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Plan your post quarantine travels with our list of helpful tips

Plan your post quarantine travels with our list of helpful tips

Apr 6, 2020 | Kruger Park safaris

COVID-19 threw the tourism industry and tourists alike quite the curveball. Trips that were years in planning and only months away were abruptly cancelled or postponed, borders were closed and the South African tourism industries, one that employees millions, suddenly ground to a halt, just about overnight.

And while the country remains in a travel ban lockdown, with even the locals unable to enjoy the beauty of the county (and with good reason), we think it is probably the best time to start day dreaming about the travel adventures that will come after this.

When we are all stuck at home, planning your trip after this storm passes will become not only a great way to spend your time, but it will also be good for your mental health as it will take your mind off of the chaos that is seemingly engulfing us all at the moment.

Keep in mind that this is not a permanent situation. It will come to an end and when it does, it will help to have something to look forward to.

This is how you can plan your trip.

  1. Do some online window shopping

We are lucky to be living in an era where most of us have some form of access to the internet. Not only does the web keep us well informed about what is going on around us, but it is also perfect for providing a number of travel options that you can browse through and literally do some “window shopping”

Think about what kind of trip you’d like to experience, and then look at your options. South African safaris are always a fantastic place to start because our country is so diverse and filled with plenty to see, besides going on an authentic safari trip.

  1. Give your travels more thought

In the past, we took travel for granted and often took unnecessary trips to places that perhaps didn’t live up to expectations.

Now that you have the time to plan, it is the ideal opportunity to make sure that the destination you are looking at is truly capable of satisfying your wanderlust. You can now not only have a look at what is cheapest, or what is easily available, but really do your research on the holiday you are considering.

  1. Organise your logistics

There is nothing quite like learning how to take full control over the planning of all of the logistics involved with your trip. Yes, travel agents are a godsend when you are looking for a pain free trip planned in between your busy day, but this time presents you with the best opportunity to learn how to plan your own trip. This will allow you to travel on your own terms and book a meaningful adventure.

If you have been day dreaming about paying South Africa a visit once the borders open, Royal Safaris can help you create the safari trip of a lifetime. We are the nations only tour company with permission to enter the Kruger National Park after dark, and we offer our guests a few unique tour packages that other companies don’t.

Owls of the Kruger National Park

Owls of the Kruger National Park

May 11, 2019 | Kruger Night Drives, Kruger Park safaris

Owls of the Kruger National Park

There are few things more hauntingly beautiful than hearing an owl calling after the sun has set. When on an evening drive in the Kruger National Park, or when enjoying an evening braai, it is not unusal to hear these mysterious birds.

A Supersitious Past

Associated with witches and sorcerers, owls have for the best part not being the most liked bird.  The fact that owls are mostly seen at night does not help their plight.  Many people in the rural communities are known to put spikes on their roofs in an attempt to keep them off their roofs, as it is believed that should an owl land on your roof, it is a bad omen.  As owls are fairly easy to catch during the day, witch doctors use them in their traditional medicine, as it is believed that owl ingredients in their potions help patients with eye sight problems and also wisdom and hunting.

Although owls have huge eyes that do see well at night, it is the exceptional hearing that enables them to hunt successfully at night.  Owls are usually found in woodland areas of the Kruger National Park.  The most common owls found in the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas are the Barn Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl and the Marsh Owl.

Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

The Verreaux’s Eagle Owl stands about 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 2.3 kg.  This owl has a wingspan of 1.5 meters, and it has a pale grey body, a set of distinctive ear tufts and a pale face that is black rimmed.  Although its eyes are dark it has pink eyelids.

The Verreaux’s Eagle Owl is known to snatch roosting birds out their nests at night.  It also preys on bats, springhares, mongooses, rodents, frogs and a variety of insects and fish.  A special treat for this owl is a hedgehog, after peeling away the spiny skin, which it neatly discards, it tucks into the flesh.

In Shangaan folklore the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl is known as Nkhunsi, a messenger of death sent by a malevolent person.  To undo the death spell you will need to sever the head of the owl, that way you are able to send the ill fortune back to the person that sent it to you.

Barn Owl

In comparison, the Barn Owl is smaller and is only about 36 cm tall.  It weighs about 500g and has a wingspan of about 90cm.  The  Barn Owl can be found in and around rest camps as they are comfortable around humans.  It has a golden buff and pale colouring with a distinctive heart shaped face.  This owl preys mostly on rodents, although it does prey on birds, frogs and lizards.  At dusk Barn Owls and be seen gliding low over the ground or beating bushes in an attempt to get the smaller birds out.  They only hunt from dusk as they can easily become prey to other raptors during the day.

