Frequently asked questions about Kruger National Park guided safaris

Yes, if you are in the Komatipoort, Marloth park area of Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Kruger gate times are seasonal.

Between October to March, the gates open at 5.30am. Collection time from your accommodation is between 4:35 am and 4:45 am.

Between April to September, the gates open at 6.00am. Collection time from your accommodation is at 5:10am.

Please note that collection times will be communicated on booking.

When embarking on a safari, the more time spent in the park game viewing, the more chance there is to see as many of the animals.

Full days are approximately ten or more hours. We can tailor the safaris according to each group of the day, which is the privilege of a private safari.

For guests wanting to go on half day safaris, collection time is from midday until gate closing time.

Game viewing times are best in the cool morning and afternoon, but it is possible to observe any diurnal keystone animal at any time of the day. The only sure way of not being able to see an animal is by not being in the park!

We do provide blankets to keep you warm in the cool mornings and afternoons. The mid-day sun can be warm, so clothing in neutral colours and light fabrics are best practice. The open safari vehicle does have a canvas roof to shade you from direct sunlight.

Water, comfortable clothing in layers, binoculars, guidebooks, cameras (ensure they are fully charged), sunscreen, any medication you require, identification/passports for the Kruger gate process, and wallet for restaurants (they accept cards). Please note: Day trips by private or guided vehicles are prohibited/not allowed to carry any alcohol into Kruger.

Collection from your accommodation and transport to Crocodile Bridge (if you are residing in our area of operation), a seat, blankets or poncho, a qualified safari nature guide, entrance to the Kruger National Park, full day or half day tour based on what was requested, drop off at your accommodation.

1) Our company is solely owner operated. As avid travellers ourselves, we understand how much it means to our guests to travel so far for an unforgettable experience. As a passionate guide, Jonathan is constantly interested in furthering his studies, aiming to make the Safari a stimulating experience. For this reason, we encourage our guests to ask questions!

2) We offer flexibility! With private safaris, and only having your group on board, we can focus on your interests. If you have not found what you are looking for, we can stay until closing time. Or if you are tired and have seen all you wanted to see, we will return you to your place of accommodation.

3) No hidden costs. Conservation fee is included in pricing.

4) Honey Badger safaris has more than a decade of experience in the area!

We operate an open safari vehicle, which is a raised 4x4, allowing panoramic views. This heightens your experience to include smells and sounds while in the bush and provides you with the increased benefit of great photographic opportunities.

The guide is trained to guide you safely with respect for the local wildlife, and not to endanger you or the animals.

A short briefing is done on the simple and correct behaviour before embarking on the tour.

Wildlife do not see the game viewer as a threat or prey, so animals generally ignore our presence and allow us to observe.

Yes, you will, but we cannot guarantee what animals will be seen. The Kruger National Park is a haven for most African plains and keystone species, including the much famed Big 5. It also boasts the endangered Cheetah, Wild dog and others.

The Kruger National Park is a vast wilderness, about the size of the state of Israel, or the country of Wales, or a little larger than the state of New Jersey in America. No safari operator can guarantee sightings of any animal in this wilderness. It is not a zoo, which is its charm.

By taking a guide with local knowledge of the area, you have a very good possibility of seeing the Big 5. We operate in Crocodile Bridge, which is known for being rich in predator and megaherbivore sightings. The park offers so much more than the Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino, so there will be plenty of other interesting sightings to look forward to!

Yes, you can. Currently we can accommodate very young children within one family group.

We can take 9 guests per safari vehicle. We can also accommodate larger groups. The largest we have personally hosted is 1440 individuals over five days.

The safaris are exclusive to our guests, and no other parties.

You can bring snacks to consume on the safari. The safaris do stop at rest camps for toilet breaks and restaurants for meals, which are for your own account.

The guide will try fit in toilet breaks and leg stretches as much as he can. As you are not allowed to disembark from the vehicle in the wilderness, we can only do so at designated places.

The guide is trained to interpret the natural world you view. He drives the vehicle and searches for items of interest and then explains them to you whilst keeping safety and preference top of mind.

The guide will place you in a seat that is easily accessible, and when we drive in the park, it is done slowly to observe animal sightings. Some of the roads are rutted but not unmanageable. People of all ages that have mobility have enjoyed the safaris without incident.

Unfortunately, we do not have disabled ramps into the vehicle or wheelchair access.

South African national parks entrance fees are different for South African Nationals, as taxpayers in the country, South African nationals pay tax funds to SANparks and therefore the entrance fee is less.

SADC nationals are trade agreement neighbours and therefore pay less.

International guests are not taxpayers towards SANparks, nor part of SADC trade agreements, so will need to pay a full rate without any deductions. This is standard practice.

Holders of a South African identification number get South African prices

SADC passport holders get SADC rates

Here is a breakdown of costs:

Qualified nature guide.

Fuel.

Wear, tear and maintenance.

Up to 25% of the cost of an international person’s tour is Kruger Conservation fees.

Yearly vehicle transport authority permits.

Yearly Kruger licencing fees.

Tour guide permits, licences.

Applicable insurances related to tourism and tours.

Applicable taxes.

Booking fees.

Booking platforms.

Administration.

A profit.

We are open and transparent.

All times of the year have their benefits. In summer, we have longer days, and migratory birds. In winter, there is less foliage, so one can see further in the bush, but there will be less time in the park. Animals can be seen throughout the year. Kruger is not closed for any season.

Yes, it is. It is best to consult with your doctor for medical advice before visiting the Kruger area.

Yes, you can.

Candace will be able to answer any queries you have of options for accommodation at info@honeybadgersafaris.co.za