A safari is consistently among the top destinations for any visit to Africa! And rightly so. You can visit a few places where you can enjoy wide-open spaces, take in the fresh air, and see fantastic wildlife – but you would not have to fly to enjoy the African bush. You can rent a car in South Africa and drive there yourself. Here is how :
About the Kruger National Park
Covering nearly 2 million hectares, this park is one of the largest in Africa. Located in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, the park stretches for about 360km from north to south and about 65km from east to west.
The Kruger National Park is by far the most popular choice for a safari when visiting South Africa – known for sightings of the Big Five, which includes the elephant, lions, leopard, rhino and buffalo. There are hundreds of other species that make this park their home including mammals and a diverse range of bird species including vultures, eagles and storks.
Accommodation choices
Throughout the park, you would have several options to choose from when booking your accommodation. There are smaller intimate lodges with lovely decks to view the bush, and some even have a private splash pool to cool off after your game drive.
For the more adventurous, there are tented camps, but not your average tent. These are luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms and large rooms with a proper bed and linen.
Want an authentic African experience, why not try Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, located in a private concession within the Kruger National Park. With six air-conditioned luxury ‘beehive’ suites, all boasting king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms including outdoor showers as well as your own private viewing deck, Hoyo Hoyo is the perfect safari retreat to make the most of your unforgettable safari experience.
Though being in the Kruger National Park, Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge includes a number of activities including morning and afternoon safaris, bush dinners and spa treatments.
Flying versus Driving
The Kruger National Park is very easily accessible and can be included in any itinerary when visiting South Africa or the neighbouring countries. There are a few airports just outside the park which serves the local airlines daily.
Flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town are available. There is also Skukuza Airport – which is inside the park. There are also airstrips throughout the park and private reserves – daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg fly directly to these airstrips.
Flying to an airport or airstrip in the Kruger National Park would be the quickest way, but this can be a costly exercise and you are bound to the departure and arrival times of the flights. Depending on which area you are visiting from Johannesburg, it would be about a 6 to 7-hour drive. By driving, you can explore so much more of the country, and you have a little more freedom for en-route stops and the route you travel. Once you enter the park, you would also enjoy a mini-game drive before you reach the lodge.
Other attractions in the area
When you rent a vehicle in South Africa and explore the country at your own pace, you can include stops that are often missed when booking flights to and from the safari.
One of the most breathtaking routes to visit in the Kruger National Park area would be the Panorama Route. Travelling along this route, you would be able to see some waterfalls, and popular stops, including the Three Rondawels and enjoy the views of God’s Window.
Including Hazyview in your trip, you are in for some adventures. Here you can enjoy ziplining, visit an elephant sanctuary, take to the air in a helicopter or microlight and even enjoy horseback rides through the forests.
When planning your next safari, keep in mind that driving might sound daunting, but leaves you with so much more opportunity to explore! Grab that map and start exploring!
Flights between Hoedspruit and Johannesburg, Cape Town