Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park
Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park
Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park
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Lutsedus Travels and Tours
Acornhoek, South Africa147 contributions
Jun 2019
Phalaborwa Gate offers an interesting landscape; granite stands forms a series of kloppies that have been used as navigational landmarks for centuries. The grass of this region is both sweet and sour, but is usually scattered due to lack of rainfall.
The best game spotting is in the drainage lines and the contours around dry stream beds as the more luscious grasses are usually found in the lower lying areas. You have an opportunity to exit your vehicle within 10 kilometres/6.2 miles from entering Phalaborwa Gate
The best game spotting is in the drainage lines and the contours around dry stream beds as the more luscious grasses are usually found in the lower lying areas. You have an opportunity to exit your vehicle within 10 kilometres/6.2 miles from entering Phalaborwa Gate
Written November 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA4,384 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
We spent two days driving around Kruger in our rental car, which is quite easy to do. We saw many safari vehicles doing the same route, and, since everyone is restricted to the tar roads, not sure what the advantages are. My wife spotted a leopard in the first half hour, and soon, we were surrounded by six other vehicles who spooked off the animal. We spent our time in the southern reaches of the park inside Kruger Gate, driving to lower Sabie one day and then exiting thru Malelane the next. We have been to all the game parks in Kenya and Tanzania, and just finished Chobe, Etosha, and Okavango. What I can say about Kruger is its accessibility. Easy to drive and quite scenic. However, you do not see the quantity of animals that you see at the other parks. There is a lot of singularity here. One zebra, one lion, one hippo, one rhino. That I found unusual. Thus, it lacked the wow factor. Still, nicely done, and easy to spend hours slowly driving the tarred roads. Convenient shops and rest areas are well located inside the park. Worth $18 admission - just don't expect huge herds of animals.
Written March 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raros2014
Jaguariuna, SP89 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Amazing adventure. I self drove alone in the park.for 2 days. I could see 4 from the big 5 animals. I really recommended this adventure. Used a Airbnb in Phalabowa and got in the Park at 6:00 AM.
If you need any kind of tips, please let me know that I will have a pleasure to help you. I can talk in Portuguese, Spanish and English.
If you need any kind of tips, please let me know that I will have a pleasure to help you. I can talk in Portuguese, Spanish and English.
Written May 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
395ally
Johannesburg, South Africa96 contributions
Mar 2020
Phalaborwa Gate is really only an entry route into the KNP. It has never been a prolific game viewing area and is a busy road especially at weekends as the locals go into the Park. Currently bush is very thick and grass is long. We saw nothing until near Letaba.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RAGGEDNewHampshire
New Hampshire78 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
Kruger Game Park covers hundreds of square miles on the eastern border of South Africa. It borders Mozambique and Swaziland to the east, Zimbabwe to the north and is east of Johannesburg. The big bonus of travelling all around it in a rental car is that you can follow any of the miles of dirt road you choose at any time betwen dawn and dusk, booking into one of the National Park rest camps each night. We recently spent nine days doing just this, travelling from the drier north to the more tree covered south. The cottages which you book beforehand, look traditional (rondavel style) but have a/c, a bathroom with shower, screens, a 'fridge and often a sink and cooking stove outside on the porch. You can choose to cater for yourself or eat in the adequate restaurants. Each camp has a strict curfew. Also a petrol station, a small shop that includes pharmacy items, a swimming pool and launderette. If you choose to travel on an even more slim budget you can camp--tents provided.
In those nine days we saw hundreds of animals and birds, including the "big five " and the even more elusive cheetah. There are good game drives setting out from the camps, usually two or three a day, the dusk ones allow you to stay outside camp after dusk and well into the evening when game often move to and from waterholes, but we also saw game all day long when moving around in our own car . You may go where you please, unless closed off, but must not get out of your car!
In those nine days we saw hundreds of animals and birds, including the "big five " and the even more elusive cheetah. There are good game drives setting out from the camps, usually two or three a day, the dusk ones allow you to stay outside camp after dusk and well into the evening when game often move to and from waterholes, but we also saw game all day long when moving around in our own car . You may go where you please, unless closed off, but must not get out of your car!
Written April 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bett Y
5 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
My dream of seeing the big five in their natural habitat finally came to pass. The special thing about Kruger is that you don’t need to book with a tour company. You need to book in advance one of the parks cabins as well as a car if you are a foreign visitor. I saw that many tourists were driving in their own vehicles in the park - We decided to go with a guide just to be safe. The park is well organized and maintained compared to many others I have visited in Africa in the past. The animals are plenty and well protected unlike other countries still struggling with poaching.
This is one place where you are guaranteed seeing most of the animals. We started seeing some of the animals even before we entered the park. The various species of antelope grazing nervously along the park roads was eye catching. We first spotted a pride of lions in the afternoon just after we had seen the rhinos. The elephants had left for the different grazing area and it was only later in the evening that we caught site of them. My wife still recalls the beautiful evenings and camping near the lodge.
If you are a first time visitor to the park, I advise that you take along with you one of the experienced guides. Spotting Leopards and other nocturnal animals require the assistance of an experienced guide. A guide with knowledge of the different routes will help you avoid some of the crowded spots and roads.
This is one place where you are guaranteed seeing most of the animals. We started seeing some of the animals even before we entered the park. The various species of antelope grazing nervously along the park roads was eye catching. We first spotted a pride of lions in the afternoon just after we had seen the rhinos. The elephants had left for the different grazing area and it was only later in the evening that we caught site of them. My wife still recalls the beautiful evenings and camping near the lodge.
If you are a first time visitor to the park, I advise that you take along with you one of the experienced guides. Spotting Leopards and other nocturnal animals require the assistance of an experienced guide. A guide with knowledge of the different routes will help you avoid some of the crowded spots and roads.
