KNP - Help needed

**hatjohan** · 2015/04/08, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by Peter Betts

Never camp at Lower Sabie or Skukuza ..A SPAR Parking lot has more bush atmosphere..Just my 63 years experiences and Kruger preferences ..North by far the best >>Tsendze best camp in Kruger ...GREAT BIG 5 area

I have never camped at LOwer Sabie, but there is no denial in that it is a great camp and area, and the perfect base for exploring the larger region.

**racetech** · 2015/04/08, 09:55 AM

Thanks for all the advice, know to add all the info on Google Maps, I do like the idea of entering the park lower and do a drive up to explore the upper area.

Originally Posted by NicoB

PS. If you'll be pitching tent so many times I suggest you research ideas for dealing with rock-hard ground ...

For overnight pitching just skip the pegs, the Turbo tents from Greensport seems to be designed for that.

**Sakkie** · 2015/04/08, 02:08 PM

Just in case you missed it. Just take note of the gate times, not only at the main entrance, but also at the various camps, and don't expect to cover much more than 20km per hour, 30 if you're on tar and pushing it.

Don't exceed the 50. They DO have speed traps in the park.

**sweeper** · 2015/04/08, 07:30 PM

We got late too the park one year, we won ourselves a escorted trip at 10pm... plus some lions thinking our venter was a toy to chase. It was an amazing night.

My father inlaw used to take us out from gate open to gate closed, everyday.

Now i want to go.....

**Gwily** · 2015/04/08, 11:20 PM

I love the Lower Sabie area, lots and lots of animals. While you are in the skukuza area, make a stop off at the Panic dam bird hide for a couple of hours, relax and just soak in the atmosphere and all the wildlife coming and going, just love that place.

**racetech** · 2015/04/10, 08:19 AM

Thanks for all the advice, but I need to pick your brains a little more.

Decided to spend most of our time in the Lower area, lucky enough to get reservations at Satara and Lower Sabie.

Can you teach me about Night Drive(Satara Camp), Sunset/Sunrise Drive (Lower Sabie and Berg-en-dal),
How long does something like this take?
Most important, is it worth the money for the experience?
Things to pack, besides warm clothes, massive led light?
Clean underpants, etc?

**hatjohan** · 2015/04/10, 10:51 AM

You must do at least one night drive and/or walk in the Kruger, only if to convince yourself to never do it again.

You may be very lucky as we were, to see almost everything on four legs during our very first night drive. The ones after that? quite the opposite. It all depends on luck, as well as your guide, who may be useless!

Also had some early morning walks. Never seen much, but heard many at close range. But it is about the atmosphere and the learning experience, as well as the small things one gets exposed to. Normally the guides are more forthcoming than during night drives.

Oh, and it is quite expensive and the drives are ALWAYS cold!
They do provide blankets, but I prefer to use my own stuff. Dont forget a cover for your head!
They provide the the spotlights.
Take some snack if you feel like it but be carefull with the stuff that can overload your bladder. Often no stopping!
I think the duration is about two hours?

**Zombicon** · 2015/04/10, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by hatjohan

You must do at least one night drive and/or walk in the Kruger, only if to convince yourself to never do it again.

You may be very lucky as we were, to see almost everything on four legs during our very first night drive. The ones after that? quite the opposite. It all depends on luck, as well as your guide, who may be useless!

Also had some early morning walks. Never seen much, but heard many at close range. But it is about the atmosphere and the learning experience, as well as the small things one gets exposed to. Normally the guides are more forthcoming than during night drives.

Oh, and it is quite expensive and the drives are ALWAYS cold!
They do provide blankets, but I prefer to use my own stuff. Dont forget a cover for your head!
They provide the the spotlights.
Take some snack if you feel like it but be carefull with the stuff that can overload your bladder. Often no stopping!
I think the duration is about two hours?

Fully agree!!

best night drive we did was on our honeymoon, we made an arrangement to go out alone the one evening with one of the rangers. The things we saw were absolutely fantastic! most of those they will not do if there are too many people on the vehicle. early morning and Night drives are good.

the worst was with a group of tourists.... The one lady noticed a "red eye".... after about 10 minutes of explaining she finally got the "cellphone tower light" and we could continue on our way.

things to pack - insect repellent!. If you can, take a torch with a red cover.

**damcdona** · 2015/04/10, 11:10 AM

In the times I have visited Kruger, I have done two night drives. Of course, the first one was hard to beat - leopard, elephant, bush baby, hyenas caring for a cub, etc. Your question regarding whether it is worth the money for the experience - well, that is a bit of a roll of the dice. You can drive around in the dark for a couple of hours and not see much, or you can stumble onto a fantastic scene. It is a wild park, after all.... but the chances of seeing something are better because you are shining a bright light into the bush and can see eyes reflecting back at you.

It can be cold, take a flask of hot coffee, be sure and take a pee before you both go onto the vehicle, and give it a whirl!

**hatjohan** · 2015/04/10, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Gwily

I love the Lower Sabie area, lots and lots of animals. While you are in the skukuza area, make a stop off at the Panic dam bird hide for a couple of hours, relax and just soak in the atmosphere and all the wildlife coming and going, just love that place.

+100 for Lake Panick