Rondavels in Kruger

Rest camps Kruger Park

This module combines a visit to the world famous rest camps in the Kruger Park with a visit to an area with a magnificent view over a canyon near Hazyview. You'll drive your own rental car through Kruger National Park for two entire days in search of the Big Five and other wild animals such as the rare wild dog. This is your chance for an exciting introduction to wild animals and other flora and fauna in Kruger; enjoy unique walking safari holidays South African style lead by professional rangers. You'll spend the night at the heart of Kruger Park in rondavels or safari tents. You'll also visit Hazyview, a pleasant 'green' village surrounded by banana plantations and a perfect place to start exploring the breathtaking surroundings. Last but not least, this rest camps in the Kruger Park module wouldn't be complete without a visit to the must-see's of this part of the country such as Blyde River Canyon, three very uniquely shaped hills named The Three Rondavels and the look-out point at God's Window where you can see all the way to Mozambique. 

Route: From Johannesburg / Pretoria to Hazyview and Kruger Park 

Leave Pretoria early in the morning by rental car and take the N4 to the eastern province of Mpumalanga. Slowly but surely, the countryside will become more meadow-like and hilly and traffic will become scarce. After a while you will see the peaks of the Drakensberg and the impressive, in some areas 700 meter deep, gorge of the Blyde River Canyon. Your Kruger Park rest camp trip ends in the village of Hazyview, beautifully situated between sugar cane and banana plantations, at the Kruger Park border. Spend the night just outside of the village in a charming hotel with swimming pool in the midst of fields. Either stay in for a great dinner or explore other dinner options in the area. 

Total distance on Day 1 is approximately 400 km or 5.5 hours. 
 

You'll have plenty of time to go sight-seeing in this spectacular area today. Drive past Blyde River Canyon and check out the uniquely shaped hills at the Three Rondavels. Along the way stop to see the effects of wind and erosion on stone at Bourkes Luck Potholes. Another must-see is the look-out point at Gods Window, where you can see all the way to Mozambique when skies are clear. There are several other enjoyable stops along the way, such as the quaint village of Sabie or former mining town Pilgrim's Rest with its historic houses, facades and stores. Be sure to stop off for lunch at one of the friendly café's. You'll spend the night in Hazyview once again.

Total distance on Day 2 is approximately 200 km.
 

Hazyview is only several kilometres away from the Numbi gate at Kruger Park (the 'National Wildlife Reserve'). Wake up early and try to arrive at Kruger right after sunrise to begin your Kruger Park adventure. This is the best time to see animals and even more importantly, to see the Big Five. Tickets and maps are available at the entrance of the park. During our travels, we really enjoyed using the maps provided by the park and they also made a great keepsake after our trip. The speed limit in the park is 40 km per hour, so please drive carefully. You can plan your trip either over paved or unpaved, sandy roads. Tip: use the park maps to find the animal watering holes in the park. Here you'll have a very good chance of seeing amazing animals. You'll spend the night in one of the rest camps in the middle of Kruger Park such as Olifants, Letaba or Satara. These rest camps are completely surrounded by gates and therefore safely closed off from the park. Spend the night in a rondavel (a round hut with a thatched roof) or a tent with an area for a 'braai' or bar-b-que. All rest camps in the Kruger Park have a bar, restaurant and a store (open until approximately 19.00 hour). If you like, you can prepare your own dinner. Click here for a map of Kruger Park.

Total distance on Day 3 is approximately 60 km.

Today is completely dedicated to exploring Kruger Park to get the most of your Safari holidays in South Africa. With 2 million acres of land, the park is almost a country in itself! You'll start off early today: an hour before sunrise you'll leave in a group of a maximum of 8 people (12 years and older) for an adventurous 3-4 hour walking safari (game walk) lead by two armed rangers. Explore the park on foot while searching for small and large wild animals and finding out all there is to know about Kruger. You'll receive a proper introduction to the bush from the ranger and you'll learn how to detect various types of animal tracks. We didn't always come across (large) wild animals during our game walks, since you'll only be walking for a limited time. Nonetheless we truly found it to be an unforgettable experience. Walking single file in the middle of the bush; there's a very good chance that you'll hear lions roaring in the distance and that you'll see monkeys scurrying away in the treetops above you. The game walk ends back at the rest camp where your hearty breakfast will be waiting. After breakfast, stock up on supplies for your drive today. Afterwards, continuing your rest camps in Kruger Park module, you'll drive south by rental car over mostly paved roads (which are in excellent condition). There will be plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and enjoy the view and the animals. You'll spend the night in one of the rest camps in the southern part of the Kruger Park: Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Berg and Dal or Crocodile Bridge.

Your rest camps in Kruger Park module ends after breakfast on Day 5, and you'll continue with your trip. You could, perhaps, spend your next couple of nights in unique eco lodge in Malelane, which is situated at the southern gate of Kruger and located on the route to Swaziland and Milwane Park.

Tip: Why not follow this module with our Beehive huts and St. Lucia trip?