All the information about Kruger National Park you could ever want!
Find our FAQs about past questions from our guests when making a booking or during a safari in Kruger. All the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS you need to know!
FAQ’s about Safaris
The time you will be picked up will ultimately depend on the season and the number of people that needs to be picked up at various locations on the morning of the safari. The office will give you a pre-arranged pick-up time. Please stick to this time and do not be late.
Each season has a specific time slot that you can enter the Kruger National Park.
KRUGER GATE OPENING TIMES:
- October to March: Gates open at 05:30am
- April to September: Gates open at 06:00am
IMPORTANT: It is important to make sure you are on time for your pick up in the morning of the safari. If we schedule a pick-up time at 04:15am for example, please be ready and waiting for the guide at 04:10am
Please never be late. Ensure you set your alarm (multiple ones to be sure) and go to bed early the previous evening to ensure you are refreshed and ready for your safari on the scheduled day.
Please note that you will be sharing the safari vehicle with other people (if you have not booked the safari vehicle privately). This means that you cannot be late!
If you miss your pick-up time slot and have not made any arrangements or notified the Lion Roar Safaris office via a phone call that something has gone wrong, you will, unfortunately, be left behind and not go to Kruger National Park and it will be handled as a no show. Please read our Terms & Conditions regarding a missed time slot and no show. In short, it will mean that you will lose the money that you paid to go on the safari and you will not be refunded. Never be late. If for any reason something has gone wrong, you have to notify the Lion Roar Safaris office.
IMPORTANT: If you are late, you are wasting valuable time that we could have spent in the park enjoying a safari. You will share the vehicle with other people (if you have not booked the safari vehicle privately) which means you are wasting their time and money that they have paid to go on safari, which is unfair.
If you have not booked the safari vehicle privately, you will most probably share the safari vehicle with other people, yes.
The safari vehicles have 9 comfortable seats on the back of the open safari vehicle. 3 People in each row, front, middle and back. There is space for a 10th person, next to the guide, making it a total of 10 seats for guests and one seat for the Field Guide doubling as a driver.
The safari vehicles have 9 comfortable seats in the back of the open safari vehicle. 3 People in each row, front, middle and back. There are space for a 10th person, next to the guide, making a total of 10 seats for guests and one seat for the Field Guide doubling as a driver.
Every seat is comfortable and has a great view, but you can decide for yourself based on the following explanations.
Front row:
- These 3 seats in the front row are great for elderly people, that want to be closer to the Field Guide to hear better, this row is also easily accessible and easier to climb in, especially if you have an injury, a leg in a cast, etc.
- This row is slightly lower than the middle and back row but still gives you a great height advantage and a great view without anyone sitting in front of you.
- The front row is also great for photographers that rent out the safari vehicle privately for birding as it gives a better opportunity to speak to your guide so he or she can position the safari vehicle according to your photo requirements.
- This row is also great for people with long legs.
- The front row is also ideal for people with young kids under 5 years old.
- The first row is also not as bouncy and a bit less windy.
Middle row:
- This row is a bit harder to get into, but you can easily reach the 3 middle row seats with two easy steps. It is not that hard, but it can be hard if you are older and have trouble with mobility. This row is slightly higher than the front row. It has a great height advantage but can be challenging for people with exceptionally long legs.
Back row:
- The 3 seats in the back are great for people with long legs and people that want the added benefit of height advantage ( this row is slightly higher than the rest of the rows).
- The back row is also easy to climb in and it can be a great row for elderly people who are still fit.
- Take note the back row can be a bit bouncier than the rest of the rows.
The safari vehicle is driven by the Field Guide on the day of the safari that doubles as a driver as well.
Our field guides have basic first aid level 1 training. We do however have Field Guides that have a background in the medical field and we do provide special safaris for ill and sick people that want to attend a safari.
A private safari will need to be booked and a physician, a medic, a doctor or advanced life support will need to accompany the guest/s that requires special medical attention. These professionals can be arranged and will need to be paid by the guest.
The Field Guide will be doubling as the driver of the safari vehicle. A PrDP (Professional driving permit) is required to drive guests around.
You are welcome to snack throughout the safari day on the safari vehicle but this is not encouraged as there is adequate time provided to do so during the designated breakfast and lunch stops.
You will be stopping twice during a full day safari to freshen-up, eat, drink and relax. The first stop is a 45-minute compulsory breakfast stop and the second stop will be a compulsory 1-hour lunch break, you can eat and drink during this time.
Yes, there are, but toilet stops are limited.
During the first stop, you will be able to make use of the toilet facilities during the morning when you arrive at the gate when entrance fees and permits need to be paid.
The second stop will only be at breakfast, which can be anything from 7:30am to 8:30am, depending on the sightings. When you finally arrive, you will stop for 45 minutes.
Second stop will be at lunchtime, which can be anything from 11:00am to 12:30 depending on the sightings of the day.
The last stop will be when you exit the Kruger National Park at around 14:00-14:30. You will also be able to make use of the toilet facilities here. It will be approx. 1-1½ hours drive to Nelspruit depending on the gate you use to exit the Park.
IMPORTANT: Minimize your water intake throughout the day, but be wise and stay hydrated. There are no toilet stops during the safari in the bush and no one is allowed to get off of the vehicle to use the bush as a toilet. It is a dangerous wildlife area where the lion, leopards, and other wild animals roam free.
