I didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to visit Kruger National Park, even though I had just sold my car. Rather than hire a car for the occasion or stay at an all-inclusive lodge, I set myself the challenge of visiting Kruger without a vehicle. Here’s what I did.
This vervet monkey is keen to explain how to explore Kruger National Park without a car.
Home base: Phalaborwa
Rather than stay inside Kruger National Park, I picked the town of Phalaborwa as my base camp because of it’s proximity to the park gates. And I was definitely close: it was a twenty-minute walk from my accommodations to the park gate.
How to get there
Translux and City to City run daily buses from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa; South African Airways also operates daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa (related: Airlink to offer direct flights to Kruger National Park by March 2014). If an aeroplane ticket is out of your budget and the buses are on strike, I discovered that there are also daily direct taxis from Johannesburg to Namakgale; another taxi will take you the further ten kilometers to Phalaborwa.
Where to stay
Getaway has a long list of great places to stay in Phalaborwa. I spent four nights at Elephant Walk, which has a good range of backpacker and bed & breakfast options, as well as an excellent kitchen for those who like to self-cater.
It's still easy to get up-close-and-personal with the animals, even without a vehicle to self-drive.
See the wildlife: getting into the park
Travelling on my own without wheels, I knew my plans would be dictated by whatever had been booked by other guests. As soon as I arrived in Phalaborwa I made phone calls to the Kruger National Park office, as well as to other local lodges and tour operators. I had a great time venturing into the park with several different groups. Here are a few options:
South African National Park activities
SANParks operates a wide range of activities from Phalaborwa Gate, including morning and afternoon drives, walks, and bush braais. I joined a morning drive and loved venturing into the park before the gates opened, then stopping for morning tea and munching on homemade rusks beside a heard of buffalo. Find about about your options at www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/.
EcoTrek
My half-day morning drive with Craig at EcoTrek was by far the best value-for-money. We covered a lot of territory and saw an incredible number of animals, with a break for a delicious breakfast at Letaba Rest Camp. Find EcoTrek online at www.ecotrek.co.za
Sefapane Lodge
Sefapane Lodge is more than willing to let non-guests book any available seats on their scheduled activities, and their friendly staff arranged for me to be picked up at my own accommodations. I joined a group of Sefapane guests for a trip out to Oliphants River Safaris, where our leisurely cruise down the Oliphants river witnessed countless hippos, giraffe, and an exciting encounter between a crocodile and a baby elephant. Contact Sefapane Lodge through their website at www.sefapane.co.za
Game viewing from the river: some of your most memorable moments will be in places you can't drive to yourself.
Kruger isn’t just for cars
I was amazed at how much of Kruger National Park I was able to experience without my own vehicle. When I explained my car-less adventure to other South Africans visiting the Park, they were equally impressed to learn that some of the country’s top attractions are still accessible to travelers without wheels.
If a lack of transportation has been delaying your visit to Kruger, throw your excuses to the wind and pack your camera for some great game viewing!
Things to do in the Kruger National Park
If you’re looking to spend a little more time inside Kruger itself, check out the latest Kurger accommodation reviews on all the top camps in the park.
10 best lookouts in the Kruger
Kruger National Park’s 5 best bird hides
Travel packages to the Kruger National Park
