Frequently Asked Questions
Safaris & More

Wifi is currently available at Skukuza and Pretoriuskop. Internet access can be slow.

Skukuza is one of the main rest camps in Kruger, ATM machines are available here. However, cash back is available from the tills in the Park Shops.

Our electricity supply is 220/230V, with a type M, large 15-amp plug. We always suggest that you bring your own travel adapter with you. These can also be purchased within the Kruger National park as well as at all major airports.

There is a selected amount but most do day safaris and Nhongo Safaris specialises in overnight safaris and departs daily with a minimum of two guests compared to other companies that only leave with four or six guests on a safari.

Nhongo Safaris is a small family owned company with a hands on policy.

Nhongo Safaris has been in operation since 1999. They operate more on a private and relaxed basis giving guests a more attention to detail safari and that is why our slogan is Arrive as Strangers but Leave as Friends.

Yes, camps in Kruger National Park do have Mobile Phone Reception.

Citybug Shuttle service runs from OR Tambo International Airport to Nelspruit daily and is a 5 hour drive. If you wish to fly, Airlink flys to both Skukuza Airport and Kruger Mpumalanga Airport.

No, Nhongo Safaris departs daily with a minimum of two guests on any safari.

Apart from closing for approximately 2 weeks during the festive season which is the busiest period for the Park we run Safaris throughout the year.

Huts are the most basic type of Kruger lodge. They’re typically small round buildings with thatched roofs. This style of building is known as a rondavel. In most African countries tribes found it easier to build round huts out of mud with thatched roofs and you still see many of these as you travel around Africa. Some are painted in their unique tribal colours or just plain mud huts. Of course the huts in Kruger are made out of brick with thatched roofs.

Yes we are SATSA (South African Tourism Services Association) Bonded in South Africa which covers you the client. We also carry R100 Million Rands Public and Passenger Liability cover for every eventuality in South Africa. It is also important for you to carry travel insurance for any other eventuality.

All bed linen, towels and bath soap are provided in each unit.

Nhongo Safaris are a member of SATSA (Southern African tourism and services association), Kruger Lowveld Tourism Association and ATTA (Africa Travel Tourism Association).

Should you decide to completely cancel your trip with us our standard terms and conditions apply in that your deposit is non-refundable. We can only offer you alternative dates within 12 months of your original departure date. However, if you pay the remaining balance in full then our Ultimate Flex Booking Policy applies, and you can choose alternative dates within 24 months of your original departure date. Another option is to transfer your payment to a credit voucher. This voucher is valid for 12 or 24 months depending on the Flex Option you chose and can be gifted to another person of your choice if you decide not to travel. For further terms and guidance on using credit vouchers, please refer to I have a credit voucher, how do I use it?

Credit vouchers are valid for 12 or 24 months depending on the Flex Option you chose and can be gifted to another person of your choice if you decide not to travel. If you chose to gift your credit voucher, we will need to be notified in writing/email and informed of the recipient’s name, email address and telephone number. The recipient of your credit voucher must use the voucher within the original validity period. Safari prices are not fixed or guaranteed until you have re-booked using your credit voucher. The published tour price at the time of booking will apply at the time of re-booking. To re-book a safari using a voucher, simply contact our Reservations Team by email or by phone.

Nhongo Safaris do not stipulate on what to tip guides as it is up to your own discretion on what you would like to give to your guide. As a guidline we normally say R100 per person per day.

Nhongo Safaris accept Master and Visa Card payments or Bank Transfers.

No, we do not go off road in the Kruger National Park as it is a National Park and from the edge of the road into the Bush are all eco systems that need to be protected.

Your Ranger guide does have his or her own pair which they are willing to share with you but it is always a good idea to bring along your own.

We do Panorama Tours and also custom made Safaris which might include other areas outside the Kruger Park

The Kruger National Park is in the north-eastern corner of South Africa, along with the border of Mozambique. The park is an easy five-hour drive or a one-hour flight from Johannesburg. You may fly directly from Johannesburg or Cape Town to either Nelspruit Airport or Skukuza Airport should you wish to not experience the drive from Johannesburg.

If you book a scheduled Kruger National Park safari with us, the average group size is between four and six people per safari. The maximum group size is 9 per vehicle. For larger groups, we will use extra vehicles (one vehicle and guide per 9 people). We do not make use of shared accommodation, except for couples and families who book as a group (we do not expect you to share accommodation with people you do not know).

