The itinerary of a full-day safari that calculates the duration of a Full Day Safari in Kruger, keeping in mind guests’ health and general well-being.

Stop 1: Stop at the gate on the morning of the safari when arriving at the gate. Make Kruger National Park entrance fees/conservation fee payments, visit the toilet, stretch your legs etc.

1. First session safari: Approximately 2 to 2½ hours, sometimes 3 hours long, depending on the animal sightings of the morning.

Stop 2: Compulsory breakfast stop for 45 minutes: Shop, smoke, eat, drink, stretch your legs and walk around to get the blood circulation flowing again.

2. Second session safari: Approximately 2 to 2½ hours, sometimes 3 hours long, depending on the animal sightings.

Stop 3: Compulsory lunch stop for 1 hour: Shop, smoke, eat, drink and stretch your legs, walk around to get the blood flowing again.

3. Third session safari: Approximately 1½ to 2 hours long, depending on the animal sightings.

Stop 4: Exit the Kruger National Park at approximately 14:00-14:30 depending on the season. This is where you will have the last opportunity again to quickly stretch your legs or visit the toilet whilst the guide closes the vehicle before driving on the National Road.

Transfer to drop-off location (The time will depend on the distance to the drop-off location)

The duration of a Full Day Safari in Kruger is designed keeping the TEMPERATURE IN MIND

Whether it be summer or winter, the temperature plays a very important role whilst on safari.

SUMMER:

The average summer temperatures:

The temperature in Kruger National Park can be anything from 25°C (77°F) in the morning and can increase up to 45°C (113°F) by mid-afternoon. Mornings usually start cool, with the temperature gradually increasing as the day moves on. By mid-afternoon temperatures are at its highest. Summer temperatures can often include high humidity and thunderstorms.

Animal activity during summer:

Peak animal activity takes place in the morning during summer months, with animal activity levels going down as the day gets hotter. By mid-afternoon, animals retreat and hide in dense, shady areas to avoid the harsh African sun. Sightings are at its lowest and you don’t see much animal activity during the heat of the day. This is when the safari ends and we leave the Kruger National Park at mid-afternoon.

This is why we exit the Kruger National Park by mid-afternoon (approximately 14:00-14:30 depending on the season) before temperatures get too hot to handle.

Physical and mental Fatigue during a safari:

You may think that sitting in an open safari vehicle is not tiring at all. On the contrary, it is quite tiring at some time. Especially if you are an observant person. Remember, your brain is seeing a million and one new things all ranging from sights, sounds, colors, shapes, etc.

Even though you are sitting still and is not physically active, your brain is busy interpreting everything you see, mentally, it can leave you feeling fatigued. Mental fatigue is triggered by prolonged cognitive activity. Basically, it sends your brain into overdrive, leaving you exhausted.

Being mentally tired can also result in you feeling physically tired as you will experience a lack in energy levels.

Attention span during a full day safari:

At the beginning of the day, your excitement levels will be sky high as you are embarking on your full day safari adventure into the Kruger National Park. Your brain will be flooded with new information to interpret, and your attention levels will be on point waiting in anticipation to find as many animals as possible.

Your adrenaline levels will also be spiking when you encounter, for example a lion for the first time. As the adrenaline wears out, your attention span will become less alert as your energy levels drop throughout the day. (Thank goodness you have a trained Field Guide to help you find the animals when your attention span is at its lowest.) The Field Guides are trained and a full day safari is normal for them, their brain is trained to be awake and alert throughout a full day safari.

Human activity and energy levels during summer:

If you are not used to temperatures this hot, it can be very tiring and uncomfortable if you don’t take the necessary precautions, for example:

Try these tips to help prevent heat-related illness like heat stroke

• Drink plenty of fluids (Keep hydrated)
• DO NOT drink alcohol, caffeine, or drinks with a lot of sugar, such as soda
• Make sure the fluids you drink are cool, but not too cold
• Limit your activity levels
• Sun-protection! Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, light clothing and comfortable shoes

WARNING! High temperatures can lead to Heatstroke!

Heatstroke, also known as sunstroke, is a type of severe heat illness that results in a body temperature greater than 40°C (104°F) and confusion. Other symptoms include red skin, headache, and dizziness. Heatstroke occurs because of high external temperatures or physical exertion.

WINTER:

Winter mornings are usually cold with an average temperature of about 12°C (54°F) slowly increasing to about 27°C (81°F) by mid-afternoon. Cool temperatures allow for animals to be active throughout the day, with the peak animal activity in the early morning. Energy levels for both humans and animals are continuous throughout the day. During winter, we also spend a normal working day (same as a normal office job from 9am to 5pm) 8 hours in the Kruger National Park excluding traveling and transfer times to and from the Kruger.

