South Africa
Into the Wild: Kruger National Park
Driving through the Phalaborwa Gate and into Kruger felt like entering another world. We stayed at Olifants Rest Camp, perched high above the river, and spent our days on self-drive safaris spotting elephants, giraffes, and even a pride of lions lounging in the sun. We did a morning safari organized by the camp. The quiet, the chill in the air, and that moment when the bush slowly comes alive is a great experience. At night, we’d sit outside listening to the sounds of the wild, feeling completely disconnected from everything else, also because of the limited wi-fi ;-)
Olifants Rest Camp Stay
We stayed at Olifants Rest Camp, a comfortable spot with views over the Olifants River. It’s one of those places where you just sit outside, listen to the sounds of the park, and feel completely surrounded by nature. The food options weren't the best, mostly burgers and pizzas, but that’s pretty standard across the Kruger camps. Still, the view and the wildlife made up for it. It’s the perfect base for early morning and evening safaris.
Self-Drive Safari
Driving through Kruger at our own pace was one of the highlights of the trip. We entered through Phalaborwa Gate and took our time exploring, stopping whenever we spotted something moving in the distance. We spotted a lot of beautiful animals elephants, giraffes, lions, zebra's, kuddu's, ... and were lucky enough to see a leopard crossing the road right next to our car. Watching lions eat a wildebeest was both impressive and a little unreal. We bought a small guidebook from one of the shops inside the park, it showed all the animals and included maps with waterholes and routes, which was really useful. There are a few safe places where you can get out of the car and stretch your legs, which adds a nice break to the drive.
Morning Safari – Olifants Camp
We also joined a guided morning safari from the camp, leaving before sunrise. The early light over the park was beautiful, and our ranger was full of stories and facts about the animals. We shared the vehicle with about ten people, which made it feel personal but not crowded. Seeing the park wake up , elephants walking in the mist, birds calling, and the sky turning orange, was one of those unforgettable moments.
