The Kruger is a renowned safari destination that offers incredible up-close encounters with a diversity of wildlife. There are as many as 147 mammal species and over 500 species of bird found living in the Kruger, including the iconic Big Five.
With almost two million hectares of wilderness and an excess of 3000 kms of roads in the Kruger National Park, game drives are the best way to cover as much ground as possible. The Kruger is open to the public and sees more than one million people pass through its gates each year. Most travelers, residents and visitors to the park, are keen to venture out and explore the park on their own but as the sun sets, the park closes to all self drive guests and only private lodges and SanParks rangers are permitted to drive around the park.
All of the self-catering rest camps in the Kruger offer guided safari activities, including night drives which are a must when choosing to go on safari. Night drives offer an opportunity to see animals that are most active at night. During the two to three hour drive, you could spot nightjars, servals, African wild cats, honey badgers, springhares, owls; and predators such as lions, hyenas and leopards who love to hunt in the evenings when it is cooler. The highly skilled guides are great at seeking out nocturnal creatures, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience.
Here are some of the top Kruger rest camps that offer night drives:
Bateleur Rest Camp is the oldest and the smallest of the bushveld camps, and has a game-viewing hide that overlooks a waterhole just outside the camp. There are also two nearby dams (Silwervis and Rooibosrand) which are restricted to the residents of Bateleur.
Letaba Rest Camp nestles on a bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The sandy riverbed affords incredible game viewing, particularly of elephant who thrive in the area.
Berg en Dal Rest Camp is popular amongst families and is located on the banks of the Matjulu Spruit. Berg-en-Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment and has dry river beds on the northern and southern sides of the camp. There is also a dam which borders the camp and attracts an abundance of wildlife.
Satara Rest Camp is a popular camp because it sits in an excellent game viewing area where animals are plentiful and diverse. The camp has a rustic charm, with accommodation set in a series of circles. Satara’s bird-life is prolific and at night one can hear the calls of owls, nightjars, hyena, along with lion roars and the screeching of jackals.