Safety is our number one priority, hence the advised duration of a full day safari in Kruger National Park

We are an ethical tour operator. Our Field Guides’ general well-being is of utmost importance; a well-rested, happy Field Guide is focused, inspired and clear-minded. This is important, as it plays an important role in safety. Safety is one of our top priorities here at Lion Roar Safaris. The general safety of our open safari vehicle, our safety rules and regulations, the safety of our guests, the safety of our Field Guides and the safety of all animals and living things in Kruger National Park are as important as your full day safari experience in Kruger National Park.

Key points that have been taken into account when deciding on the specific duration of a full day safari in Kruger National Park

Pick up time & drop-off location:

Our area of operation includes, but is not limited to the following towns and pick up locations: Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview, Malelane, Komatipoort, Kruger National Park, KMIA Airport, Skukuza airport, Crocodile Bridge Gate and Marloth Park. We pick up on route to the Kruger National Park. If you stay outside these above-mentioned towns, please email us your pick up location/accommodation establishment where you will be staying and we will quote you a small additional transfer fee keeping distance and travel time in mind.

Distance to pick-up location:

The travel time of the Field guide, to travel to the pick-up location in the morning, to collect guests.

Time to process Kruger entrance fee/conservation payments and obtaining permits in the morning when entering the Kruger National Park.

Sighting time:

“Sighting” is the term used when you have found an animal and you are busy viewing it. Each sighting will allow a certain amount of time to view each animal, keeping the itinerary and full day safari schedule in mind. An important animal such as one of the BIG FIVE ANIMALS will get more sighting time if the sighting allows this, keeping in mind the rules and regulations of the Kruger National Park, the guide code of conduct, traffic volume on the actual sighting as well as the viewing quality of the specific sighting. Always have your camera ready to avoid missing the opportunity to capture that perfect, once in a lifetime moment.

Temperature:

The average summer temperatures: The temperature in Kruger National can be anything from 25°C (77°F) in the morning and can increase up to 45°C (113°F) by mid-afternoon. Mornings usually start cool, with the temperature gradually increasing as the day moves on. By mid-afternoon, temperatures are at its highest. Summer temperatures can often include high humidity and thunderstorms.

Winter temperatures:  Winter mornings are usually cold with an average temperature of about 12°C (54°F) slowly increasing to about 27°C (81°F) by mid-afternoon. Cool temperatures allow for animals to be active throughout the day with the peak animal activity in the early morning. Energy levels for both humans and animals are continuous throughout the day. During winter we also spend a normal working day (same as a normal office job from 9am to 5pm) 8 hours in the Kruger National Park excluding traveling and transfer times to and from the Kruger.

Traveling distance and routes during the full day safari in Kruger:

Your Field Guides know the Kruger National Park like the back of their hands. They will plan their routes and distance of traveling during the full day safari according to previous sightings and animal activity in the area. (Routes will differ each season and within each specific area in Kruger). The safari itinerary is planned to keep these key points in mind. Each full day safari will include a compulsory 45 min breakfast stop and a 1-hour lunch stop unless otherwise specified.

Adequate rest and stop time:

Rest stops, as well as the time for each rest stop, are specifically implemented keeping in mind the health, comfort and general well-being of each guest as well as the Field Guide. Each full day safari will include a compulsory 45 min breakfast stop and 1-hour lunch stop unless otherwise specified.

Drop off time:

You will exit the Kruger National Park at approximately 14:00 – 14:30 depending on the season. Your drop-off time will depend on the distance from where you will be dropped off as well as at which gate you exit the Park.

Drop off location:

Our area of operation includes, but is not limited to the following towns and drop-off locations: Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview, Malelane, Komatipoort, Kruger National Park, KMIA Airport, Skukuza Airport, Crocodile Bridge Gate and Marloth Park. (We drop off at the same location as pick up location, unless otherwise arranged.) Please email us your alternative drop-off location to see if you fall under the operation area as mentioned previously. If you fall outside the mentioned area of operation, we will quote you a small additional transfer fee, keeping distance and travel time in mind.

Distance to drop off location:

Travel time for the Field guide to travel from the drop-off location in the afternoon to the office or home after the guests have been dropped off.

Important articles you should read: CLICK on the LINKS below for more information!

• What is the duration of a full day safari/ How many hours is a full day safari in Kruger National Park and why?
• Read all about Children on safari, the do’s and don’ts, safety, rules & regulations etc.
• General Rules and regulations and good safari etiquette
• Reasons why you should visit South Africa
• Things you need to know when planning a trip to South Africa
• How tipping in South Africa works
• What to bring and pack for a Safari
• When is the best time to go on Safari in Kruger National Park?
• How to book a Kruger National Park safari to Kruger from Nelspruit | White River | Hazyview | Malelane?
• The benefits of going on a Guided safari with an open safari vehicle to Kruger National Park
• Is it safe to visit the Kruger National Park?
• All about Malaria in South Africa and Kruger National Park