I am planning a bow hunting plainsgame trip to Namibia in June or July 2005 as a graduation present for my son. I would like to take him game viewing for a few days after we land in Jo'berg. It would allow us to get over our jet-lag and let him see some of the Big 5. We would then move on to do our hunting in Namibia. I have already seen Etosha in Namibia. I never stopped in South Africa on my previous trips to Zimbabwe and Namibia so I have not been to Kruger.

I would like some suggestions from others on this forum about which Park/Conservancy I should consider visiting in South Africa and how I should arrange to do this (privately drive or hire a guide). I do not want to spend the family fortune on this part of the trip.

Thanks again to everyone for all the help.

Ron L

Ron,

I would get in contact with Louie from the Aftonhouse..
He can and would arrange for you to see what you want...He is more then willing to be the guide and will take care of everything.... I believe www.aftonguesthouse.com is the address...

Mike
taking my son to Zim in 10 weeks
but sho's counting

Kruger Park is magnificent and huge, and they mostly don't interfere with nature. The downside of that is that game viewing can be less productive than in some of the private areas adjacent to Kruger.

We have done both, and since you will have lots of "outdoor time" on the hunt, I'd recommend a private camp. These are big areas, not a petting zoo. We went to Honeyguide (adjacent to Kruger) twice within the last 10 years and were quite satisfied, but haven't been there since about 1999 so my experience is not current.

Whatever you chose, enjoy!

I would get an Avis rental at the airport and visit Pilanesberg Reserve near Sun City for two days. It's not the biggest reserve but it's close to JNB, and Sun City is worth a visit as well....sort of like a little piece of Vegas in Africa. It will work out pretty inexpensively as you can easily self-guide on this trip.

Just don't go driving into any "Townships" or squatter camps on the way...stick to the major routes and travel in daylight. And don't park your car visibly full of stuff en route. Drive to your destination and unpack when you get there.

The other way to do it would be to book a group tour of Kruger from JNB. Check with SAA for options. Kruger Park is a major haul from JNB, as in full day's drive.

If you want to spend a lot of dough, go to one of the private reserves like Mala Mala. That will set you back more than a stiff PH day rate though.

Russ is right, you will see the big 5 in Pilanesberg Reserve, in Kruger you probably won't see a rhino unless you are lucky and the leopard is fairly rare unless you pay extra for the night drives...
Both these places can be reached if you get to Joburg in the morning and the road is safe once you leave the city.

Ron,

I'm based in Phalaborwa, on the western border of the Kruger National Park. Four stars accommodation can be arranged at the exclusive Hans Merensky Estate for less than 30 US$ per person per day. Phalaborwa can be reached in about one hour flight from Johannesburg or in about five hours by car. Road transfers from and to the Johannesburg airport are easily arranged. In addition to game viewing and golf you will find that reasonably priced big game hunting is available within few kilometres from the town. More informations are available on www.phalaborwa.net.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi located in KwaZulu-Natal are just the ticket. An excellent place to see everything. There is wonderful tented lodgings available there and nice game drives. You'll see game at your tent too.

I highly recommend going there.

Keep in mind that those are almost surely White Rhino, and it is (was) the Black Rhino that is part of the real Big 5.

Pilanesberg is one of the few places that does have both the Black and White Rhino.

My wife learned from the guide that the Black Rhino Mother leads her calf, while the White Rhino Mother follows her calf.

I sent my wife and kids to Mala Mala for a couple of days and then they spent a few days with me hunting at Pilanesberg. On one morning they took a Ballon ride.

They saw all but Rhino at Mala Mala and all but Leopard at Pilanesberg. Pilanesberg has some big maned lions, but there is no guarantee of seeing one. Rhino are everywhere.

Try to get a deal at Sun City for a room. Rack rates are very high, but the hotels are great. Not a place for a low budget. Neither is Mala Mala.

I would contact a PH that I know who used to be an animal control officer in Kruger, and who knows everyone in that area and pay him a daily rate to show me around for a couple of days, and that daily rate would include all lodging, meals etc. so it wouldn't be out of line...Give me and email and I will see if I can set it up for you if you wish. He would do that unless he is booked for a hunt.

"in Kruger you probably won't see a rhino unless you are lucky"

We saw seven rhinos in Kruger, all at the southern end. I snapped this photo close to Bergendahl rest camp.