Driving etiquette and game viewing in Kruger National Park

Slow, slower … slowest is the best way to drive around Kruger National Park. Things ‘pop up’ around corners, usually when you least expect it. If you’re going too fast you scare the animals and indeed may drive past without seeing them if they are in the bush next to the road. Speed limits on tar are 50 kilometres an hour and on dirt 40 kilometres an hour. Try ambling along at 25 kilometres an hour for really great sightings.

Approach all stationary cars carefully and treat their sighting with respect. The rule is, first in has priority, but be generous. Nothing is more infuriating than when you have a great sighting and someone drives up at speed and parks a vehicle in your line of sight. Equally, if you’re first on a scene that has limited ‘viewing room’, try to park so that other cars will be able to get a sight. Also, do not block the roads as others may not find your first impala sighting as interesting and will want to get past.

Report transgressions to The Emergency Call Centre, 013 735 4325, especially private tour guides who force their way into sightings (take the plate number or company name). Be kind to the bugs, dung beetles and tortoises on the road!

Game viewing

All animals are sensitive to noise and sudden movements. When you see something, it is best to approach slowly, turn off your radio if you’ve been listening to it, and possibly even your engine allowing your car to coast to a halt. Be patient. Usually your arrival will disturb the animals but they will soon settle down if you sit quietly. If you arrive and shout, move about your car noisily, dig into a loud plastic bag, your sighting is usually going to head for cover. Be particularly careful of electric windows. These are loud and certain animals are spooked by the noise; mechanical winders are best.

Certain animals, such as buffalo, will move off as you arrive, but will slowly return, sniffing the air cautiously, if you just sit patiently. Give them a chance to come back before you decide the sighting is over. Usually you can tell by the animal’s body language whether it is disturbed by your presence. The big cats, for instance, will flick their tails like a domestic cat if they are feeling annoyed. The more vigorous the flick, the more likely they are going to leave.

Under no circumstances get out of your car to get a better look. Firstly, and probably more importantly, it is downright dangerous. Animals in the park feel severely threatened by humans and if you get out of your car they can attack … choosing fight over flight. Secondly, you teach the animals to associate humans, something they despise, with cars, something they care little about. If the association between cars and humans strengthens, animals will begin to avoid cars. Lastly, it’s illegal and carries a heavy fine.

If you break down in Kruger Park

Do not leave your vehicle. If you are within cellphone coverage, phone the nearest camp or gate. If you have no signal, flag down a passing motorist and give them a written note for the camp or gate stating clearly the road you are on – give the road number – and approximately where.

If your vehicle develops a ‘non-critical’ mechanical problem seek advice at reception on the best course of action. Occasionally there’s someone in camp who’d be able to help, failing which Vuswa Fleet Services is on call on toll-free 0800-03-0666.

 

More practical tips for venturing Kruger Park by guide author, Cameron Ewart-Smith

 

• Cellphone reception in the Kruger area
• Game drives with kids – a challenge to say the least!

This is an extract from the Kruger Park Guide by Cameron Ewart-Smith and Sunbird Publishers. Want the whole guidebook? Buy the Getaway Guide to Kruger National Park here.