Every camp within the Kruger National park has a Restaurant, Take Out or a shop within its proximity. Lunches are freely available from a Salad to a full on meal at any one of these facilities. All Shops within the park have drinks, snacks and emergency supplies of all that may be required while on safari.

On our website we have an Instant Book Button which allows you to book and pay for your safari.

Accommodation standards differ and rates do as well. As you are accommodated in the Kruger National Park on all of our Safaris , we will make recommendations based on your budget and preferences. We can offer you options ranging from basic, budget accommodation with communal ablution facilities to exclusive, luxury five-star accommodation in private lodges within the Kruger National Park. We do not offer camping safaris (where you have to pitch your own tent), but we do sell a number of tented safari camps within the Kruger Park and surrounding Reserves. Please note that all accommodations in the Kruger National Park and its boundaries are subject to availability as it is a Public Entry Park.

Nhongo Safaris offers from a 2 Day Safari with those that have limited time to a 9 Day Holiday Safari. While on safari in the Kruger National Park the main activity is game viewing by Open Safari Vehicle as well as a Night Safari conducted by Armed Rangers on all of our packages. Bush Walks may also be booked on our longer packages at an extra cost should you wish to do one.

Each Open Safari Vehicle carries a spotlight which your guide uses to spot animals.

Yes, you may ask for a personal package that would suit your requirements.

Yes, there is airports and the main ones where we can collect you from is either MQP Nelspruit airport or Skukuza Airport within the Kruger National Park itself.

Every visitor to the Kruger National Park will pay a Conservation Fee for every day spent inside the Park. Only by contributing to conservation can funds be raised to help conserve the park’s natural and cultural heritage. The funds are not only used for conservation but also to maintain viewing hides, water supply, water holes etc.

It’s important to note that the overall price of your accommodation not only includes all your meals and beverages but your twice-daily game drives with an expert ranger and other indulgent add-ons such as high teas and sundowners. More importantly, many of the lodges are found in private concessions where vehicle numbers are low and inaccessible to the wider public who are not staying at a lodge in that private concession or reserve.

Yes, all the main camps within the Kruger National Park have swimming pools.

All Open Safari Vehicles are equipped with Blankets and Ponchos for the rain and do have covered roofs and canvas sides that can be closed if needed.

All Kruger Park huts have screening on the doors and windows to keep mosquitos out. At times when the mosquito problem is high they do spray around each hut on the outside as well. But no mosquito nets are available in the huts.

No, we are not permitted to drive at night in the Kruger National Park and have to stick to the gate opening and closing times as stipulated by the park.

Unfortunately Nhongo only offers a shuttle to and from the Kruger. We do not do the Panorama Route either on the way to Kruger or back from Kruger as our drivers are just drivers and are not qualified in any way to do the Panorama Route as it has to be done by a qualified guide and not just a driver. This is the law in South Africa when it comes to guiding International guests.

Since destinations in the Kruger National Park are very popular and sometimes fully booked as far as 11 months in advance, you may not be able to be accommodated without a booking. Always book in advance to avoid disappointment.

We do stop normally every two to three hours for toilet stops.

For the mainstream guest this would be when the bush is at its most open, meaning little foliage, short grass and limited water sources that will attract the animals. This means dry season is the best, ideally the couple of months before the rainy season starts – August, September and October.

If flying to Nelspruit airport the latest flight would be arrival by 16h00pm the latest and if flying into Skukuza the latest flight is 14h10pm this is to allow you to enter the park before gate closing times from Nelspruit.

