Discovering Kruger National Park, South Africa

Visiting Kruger: The Ultimate Safari Experience

For The Trip Of A Lifetime

Rated as one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences and reported to be the number one African safari destination, Kruger National Park is not to be overlooked when considering your travel plans.

Larger than many countries and containing mostly undeveloped land, Kruger is one of the most popular destinations in Africa. Kruger National Park is home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal life. It is reported to contain over 1,470 species of plants, 336 species of birds, 147 species of mammals, and 114 species of reptiles.

Established in 1898 by President Paul Kruger of the South African Republic, its initial purpose was to protect the area’s wildlife from excessive hunting and poaching. Originally known as the Sabie Game Reserve, it was renamed the Kruger National Park in 1926. The park’s boundaries have been expanded over time, and it now covers an area of nearly 7,500 square miles.

The main goal for visitors with their guides is to search for the “Big Five” animals consisting of elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and Cape buffalo. In addition you’ll be told about the “Ugly Five” which normally includes warthog, hyena, wildebeest, vulture, and marabou stork but often people offer variations to that list. In addition you should easily see plenty of zebra, antelope, giraffes, hippos, monkeys and baboons. If you’re looking to see wildlife there’s no better opportunity than Kruger National Park.

Getting There

The nearest large international airport is Johannesburg (JNB) with a number of domestic flights to Kruger at less than US$450 round trip – Johannesburg (JNB) -O.R. Tambo Intl.) to Nelspruit (MQP)-Kruger Mpumalanga Intl.

The least expensive way to get from Johannesburg to Kruger without a car is to bus and taxi which takes 5h 30m and costs $30 – $55. There is a daily bus (Eagle Liner) from Johannesburg, South Africa to Newcastle takings 4.5 hours and cost less than US$10. From Newcastle to Kruger a taxi averages US$40 (1 hour and 38.5 miles).

Another option is to arrange a booking with a Kruger tour company. Several tour operators offer excursions from Johannesburg, providing a convenient way to experience the park’s wonders. These tours typically include transportation, accommodation, game drives, and most meals.

A few reputable tour operators offering Kruger tours from Johannesburg include:

  • African Budget Safaris: Specializes in affordable group tours and private safaris.
  • Wild Wings Safaris: Offers a variety of tour options, including budget-friendly and luxury packages.
  • Thompsons Africa: Provides tailor-made safaris for individuals and groups.
  • Intrepid Travel: Caters to adventurous travelers with small-group tours.

It’s highly recommended to book your tour in advance, especially during peak season (June to October).

Accommodations

The two major things to consider when visiting Kruger, beyond price, are distance from the park and the level of the accommodation you expect Accommodations range from basic camp sites to high-end luxury and everything in between.

Expect in-season rates to average US$125 to US$200 per night like Grand Kruger Lodge and Spa about 25 miles from park entrance. Camping resorts average about US$100 per night like Nkambeni Safari Camp located inside the park. Basic camping facilities averaging under US$50 like Sleepover Kruger Gate less than 2 miles from the park. Luxury resorts range as high as US$800 to US$1200 and higher a night like Kruger Shalati – Train on the Bridge located inside the park.

The Train On The Bridge Resort

Click The Map To Download A pdf Printable Copy

Our trip to South Africa and Kruger was booked as an all inclusive tour with exocticca Travel and for more information on the tour click HERE.

The tour included glamping at the Nkambeni Safari Camp and for additional infotmation on this resort click HERE.

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The Amazing Wilds Of Sri Lanka

A day in Sri Lanka’s larges park

Yala National Park is located in Sri Lanka and is one of the country’s most famous wildlife reserves, renowned for its wildlife . The park covers approximately 680 square miles and is home to a variety of species, including elephants, leopards, and numerous bird species . Yala is particularly noted for having one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

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Todays Images • Mykonos

The Iconic Windmills Of Mykonos. Traditionally, these windmills are heavy, three-story buildings made of stone, are circular in shape, reflecting the simple yet functional design typical of the Cycladic islands.