 Marsh Owl

An adult Marsh Owl is about 36 cm, weighs 310 grams and has a wingspan of about 90cm.  This owl has a gray disk face and centrally placed ear tufts.  The rest of his body is shades of brown.  A favourite meal is the Mole Rat, but it also preys on small birds and rodents.  The Marsh Owl also eats termites and beetles.  As its name predicts, Marsh Owls are commonly found in marshy areas, particularly where there are thick reeds of grass.  They can also be found in open thorn savannah though out the Kruger National Park.

Book your Kruger Park night safari with Royal Safaris and keep a look out for one of the many owls that frequent the park.

The Best Tips For Your First Time On A Safari

The Best Tips For Your First Time On A Safari

Dec 20, 2018 | Kruger Park safaris

The Best Tips For Your First Time On A Safari

The Kruger National Park is without a doubt one of the best places to travel to, not just in South Africa, but in the world. A visit here is one that needs to be properly planned and entirely thought out. And that means doing your research in order to ensure that you have all of the best tips at your aid.

Whether you are looking forward to enjoying a morning safari with breakfast or an enviable evening drive and dinner, you can do with a few helpful tips to make your time here more enjoyable and less stressful. From travelling documents to the right footwear and even what accessories to have, the list of tips can help to ensure that you have a trip that you will never forget.

The Kruger National Park remains the best place to visit in South Africa and so many pieces of advice are floating around out there, that it can be difficult to pinpoint which is the best of the best. Sometimes the advice that you need comes directly from those who have been to the Kruger and done the whole safari thing.

So which of the hundreds of safari tips circulating the internet are the best? Let’s break them down for you.

  • Pack your binoculars and your camera

The Kruger is as far from a zoo as you could get. You won’t necessarily be seeing animals up close. Instead, some of the best sightings are far away in the distance, away from your safari vehicle. Having binoculars on your person will allow you to spot and watch those distant animals. And having a camera will allow you to capture the moment. We recommend investing in a quality camera. Some photographers will say that the DSLR is the better option, but whatever you are most comfortable with is what matters the most.

  • Respect the park rules, respect your guide

As a wild place, your safety depends on following all of the park rules and following whatever it is that your guide says. You can either Google the park rules or collect them at any one of the park’s gates. The rules are to be respected throughout the safari. As for your guide, they know more about the park and its inhabitants than you do. This means, for instance, that they are aware of when an elephant is unhappy and about to charge the vehicle. Whatever it is that they tell you to do could very well save your life.

  • Protect yourself from the sun

Regardless of the time of year you choose to visit the Kruger National Park, you should bring something to protect your skin. A hat is a good choice but it’s often not enough, even in the winter months. Pack a powerful SPF lotion and apply it as often as necessary.

  • Be realistic

As the Kruger is a nature reserve and not a zoo, you need to be realistic about what you can expect to see. Some say that it is better to not have a list of animals, birds or anything else that you hope to see but to rather accept sightings as they come. You’ll probably miss some animals, but you’ll also see animals that you might not have expected to see.

  • Be respectful

To the guide, to the park officials, to your fellow guests. There is no place for rudeness in Africa. As one of the friendliest countries, you will find that those you engage with have a pleasant and welcoming demeanour. Keep your manners in mind and simply enjoy your time in Africa.

The Kruger Park safari is one of the most exhilarating and unforgettable experiences you will ever have. Book your tour of the Kruger with Royal Safaris.

5 Best Ways To See The Kruger

5 Best Ways To See The Kruger

Nov 20, 2018 | Kruger Park safaris

5 Best Ways To See The Kruger

The Kruger National Park is one of the world’s best loved nature reserves. Home to all kinds of African animals, birds and reptiles, the best way to explore this land is by embarking on a Kruger National Park safari. For some guests, enjoying breakfast or lunch in the park is enough while others prefer to have the best of both worlds, by heading out early in the morning for breakfast in the park, before indulging in a full day safari.

Safaris can be enjoyed in one of five ways. And each guest has their own favourite way to travel.

  • The Self-Drive Safari

A Kruger Park self-drive is a great way to see the park. The advantages of such a trip include driving along those roads you want to explore, rather than only travelling where the safari company takes you. You could say that the self-drive safari gives you more independence. Whether you are visiting from overseas and hiring a car to take you into the park, or if you are a local driving yourself through the Kruger, you’ll be itinerary free and have all the time to explore. Depending on how much time you’ll be spending in the Kruger, you may well end up travelling the entire park, stopping off at all of the monuments and lookout points as you go.

The biggest downside of the self-drive experience is that you can get rather tired quite quickly. You will spend most of the day driving yourself around and as a result, you might not get to spend all that time sightseeing. You still have to pay attention to the road after all.