BE WARNED: If for any reason an emergency toilet stop in the midst of the bush is required, you will need to inform the guide and he or she will try and find a safe spot.
Please be warned that if this incident occurs and something does happen to you, for example, you get attacked by a wild animal, it will not be the fault of the guide nor Lion Roar Safaris. You do this at your own risk and you acknowledge the safety and life-threatening risks involved and you will need to deal with the consequences of your actions. You get off of the safari vehicle at your own risk.
It all depends on your pick-up time.
TIME SLOTS
- October – November – December – January – February – March: Gates open at 05:30am
- April –May – June – July – August – September: Gates open at 06:00am and
You will then exit the park at around 14:00-14:30.
During the first stop is at the gate when entrance fees need to be paid.
The second stop will only be at breakfast, which can be anything from 7:30 am to 8:30 am, depending on the sightings. When you finally arrive, you will stop for 45 minutes.
Second stop will be at lunch time, which can be anything from 11:00 am to 12:30 depending on the sightings of the day.
The last stop will be when you exit the Kruger National Park at around 14:00-14:30.
YES! Your guide will always try their best to take you to one or two different camps (if possible and depending on the area) one of which will include Skukuza which is the biggest and one of the most popular camps in Kruger. Most camps have a Park Shop and a cafeteria or restaurant. Most shops sell gifts and souvenirs.
YES! Most of the camps and picnic spots we stop for breakfast and lunch have a restaurant/coffee shop as well as a Park Shop that sells snacks and souvenirs.
No animal in Kruger National Park is guaranteed to see. The Kruger is a nature reserve and animals walk freely. It is not impossible to see the big five animals in one day, but then again it is possible to see none of the big five animals in one day. The Kruger National Park is not a zoo and luck and perfect timing plays a very important role during a safari day.
Rest assured, your field guide is trained and they know in which areas to find certain species. It is just finding these animals close enough to enjoy them, so keep your eyes open. Who knows, maybe luck is on your side?
The safari vehicle is specifically designed for wildlife viewing in all climate and weather conditions. The vehicle has canvas sides with “windows” that can be rolled down in case of severe rain. The roof of the vehicle is sturdy and designed to keep most rain and harsh sunlight out.
The weather conditions cannot be controlled and the safari will continue in spite of the weather conditions. It is a part of the safari experience.
Besides, the great design of the open safari vehicle, we provide high quality, fleece-lined, waterproof ponchos that will keep you warm and dry.
The only time when a safari will come to a standstill will be during a hailstorm and the guide will immediately try and find shelter under the nearest tree to avoid damage to people and the vehicle.
In the event of extreme weather conditions, for example, flooding, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, etc. great care and consideration will be given and this may affect the safari and even result in the cancelation of the safari by Lion Roar Safaris. (But this is only in extreme events)
At Lion Roar Safaris we only use the best field guides, whether they are male or female. We do not discriminate against any race, religion or gender. Our only criteria are that our field guides are professional, highly trained, friendly, informative and above all, passionate about the Kruger National Park and the work that they do.
Lion Roar Safaris mainly operates in the South of the Kruger National Park. In the South, there are 5 official entrance gates of which we can enter the Park. Our field guides visit the Kruger frequently with guests on safari and they know which area and which routes to take during what season.
The Lion Roar Safaris guides will always try their best to show you the most that Kruger has to offer. Rest assured, your field guide will take you to the lions if they know where they are on the day. This is not always possible and getting them close to the road is not impossible but it is an extremely lucky find.
Trust your guide, and sit back and relax, they know what they are doing!
- Day visitors are not permitted to take any liquor/alcohol into the Park, however overnight guests are allowed.
- No pets may be brought into the Park.
- DECLARE FIREARMS AT GATE – All firearms/dangerous weapons of any sort, any explosive, trap or poison must be declared upon entry and firearms will be sealed.
- DRONES: The use of drones inside (and over) national parks is strictly prohibited.
- The use of roller skates, skateboards, bicycles and motorbikes is prohibited.
- Avoiding the above mentioned will probably lead to punishment by authorities.
- You can find more valuable information about Kruger National Park and what you are not allowed to take into the park. Click on our FAQ’S and information about Kruger National Park.
- The Kruger Park is one of those places that have something special and unique to offer throughout the year. Here are allot of information about Kruger National Park as well as a few facts to consider when choosing which season you want to visit the Kruger National Park:
- Best time to visit the Kruger: May to September (Dry season/winter) during the winter season, the bush tends to thin as a result of drought. Therefore making game viewing more comfortable and a little easier.
- High Season in the Kruger: (December to January and July to August) these months are normally the busiest months in the Kruger National Park, due to local school holidays. As a result you will find many locals and South Africans in the park during this time.
- Low Season: April to mid-June and September to November are normally the quietest. (Except for the October school holiday)
- Best Weather: April to May and September to October. You can certainly expect great weather conditions, mild temperatures and a little rain.
- Unpleasant Weather Conditions: June to August. During this time you will find the mornings and late afternoons to be cold, but bearable. During December up until February, you can expect temperatures to be very hot and humid.
