1

Kariega isn't that big, but big enough so there's no guarantees of seeing animals which is a good thing, bacause then it's not like a zoo. But if you go there you'll have a very good chance of good spotting because of the tracker and guide. You also won't have a lot of cars around the animals and you can go off road and Get really close. If you self drive in Kruger you have to rely on your own ability to spot animals. Seems like Kariega has a good range of animals, but of course the Kruger area is world famous for a reason. There Are a lot of great private reserves in the Kruger area as well.

2

We saw the big 5 in Kruger but for two - leopard and lion - once only so I guess it would have been quite easy to have spent our time without seeing them all. The camps have spotting boards where animals have been sighted but they're not always accurate. While you're most dependent on finding them yourself, all the camps do offer driving or waking tours which might be more successful as they obviously have better knowledge of what's where. Personally, I like the feeling of stumbling across stuff myself.

3

Hi there Matty,

Great that you planning a safari piece of your trip.
My opinion is that if it is your first (only??) trip to SA, I would go to Kruger without a doubt. It really is world famous for a reason, and if this might be your only trip to SA, it is an absolute must.
The Kruger would be the best introduction to the wildlife and natural world of South Africa.

Are you thinking of doing a self drive, or an all inclusive safari experience? Do you want to stay in the SanParks accommodation, or within a private reserve at a lodge? What sort of budget are you looking at per person per night?

Planning a safari is often confusing, but that's what all of us here at lonely planet are here for! :-)

All the best,
Jacqui
-Owner-
Lodge Trackers Safari Specialists

4

I'd go to Kruger too..

Of course there are no guarantees with wild animals,and as mentioned above..if you self-drive...you are relying on your own abilities to some extent.As well as the season,weather etc.

If you go with a guide on a safari vehicle your chances are higher IMHO..of course that will cost you more....

Having said that I've spent quite a few days in Kruger where I saw the 'Big 5'...sometimes in the space of a couple of hours.

5

I would like to do Kruger too but it seems pretty confusing to plan. It would be my Dad and I so we would want decent lodging and a guide in an outdoor safari vehicle. Probably 3 days. Are there lodges within Kruger or do you stay outside the park? Is it better do do one of the game reserves outside Kruger? From Cape Town, what is the best way to get to/around Kruger, via Jozzi? Lots of questions but want to be sure to pick a good experience where we'll hopefully see the Big 5 and would prefer to be in a smaller group.
Thanks!

6

With what you want I would go to a private reserve like Timbavati, it's a neighbouring reserve to Kruger without fences so the animals will be the same as you'll see in Kruger, but with safaris with guide and tracker in an open vehicle and driving off road, and never a lot of cars around an animal sighting. We stayed four nights at The Royal Legend Safari Lodge in Timbavati and and loved it. Booked via Siyabona.com and only paid for 3 nights. I checked the rates, so we actually got on night free.

The Lodge doesn't have fences so you'll Get a lot of animals "in camp", at night a ranger takes you to and from your chalet. We heard the lions roar all night, and saw a leopard walk past the neihbouring chalet. The chalet's Are pretty luxerious and the food is amazing with dinners around the fire, private in the wine cellar etc, but it's a relaxed vibe and it's the game viewing and being close to the animals and in the bush all the time that makes it worth it.

If you're going from Cape Town to the Kruger area you can fly to Jo'burg and drive up there, or you can fly capetown-johannesburg-nelspruit/hoedspruit or there's a direct flight once a day I think with flysaa.com from Cape Town to Nelspruit.

7

Thanks for the info. What's an average cost for a lodge in Timbavati? Do rated include the safari drives?

8

Hi there Matty,

The average cost varies between around R1800 per person per night to R4500. The rates include three meals daily, all safari activities (Dawn safaris daily, dusk safaris daily, bush walks) all teas/coffees, snacks, and sometimes drinks & laundry.

Hope this helps!

Jacqui
-Owner-
Lodge Trackers Safari Specialists

9

It depends on the lodge, but as lodgetracker says the rates include two safaris a day when the animals are most active in the day (not many safaris after dark because you don't want to interfere/interrupt with flahlights)+ bushwalk, breakfast, lunch, pre-safari snack, sundowner snack, dinner (often 3-4 courses). If you google lodge names like Royal Legend Safari Lodge you'll find rates and what they include. We got the best deal with Siyabona.com so it's worth sending an e-Mail and Ask.