Rochelle Buys - Owner of Wild Kruger
Wild Kruger
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $221 to $1,104 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Tracy, Steve, Lizzy and Derek | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Family Safari
I was a bit worried about booking with a group that did not have an office in the US and while there were some inconveniences, they were minor and were offset by the great service. The schedule of pick-ups, events, drop-offs were on time and as described in the plan. All of the drivers, tour guides, cooks, and service staff were wonderful. Rochelle at Kruger Tours worked hard to arrange a safari that worked for my family.
We went on the Tydon Camp Safari which is a true tented encampment. There are two Tydon camps, one right outside the gates of Sabi Sand and it has about 10 or so tents, a nice pool and lounge area, a large campfire area and a large eating area and library. The second camp, referred to as the "bush" camp, is inside Sabi Sands. It is smaller, more intimate version of the bigger camp but feels more rugged. There is not a pool in the bush camp and the fire area, lounge area, and food/library boma is much smaller, but the tents are identical (more on that in a second). There is access to a pool that is part of a small estate belonging to the owner of the land that the bush camp leases. The pool is right next door and is an easy walk.
The bush camp has four tents that support 8 guests, 1 guide and 3 cooks/service ladies who also reside at the camp. There were four of us in our family, my husband and our two adult kids, and we really clicked with the other four guest so that made it really special. That is a good thing because a lot of time is spent together. The tents are fabulous. Comfortable beds, carpeted, AC and heat, with a very nice bathroom. They are well appointed similar to a hotel room but still have the spirit of being in the bush. The routine is pretty much the same as with most safaris - get up way early and grab a cup of coffee, load up in the land rover, drive around looking for animals, come back and eat breakfast, relax, eat lunch, head out again in the land rover, come back, have drinks around the fire, eat dinner (in this case outside around the fire - way cool), have some more drinks around the fire and head off to bed. Dinner is a traditional African meal served on trays set up around the campfire accompanied by pudding for dessert. In addition to traditional vehicle safaris, Tydon offers a safari walk - not really for game viewing - more hands on type learning about animals, conservation, poop, tracks, that sort of thing. One of my favorite events and I really recommend it if that is your sort of thing.
Why the bush camp - well, its actually in the bush. It feels really exciting and at the same time it feels relatively safe. (There is an electrified wire around the camp and no wandering outside is allowed.) A few gazelle type grazers are often in the camp along with a few monkeys, but the wire kept out the elephants and buffalo and the cats didn't seem interested. There is no drive to get to the safari area - you wake up and you are in it. After lunch, you look out over the water hole and watch elephants come for their afternoon drink. One of the other guest hollers for you to grab your camera, that there is a Journey of Giraffe grazing right outside the tents area.
So now for the downside - Tydon has a relatively small area in Sabi that they are allowed to safari on and I became very familiar with the area. And while that made it feel special, it also felt limiting. We saw lots of animals but I wish they had more space. I believe that leopard is typically encountered at least once on a 5 day safari but we did not see any cats at Sabi. I am not a "check off the big 5" safari person but I think no cats would disappoint some folks. Even with the limited space, on the morning that we headed back to Joburg, I was wanting to be with the group that headed out on safari.
All in all, we absolutely loved South Africa, the adventure, the facilities and especially the staff and other guests. I recommend both Tydon and Kruger Park Tours. They are a great!
US
Email Greg H. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I long dreamed of going on the perfect safari.. Kruger Park Tours made it come true.
My title above is no exaggeration, I had a perfect safari. Every aspect of my visit was perfect. From the help I received organizing my ideas and choosing the right safari for me, all the way to my ride back to Johannesburg from Kruger Park.
I was lost with too many Safari options and speaking to several booking agents. I quickly became aware that Kruger Park Tours was going above and beyond what the others were doing for me. They spent weeks emailing, suggesting and quoting me despite my indecision. In the end they narrowed it down to the perfect Safari for me. For those curious, I did 4 nights and 5 days in hut. I went on 5 safari drives, 2 safari walks, and a scenic tour of other areas outside the park. I saw the big 5 many times over, and then some. The guides are terrific!! they know their wildlife and they know how to find it. They answered all of our questions with enthusiasm and a smile. It was truly and amazing experience to be out there. Then back in the camp the wonderful treatment just continued. We were so informed, so well fed. I mean really well fed! The food was terrific, my favorite was Kudu. The chef was great and food preparation and service was top notch and completely unexpected. I had thought I might be roughing it just a little, but it was not the case. A special thanks to Sello, Jeremiah and Kevin and the rest of the gang for making my Safari the best experience of my life. And, of course to Rochelle at Kruger Park Tours who made it all happen for me. Thank you everyone.
HK
Email Adrian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Time of the year
It was an unbelievable experience.
I had a wonderful time and the people I met was amazing!
AE
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Experience with Kruger Park Tours!
Would definitely recommend booking a Safari through KPT's. Our agent (Rochelle) could not have been more helpful - she catered to all our requirements, constantly changing our itinerary as per our requests. While all the time maintaining a professional & friendly demeanour. Our tour was exactly what we wanted given the time frame we had. We were also extremely lucky to see the "Big 5" on our first day! We throughly enjoyed our experience at Thornhill Lodge - accommodation, food, amenities, staff & hospitality shown were all fantastic. The bush walks and the Safari itself were great, enjoyed every minute of it! Special shout out to our great guides who were so informative & entertaining. Could not fault KPT's - highly recommend & will continue to do so to anyone considering going to SA!
US
Email Megan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My experience was incredible, I had an amazing time!
We had great service and prompt emails whenever we had questions regarding our safari.
AT
Email Franziska | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
we have had a marvellous time in Krueger Park
the Organisation, to start with, was very outstanding. Rochelle was fantastic, she found a way for everything, pick up at the Airport, Lodge in Johannesburg, pickup from there to the park.... and everything worked out very well. Nice People at the whole journey.
The service in Krueger Park was uncomplicated. Clean houses, tents and toilettes, (in the tent it becomes hot). The guides were very nice, eating fine and over all absolutely nothing to complain. We really loved staying there and will come again.
Animals? yes! Great Adventure!
HR
What an experience!!!
My husband and I went to South Africa for the Christmas holidays and ended up staying 4 days in the accommodation supplied by Kruger Park Tours. A fully furnished 4 bedroom unit on a Macadamia nut farm. We were given the choice of all meals included or self-catering, but opted for all inclusive. Gastronomy unbelievable!! I don't know if Amarula cream is a gift from the gods or the ancestors or who ever but that stuff is out of this world.
Went on several game drives throughout the course of our stay and everyone was more exiting than the previous one. Seeing lions in the wild was really special but the sight of a Rhino in its natural habitat is something I will never forget. From the Lisbon and Berlin falls to God's window, every kilometer traveled was an adventure.
Johan and Rochelle were such magnificent hosts. Always willing to stop for cold refreshments and never ending patience in stopping at all the road stalls to look for souvenirs. Lovely touch that the owner is the one driving and leading the sight seeing. Sometimes guides can come across as cold. We enjoyed our stay an recommend it to anyone looking for a proper getaway from the city buzz.
CA
Email Rav | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Safari
Staff was very friendly and helpful. We saw all big 5 in Kruger.
Email Johan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent , professional & good value for money !!!
The whole trip was excellent in ALL aspects of our stay. Management was very professional & always informative & accommodative.
Email Karin Rautenbach | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Was a awesome experince!
Would recommend it to my friends! Would use him again,very friendly!