Guided Sunset drives in Kruger Park

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Kruger Park offers great guided game drives but what most people don’t know is that the Sunset Drive is the one to go for. Why? Because then you get a triple whammy - 1) some daylight when viewing is still good, 2) twilight as the animals start coming down to drink at the waterholes, 3) followed by a spotlit night drive when you see nocturnal critturs that don’t stir in the daytime. And your chances of seeing a leopard are pretty high - especially around Satara, Skukuza and Lower Sabie.

Book your drive as soon as you arrive at your rest camp. Here are some handy tips.

• Take a warm jacket even in summer. If it’s winter, add gloves, scarf and beanie and borrow a blanket from your accommodation.
• Bring your own snacks and drinks. If you like a tipple, a hip flask of something special is a bonus (my tipple is Laphroaig single malt).
• Sit near the front or middle, not at the back. That way you will always hear what your driver/guide is saying.
• Try to get a seat next to the open side of the vehicle but put small children in the middle.
• Ask questions, however silly you think they are. The guide is there to enrich your experience and will be happy to answer.
• If there’s a special animal or bird you would really like to see, mention it to your guide before you start out. There are no guarantees but he will do his best to find it for you.

On a recent Kruger Sunset Drive starting from Satara, my family and I saw 7 lions starting to hunt, a hundreds-strong herd of buffalo, a civet, elephants galore and a leopard crossing the road in front of us. Wow!

Category: Adventure, Attractions, Routes & Trails