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Self Drive Safari Adventure at Kruger National Park
How to Visit Kruger National Park with Simone Paddock
What is a self drive safari at Kruger National Park Like?
Imagine driving on a lonely road in the morning mist through the African bush – and all of a sudden, there’s a baby elephant appearing in front of you. He’s tiny, swinging his little trunk around, and running to try and catch up with mom. Then you notice papa elephant munching away on a shrub right next to your car and realize he’s been there for a while already, keeping a close eye on you. You stop, turn off your engine and just sit and watch them forage, play, be social and live their lives.
It’s a mystical, magical experience.
No amount of David Attenborough documentaries or re-runs of Madagascar or The Lion King can prepare you for the serene majesty of these animals and the utter wonder of seeing this type of wildlife in its own environment.
I think you immediately connect with the primal nature of the experience and realize how incredibly privileged we are as humans to be sharing the same planet with these animals.
Why did Simone visit Kruger National Park?
My parents lived in South Africa for 4 years in the late 1950s and 60s. Returning to Switzerland to raise their kids, they filled our house with treasures and mementos from their time in Africa, and I grew up surrounded by drums, masks, wooden figurines, beaded trinkets and even a zebra skin on the wall of our living room.
So I decided to go see for myself what made this continent so fascinating and to experience the magic for myself.
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Why you should visit Kruger National Park:
With over 7,500 square miles of terrain, Kruger is one of the largest national parks in Africa. In terms of wildlife, however, Kruger is one of the world’s greatest game reserves. The diversity, density and the sheer number of animals is almost unparalleled.
What makes the park special though is the truly vast network of roads you are able to explore on your own - and without a paid guide by going on a self drive safari. There is a detailed map available and plenty of off-the-beaten-track small dirt roads you can follow, water holes you can hang out on and observe animals.
During my 9 days in Kruger National Park, I came to realize just how precious these animals in the park are – and how few are actually left.
In the mid-70s, around 1.5 million elephants roamed Africa. Today, it’s believed to be less than 400,000 – and about 100 are being poached EVERY SINGLE DAY for their ivory. What’s most distressing is that the poachers are ruthless and not only kill elephants outside of the parks – even in Kruger, there is poaching. 46 elephants were killed inside the park’s boundaries in 2016 alone, and the rangers protecting the wildlife are often also shot or even killed. In 2012 alone, 200 poachers were arrested inside the park.
It will only ever stop when the price for ivory in China goes from over $1,000 per pound and
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By Gail Lovelace MenascoHow to Visit Kruger National Park with Simone Paddock
What is a self drive safari at Kruger National Park Like?
Imagine driving on a lonely road in the morning mist through the African bush – and all of a sudden, there’s a baby elephant appearing in front of you. He’s tiny, swinging his little trunk around, and running to try and catch up with mom. Then you notice papa elephant munching away on a shrub right next to your car and realize he’s been there for a while already, keeping a close eye on you. You stop, turn off your engine and just sit and watch them forage, play, be social and live their lives.
It’s a mystical, magical experience.
No amount of David Attenborough documentaries or re-runs of Madagascar or The Lion King can prepare you for the serene majesty of these animals and the utter wonder of seeing this type of wildlife in its own environment.
I think you immediately connect with the primal nature of the experience and realize how incredibly privileged we are as humans to be sharing the same planet with these animals.
Why did Simone visit Kruger National Park?
My parents lived in South Africa for 4 years in the late 1950s and 60s. Returning to Switzerland to raise their kids, they filled our house with treasures and mementos from their time in Africa, and I grew up surrounded by drums, masks, wooden figurines, beaded trinkets and even a zebra skin on the wall of our living room.
So I decided to go see for myself what made this continent so fascinating and to experience the magic for myself.
Â
Why you should visit Kruger National Park:
With over 7,500 square miles of terrain, Kruger is one of the largest national parks in Africa. In terms of wildlife, however, Kruger is one of the world’s greatest game reserves. The diversity, density and the sheer number of animals is almost unparalleled.
What makes the park special though is the truly vast network of roads you are able to explore on your own - and without a paid guide by going on a self drive safari. There is a detailed map available and plenty of off-the-beaten-track small dirt roads you can follow, water holes you can hang out on and observe animals.
During my 9 days in Kruger National Park, I came to realize just how precious these animals in the park are – and how few are actually left.
In the mid-70s, around 1.5 million elephants roamed Africa. Today, it’s believed to be less than 400,000 – and about 100 are being poached EVERY SINGLE DAY for their ivory. What’s most distressing is that the poachers are ruthless and not only kill elephants outside of the parks – even in Kruger, there is poaching. 46 elephants were killed inside the park’s boundaries in 2016 alone, and the rangers protecting the wildlife are often also shot or even killed. In 2012 alone, 200 poachers were arrested inside the park.
It will only ever stop when the price for ivory in China goes from over $1,000 per pound and