No! No person is allowed to get out of their vehicle in the Kruger National Park unless you are in an area that stipulates that you may safely get out of your vehicle. Remember it is unsafe to get out of your vehicle, and Kruger is known for its dangerous wild animals.
- There are nine official gates throughout the whole of Kruger National Park. The package you select will determine which gate we will be using to enter the Kruger Park.
Names of the nine official gates:- Crocodile Bridge Gate
- Malelane Gate
- Numbi Gate
- Phabeni Gate
- Kruger Gate
- Orpen Gate
- Phalaborwa Gate
- Punda Maria Gate
- Pafuri Gate
When staying over in the park, please be on the lookout for snakes, scorpions, mice, rats and other creepy-crawlies. They are known to enter the facilities. Living in the bush, this also forms part of their natural habitat. We are only guests in their domain. At night, avoid walking bare foot and always use a flashlight or head lamp. It is advisable to have a good look around in your accommodation for snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. when checking in. Look inside and under your bed as well as in the cupboards and drawers to make sure you don’t have any unexpected house guests. In the event that you do find any uninvited guests in your accommodation, please go and report it at Reception. They will come and remove it and make sure that it is safe.
There are information about Kruger National Park throughout the park. The most useful info are signboards with pictures. These signboards will help provide useful information about Kruger National Park at most times.
The Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe National Park are the only two South African National Parks that are situated within a malaria risk areas. Both these areas are of low risk, but if you want to rest assure, rather take the necessary precautions to avoid getting malaria in the Kruger National Park while on your safari holiday.
We are not doctors but we do know this – “prevention is better than cure”
It is important to speak to your doctor about malaria prevention before travelling to a malaria area.
Did you know? Only the infected females Anopheles mosquitos are the carrier of the deadly malaria virus (Plasmodium parasite). Mosquitos are usually most active during early mornings and late afternoons however; they can bite at any time during the day, depending on the weather.
There are 3 golden rules when it comes to malaria prevention:
Malaria Prevention Rule 1 (Avoid getting bitten): It is important to use the necessary precaution to avoid being bitten. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers during the early mornings and late afternoons. You can also make use of mosquito sprays, plug in deterrent, anti-mosquito bracelets and citronella creams. It is also advised to make use of a mosquito net when sleeping. Lastly you can burn mosquito coils and citronella candles, both of these products helps to repel mosquitos. Please don’t leave burning coils and candles unattended.
Malaria Prevention Rule 2 (Take anti-malaria tablets): First of all,speak to your doctor about malaria prevention tablets when travelling to a malaria area. Some malaria tablets are not 100% effective and some malaria tablets can cause side effects. There are information about Kruger National Park and Malaria effected areas online that can be useful.
Malaria Prevention Rule 3 (Get immediate treatment if it seems like you present symptoms of malaria): If you do suspect that you have malaria, please get tested immediately. Malaria is a life-threatening disease that can cause serious damage to internal organs and as a result can lead to death when not treated.
How do doctors test for malaria?
Doctors normally draw blood for testing. The blood is used to perform a blood smear. A blood smear is done by placing a drop of blood onto a glass slide. Finally the blood slide get treated with a special stain and will be examined under a microscope to see if the blood is infested with the Plasmodium parasite.
How do I contract malaria?
When bitten by an infected female Anopheles mosquito, the deadly Plasmodium parasites are released into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the parasites travel via the bloodstream into the liver. They will stay inside the liver until they are matured. Once matured, the parasites re-enters the bloodstream and starts to infect your body’s red blood cells. The parasites will now start multiplying inside the red blood cells for the next 48 to 72 hours. This extreme pressure in the cells, due to multiplying, causes the cells to burst open. These effects are extremely life-threatening. The parasites will continue to infect the red blood cells, leading to symptoms that occur in cycles that can last two to three days at a time. If you need more information about Kruger National Park and red zone Malaria areas, you can click here.
What are the signs and symptoms of a person with malaria?
Malaria can manifest within 10 days to four weeks of being exposed to the deadly Plasmodium parasite. Some malaria cases have only been discovered after several weeks or even months after visiting a malaria affected area.There are information about Kruger National Park and Malaria online that can be useful.
The most common signs and symptoms of a person with malaria:
- shaking chillsthat can range from moderate to severe
- high fever
- profuse sweating
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- anemia
- muscle pain
- convulsions
- coma
- bloody stools
Certainly Yes! You will have plenty of opportunities for gift or souvenir shopping in the Park. Most shops sell some sort of memorabilia
Monkeys and baboons are a nuisance at some of the rest camps and picnic sites. Please do not feed them or any other animals. Animals lose their natural ability to forage for food when fed by humans. When fed by humans they become dependent on humans for that food. Yes, they are cute but do not be fooled by their cuteness. They will attack and bite you if you come too close. There have been numerous cases in the park where monkeys and baboons have attacked humans. Please avoid leaving food, paper bags, plastic bottles, soda cans or any other food matter unattended, either in the open safari vehicle when you stop, or at your campsite. Monkeys and baboons will steal and eat your snacks.
When staying over in the rest camps please do not leave any food out and about and do not leave your accommodation door open when unattended. Monkeys and baboons will come and raid your quarters and steal your food.