They were primarily built by Venetians in the 16th century and continued to be constructed into the early 20th century for milling wheat.

Mykonos is one of Greeces most visited islands, and features amazing beaches, a great entertainment vibe and just enough culture and history to keep visitors engaged.

Around Mykonos

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Where In The World #4?

What country claims this baked treat as its own?

This is a traditional European pastry made from sweet yeast dough. This unique treat is crafted by wrapping strips of the dough around a conical baking tube, which is then grilled usual over coals till it achieves a golden brown color and crispy exterior.

Answer • It’s Hungary and they’re called Kürtőskalács and if you visit you must try one…

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Civil Unrest, War, Natural Disasters and International Travel

We’re asking for your opinion…

I think Clint Eastwood said it best; “If you’re looking for a guarantee in life, buy a toaster.”

We have, over the years, visited over one hundred countries and on a few occasions we’ve found ourselves in some touchy situations, but we have always been cautious in selecting when and where to travel. We also have always carried what we believe is the right insurance from “trip cancellation” to “medical evacuation” but even with insurance there are still no guarantees.

One of our bucket list items has been to visit the wonders of ancient Egypt and over the past few years our attempts have been frustrated:

One trip was cancelled by Covid travel restrictions but we did recover most of our expenses with a portion being credits.

The next trip would have been less than a week after Hamas attacked Israel and major fighting broke out. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo was recommending not to travel (threat level of 3). We cancelled and did eventually got much of our travel package expense posted as a credit (no refunds) but even that was a struggle. Cancelling that trip did cost us about $1,000.00 because our travel insurance held that our excuse was not a covered event? The U. S. Embassy cautioning not to travel isn’t apparently a covered excuse?

You see most insurance policies clearly state that they do not cover you for “war, insurrection, civil unrest and natural disasters” and with most travel insurance not paying if you just change your mind (newer policies now offer canceling “for any reason” as an option).

Now it’s February 28th 2026 and we’re traveling to Egypt and Dubai with our flight in six days. We believe that considering the “war” and an increased risk of radical elements seeking to attack Westerners, particularly Americans, there is considerable new risk in traveling to Egypt and Dubai (Iran has already attacked Dubai with Americans told to stay in place).

The U.S. State Department has today raised the Egypt travel advisory to a 4 (risk Red/High) for many areas (S…, Red Sea coast and western desert). The current statement suggests that traveling in Egypt with a licensed guide in a group and staying mostly in high tourist areas has a reduced risk (level 2) as the Egyptian government will be providing additional security to tourist areas.

After the war in Gaza I asked for advice and a majority of respondents voted not to go. Right now we are just sitting and watching things unfold and no matter what decision we make the next few days it doesn’t impact the chance of refunds. We would still like to get some input from our followers?? Please add comments below…

The images above were AI generated

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Atacama, One of the World’s Greatest Deserts

The Atacama Desert

This desert in northern Chile, renowned as the world’s driest non-polar desert, stretches between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. As you drive into the desert you are struck by a landscape dotted by what look like volcanos. They are volcanic cinder cones and are  created by short-lived, explosive eruptions of basaltic lava fountains. They are common worldwide but one of the largest regions is this area in Northern Chile, part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes. The Atacama Desert features dozens and dozens of these cinder cones with many still active within its 40,500 square mile, high-altitude plateau. Averaging an altitude of 7,900 to over 13,000 feet the cinder cones are mixed into a rocky landscape with small salt lakes, extensive salt flats, geyser fields, and a moon-like valley.

If you overlooked it in one of the desolate scenes above there’s a Llama or perhaps one of its wild relatives, guanacos and vicuñas that are abundant in the high-altitude, arid regions of the Chilean Atacama Desert.

Any plan to visit Chile must include a few days in the Atacama Desert’s main town of San Pedro (Find additional information HERE)

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