  • Open Vehicle Safari

All those open vehicles you see in the pictures?  They are actually the norm here in Africa. These open safari vehicles provide the right height to see over the vegetation which grows thickly here in the Kruger, while it also allows you to really take in all of those memorable smells. One of the best parts about hopping on board an open safari vehicle is that you won’t be doing any of the driving. Instead, you can kick back and relax. Safari vehicles are driven by expert guides who also have a keen eye for spotting even the most elusive of wildlife. This is the plus of any guided safari. You can be sure to see all kinds of animals by the time your time in the park comes to an end.

  • The Closed Safari Vehicle

If you don’t want the wind in your hair, or if we really can’t convince you that a cheetah won’t pounce on you, then you might want to consider the closed safari vehicle option. You’ll still have that once in a lifetime safari experience, but you’ll have it in the comfort of air conditioning.  The visibility from these vehicles might not always be what you expect, and you might have to go on a shared safari, but you’ll still have a most memorable time.

  • Shared Kruger Park Safari

Ideal for anyone on a budget or who has no problem sharing their time with a group of strangers, there is something comforting and exciting about sharing a Kruger Park safari. Sometimes the best experience is that which is shared with a group of people who are all looking to get the same thing out of their time here. Lifelong friendships can be forged when on a shared tour of the Kruger National Park.

  • A Private Kruger Park Safari

Finally, the last great way to see the Kruger is to embark on a private Kruger Park safari. Ideal for family groups or friends looking for a unique holiday, the private tour is the perfect trip. You won’t have to do any of the driving. Instead, you will be able to enjoy the same journey as those who you share it with.

Royal Safaris has some of the most wonderful Kruger Park safaris available to guests visiting from all of the world. Book your tour with us today!

5 Safari Tips You Might Have Missed When Planning Your African Adventure

5 Safari Tips You Might Have Missed When Planning Your African Adventure

Oct 10, 2018 | Kruger Park safaris

5 Safari Tips You Might Have Missed When Planning Your African Adventure

Sometimes the best safari advice you could get is from those who have been there and done that.

Experience is the best teacher you could hope for and the second best teacher is the advice you will read in this blog, advice from someone who has gone on a Kruger Park safari and who knows exactly what information you need.

Royal Safari, a Kruger tour operator specialising in unique and exclusive Kruger Park safaris, offers guests a different tour experience. We have breakfast tours of the Kruger as well as romantic dinner trips and nighttime drives into the quiet sanctuary of the park.

Along with these more luxurious safaris, we also offer full day Kruger Park trips, and this is where our helpful information might come in handy.

Our 5 Top Safari Tips!

1.  Bring your older, comfortable shoes

Generally, your Kruger Park safari is experienced from the comfort of an open-air safari vehicle. There is the option of a walking safari but these are normally only available from one of the camps within the Kruger. So since the safari is done in a vehicle, why would you need comfortable shoes? To start with, you will still be doing some walking on uneven terrain, in hot weather. Bringing brand new shoes that have not yet been worn in can leave you with blistered, sore feet. You might also be doing some other walking trips while you are in this part of the world, so it wouldn’t hurt to have those comfortable shoes.

2.  The right camera bag is as important as the camera

Buying (or having) the right camera, to capture those long-distance shots, is a must when travelling anywhere in the Kruger. You don’t have to have the most expensive camera in creation, but you should indulge yourself by getting your hands on a quality camera. Think of this as a future investment that you will be using for years to come.

But while you have put all of your thought into which camera would be best for your exciting South African safari, you might not be thinking about the camera bag. You’re probably thinking you’ll just use the one the camera comes with or buy the first cheap one you see.

The problem is, you will more than likely buy the black bag. And this means DUST! The Kruger is a dusty place, and your snazzy black bag is going to end up with a beige coat of dust long before your safari ends. Be smart and buy a neutral coloured, waterproof bag.

3.  Don’t have a checklist

When visiting the Kruger National Park, you probably have a mental list of the animals you hope to see. Many guests come for the Big 5 and stay for all of the other interesting animals they see in the park. The key to a memorable safari is to let go of that mental list and keep an open mind. Lists can lead to disappointment when you end up not seeing the animals you’d hoped for. Besides, checklists are boring and they add a certain weight that might just stop you from really experiencing the safari.

4.  Stick to the rules

All visitors to the Kruger have to obey a certain set of rules. These rules are as important for your safety as they are for the safety and the well-being of the animals. Your guide will inform you of the various rules before you enter the park and it is up to you to make sure that you stick to the rules while you are here.

5.  Take lots of photos

We’ve mentioned the camera, we hope you have the camera, and now we’re going to tell you why you really need a quality one! For many visiting the Kruger National Park, it is going to be a once in a lifetime experience and this is the all-important reason to take as many photos as possible while on your Kruger Park safari.

Royal Safaris will make sure that you are prepared for your safari and you can send us any questions you may have before you arrive for your safari. We offer great rates and we invite you to experience the Kruger. Book your tour with us.