The Bushbuck and Warthogs are also cute wandering around in the rest camps, but please be advised that they can inflict serious bodily harm to you. They remain wild animals and they are armed with very sharp tusks, horns, and hooves. They will charge and kick or bite you when you come too close. Please do not feed them.
- You have to be registered with the Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA).
- Be registered with the Department of Tourism/CATHSSETA.
- Field Guides need to be declared medically fit to be able to operate.
- Guides have to have police clearance with no criminal record to be able to operate.
- Guides need at least a Level 1 First Aid Certificate (Some guides even have Basic Life Support and are registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
- Finally, guides need to have a Professional Driving Permit(PrDP)
- Click here for information about Kruger National Park and FGASA
Yes,certainly! There are Park Shops in all major camps where you can purchase supplies. They sell anything from toothbrushes to meat, liquor, snacks etc.
Kindly note that liquor purchases are only permitted for overnight guests. Need more information about Kruger National Park? Feel free to Contact us.
NO. Hunting is strictly prohibited.
Yes, most camps and picnic spots have fully equipped restaurants in the Park. They have a variety of food options to choose from, ranging from light meals to sit down, take away, breakfast buffet and dinner. Some of the picnic spots do not have facilities that sell food and you will need to take your own food.
This answer is for your own discretion, and this is only a matter of opinion. The Kruger National Park gets its water sources directly from the major rivers flowing in the Park. For example: the Sabie, Crocodile, Sand, Olifants, Shingwedzi and Letaba River. The water gets tested, cleaned, and purified. Most of the rest camps’ water is safe to drink. However; it is Lion Roars Safaris’ personal suggestion and opinion that we would like to urge you to NOT drink water directly from the taps. Rather boil water before you drink it. The easiest and most convenient way to stay hydrated it to buy bottled water. Rather be safe than sorry. There is nothing worse than being on safari and you have contracted a stomach bug. We are delighted to inform you that we do provide each guest with a complimentary bottle of mineral water.
As previously stated, please keep in mind that the Kruger Park is equivalent in size to Israel. It is a mere 2 million hectares big. Vehicles are only permitted to make use of designated roads. There are approximately 850km of tar road and but 1,444km of dirt road only. Thus makes it impossible to travel the whole of Kruger. All animals live freely within the boundaries of the Kruger. Animals don’t have microchips or tracking devices and they don’t lie and wait next to the road for us to take photos. This is why you and your guide need to constantly be on the lookout for animals. This makes it more challenging to find the Big 5. The Big 5 is never guaranteed. The only guarantee we can recommend when wanting to see the Big 5 without having to search for them is at a zoo.
You will be able to find the African Baobab (Adansonia digitata) tree in the Kruger Park. The Baobab is more commonly found within the Northern region of the park. The Baobab is also known as the “upside down tree” and “the tree of life”. You can visit the Southernmost Baobab Tree, which is about 25km South of Satara rest camp on the H1-3. You can also find a Baobab tree in the garden of the Pretoriuskop Rest Camp.
Springbok antelope are widely distributed throughout South Africa and is also the National Animal of South Africa. There are no Springbok in the Kruger National Park but Springbok can be found in a number of National Parks, especially in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park where they have occurred naturally for hundreds of years.
The Springbok inhabit dry inland areas of south and southwestern Africa. Their range extends from the northwestern part of South Africa through the Kalahari Desert into Namibia and Botswana. Springbok occur in numbers of up to 2,500,000 in South Africa and it is the most plentiful antelope.
Conservation fees are charged daily in the Kruger National Park. These fees go towards the conservation of Kruger National Park. Example: Conservation fees help fund Anti-Rhino poaching.
The Kruger National Park is 2 million hectares. To give you a better perspective of its impressive size, here are a few examples:
- Kruger is slightly larger than countries such as Qatar, Swaziland, Slovenia, Fiji, Kuwait, Lebanon and Bahamas.
- Double the size of Puerto Rico and Cyprus.
- More than four times larger than French Polynesia and Cape Verde.
- Finally, Kruger is 7 times larger than the great city of Hong Kong.
There are several private concessions throughout the Kruger National Park. These areas are privately owned and managed. In turn, these concession areas pay the Kruger Park a substantial amount in concession fees. These incomes provide much needed funds for the Kruger National Park to help with conservation funding and also Rhino poaching. Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Plains Camp and Jock Safari Lodge are a few examples of private concessions in Kruger Park.
Unfortunately there are no tigers in Africa. These great animals are endangered. You can find tigers in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia as well as China.
Chimpanzees cannot be found in the Kruger National Park. Chimps are found only in Southern Senegal and north of the Congo River. You can also find Chimpanzees in Western Uganda, Western Tanzania and finally in Gombe National Park.
Fortunately you don’t need to travel all the way to these countries to see the magnificent Chimps. You can visit Chimp Eden, just outside of Nelspruit on the R40 towards Barberton. This Chimpanzee Sanctuary was founded by the world-renowned Primatologist and conservationist- Dr. Jane Goodall. This is certainly a place worth visiting.
You will only find the Nile crocodile in the Kruger National Park. Alligators can be found in the United States and also China. The difference between the two:
- Alligators have a wider, U-shaped snout and teeth are not visible from the sides.
- A Crocodile’s mouth is more pointed with a V-shaped snout and the teeth are visible from the sides.
