A safari is a truly unique experience that everyone should try to make happen once in their lifetime. I went into the experience having no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with the luxury and simultaneous authenticity of the whole thing. We arrived to Johannesburg then took another small flight to Kruger National Park. Beware this plane is small and the airport even smaller, primitive, yet certainly charming. From here we had arranged transfers via van and open air jeep to our lodge at Serondella on the Thornybush Game Reserve. 

EXPERIENCE

Animals! This trip is all about checking off the whole “Lion King” roster. We were surprised by just how many animals we saw and how close we could get to them. The experience of riding in the open Land Rovers with a ranger and tracker is really special. We saw all of the Big 5 animals, along with many others. Hightlights included hearing a lion roar in the natural environment, watching a mating lion couple sleep under a tree at night, looking for cats in the trees with a spotlight at night, watching lions wait patiently for a warthog meal to emerge from a whole, seeing a cheetah couple rest in the grass, having a baby leopard drink at the water hole by our camp, and seeing lots of giraffes, elephants, warthogs, kudu, black rhino, white rhino, hippos, honey badger, alligators, among other things.

While I’m sure there are many great tour companies, we really enjoyed Serondella. Be sure to do at least 5 or 6 game drives to ensure you see all you hope to, and don’t feel too disappointed if you have a few that are not as lucrative in sightings. Be sure to do at least 2 night drives, these are really special.

Note it can be chilly at dawn and dusk when the drives happen, so pack accordingly with layers to add or subtract with the sun. The drives are about 3 hours long each, so the temperature can vary a bit.

Also be sure to enjoy the night sky, the southern hemisphere sky is absolutely beautiful. Take the time to watch a moonrise.

Kruger National Park: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/tourism/map.php

STAY

We stayed at the Serondella Game Lodge on the Thornybush Game Reserve: http://www.serondellalodge.co.za/

I have only positive things to say about the accommodations, service and staff at this luxurious lodge. The couple running the lodge was exceptional in their knowledge of all things “bush” and generously our predictable and excessive questions about every plant and animal we encountered. Service was great and the rooms were spectacular with hot tubs, mosquito net beds, pools, watering hole overlooks and all very private.

EAT

I quickly got the impression, that like in the rest of South Africa, the exotic cuisine offerings are more for tourist novelty than local consumption. But, its fun to play along, and when you are isolated in Kruger National Park, you really have very little choice. Some special highlights were springbock carpaccio, curries, and other various game animals prepared on the grill.