1) Transfer to the Airport:
Make sure to have someone to drop you off at the airport or get there via public transport early enough. Being there early will ensure you will not end up in a hurry because you got 1kg to much weight inside your luggage and just having just 5 minutes to change that.
Pro-Tip: after you are through security get some water at the duty free shop. I know – it is more expensive than gold but you will be happy to have some on a 6-8 hour flight when the stewardess is busy with other things than caring for you.
2) Flights
Book early, book smart. Check if there are direct flights and make use of them even if they are a few bucks more. You will hate yourself sitting in (for example) dubai for 4 hours straight just because you decided to go for the 100$ cheaper flight. Book 5-6 Months in advnace if possible to save a significant amount of money.
Also check out our article about making your flight more enjoyable
3) Car
The distances in South Africa are huge. Thats why you will absolutely need to get a rental car to experience this country the best way possible. Sure you can do full-service trips, but this will leave you with just 1-2 safaris and way more costs. Getting your own car enables you to do all safaris on your own, decide a 100% yourself where to go inside the Kruger National Park and when to stay some more tima at that awsome lion sighting.
Believe me – you will regret not going down this road 😉 We normally book via avis.at as they alsways provided the best service.
Pro-Tip: Make sure to get unlimited milage! Booking via (as I recommend) Avis you can mostly get those by booking via the avis page of your country. NEVER book via the avis.co.za website as this will limit your milage drastically. Also book way before your journey starts! 5-6 Months can make a difference of a few hundred bucks.
4) Lodge/Hotel
You can choose on quite some different accomodations around the Kruger National Park.
Camping:
If you like it simple go for the camping option which also gives you the best nature experience at a reasonable price. You will have to rent a suitable car for this but it will still be cheaper than most other options as you need a car anyways. You can find suitable cars here and do not forget to pre-book at the awsome camps inside Kruger here.
Appartments:
There are many appartments all around Kruger to stay at. Just check booking.com for a good overview. Most appartments are reasonable priced and offer everything you could need.
Pro tip: try to contact the person offering the appartment directly. Youll often get a discount for not booking via booking plarforms.
Reccommendation: Meerkat Manor (we loved it there!)
Lodges:
Lodges are the most common way of accomondation in South Africa. These are „small hotels“ mostly with the real south african flair offering rooms with additional services. These can be found via booking.com too.
Reccommendations: Needles Lodge (inside a small wildlife reserve!), Ngwenya Lodge (awsome view and awsome food).
Private lodges:
Private lodges are small to large houses mostly available in wildlife reserves around the Kruger National Park. These are self catering lodges where you have the whole house for yourself. They surely cost some bucks more, but if you are going on a trip with 4 or more they are always the best and cheapest option!
Reccommendations: Check out the awsome lodges inside the beautiful Marloth Park
Luxury lodges:
Are you more the „fancy upperclass“ kind of person or do you just want to experience that 500$ a night level accomondation once in life (or always)? Kruger National Park got you covered. There are several upper class lodges which offer a genious amout of wildlife and nature combined with luxury.
5) WildCard
You will need to pay an entrence fee to enter the Kruger National Park. This can be done at the gate for each day or via a so called WildCard.
Costs for this card vary depending on where you are from and if you are alone, a couple or a family. You can find the current prices here.
So that quite everything we (and propably you sometimes) will need to start our journey to South Africa. We will be back with more when our trip starts.
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