Both Full Flex and Ultimate Flex allow you to change your booking date with NHONGO SAFARIS The level of flexibility is entirely up to you and which payment option you choose. Full Flex and Ultimate Flex will apply to all new and existing reservations made for holidays that start from 1 November 2021 onwards. Full Flex To secure your booking for any tour of your choice, right now a deposit of just 35% per traveller is all that’s required. Where the 35% deposit has been paid and you wish to amend your booking, the following terms apply: Changes you can make under Full Flex: The tour dates The tour package (you can move to an alternative tour entirely Under Full Flex, you are able to make a maximum of [1 or 2] changes. We ask that you make these changes as soon as possible and at the very latest 40 days before the departure date. If you choose to change the dates of your tour, the new tour dates must be within 12 months of the original booked tour date. Once your new tour has been confirmed, we will of course send you the new information by email, so you have a full copy of the details. After confirmation, the balance of the safari will be invoiced to you and payable 30 days before the new tour start date. Credit vouchers: We understand that you may be uncertain as to when you will be able to travel. That’s why we’ve introduced credit vouchers. Credit vouchers for the full value of the deposit paid by you can be issued in cases where you are uncertain as to when you will be able to travel. The vouchers will have a validity period of 12 months and can be gifted to another person of your choice if you decide not to travel within that period. For further terms and guidance on using credit vouchers, please refer to I have a credit voucher, how do I use it? Please note that if the balance of payment has been made or the full payment was made at the time of booking, Ultimate Flex applies (see next section). Ultimate Flex You will be eligible for Ultimate Flex terms if you have paid for your tour in full, either: At the time of booking, or By deposit and balance instalments. Changes you can make under Ultimate Flex: The tour dates The tour package (you can move to an alternative safari entirely) When you choose Ultimate Flex, you are free to make an unlimited number of changes. We ask that you make these changes as soon as possible and at the very latest 40 days prior to the tour departure date. If you choose to change the dates of your safari, the new tour dates must be within 24 months of the original booked tour date. Once your new safari has been confirmed, we will, of course, send you the new information by email so you have a full copy of the details. In cases where you are changing to a higher priced safari, we ask that the outstanding balance is paid in full at the time of the change. In cases where you are changing to a lower priced safari, a credit voucher will be issued for the difference in price. This voucher has a 24-month validity and can be gifted to another person of your choice if you decide not to travel within that period. More on credit vouchers: We understand that you may be uncertain as to when you will be able to travel. That’s why we’ve introduced credit vouchers. Credit vouchers for the full value paid by you can be issued in cases where you are uncertain as to when you will be able to travel. The vouchers will have a validity period of 24 months and can be gifted to another person of your choice if you decide not to travel within that period. For further terms and guidance on using credit vouchers, please refer to I have a credit voucher, how do I use it? Private Groups: For private groups, please note that we will ask the whole group to make changes as a group. Where the group size reduces due to a change, a re-price of the safari may be required. Flights: If flights have been booked as part of the package, these are non-refundable, and the cost of those services will not be transferable to new dates. However, we will of course do our best to get this cost claimed back and credit it back to your future booking. During these uncertain times, we recommend making flight payments by credit card so that you also have recourse via your credit card company if flights are cancelled by the airline. Additionally, it’s advisable to take out travel insurance that covers flights.

Full Flex entitles you to make 1 or 2free-of-charge amendments| to your original booking, including date and safari programme up to 40 days before the departure date. Once you have used your free Full Flex amendments you cannot change dates again unless you pay the remaining balance in full so that Ultimate Flex applies. Ultimate Flex entitles you to make unlimited free-of-charge amendments to your original bookings, including date and safari programme up to 40 days before the departure date.

Full Flex requires that you reschedule your trip within 12 months of your original departure date. Ultimate Flex requires that you reschedule your trip within 24 months of your original departure date.

For Full Flex, please let us know up to 40 days before your arrival date. At this point you must notify us immediately of your new preferred departure date at the time of amendment. If you are uncertain as to when you will be able to travel, we will issue a credit voucher for the full value of the deposit paid by you, with a validity period of 12 months. For Ultimate Flex, please let us know up to 40 days before your departure date. At this point you must notify us immediately of your new preferred departure date at the time of amendment. If you are uncertain as to when you will be able to travel, we will issue a credit voucher for the full value of the deposit paid by you, with a validity period of 24 months.

Yes! Both Full Flex and Ultimate Flex means you can transfer your booking to another date or Safari of your choice with no penalty within 12 or 24 months of your original departure date.

That’s no problem! If the tour or departure date to which you are moving is a higher price than the safari you are moving from, then: With Full Flex - your deposit will be re-allocated to the new booking as a deposit in full against the total value of the new tour, and we will then issue a new invoice for the balance of the tour, payable 30 days before the new tour start date. With Ultimate Flex - Payment of the difference will be required at the time of the change. If the safari or departure date to which you are moving is a lower price than the safari you are moving from, With Full Flex - your deposit will be re-allocated to the new booking as a deposit in full against the total value of the new tour, and we will then issue a new invoice for the balance of the tour, payable 30 days before the new tour start date. With Ultimate Flex - A credit voucher will be issued for the difference in price. This voucher has a 24-month validity and can be gifted to another person of your choice if you decide not to travel within that period.

If flights have been booked as part of the package, these are non-refundable, and the cost of those services will not be transferable to new dates. However, we will of course do our best to get this cost claimed back and credit it back to your future booking. During these uncertain times, we recommend making flight payments by credit card so that you also have recourse via your credit card company if flights are cancelled by the airline. Additionally, it’s advisable to take out travel insurance that covers flights.

