This time we will be driving the car from rest camp to rest camp. The camps have curfews and you must be inside the walls by dark because the gates will be closed and locked. At no time are you to get out of your car.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park ranks along with the best in all of Africa. Our previous safari lodge, "Djuma", on a private reserve was a fantastic adventure.
However, this place was on a different level.
It was vast and covered 2 million hectares.
BATTLE AT KRUGER
Turn Volume Up
This amazing video was captured a few years after we were there. It had 80 million views on youtube and gives an idea of the environment we were in.
What a truly wild and amazing place!
It was futile to take pictures of sightings happening constantly and unannounced. You are caught up in the excitement and don't even think about taking photos. We just drove and took it all in.
The Adventure Begins
1
Kruger
Rest Camps
Olifant Camp
Punda Maria Camp
3
Skukuza Camp
For the next 3 days,
we traveled between Rest Camps.
2
4
Chilli Pepper
Lodge
START
3
4
1
1
Olifant
2
2
1
We Left Chilli Pepper Lodge after breakfast and headed to Kruger. Upon reaching Kruger we entered through the
Paul Kruger Gate. Signs warning to stay in the car at all times and that you must reach your rest camp before dark or the gate will be locked. The posted sign read 83 km and allow 3 hours, not including delays for game viewing.
After driving for only a short time in the park we had already seen so many animals that we were excited about our next 2 full days. We overnighted at "Olifant Rest Camp"
This is Kruger
3
Oud Learns to Drive
"Punda Maria Camp" is a small, quiet camp that hosts a modest number of bungalows and tent structures and has an abundance of antelope and bird species. The furnished tents on stilts are very comfortable with all amenities. We have an early start in the morning for our 275 km drive to our last rest camp "Skukuza".
​
Oud was anxious to learn to drive and we thought this was a good time as any. So he took over the wheel. There were many dirt and gravel roads that looped deep off the main road usually to access a large watering hole. You could not get lost, but you never knew what would be around the next bend. It was an exciting day and a bit stressful with Oud behind the wheel for the first time and the game encounters, I was ready for the lodge when we arrived just before sunset. The gate was still open.
We drove into the
"Skukuza Rest Camp".
"Olifant Rest Camp" overlooked the river and had a nice restaurant. The thatched bungalows were modest and comfortable with all amenities.
This is Kruger
The camp is situated at the top of a hill towering several hundred feet over the river". Shaded platforms give a birds-eye view of the game below. This rest camp had a good restaurant and cafeteria. Bonfires and barbeques were offered every night.
The next morning, after breakfast, we started the 212 km drive to our next rest camp - "Punda Maria".
4
"Skukuza Camp" is the largest camp in Kruger National Park and is located right next to the Sabie River. It provides beautiful views of the river and the wildlife that come down to the river to drink. All of the big 5 are in abundance
in this area. Tonight is our last night in the bush and tomorrow we fly to Cape Town.
​
This is Kruger
We leave Skukuza camp, drop the car at the Skukuza Airport and fly out of the bush to Cape Town.
Times have changed. When we flew out of Skukuza it was just a field with an airstrip and a small basic building.
Wow! New Airport at Skukuza