Unfortunately poaching does happen in the Kruger National Park.
Poaching is the illegal killing of animals and also the taking of wild plants. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.
Poaching is in effect the illegal “hunting” of fauna and flora. Poaching can occur due to animals possessing something of considerable value. For example: rhino horn, animal fur and ivory. Many countries believe that the rhino horn is an important ingredient for many medicines and this is FALSE. As a result of the before mentioned, we loose hundreds of Rhinos each year in South Africa.
Anti-poaching is the approach, implementation and also the execution of controlling and elimination of poaching activities.
What is an Anti-Poaching Unit (APU): this is a team dedicated to eradication of poaching in any form. The Kruger National Park has a well-trained Anti-poaching Unit. For more information about Kruger National Park and the poaching situation in KNP, Click Here
Poaching can generally be divided into three different classes.
1) Subsistence poaching – Level 1
This individual is often driven by poverty and hunger at first but can quickly cross over to becoming a commercial poacher. These poachers are known to live off the land and will use whatever they have available to poach.
2) Commercial Poaching – Level 2
These poachers generally operate within a group rather than working alone. They are frequently armed with firearms. They are fierce and driven by money. Due to this, they are extremely dangerous.
3) Syndicated Poaching – Level 3
Syndicates Poachers are highly organized resourced and operate within a sophisticated intelligence network.
There are much more information about Kruger National Park and the parks poaching situation online.
Most of the time you will have breakfast at one camp or picnic area, and lunch at a completely different camp or picnic site. This will ultimately depend on the route, the guide, the area and the itinerary of the day. Rest assured, at least one of the stops will include a camp or picnic area with toilet facilities, a small shop, a restaurant, a cafeteria or all of the above.
A compulsory 45 minute breakfast stop.
The lunch stop will be a compulsory 1 hour long.
No loud music or loud sounds that include shouting, whistling or any sound that can interfere with the natural peaceful surrounding are permitted on the safari vehicle. This will disturb the animals and will disrupt the safari.
The safari vehicle has 3 rows at the back that can accommodate 9 guests. Each row can be reached by either one or two steps. Care and assistance are always provided to ensure your safety every time you board or align the vehicle. You can refer to the home page banner photo to see an example of the open safari vehicle.
Yes, there are safety belts/seat belts for added safety. Each of the 9 seats are all equipped with a seatbelt.
The gate where you will be exiting will depend on the route plan of the guide on the day but will be one of the 5 gates in the South of Kruger. Our field guides visit the Kruger frequently with guests on safari and they know which area and which routes to take during what season.
You will exit Kruger National Park between 14:00 and 14:30.
No smoking or vaping are allowed on the safari vehicle. There are however designated smoking areas in Kruger. Ask your guide about it on the day.
Yes, of course! Our field guides are professional, highly trained, friendly, informative and above all passionate about the Kruger National Park and the work that they do. Our guides will always try their best to share interesting and fascinating facts and information about Kruger and animals. You are welcome to ask the guides questions during the safari day that you may have.
Children 4 years and older are welcome at Lion Roar Safaris. Kruger National Park does not allow children 3 years and younger onboard open safari vehicles. We urge guests to look after their children during the safari and see to it that the kids do not misbehave.
Children are welcome, but you will have to rent out the safari vehicle privately when going on safari with children between the ages of 4 – 8 years.
Elderly people are welcome at Lion Roar Safaris. See the description of the accessibility of each seat on the safari vehicle.
Front row:
- These 3 seats in the front row are great for elderly people, that want to be closer to the Field Guide to hear better, this row is also easily accessible and easy to climb in, especially if you have an injury, a leg in a cast, etc.
- This row is slightly lower than the middle and back row but gives a great height advantage and a great view without anyone sitting in front of you.
- This row is also great for people with long legs.
- The first row is also not as bouncy and a bit less windy.
Middle row:
- This row is a bit harder to get into, but you can easily reach the 3 middle row seats with two easy steps. It is not that hard, but it can be hard if you are older and have trouble with mobility. This row is slightly higher than the front row. It has a great height advantage but can be challenging for people with exceptionally long legs.
Back row:
- The 3 seats in the back are great for people with long legs and people that want the added benefit of height advantage ( this row is slightly higher than the rest of the rows).
- The back row is also easy to climb in and it can be a great row for elderly people who are still fit.
- Take note the back row can be a bit bouncier than the rest of the rows.
One seat next to the Field Guide:
One elderly person can sit next to the Field Guide. This is a comfortable seat, but it can sometimes be challenging as it sits much lower than the people at the back. Keep in mind the vehicle gets positioned for the people in the back first, but the guide will keep the front passenger into consideration as well.
Blind people are welcome to go on safari if they have someone to assist them and lead them around during breakfast and lunch stops. Blind people can use their senses during the safari and listen to the information that the field guide will share. It can be quite an experience for a blind person to go on safari, and it is recommended.
Most certainly yes! Disabled people are welcome. The only requirements for people with disabilities are that the person that requires assistance or medical support needs to be catered for by the people booking the safari. If the disabled person is not able to move or be mobile on their own, a person that can help them should accompany them on the safari vehicle. Please also be advised that we do not have enough space on board the safari vehicle to store more than one wheelchair or walking ring etc. Contact us directly to make special arrangements
No people are allowed to get out of the safari vehicle whilst the safari is in progress. You can only safely get off of the safari vehicle at the designated camps/picnic areas.
