Strangely - and contrary
to expectations - the northern part, which is truly wild, has less animals
than the south so don't feel you're missing out if you've only got a few
days in the more busy part of the park. As well as the Kruger National
Park, the lowveld is well endowed with private nature reserves, most of
which have luxury lodges, where guests are subjected to an outrageous level
of pampering and taken on fantastic game drives and optional walks by very
knowledgeable and attentive guides. Many lodges even have attached wellness
centres where you can fill in the time between morning and evening game
drives with a massage, facial or some other indulgent treatment.
Note: If you are planning
to travel to the Kruger National Park or Lowveld please be aware that this
is a malaria region. Consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice and
refer to our article on malaria.
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CENTRAL
KRUGER PARK & KRUGER SURROUNDS - LIMPOPO PROVINCE - GAME & SAFARI
LODGES
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Amukela
Game Lodge, Balule Nature Reserve, CENTRAL KRUGER PARK
The
last Rand-friendly game lodge in Big-5, owned and managed by Corné
and Miriam van Dongen. Amukela is located deep in the African bush,
in the 40.000 ha Balule Private Nature Reserve which is home of the Big-5
and many other animals and is now open to the Kruger Park. Offering affordable
accommodation in Big 5 area this exclusive lodge is truly unique and a
great place to discover the magic of South Africa! Experience the
bush on a game drive and/or a bushwalk. All in Big-5 Balule Nature Reserve,
under the guidance of a highly qualified field guide. Book early, as these
activities are popular. |
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Jackalberry
Lodge, Thornybush Game Reserve, CENTRAL KRUGER PARK
Jackalberry Lodge is situated
within the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, one of the worlds premier big
five game viewing areas. The majestic Drakensberg Mountains provide
a spectacular backdrop for this intimate camp, offering magnificent views,
understated luxury and restful, ethnic ambience that blends harmoniously
with nature. The lodge is named after the beautiful Jackalberry Tree
that occurs widely in the bushveld. The bush around the lodge teems with
game. More than 60 species of wildlife can be found in the immediate
vicinity, including lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, hyena and cheeta. Jackalberry
is also a paradise for birdwatchers, where more than 280 species have been
recorded. Experience the comfort of chalet style rooms offering understated
luxury, sumptuous en suite bathrooms with feature bath, double handbasins
as well as indoor and outdoor showers. |
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Kapama
River Lodge, Luxury Game Lodge, Kapama Game Reserve, CENTRAL
KRUGER
PARK
The
northern Drakensberg mountain range provides a majestic backdrop to the
largest private game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park region.
Kapama River Lodge is situated within Kapama Game Reserve, and presents
the perfect blend between luxurious safari accommodation and a generous
bed capacity of 42 bedrooms. Although large, it is so stylish and roomy
and beautifully positioned along a dry riverbed, that guests fall in love
with it. Each spacious room at Kapama River Lodge features a full
en-suite bathroom and terrace with uninterrupted views into the leafy-green
Big 5 game reserve. The central guest entertainment areas include a large
rim-flow swimming pool with sun umbrellas and recliners for lazy afternoons. |
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Kuname
Lodge, Karongwe Private Game Reserve, Kruger Surrounds,
KRUGER
PARK
Set in approximately 9000
hectares of pristine African bush, Kuname River lodge is a haven for those
in search of a unique bush experience. The premium five star safari
facility, built on the banks of the Kuvjename River consists of five luxurious
chalets nestled in dense African bush overlooking the majestic Drakensberg
escarpment. These air conditioned chalets all have en-suite bathrooms with
outdoor showers and private outdoor baths. The perfect spot to soak in
a candlelit bath beneath a canopy of stars and reflect on a day's experiences.
The magnificent views from the wooden decks on each of the thatched chalets
are truly awe inspiring.The premier suite's outdoor bathroom is situated
in a secluded fairytale garden. |
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Mohlabetsi
Safari Lodge, Balule Nature Reserve, CENTRAL KRUGER PARK
Tony
& Alma invite you to experience the magic of Mohlabetsi. Situated in
the vast Balule Nature Reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger National
Park, this is Africa at its very best! At our small, intimate Lodge,
with only 20 beds, guests are assured of comfort and unobtrusive attentiveness,
combined with an intimacy with nature. Come and be especially close to
the African Spirit here. The Lodge is easily accessible, yet one
enters an entirely different world once within the camp. Life slows down
to the rhythms of nature and the rising and setting of the sun dictates
our movements. The emphasis here is upon close-up encounters with Africa’s
spectacular wildlife, from the mighty elephant, the impressive lion or
the miniscule termite. |
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Motswari
Private Game Reserve, Timbavati Game Reserve, KRUGER PARK
Arrive
as a visitor and leave as a friend.” Set deep in the Timbavati, Motswari
game reserve promises rich game viewing as our boundary with Kruger is
open. In operation for 30 years and an original traditional game
lodge, which means bush as far as the eye can see and simple luxuries that
don’t intrude on your experience. Nature is unaffected by man’s need to
shape his environment and our family-owned reserve prides itself on our
conservation values, exquisite cuisine, award-winning wines and luxurious
accommodation. With 150 kilometres of wide horizons and untamed wilderness,
Motswari is an unforgettable experience. Open to the Kruger National
Park and playing host to Africa's Big Five is Motswari Private Game Reserve. |
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Pondoro
Game Lodge, Balule Private Game Reserve, CENTRAL KRUGER PARK
Set
on the cool riverine banks of the Olifants River in the 40 000 ha exclusive
Balule Private Game Reserve inside the greater Kruger National Park, Pondoro
offers its visitors comfort, sophistication, elegance and a canvas on which
to create a truly unforgettable African safari. In this small, very
exclusive 12-bed lodge you will discover the only way to experience the
African bush. In addition to luxurious accommodation and the caring attention
from trained professionals, our visitors are lavished upon with international
fare and humble African hospitality. Meals are an extraordinary culinary
experience where Traditional African Cuisine fuse effortlessly with modern
European trends. Between game drives, nature walks and peaceful afternoon
naps, enjoy a dip in the sparkling rock pool, a spot of sun bathing or
browse through the library. The Pondoro bar is the ideal spot to quench
your thirst and grab a snack. |
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