The Big Five (or Big 5) were traditionally considered to be the five most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. Today, they are among the most popular animals tourists wish to see in Africa. The Big Five are the Lion, the Elephant, the Rhino, the Buffalo and the Leopard. Apart from the Big Five there are The Magnificent Seven to be seen as well so these include the above as well as Cheetah and Wild Dogs.

Game viewing differs quite a bit depending on which region of the Kruger National Park you visit. The southern part is known for its high animal density and excellent game viewing because of the abundance of food. The landscape and vegetation are characterised by thorny thickets and some rocky granite outcrops. Game viewing along the river banks and dry river beds is usually very good. Camps used for this are Skukuza, Berg en Dal, Pretoriuskop or Nkambeni Tented Safari Lodge. The central area has more open grasslands and larger herds of grazers. This, in turn, means a high concentration of lions (reputedly the highest lion concentration in the world) and other predators. Camps we use are Satara, Orpen or Olifants. The northern regions are characterised by mopane shrubs and game viewing is a bit more difficult here. However, the remoteness, beautiful landscape and lower visitor density are some of the reasons why many people prefer this upper section of Kruger. Birdwatching in the north is also excellent, and elephants are also in abundance here. Camps we use are Letaba, Mopani, Shingwedzi and Punda Maria. The animals you can expect to see on an average two or three day safari include elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, impala, waterbuck, warthog, hippo, crocodile, hyena, lion, leopard (possibly) wild dog (maybe) , cheetah (if you are lucky) and various smaller antelopes and predators, as well as birds and reptiles. Sightings can never be guaranteed because the animals move around freely. Unfortunately the Kruger Park is not a Zoo so you have to have good eyes to find what you are looking for with the help of your Safari Guide.

Established in 1898 and declared a national park in 1927 and opened to the first European public.

Yes, as it’s a national park and opened to all as a public entry park.

It is roughly 2.3 Million hectors and about 380km long from north to south, which is similar in size to Wales or Israel.

The word Nhongo is the Shangaan name for the Kudu Antelope. The Shangaan tribe are found around the Kruger National Park and in Mozambique.

Each entry gate to the Kruger National Park does have a set limit of cars that are allowed to enter.

Firstly the size. Leopards climb trees and are not as fast as Cheetah who can reach up to speeds of 112km on the ground. Cheetahs are land animals and do not climb trees.

The Kruger National Park is a park that is open to the public, for a fee, and allows guests to enjoy game drives either in their private vehicles or on an Open Safari vehicle with a guide. It also has set opening and closing times.

No, hunting is strictly prohibited.

No, we do not have Tigers in the Kruger National Park there are private reserves within South Africa that do breed Tigers.

No, Springbok Antelope are only found in Arid Regions of Southern Africa towards the Northern Cape.

His name was Harry Wolhuter and he was stationed at the camp of Pretoriuskop Camp which is also the oldest camp within Kruger.

There are six eco zones in the Kruger National Park. Namely Baobab Sandveld, Lebombo Knobthorn -Marula Bushveld, Mixed Acacia thickets, Combretun-silver cluster leaf, Woodland on granite and Riverrine Forests.

The Kruger National Park has 11 gates of which two of the gates are Border Control Gates crossing in to Mozambique.

There are 12 Restcamps within the Kruger National Park and Nhongo Safaris tries to use most of them but it all depends on the length of Safari that you book.

Yes, the Kruger National Park is split into Four Regions and these are the Southern Region, Central Region, Northern Region and far Northern Region.

No, we do not have migration in the Kruger National Park.

Yes, there is evidence of prehistoric man – homo erectus roamed the area between 100 000 and 500 000 years ago. There is 254 Cultural Heritage Sites in the Kruger National Park and 130 Rock art sites. More than 300 archaeological sites of stone age man have been found from the period dating back 100 000 to 30 000 years ago.

For the most part there will be higher animal densities in the South of the Park. There are certain areas in the Park that are better for some species than others. Animal movements however are largely determined by the availability of food and water and after good rains the animals will disperse more throughout the Park, but as the South is a higher rainfall area it will have more activity during dry season.

Kruger Park undoubtedly offers a top Safari experience, considering the sheer size and diversity of the Park at nearly 20000 square km Kruger is approximately twice the size of other famous parks like the Serengeti or Etosha. Kruger also offers the widest variety of Mammal and Bird species of any Park in Africa.

