A gorgeous new bush braai venue, accessible from Crocodile Bridge, hosts visitors for a classic Kruger experience. With guided game viewing, a night drive and dinner under the stars, this activity shows you the park after sunset.
Have you ever wondered what happens in the Kruger National Park after dark? Or longed to head deep into the bush, where few people ever set foot? A new bush braai activity, departing from Crocodile Bridge, now lets you in on the secret. Combining an afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner in the bush and a night drive, this guided outing is the quintessential Kruger experience.
The excursion begins in the late afternoon with a guided game drive from Crocodile Bridge. This is prime time for game viewing: with the heat of the day abating, animals make their way to waterholes and dams to drink. The area north of Crocodile Bridge is famously game rich, with lion, hyena and cheetah regularly sighted. Along the water courses look out for hippo, crocodile, antelope and water birds.
“As the sun starts to set, the colour of the sky is spectacular and the light beautiful,” says Hein de Jager, marketing manager for operator Royal Safaris. Photographers will want to keep their cameras ready, he advises.
With the sun hanging low in the sky, it’s time for sundowners at the bush braai venue. Romantically lit by lamps, the boma is set in a clearing among impressive trees and has a roaring campfire in the centre. While dinner is readied, all you have to do is sit back, relax and raise your glass to another perfect day in the bush.
To match this incomparable setting, you can’t beat a good old South African braai: meat grilled over the coals, pap and sheba (tomato and onion relish), salads and a traditional dessert. After dinner, there’s time to gather around the campfire and swap stories as you sip on an Amarula – and listen out for the nightlife.
The night drive back to Crocodile Bridge offers an excellent opportunity to view Kruger’s nocturnal animals: owls, spring hare, civet, porcupine and cats – lion, leopard, serval and caracal. “On one drive, our group came across several lions taking a nap in the middle of the road,” reveals Hein. “We couldn’t pass until they moved.” Now that’s one roadblock you won’t mind!
What’s on offer?
- Afternoon game drive with qualified guide
- Bush dinner: Two meats (red and white), boerewors, pap and sheba, hot vegetable dish, two salads, traditional dessert (koeksisters/melktert/malva pudding)
- Drinks: Mineral water, tea/coffee and limited drinks included. A more extensive drinks package is available at R150 a person.
- Night drive
Cost: R920 a person for the rest of 2018 (conservation fee not included)
Good to know
Available to guests at Crocodile Bridge as well as visitors staying outside the park – ask about pickup and cost when booking. Minimum 6 people.
Meeting point: Crocodile Bridge
Depart: 16:00 – be ready 15 minutes prior (arrival at bush braai site around 18:00)
Return: 21:00 (leaving from bush braai site at 20:00)
What to take: camera, sunscreen, binoculars, hat
What to wear: comfortable shoes and a warm jacket in winter
Bookings: [email protected] or +27 (0)82 266 0537
The bush braai in Kruger is great, we have done them in Skukuza, Satara and Lower Sabi but they are so hard to book, you need a minimum number of guests and they are never advertised, how can people book them if SAN Parks don’t publicise them?
But they are great when you can book one.
Hi Richard – What is your opinion of the other BB you’ve gone on? Did you do this specific Crocodile Bridge Bush Braai?
R 920 is very expensive per person, R 1840 per couple. The numbers don’t tally up, I guess its geared for dollar or euro earning tourists. It’s a pity because we like these activities but will be giving this one a big miss. Then to add to injury, more for a drinks package takes it over R 2000 for a couple. That’s more than the accommodation for a night.
Thanks but no thanks.
Well said Nic Theunissen——my sentiments exactly !
Agree. The cost is outrageous, which is a shame. At R 500.00 per person and a reasonably-priced cash bar for drinks one might be tempted.
I agree, these rates are outrages!
This bush braai & night drive sounds great but the price is very high, we will also give it a miss. This sounds like you are catering for overseas visitors not the faithful South Africans.
Would love to do it next time we are at the park but for pensioners it is far to expensive. Please remember you also have to add on the conservation fee.
I agree, it seems that Sanparks are merely catering for the overseas visitors with their strong currencies; for us “poor” locals it’s beyond my budget!
Ridiculously highly priced. Out of the range for SA pensioners. We woud have loved to have done that!!