Please be advised this is for your safety, as Kruger is a dangerous wildlife area where animals like lion and leopard walk freely and hide in plain sight.
Rules and regulations are set in place for your safety and wellbeing.
The safari vehicle is designed with comfortable wildlife viewing in mind. Yes, you can stand upright on the back of the open safari vehicle. Please take note that no person is allowed to stand up while the vehicle is busy driving/moving. When the vehicle comes to a standstill, you are allowed to stand up for a better view, just as long as you do not lean out of the vehicle.
Absolutely yes! Our safari vehicle undergoes various safety tests. It is also specifically designed for wildlife viewing with comfort and luxury in mind. The safari vehicle will give you a sense of freedom and will give you the opportunity to view wild animals in their natural habitat all from the comfort and height of the safe and open safari vehicle.
Yes, we do. Contact us directly if you want to book out the safari vehicle privately, this way you can spend more time photographing a specific animal/object, instead of being in a hurry because you are sharing the safari vehicle with other guests. We strongly advise private vehicle hire.
Keep in mind that you only have a limited number of hours in a full day safari and you cannot always spend several hours photographing birds, especially if you share the vehicle with others.
If you rent it privately, you will maximize your photographic opportunity and can sit photographing the animal/object for as long as possible.
Yes, we do. Contact us directly if you want to book out the safari vehicle privately, this way you can spend more time photographing a specific bird instead of being in a hurry because you are sharing the safari vehicle with other guests. We strongly advise private vehicle hire.
Keep in mind that you only have a limited number of hours in a full day safari and you cannot always spend several hours photographing birds, especially if you share the vehicle with others.
If you rent it privately, you will maximize your photographic opportunity and can sit photographing the bird for as long as possible.
No. you are only permitted to travel on the designated tar and gravel roads in Kruger National Park. No off-roading is permitted to protect the natural habitat and unspoiled landscape.
Field Guides has to go through vigorous training that involves a lot of information, ranging from geology, ecology to animal behavior, vegetation, climate, etc. Working in nature gives you a broad spectrum of information they learn which is a never-ending task. Our Field Guides are some of the best. They all have a magnitude of information about Kruger and its animals. They work in Kruger regularly and after a while get familiar with certain species and where you can find them.
The field guide has a real feel for the environment and the habitat and they constantly observe and acknowledge certain behavioral patterns that ordinary people will not normally observe. Their skills are learned throughout the years and they become masters in what they do. Together with their skills, knowledge, and passion they have keen eyesight and can literally spot a cat in a tree. One doesn’t just become a Field Guide. Being a field guided becomes a way of life.
Our field guides are all respected and considerate drivers with years of experience. A safari vehicle is permitted to drive a top speed of 100km/h on the national roads.
Inside Kruger National Park, the speed limits are 50km/h on tar roads and 40km/h on gravel roads. Our guides will always bind to the speed regulations.
Keep in mind that a full day safari involves punctual timing to get from point A to point B with breakfast and lunch stops as well as exit times and everything in between.
We advise you to have your camera ready so you can snap as many photos as quickly as possible. Your field guide will allow for enough time with each animal. You will notice the mornings are the most crucial, as it is during these early morning hours that the predators are at their most active. You can expect to skip a few antelope during the morning safari. This is not because your guide is being deliberate or they don’t see the animals, no! The guides know which animals you could possibly encounter multiple times a day and do not want to waste the morning with antelope and miss out on a possible leopard encounter.
Listen to your guide. If you do not understand something, or do not know why something is happening, ask your guide! You will soon find out he or she has a method to their way of doing things and has a valid reason for everything they do.
The normal time to spend with regular animals is a couple of minutes. Big five animals normally gets a bit more attention and you will most probably spend more time with these animals should you encounter them.
Not to be forward, but we need you to understand the importance of the Kruger National Park and that all animals in the Kruger National Park are wild. NO FEEDING OR TOUCHING of any animals is permitted!
The Kruger National Park is not a petting zoo. You cannot under any circumstances touch, feed or interact with the animals. You can simply enjoy the wild animals in their natural habitat without interfering with their general way of life.
No cat-calling, whistling or any other sound or gestures are allowed to draw the attention of the animals.
FAQ’s and information about Kruger National Park
At Lion Roar Safaris we make use of quality, licensed vehicles. We only use highly trained and FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa) registered guides that are knowledgeable and passionate about nature. But above all, we value each client and strive for service excellence. We sincerely believe that our guests are the most important people on our safari vehicle. We understand very well, that you, our valued clients, are not at all dependent on us, but rather that we are dependent on you. At Lion Roar Safaris our guests are our sole purpose. We don’t view you as outsiders in our business, we rather see you as a brief acquaintance that can lead to lifelong friendship. You, our valued client are a part of our day. You are doing us a favor by providing us with a unique opportunity to serve you, and for that, we thank you.
