Self Drive In Kruger National Park
It is not essential to do a guided safari in the Kruger National Park, many people choose to hire a car and drive themselves. See below for a brief checklist of advantages and disadvantages. Main roads in Kruger are tarred and with lots of loop dirt roads which are generally OK for any type of vehicle. Although if there has been a recent downpour it may be unadvisable. Many of the Rules of Kruger apply to drivers.
Pre-booking accommodation is essential at holiday times and advisable at other times, check our accommodation in the area. there are some good deals on car hire in South Africa but again the best bargains can be gained by pre-booking
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Travellers Routes:
Worldwide Backpackers
and independent
travellers guide
- Obey the speed limit! 50 km per hour on tar roads and 40 km per hour on gravel. This speed limit is for your safety, you never know what may be on the road around the next corner Plus your chances of seeing any wildlife at even these speeds is limited
- Normal road rules do apply, driving on the left, indicating to turn etc. there are no road markings but the rules still apply
- Be considerate, loud car radios and voices will disturb other park users and wildlife
- NEVER EVER get out of your vehicle unless it is a designated area
Driving in South Africa
The road infrastructure is excellent, so driving is a viable option, but South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day, so plan your journeys carefully. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.
Toll Roads:Before you set off, check your route. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Check the toll fees before you leave, and make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay. Toll fares for a light passenger vehicle vary from R2.50 to R46.00.
Hazards: Be aware that the roads in many rural areas are not fenced, so you could find dogs, chickens, sheep and even horses or cows on the road, so it may be dangerous to drive at night.
Keep Left: We drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars – rental cars included – are right-hand drive vehicles. All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres
- Flexibility go where you want when you want. focus on the wildlife you cam to see
- Conveience gives you as much or as little time in the park as you like.
- Independence kruger has many areas of historical and archeological significance which are often not covered by safaris
- game drives, short kruger park game drives and walks are available to all visitors at the park so you canstill spend time with a ranger
- Good roads around South Africa and Kruger
Backpacker Hostels
Bed & Breakfast
Guest Houses
Hotels
Private Homes
Safari Lodges
Self Catering
By Region
Central Kruger Park
Kruger Surrounds
Northern Kruger Park
Southern Kruger Park
Johannesburg / Pretoria
By Game Reserve
Balule Nature Reserve
Kapama Reserve
Manyeleti Reserve
Marloth Park Conservancy
Sabi Sand Reserve
Thornybush Game Reserve
Timbavati Reserve
Advantages of Guided safari
- Knowledge all guides are trained field guides, they know where certain anmals prefer and how to spot them.
- No driving, if you are 2 people and one driving that only leaves one pair if eyes for spottng the wildlife. with a safari you will not only have the trained guide but all the other visitors
- No driving again, the maximum speed limit is 50 km an hour in kruger, generally to spot wildlife you will want to travel slower than this. It is very tiring to drive for a whole day especailly at such slow speeds, and whne concentration levels ned to be high, anything could be around the next corner.