No, the fences were pulled down some years ago in order to allow our larger mammals to be able to move into larger areas of the park.

No, they don’t this is a natural wilderness area and man does not interfere with the cycle of nature but only manages it.

At times the section rangers do a cold burn in winter which helps assist with new grass in the summer but most times it is caused by lightning which is a problem in summer with its electrical storms before the rains.

After the proclamation of the Kruger National Park in 1926 it was decided to name it after president Paul Kruger who lived from (1825 to 1904) no accommodation was provided inside the park for the first three cars entering in 1926.

Animal attacks on vehicles are very rare and will only happen if the animal’s behaviour and personal space is not respected. Attacks on people are extremely rare and those are normally people doing field work or maintenance out in the bush.

We have several radio channels providing coverage throughout the Park which enables us to reach assistance in areas without mobile coverage.

Yes, all camps within the Kruger National Park are fenced off and gates are closed after hours.

The age of children needs to be 16 years and older to walk in the Kruger National Park.

All restaurants within the Kruger National Park cater for vegetarians.

You may only walk at night in your camp that you are booked into but no Night Walking outside of the camps is permitted.

All guides have Level One First Aid Training.

The Kruger National Park is a closed air space and NO drones are allowed to be flown in the Kruger National Park.

Yes, there is a Doctor and medical room at the camp of Skukuza for any emergency’s.

The Rangers who work in the Kruger National Park are very experienced within their fields so Bushwalks are safe to do with them. These are booked at Reception of each camp within the Kruger National Park.

No you may not as this will then make them independent on humans and they then become aggressive in camps which means they then have to be culled to stop harassing park visitors.

No, we in the vehicles are seen as one unit (silhouette). Standing up and hanging out breaks the unit and causes the animals to feel threatened.

Yes you may drink the water it is quite safe and comes from underground but you may also purchase bottled water should you wish to do so. This is freely available in all shops in the Kruger National Park.

The risk of malaria should not stop you from going on safari –malaria is preventable and treatable. The only people who should perhaps avoid malaria areas are pregnant women, small children and those with a compromised immune system, e.g. no spleen. There are plenty of exciting malaria-free safari options available – please ask us for details. If you’re going to visit the greater Kruger National Park, we recommend that you take anti-malarial prophylactic medication as prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, before travelling to Africa.

The best way to prevent malaria is to not get bitten. Be sure to bring insect repellent with you – such as Mylol, Peaceful Sleep and Tabard. We also find that Citronella Oil is also good at repelling Mosquitoes while on safari. Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid malaria,. Our Tented Safari Option at Nkambeni Tented Camp does have mosquito netting over the beds and even the basic bungalows in the Kruger National Park have mosquito screens at the windows and doors. Electric fans and air conditioning are also effective in keeping mosquitos away.

Yes, all Camps that have Park Shops have a wide variety of insect repellents to choose from.

South Africa is a safe tourist destination. South Africa has a reputation as an unsafe destination, but visiting here as a tourist is much safer than most people realise. Keep in mind that news headlines and social media often only report bad news, especially crime. Good news, unfortunately, does not sell newspapers. You are not likely to hear about the millions of tourists who visit South Africa each year without incident.

Safety is a top priority for us, and we will never recommend a destination or activity we consider unsafe for tourists. Visiting South Africa as a tourist is quite safe. We consider South Africa to be as safe – if not safer – than many other major tourist destinations around the world. We are also owners of a safety app which we include in all of our packages for use while on Safari and in South Africa that can assist with any eventuality should you need assistance while in the country. Many visitors are concerned about crime, but we have never had any problems or incidents of crime on our safaris. Crime occurs in every major city in the world, and the key is to use common sense and avoid risky situations or known problem areas. Going on safari is also quite safe. As long as you abide by the rules and stay in your vehicle or with your safari guide, there is no need to be concerned about wild animals. In the Kruger National Park, each camp is safely fenced with an electric fence. Your accommodation is usually designed to be as insect-proof as possible.

Children are welcome on most of our safaris. However, if they are under six years of age, we do not recommend a Open Safari Vehicle Safari due to safety reasons. SANParks considers children aged 12 and older as full paying adults. Important: If you are travelling with minor children (under 18) you will also need to provide: Unabridged birth certificate of each child (showing both parents’ details) Proof of guardianship/custody Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor

All transfer vehicles and Open Safari Vehicles do have seat belts and individual seats.