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Giraffes in Kruger National Park_edited.jpg

Information you must know 

before you go on safari

What to bring on Safari?

  • The Kruger Park gets over 300 days of sun annually, so bring a Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

  • Walking shoes and swimming gear.

  • A torch is strongly recommended, especially if you are staying in a Treehouse.

  • Insect repellent

  • Photographic equipment and a small pair of binoculars.

  • Electricity supply is 220 Volts. There are adaptors for sale at reception

  • Money for drinks, personal expenses and lunches in Kruger and on transfer days

  • A keen pair of eyes to help us spot all the animals

Which clothes should I take?

  • A peaked or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

  • A light raincoat

  • All the lodges have swimming pools so take swimming gear

  • Long trouser pants and long sleeved shirts – to protect you from insects in the evenings and nights.

  • Bring closed walking shoes (not sandals)

   

In Spring and Summer (September to April) the temperatures range between 15°C (59°F) and 35°C (95°F). Light clothing is recommended. Take a pullover for early morning drives.

 

In Autumn (Fall) and Winter (May to August), the temperatures range from 5C (41°F) to 25°C

   (77°F). You will need a warm jacket or fleece. Gloves are useful on early morning drives.

What is the difference between a private reserve and the Kruger National Park?

The fence between the private reserves and the Kruger Park came down about 15 years ago. The private reserves on Balule are now part of the so called “Greater Kruger Park.” On the private reserves the ranges will be in radio contact with one another as well as with rangers from other lodges; making it easier to find the Big 5 animals. On the private reserves you are allowed to drive off-road, unlike in the "public" Kruger National Park, allowing you to get much closer to the animals. You will most likely get much closer to the Big 5 animals on the private reserves than in the public Kruger Park. There are fewer vehicles on the private reserves so there is an element of exclusivity at a sighting. At a Private Reserve you have a higher chance of spotting the Big5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo) and you will get much closer to them.

Which safari should I choose?

The 4 best Safari tours that we recommend are essentially the same, except for the accommodation. The first night for all our safaris is a chalet in a Game Lodge, but the other nights depend on your choice of accommodation.

The Best Budget Safari in South Africa is for the adventurous, young at heart and budget-conscious. If you want to combine a little bit of pampering (first night) with lots of adventure, you are encouraged to book this Game Lodge & Bush Tent Safari.

The Best Value-For-Money Safari in South Africa is the ideal choice for budget-conscious travellers who want to add a little more value with en suite chalet accommodation on all nights. 

The Best Treehouse Safari in South Africa offers you a little bit of pampering (first night) and lots of adventure. If you are adventure-minded, young at heart and prepared to forfeit certain luxuries in the pursuit of a real African bush experience, you are encouraged to book this Game Lodge & Treehouse Safari.

The Best Luxury Safari in South Africa offers you lots of pampering and lots of adventure. If you are looking for a real African bush safari but prefer not to give up on certain luxuries, you are encouraged to book this Game Lodge & Luxury Tented safari. There are 8 luxury tented chalets on this brand new 4 star safari lodge. This Safari is luxury, yet still affordable.

Where do the safaris take place?

The safaris take place on the Balule Private Game Reserve, which is part of the so-called "Greater Kruger Park" as well as on the Kruger Park proper. The 4 Day Safaris include 1 full day in the Kruger Park proper and the 5 Day Safaris include 2 full days. You will travel from the private reserve to Kruger along a road that skirts numerous private game reserves and we always see animals even before we enter Kruger. There are various biomes that we visit and in Kruger we have the chance of seeing specials such as Wild Dog and Sable Antelope that are generally absent from the private reserves.

What is the accommodation? 

Game Lodge Chalet (first night for all tours) - Each en suite chalet is air-conditioned and has a tea/coffee station. Each bed has its own Mosquito net and guests are supplied with shampoo and insect repellant. Perhaps the most striking feature of this lodge are the beautiful gardens which give the camp a subtropical feel. Water features add a soothing effect and the overall feel is very relaxing and romantic.

Bush Tent - The tents are equipped with beds and bedding, soap, towels, electric light and fan. There are 2 or 4 single beds per tent. Tents have their own deck and there are outside shared bathrooms.

Chalet (Best Value) -  Each en suite chalet has an overhead fan, electric lights and power points and all the comfortable beds are covered by mosquito nets. The camp has a good-sized swimming pool and an open BBQ Boma. The central common room has a bar, a breakfast nook, a lounge as well as indoor dining facilities. There is a newly built (viewing terrace) outside Lapa overlooking a floodlit waterhole where animals come to drink. There are 8 en suite chalets in this camp.

Treehouse - The treehouses offer rustic but comfortable accommodation geared to put you in close contact with the sights, sounds and scents of the wild. They are equipped with beds and linen, soap and towels, overhead fan, mosquito nets, en suite or private bathroom and each treehouse has its own private wooden viewing deck. The treehouses blend in with the natural surroundings and are located on the elevated banks of the river, providing excellent views.

Luxury Tented Chalet - Each tented chalet has an elevated deck to allow for spectacular views of the bushveld. Each deck has its own private splash pool. The units are air conditioned and boast inside and outside showers. The rooms are essentially semi-tents, with brick and mortar back walls and canvas front and side panels. Sliding aluminium doors and windowed canvas panels blend perfectly to make this a unique state-of-the-art accommodation concept. 

How many days should I spend on Safari?

For those of you who have never been on safari before, we recommend a 5 day safari. This allows you to spend 2 full days in the "public" Kruger National Park as well as 3 days on a private reserve. For those who are short of time, there is a 4 day option for all the safaris. And if your time is restricted and you have no other option, then a 3 day safari is still vastly better than not going at all. You will spend substantial time getting from Johannesburg to Kruger and back (one way distance of 480 km) and we have found that guests on the 3 day safari return very tired. You also miss out on our 4 h Bush walk along the Olifants River, which many tourists rank as a highlight of their safari. You will, however, still experience a sunset game drive in a Big 5 private reserve; a full day in the "public" Kruger National Park and a sunrise bush walk. 

What time do we depart and return? 

We pick up from your accommodation in Johannesburg and need to be on our way out of Johannesburg by 09h30 latest. you will be given your exact time of departure prior to the start, depending on where your accommodation is. We ask international tourists who are arriving by plane on the day of departure to touch down at O R Tambo airport by 07h00.  We supply an attachment for emails indicating the exact location of the meeting point at the airport. 

On the return journey, unlike other tour providers, we stop at the famous Three Rondavels viewpoint to view the spectacular Blyde River Canyon. We therefore only return to Johannesburg at around 17h00 (just before rush hour). Guests cannot book local flights leaving before 19h00 or international flights leaving before 20h00. The later the better.

How can I prevent Malaria?

For the Kruger area, we recommend that you take anti-malaria medication as prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, before travelling to Africa.
That said, the best way to prevent malaria is to not get bitten. Be sure to bring insect repellent with you – the best ones contain 30% to 50% DEET (diethyltoluamide), such as Mylol, Peaceful Sleep, and Tabard. These shouldn’t be applied directly to the skin during pregnancy.
All game lodges and safari camps have mosquito nets hanging over the beds or mosquito screens, and even the basic bungalows in the Kruger National Park have insect screens at the windows and doors. Electric fans are also very effective at keeping mosquitos away.

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