Thanks for your email.
We had a great time on the Chilled Kruger Bedded 3-day Safari and we are
pleased to share our experiences.
The safari was all that we had hoped for and much more. We thought that
the drive out to Kruger was spectacular and it was terrific to be able
to see so much of the country between Joberg and the Park. Our Guide,
Dejon, was punctual and welcoming. (At all times during the tour our
guides/drivers were punctual and reliable). The views and landforms at
the Three Rondawels, Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and the Bourke's
Luck Potholes were so fantastic.
During our time in Kruger, we were lucky enough to see all of the "Big
5" in one day, as well as lots of other wildlife on all the drives.
On the morning/day drives we saw many large and small animals and birds.
Dejon, who was also a bird enthusiast, was very knowledgeable about all
the animals and birds which we saw, as well as being skilful about
locating them for us! His commentary was succinct, but he was very
willing to expand and give more info if we were interested and asked
questions. We enjoyed his sense of humour.
On the night drive with the Kruger guide, we had a fantastic time-
spotting many animals, including a young male elephant on the road,
which trumpeted at us and did a mock charge at fairly close range, a
family of warthogs settling for the night, and also a leopard. We were
thrilled when Thomas, the Guide, stopped the truck and authentically
imitated a leopard call, in an attempt to lure the animal back out of
the bush. The real leopard responded to his calls from the nearby bush
(but didn't show his face again to us, unfortunately!).
The people on our drive were very enthusiastic spotlight wielders and
managed to spot several special animals, including an African wild cat,
bush babies and a mongoose.
We were pleasantly surprised by the comfortable and unique accommodation
at Timbavati. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The meals were
plentiful and delicious and the atmosphere very tranquil and relaxed (in
spite of the nearby roar of lions during the night). It was pretty
amazing to be served hot cross buns for breakfast on Good Friday in the
middle of the African wilderness!
It is hard to select a highlight, but seeing the "Big 5" would have to
be up there! We also took advantage of the optional morning sunrise walk
in Kruger accompanied by two armed guides. As we were the only people
booked on the walk, we had a wonderful "private" tour with Gordon and
Thomas, who were so interesting and made it a great experience, pointing
out all the different tracks, animal resting spots and small things such
as plants and insects,etc. They also unexpectedly provided drinks and
snacks for us half way through the walk. We were lucky enough to get
quite close to a herd of curious giraffes. We were relieved that the
guides didn't have cause to use their rifles, however! The morning walk
was a special highlight for us.
We only had time to do the three-day safari because we flew home the
next day and I know that you initially recommended that we do the
four-day trip, which would have been great, but we feel that we were
able to get a real flavour of the area and the park and its wildlife,
even in the short time we did have. We were so lucky to see so much
wildlife, as apparently not everyone gets to see so many animals on the
various drives. We also enjoyed the pleasant company of the young
travellers from different countries, on our various drives and at our
meals. Michelle especially enjoyed being able to chat with travellers
of a similar age to herself, but even though we were the "oldies" (at
50) on the trip, we weren't made to feel old at all!!
We would recommend that travellers do the morning walk (despite the very
early start from Timbavati). You don't have to be super fit, and it does
give you a different perspective than the view from the safari truck.
Warm regards from
Sally, David and Michelle Carratt
Aberglasslyn - Australia
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