A family holiday in the wild awaits at Kruger National Park. Want to head out into the wide open spaces and get up close to some real wildlife? Kruger’s the place for you. Here you’ve got around 20,000 square km of roads, trails, ruins, museums and animal-spotting opportunities under a big, blue South African sky.
Probably the largest ‘open range zoo’ in the world, Kruger is one of the best places in Africa to make ‘in-the-wild’ sightings of the fabulous Big Five; Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros and Buffalo. But there’s a lot more to Kruger than those fellas, with 147 mammals, 507 birds and 114 reptile species represented, Kruger National Park is a nature-lover’s dream come true. Did we mention the 336 tree varieties too?
Getting around this enormous slice of country is a breeze and Kruger is the perfect self-drive adventure spot. Travellers are free to take their own vehicles along the many km of roads, and ‘overnight’ in the secure rest camps and caravan parks dotted throughout the region, or set up digs in a variety of permanent accommodation types from safari tents through to family cottages and ultra-luxe lodges with staple facilities like en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning and outside showers.
Naturally, there are strict rules in place to ensure the safety of both visitor and denizen alike, but nobody seems bothered about a few sensible conditions when driving past a pride of hungry lions with all windows up. You can take escorted backpack hikes and wilderness trails, guided nature walks and mountain bike treks all accompanied by armed escorts, go star-gazing under the big sky or play a round of golf accompanied by a gallery like no other you’ve seen.
Kruger’s a big park full of big game. If you’re up to the adventure, give your Travel Counsellor a call.
Kruger National Park fun facts
Kruger is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park which spreads across the borders of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique
The park has an 8000 km road system and road rules are strongly enforced
There are 40 types of frog to look out for
South Africa - Johannesburg
Tuesday 2nd March 2010
Travel Counsellor: Trish Hollis
Johannesburg - March 2010
I have been lucky enough to fulfill one of my dreams and Travel to South Africa.
On Arrival staying at the WestCliff Hotel in Johannesburg, such breathtaking views. Rooms were very spacious in size and the hospitality and food were awesome. Catering from the business traveller with excellent facilities, to the Single or Family Traveller. For the security conscious, the whole hotel is fully fenced with guards.
There are 11 official languages of South Africa and Johannesburg has 9 districts each with their own character. Visiting the jail where Mandela was and hearing the history really puts into perspective the harsh life that was led and the strength it took for some of the great men and women that lived there. Day trips around the city are certainly recommended with a guide.
A 2 hour bicycle tour through Soweto was certainly an experience not to forget. The hospitality of the South African's was so welcoming and sharing the local brew in a shebeen... view full story
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