Kruger self-drive versus a private reserve

Kruger National Park is one of the few great safari parks you can drive yourself: rent a car, book SANParks rest camps months ahead, and keep to the speed limit while scanning the bush; dawn and dusk are the hours. Private reserves on Kruger's border (Sabi Sand, Timbavati) cost many times more and deliver guided off-road drives with near-certain big cats. A day drive is good; three nights is the real experience. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for Kruger; check the season.