This is how safari should be

We stayed 4 nights in Plains Camp and 1 night in the main lodge. If you like peace, tranquility, a beautiful setting and game walks this is the place for you. The camp accommodates 8 people so it’s very small and personal. The camp has the feel of an old English explorer with its big chairs under canvass, wooden chests and old artefacts. After the morning bush walk we would sit out with a beer from the complimentary cooler reading and watching the game come and go from the water hole.

The tents are very luxurious with large beds, a shower built into a tree and a toilet.

Inside one of the luxury tents at Plains tented Camp

The food was very, very good; just slightly simpler food than that in the main lodge but this is a camp after all!

Our ranger was Bernard, he was good at finding the game due to his extensive knowledge of the area, he’s also a great guy, very funny.

Don’t expect to see as much game on foot as on the game drives, Kruger is vast and you’ll only cover about 5 – 6 miles on a walk compared to up to 40 – 50 on a game drive. However the experience walking in the bush is exponentially better than sitting in a vehicle; and when you do come across something big it’s an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. We found Rhino and they ran towards us so we had to jump behind a bush. It was very scary but safe so long as you follow the ranger’s instructions. i,e don’t run, everything in the bush is faster than you!

If the timings are right you’ll get the opportunity to go to the sleep out, about 1.5 – 2 hours walk. Ask for the outer tent canvas to be pulled back so you can go to sleep looking at the trillions of stars in the nights sky. The sleep out is obviously a lot more basic but great fun, you’ll need to carry your tooth brush and something to sleep in with you, A leopard walked by when we were there 🙂

Once in a lifetime experience – sleeping out under the stars in the Kruger National Park

Tripadvisor Review by Haz, United Kingdom (see www.tripadvisor.com). Photographs by Guy Upfold.