Kruger Park Open Vehicle Safari with Carolina, Thierry, Connie and Theo from the 14 - 17 June 2011

We picked up Carolina and Thierry from the Rosebank Hotel and made our way through to Kempton Park and picked up Connie and theo at the Sunrock Guesthouse, before making our way through to Nelspruit were we changed over our vehicle to one of our open safari vehicles. It was then off to the Kruger National Park. We entered the Numbi Gate and after checking in procedures, we made our way down to the camp of Pretoriuskop. After checking in to the accommodation, we gave the guests a chance to have a rest and get some lunch before leaving at 15h00 on there first game drive.


At 15h00 we left the camp after getting to know that there had been a sighting of some lions about thirty kilometers from the camp. We decided to make our way in that direction, and it was not long before we got our first sighting of rhino. We carried on getting other sightings of elephant, impala and kudu before we came around the corner and saw a large number of vehicles in front of us. We approached cautiously and were met with a good sighting of two male lions lions not more than five meters off the road busy sleeping. Visitors kept coming and going, and after being there for almost an hour we took our leave in order to start making our way back in the direction of the camp before the gates closed at 17h30. upon our return journey we came across more impala and kudu as well as some buffalo, this giving the guests good sighting of four of the big 5 on the first afternoons game drive. Upon reaching camp, guests took a well deserved break before making there way to the restaurant for some well deserved dinner. It was then off to bed in order to get up early for the next day. 


The following morning it was up at 05h00 and after enjoying some tea and coffee, it was off out of the camp and onto the road to see what we could find. We made our way down Napi Road and got good sightings of rhino, elephant, and a large number of plains game. We also got to find some hippo and crocodile, before making our way down to Nkulu picnic spot for breakfast. After enjoying a good breakfast it was back onto the open safari vehicle and out to see what we could find. We took a drive up to Jones dam about thirty kilometers away and were greeted by a huge number (about 200) zebra making there way down to the dam to drink, they were also joined by three buffalo bulls. This was really a lovely sight to see. After guests had taken some good photos, it was off back in the direction of Skukuza were the guests could have a good lunch break before continuing. On the return journey we came across some good bird species as well as a large number of vultures have a drink in the Sand River. After lunch we made our way back in the direction of Pretoriuskop, but decided to make a turn in the srea of were there had been lions spotted in the morning. We took a drive the Shebeni link road and instead of finding lions in the area, we came across a cheetah lying on the fire break. This was truly a good find. After the guests had a good sighting and got some pictures, we made our way in the direction of the camp, arriving back at 17h30.
Guests got to enjoy a good dinner and then it was off to bed after a long day on the vehicle.


The following morning it was up early again, and after loading Carolina and thierry's baggage it was out of the camp to see what we could find before taking them to the gate to get there transfer back to Johannesburg. As we turned back onto the Napi Road at 06h05, we came across some lions killing buffalo in front of us on the road. we watched all the action, and as the lions had killed in long grass we listened to them for a long time. We also got to see other lions coming to join in the eating that had been on the opposite side of the road as well as hyena that had smelt what had been going down. After a great sighting, we got to hear of two cheetah walking in the middle of thwe road, so we decided to make our way in that direction. We managed to find the cheetah, but only got a short five minute sighting as there were numerous numbers of vehicles around them and they made there way into the bush. 
We were pushed to make our way back to the camp of Pretoriuskop in order to enjoy breakfast as we had not been able to get to far with all the action going on around us.
After breakfast we took another short drive back to the area of the kill to see if we could see anything, before making our way to the Numbi Gate so that Carolina and Thierry could get there transfer.


After the transfer had left with Carolina and Thierry and dropped off Dottie and Jane we made our way back to the camp of Pretoriuskop for a break before leaving on the afternoon game drive. The afternoon game drive was a bit on the quite side as we only managed to find a large herd of buffalo and some elephant, impala and kudu. It was then back to the camp in order to have dinner before Connie and Theo left on there night safari. At 19h00 Connie and Theo left on there night safari, returning at 21h00 and having seen two good lion sightings, lots of owls as well as other numerous sightings of different species of animals.


The following morning it was up early and after loading the baggage of Connie and Theo it was off to see what there was out there. We got to see good sightings of Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and lion, before making our way to Nkulu picnic spot for breakfast. After having enjoyed breakfast, it was off in the direction of the Numbi Gate to meet there transfer back to Sunrock Guesthouse in Kempton Park.


Feedback was great fromn the guests as they had a wonderful time and got to see and experience a large number of animals. All guests on the safari want to return some time and will be telling a huge number of people about there experience to the Kruger National Park.