The Vehicle
Open Safari vehicles are specifically designed for safari purposes. All vehicles are well maintained, serviced and looked after. Each seat on the vehicle has a safety-belt, which we normally use when driving on the National Roads outside of the park. However, you can use your safety belt when driving in the Park. When we do drive in the park, we need to adhere to the rules and regulations of the National Park. Driving at a high speed is not allowed. The safari vehicle has a roof cover, as well as canvas on the sides and back of the vehicle. The canvas can be rolled up and down during unpleasant weather conditions. The vehicle has three doors on the left that can lock. It has high protection barriers on both sides of the vehicle.
The animals in the Kruger National Park are very familiar with the vehicles. The animals view the vehicle as one unit. It is only when one breaks the unit outline, when situations can change and animals can then act aggressively. This is why your friendly guide will tell you that it is not allowed to lean out of the vehicle and also to be quiet when stationed near animals. Making noises at animals to get their attention are also not permitted.
Guide
All of our guides are very well trained. They are taught how to anticipate animal behavior. The guide will always keep at a safe distance from possible dangerous animals and situations. Our guides will never deliberately put your or his/hers safety in jeopardy. Our guides are well trained in First Aid so you can rest assure, your safety is our number one priority.
Please bring your passport or Identity document, sunscreen, something warm to wear, a hat, camera + extra camera batteries (optional), binoculars (optional), snacks, water, cooler box (optional), insect-repellant (optional), a flask with coffee and tea (optional). If you are staying over in the park, you can consider bringing a flashlight or head-lamp, scorpion torch (black-light) and mosquito repellant.
When choosing the option to go on safari with Lion Roar Safaris it will be advisable, but not compulsory to wear neutral colors. Example: brown, stone, black, white, sand-color, green or khaki colors. Why does one need to wear these colors? Wildlife sees the safari vehicle as one unit, and in order to obtain the unity, it is advisable to blend in and not stand out by wearing any bright or bold colors.
Lion Roar Safaris operates from Nelspruit (an hour to an hour and a half drive to the Kruger Park). When booking with Lion Roar Safaris, we will gladly pick you up from your guest house, lodge or nearest convenient location. (Depending on Terms and Conditions when making the booking) We will also drop you off after your safari
Yes, children of 4 years and older are allowed on the open safari vehicle. All children age 11 and under will receive discounted safari rates (Please inform us about the children’s ages when making a reservation to qualify for discounted rates).
Important: Children 8 years and younger are also allowed on an open safari vehicle, but please note that the vehicle must be privately booked. This is just out of respect and consideration towards other guests. Click here for more information on our private vehicle hire options.
A night drive is very similar to a day safari, besides the fact that it takes place during the night. The drive usually departs from a designated assembly point at your campsite or gate. The vehicle usually depart around 8pm, and will be back at camp around 10pm. (Please note these are only estimated times. Times may change according to what the camp stipulates).The night drive is conducted by Kruger Park officials. (The officials mentioned are field guides that only work for Kruger National Park / SANParks). Only officials are allowed to conduct night drives within the park. During the night drive, spotlights are switched on to help search for nocturnal animals. A night drive gives you a unique safari opportunity to take in the bush. It is quiet and peaceful as no other vehicles are allowed to travel at night.
Gratuities are optional, but yet very welcome. Each and every guide operating in the Kruger National Park is in some way or another reliant on their tips as an income. So, if you feel your guide has done a good job, we would like to encourage you to show your appreciation by giving your guide a tip. They would really appreciate it.
All our guides are from different cultures i.e. black, white, indian or other. We do not discriminate by race, culture, gender, nationality, color or anything for that matter. We simply provide you with a highly trained, registered and professional field guide that has plentiful knowledge of the Kruger National Park Fauna and Flora.
We are proud to say that we are a gay friendly safari operating company. We do not discriminate against any race, religion, gender, sexual preference or anything else for that matter. Whether you are gay, lesbian, transgender or identify as anything else, you are welcome at Lion Roar Safaris. Your LGBTQIA+ friendly Safari Company.
The word game is used to reference anything that has to do with wild animals.
For example:
“We are going on a Game Drive” (Meaning; we are going on a drive to search for wild animals.)
“We are looking to encounter many species of game” (Meaning; we are looking for many species of wild animals or wildlife)
“Do you serve game meat at your restaurant?” (Meaning; do you serve any venison (wild animal) at your restaurant?)
“The Ranger asked us what game we wish to see”. (Meaning; the Ranger asked us what wild animals we wish to see)
When going on safari with an open vehicle and a guide, your chances of viewing wildlife are better and more varied. Driving on the open safari vehicle gives you an exceptional height advantage over ordinary vehicles. Apart from the benefit of using an open safari vehicle for game drives, our guides have an uncanny knack of knowing where to find a variety of wildlife species. Game viewing on a guided safari is undeniably much, much better.
FAQ’s about the Professional Personal Holiday Photographer
It is always advisable to book in advance to ensure the availability of your Professional Personal Holiday Photographer.
We recommend booking at least 1 – 3 weeks in advance, but we know booking in advance is not always possible, so we try our best to accommodate any last minute bookings. Contact us today to check availability!
- Solo packages (One person)
- Couple packages (Two People)
- Family packages (Two adults plus children under the age of 18)
- Group packages (charged at a standard rate, plus extra per individual or couple within the group). For more information about the hiring of a PPHP, please reference PPHP Packages and Rates
Click here to view our gallery section. We use different photographers for each safari, depending on demand and availability. All of our gallery and website photos are photographs taken by our photographers.