Written December 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveldocs5
Palm Beach, FL34 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
Kruger was a nice Safari. We did a self drive as we prefer to go on our own pace and have experience. Kruger is very large and expect to spend all day. The roads nice and most are paved. If you have a SUV you can take some of the dirt roads off the beaten path.
We arrived early with hopes to see some cats, although we didn't get to see any. Spotting animals is never a guarantee so you have to have realistic expectations.
We prefer Pilanesberg National Park. It is much more condensed and seeing the "big 5" is just as likely with less time.
We arrived early with hopes to see some cats, although we didn't get to see any. Spotting animals is never a guarantee so you have to have realistic expectations.
We prefer Pilanesberg National Park. It is much more condensed and seeing the "big 5" is just as likely with less time.
Written June 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony H
15 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
On Jan 14th we and two friends booked a private half day safari with Frank. Frank duly turned up at 05h00 to pick us up from our lodge in Hazyview. By 05h20 we were in the Kruger Park and raring to go. Within a couple of minutes we came face-to-face with a Bull Elephant, what a start! Then a couple of miles on we encountered a baby Impala literally runing for its life down the road towards us. Hot on its heels was an African Wild Dog. Then a couple of moments later the rest of the pack of dogs came to us and circled our vehicle. Our guide, Frank, has worked in and around the Kruger for 40 years and we were amazed at his enthusiasm on the sighting.
I could go on about all the other wildlife we saw that wonderful morning, but safe to say that by a little after 08h00 we had seen all of the Big 5 as well as many other rare species of animals and exotic birds.
Brunch was taken at Skukuzu Golf Club - another memorable experience with animals roaming the fairways and hippos in the lakes.
By a little after 12h30 we were back in Hazyview with a rich abundance of great memories and photographs.
Frank's knowledge and enthusiam made for a once in a lifetime morning.
I could go on about all the other wildlife we saw that wonderful morning, but safe to say that by a little after 08h00 we had seen all of the Big 5 as well as many other rare species of animals and exotic birds.
Brunch was taken at Skukuzu Golf Club - another memorable experience with animals roaming the fairways and hippos in the lakes.
By a little after 12h30 we were back in Hazyview with a rich abundance of great memories and photographs.
Frank's knowledge and enthusiam made for a once in a lifetime morning.
Written January 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ems676
Wales23 contributions
Oct 2011 • Solo
If you're on a tight budget but dream of going on Safari then there is a good alternative to the expensive lodges. In Kruger you can camp (seriously!). I only paid around ÂŁ270 for 3 days / 2 nights in Kruger!
If was brilliant - excellent canvas tents with proper beds inside them, showering facilities and wonderfull food. Ohh, and the game drives were pretty good too!! Saw all the "big 3" cats, Rhino, Buffalo, Wild Pigs, Hippo, Giraffe and soo much more!
If was brilliant - excellent canvas tents with proper beds inside them, showering facilities and wonderfull food. Ohh, and the game drives were pretty good too!! Saw all the "big 3" cats, Rhino, Buffalo, Wild Pigs, Hippo, Giraffe and soo much more!
Written April 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon C
11 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
We booked the night drive with dinner at Phalaborwa gate. It leaves at 3pm and you get back after 9pm with dinner in Letaba. Although we had our own vehicle, you can't drive around Kruger at night, so we decided on the night drive. Stanley was our ranger and he was very knowledgeable on the area. We saw Hyena and cubs, lion, snake, black backed jackal and he even found us a chameleon which my daughter and son wanted to tick off their 'seen' list.
Written May 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ciao
mi puoi dire come funziona l'ingresso
E' possibile andare con la propria auto in giro o è necessario utilizzare mezzi di altri
grazie
Written February 16, 2020
Io sono andato con macchina affittata no problem
Written February 21, 2020
Please i want to visit the park with a car isbit possible
Written June 17, 2019
Ou trouver un safari de nuit depuis Phalaborwa
Written October 18, 2018
Hallo! Prachtig verhaal! Hoe duur is een wandelsafari als deze ongeveer?
Ik ga in december...
Written October 16, 2018
Hoe duur is een gamedrive met driver en gids ongeveer in euro's? Ik wil graag ongeveer weten wat ik moet sparen voor de extraatjes!
Written October 16, 2018
ozkanozmen
Darmstadt, Germany
Hi there, i am planning to visit Phalaborwa gate in Kruger. My aim is wildlife photography. What animals can you see there?
And i will spend almost 3 months there. Would you recommend this place in terms of photographic opportunities?
I would love to see lions and other predator cats the most. I have been to the Lower Sabie, Crocodile Bridge, Skukuza and it was brilliant experience. (South of Kruger) So i am trying to decide if this area is worth to settle for 3 months for photographic purposes. Thanks
Written June 16, 2018
Personally, for photographic experiences, unless you are self-driving, I would not visit Kruger and would focus my efforts on other parks in South Africa and elsewhere. The ability to get close to animals or find animals in a hunt is limited in comparison to other parks.
Written July 11, 2018
I was wondering how to contact the company? I'm in a different country and cannot call, but the website isn't working. I would like to enquire about booking a safari
Written May 24, 2018
Hola quiero saber si el safari puede tomarse en el momento o hay que reservarlo antes, como se abona. Si puede pagarse con tarjeta. Gracias
Written January 14, 2018
We are considering a Webjet tour that includes 2 full day safaris in Kruger National Park. Can anyone advise please if these roads are very rough for driving as have a hip replacement? Many thanks, Nola
Written January 4, 2018
I agree with the answer you did get. Regards. Mireille.H
Written January 31, 2018
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