Cape Town to the Kruger Trip - Advise Please

[Morne4444]

Hi All

I want to start planning a trip from Cape Town to the Kruger National Park. I think I was 10 years old the last time I visited, my wife and kids have never been.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I was thinking of doing a 10-14 day trip. We love camping but I'm not keen on pitching a tent every other day and it would be great if I could avoid towing a trailer. So we will most likely stay in bungalows.

Will be getting a Family Wildcard, seems like it will work out cheaper than paying the full park tariffs.

Things I'm unsure of:
1. What time of the year is the best time for viewing without being overcrowded, does it even become crowded? Kids are 3 and 6 years old so we will have to go during public holidays.
2. What route should we take when driving from Cape Town. I don't mind taking a more scenic route, make a road trip of it instead of just racing to camp.
3. I assume it is going to be a 2 day drive there. Which town/city would you recommend as a half way point between Cape Town to the Kruger?
4. Where to stay in the park and for how long per site? I was thinking of spending 5-7 days in the park.

Any other tips, tricks or things to consider?

[Peter1949]

Wildcard - no brainer! Essential, especially with a family!
It will have paid for itself before you get back home!
Personally I think you need to extend your trip by a few days at least, otherwise is going to be very rushed.
During school holidays or long week-ends you are obviously going to pay max. rates.
Also - during those times the park is crowded particularly the southern camps.
Under these circumstances - essential to book in advance.
I would aim for a centrally located camp, maybe Letaba or Satara in your case.
Overnight on the way there? I'm not sure, perhaps other's could give some advice here.

[Blackie]

1. What time of the year is the best time for viewing without being overcrowded, does it even become crowded? Kids are 3 and 6 years old so we will have to go during public holidays.

We normally go during April, weather is then very nice. You will find that the popular camps. e.g. Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie, Satara, Letaba is always quite busy

2. What route should we take when driving from Cape Town. I don't mind taking a more scenic route, make a road trip of it instead of just racing to camp.

I always just stick to the N1, through Jhb via N12, link up past Witbank on N4 and then either to Berg-en-Dal or Crocodile Bridge as first stop

3. I assume it is going to be a 2 day drive there. Which town/city would you recommend as a half way point between Cape Town to the Kruger?

Bloem is about half way, however, I have only stopped there once before, slept in the facebrick chalets on the hill opposite the Shell Ultra City - can't remember the name though. Otherwise, if you want to push on a bit further, try Barn Guest House just about 20 kms before Kroonstad. Stayed there 3 times already and it is very nice.

4. Where to stay in the park and for how long per site? I was thinking of spending 5-7 days in the park.

5-7 days is definitely too short, not worth the while all the way from Cape Town. Spend at least 12 days in the park, maybe 1st night at Berg-en-Dal / Crocodile Bridge, then 5 at Letaba / Satara, another 5 at Lower Sabie and the last night again either Berg-en-Dal / Crocodile Bridge, which will give you a head start the next morning to get out quickly on your way back.

See my comments in the post.

[Morne4444]

See my comments in the post.

Thanks!

[hatjohan]

Agree with other responses.
If you have to stick to school holidays, the southern (closest) areas are always crowded and fully booked well in advance (but there are always cancelations), but they are closer and the access routes are better.

The central and northern parts have slightly better chances of availability, but not much. But, they will add a few hours driving time!

You may have a better chance to get accommodation during Dec/Jan but the temperatures may not be nice for the young ones. This is largely alleviated by the aircon in you car and chalet (if you follow that route) and the swimming pools where available. And the Park is an absolute paradise, should it rain off course.

You will have to push it, even if you travel over two days. But you are still young

Man, I can almost feel you excitement, after so many years. So the best advice is as above - try to work in a few more days so that you can slow down a bit. Enjoy.

[haboob]

Hi All

I want to start planning a trip from Cape Town to the Kruger National Park. I think I was 10 years old the last time I visited, my wife and kids have never been.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I was thinking of doing a 10-14 day trip. We love camping but I'm not keen on pitching a tent every other day and it would be great if I could avoid towing a trailer. So we will most likely stay in bungalows.

Get a new perspective on what you want to do. If you love camping, look at different options, by camping just outside the gate and going in everyday as day visitors. This is easier to achieve than getting bookings at the camps you may want to visit and may well work you out cheaper than camping in the park, but definitely cheaper than self catering units in the park.

Will be getting a Family Wildcard, seems like it will work out cheaper than paying the full park tariffs.

The wild card will definitely save you money, which pays for itself after about 10 days.

Things I'm unsure of:
1. What time of the year is the best time for viewing without being overcrowded, does it even become crowded? Kids are 3 and 6 years old so we will have to go during public holidays.

The Kruger is almost always fully booked, so the crowded part that comes into it is, when is the biggest compliment of day visitors experienced. This is over school holidays as well as long week-ends and week-ends.

2. What route should we take when driving from Cape Town. I don't mind taking a more scenic route, make a road trip of it instead of just racing to camp.

Look at the map and decide which part of the country you would like to see or which areas you would like to avoid and plan accordingly.

3. I assume it is going to be a 2 day drive there. Which town/city would you recommend as a half way point between Cape Town to the Kruger?

I would work on driving a bit further for the first day and a bit less for the second day. It is also to at least spend your 2nd night outside the park, even though you may decide to stay in the park during your stay there.

4. Where to stay in the park and for how long per site? I was thinking of spending 5-7 days in the park.

As I said, I would recommend spending a week outside Malelane Gate and then use a day to move up to Palaborwa Gate and spend a week there. In this way you can cover most of the park with day visits. This will entail more travelling, but you will save a lot on accommodation.

Any other tips, tricks or things to consider?

Hope this helps...