Yes, Lion Roar Safaris do share photos on their website and social media pages. Lion Roar Safaris do however respect their clients privacy, so if for any privacy reasons the client feels that they would not like Lion Roar Safaris to publish photos of the client on their website or social media pages, Lion Roar Safaris would kindly request that the client will inform them when booking a photographer.
For more information about this topic or any other information about Kruger National Park, feel free to contact us.
In life we all know unforeseen circumstances happen but unfortunately we need to adhere to cancellation policy. For more information about Kruger National Park or hiring a PPHP please read the Terms and Conditions – Professional Personal Holiday Photographer
Your high-resolution photos will be sent with a Dropbox link in .jpg format.
The client has the right to use the photos for personal use; share the photographs online, print them and hang them on a wall. However; no client may alter, sell or enter any competition with the photographs. The photographer and Lion Roar Safaris retain the copyright of all animal photos.
The client will receive a private gallery that includes the best photographs from the safari, selected and also edited by your awesome photographer. Remember that due to the nature of candid photography, not all photographs will come out as planned. For more information about Kruger National Park and hiring a PPHP please read Terms and Conditions – Professional Personal Holiday Photographer
Certainly YES! We can definitely help you. We will need you to give us as much information with regards to the proposal as possible. This will allow us to make your day even more special. Above all, we strongly recommend booking a private safari with Lion Roar Safaris to ensure the best romantic day ever. For more information about Kruger National Park and its wildlife, please go to FAQ’s and information about Kruger National Park.
FAQ’s about Bookings
Booking with us is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- You can book online through ActivityBridge and make payment via PayBridge.
- You can also send us a booking enquiry from the website directly. This can be done by submitting all your details on the Contact Form.
- You are also welcome to send us a Whatsapp message at +27 61 418 4480 or email us at info@lionroarsafaris.co.za. We will normally be in contact with you within 24 hours.
- Once you have selected a package tailored to your needs, you can confirm the booking and make payment either via wire transfer/EFT or via credit card on PayBridge. All our payment options are safe and secure.
The Kruger National Park is a world-renowned safari destination and therefore it is one of the top tourist attractions in South Africa. With the Kruger National Park being such a popular safari destination, we urge you to make a booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Please visit our About Kruger National Park page. There you will find all the information about Kruger National Park you might need.
Payment can be made by direct bank transfer (also called EFT, wire or SWIFT transfer) or by secure online credit card payment via PayBridge. We accept VISA and MasterCard credit cards. We will send you detailed payment instructions once you make a booking.
REVIEWS
Fantastic experience
We really enjoyed our safari with Liz and the web photographer. They pointed out many sightings which we would never have seen on our own. We saw 3 leopards, many elephants, rhinos, cape buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos and different types of antelopes and birds.
They provided binoculars which helped a lot, especially when observing the leopards in the reed!
The service is top: on time, friendly, very informative and you get a feeling how much they enjoy “going the extra mile” for the customer. They tried to keep ahead of the crowd and do not enter thru Numbi gate which is usually very crowded. Its great the park fee is included in the price because then you do not need to queue at the entrance like in the case of some of the other operators. We will definitely recommend you!
Great services! Amazing commmentsThe guide was very friendly and helpful!
She really knew the way around the park and we were able to see a big variety of animals
Super accommodating and informative.Liz was super patient in making sure we get the morning bush walk and night drive within limited dates. They know lots about every animal we saw. I love that they provide parkas for their guests because it gets super chilly as the truck moves. Their truck is clean and not loud like other trucks which tend to scare the animals away.
Spectacular day in the Mighty Kruger!Even if the weather was cold during the day, the spectacular sightings we had made up for it all. Luckily this company is not one of those that rush from one big sighting to another but rather take it at a slower pace and therefore not miss even the small things like some bird species and trees and plants, lizards and much more.
Oh and I am so glad their Photographer was also on board with her very sharp eye sight. She spotted plenty of animals where the rest of us missed them…especially that Cheetah! And she took the most beautiful pictures (and some short videos clips) of all our sightings that day. We were surely one lucky group of people seeing all those magnificent wildlife, especially the Elephant Calves, Wild Dogs as well as Hyena Pups!
Oh and let’s not forget the snack bags that was packed for us!!
The Guide was very informative and interactive with our group. Evidently her kindness and helpfulness is not only restricted to the time a guest is on her vehicle still busy on the Tour but even helping when one of our group members was staying over at a place in the Kruger Park, she assisted him from booking in at the camp to taking him to where he would be staying, to briefly showing him around on what is where and available to him in the camp. And this all took merely a few minutes.
I would definitely be recommending Lion Roar Safaris.
Best experience ever!
Lizelle was very informative and made sure we had the best views of all the animals!
Amazing experienceStaff is professional and on time.
We saw a lot of animals like lions cheetah hyenas rhinos elephants hyppos and many others.
Really an amazing day!! Thank you!
Some of the services Lion Roar Safaris Offer…
Upmarket Luxury Safaris I Tailored Safaris I Professional Personal Holiday Photographer I Hire a Professional Field Guide I Hire a Private Safari Vehicle I Accommodation in and around Kruger I Photographic Safaris I Safari catering – picnic lunches, dinners and BBQ’s and more…
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