SOUTH AFRICA / TRAVEL GUIDE

Kruger Self-Drive Guide

Self-driving Kruger is one of the park’s great strengths. You control the route, stop when you want and spend as long as you like at a sighting within park rules. The best self-drive trips, however, are not built around covering huge distances. They are built around time, patience and sensible geography.

PLAN WITH CONTEXT

Plan less distance than you think

Road speeds are controlled and wildlife can stop the day in the best possible way. A route that looks short on a normal road map may take hours when you are actually on safari. Leave room to stop rather than driving to a deadline.

PLAN WITH CONTEXT

Start from the right camp or gate

Your accommodation determines which roads are practical at the beginning and end of the day. Choose where to stay with the safari route in mind, not only the room photograph.

PLAN WITH CONTEXT

Mix self-drive with a guided activity

A professional guided drive gives you a different experience and can add access to times or formats you would not have on your own. It also lets everyone in the vehicle look for wildlife instead of one person concentrating on driving.

PLAN WITH CONTEXT

Fuel, food and park timing

Treat fuel level, gate and camp operating times, food stops and daily distance as part of the safari plan. Current park rules and times should always be checked against official information for your travel dates.

PLAN WITH CONTEXT

Who should not self-drive?

If you dislike navigating, do not want to drive after a long international journey or want guiding to be central to the safari, a transfer plus guided safari may be a better holiday. Self-drive is an option, not a test of whether you are doing Kruger properly.

SOUTH AFRICA, PERSONALLY HANDLED

Plan Your Trip

If you would rather have a local operator connect the accommodation, transport and experiences for you, tell Spurwing what you already have booked and where you still need help.