Sunset and Night Drives

Discussions on Kruger of a General Nature
Bush Brat
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Night Drive Advice

Post by Bush Brat »

Hi all,
We will be in Kruger in about 2 weeks and are looking for a place to do a night drive from.
We are staying at Shingwedzi, Satara and Skuks.

They all seem to be good, but I have heard that if you want to see Caracal, Shingwedzi is where you should go from.

Do you guys have any suggestions for us about where to go from, or which camp you think offers the best night drive? (Obviously it is mainly about luck, but I want to be sure that I find some amazing nightlife animals! 0() )


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Richprins
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by Richprins »

Night drive is a lottery, Bb!

But the normal rules apply regarding big five...Satara is best, as it is more open. Skukuza should also produce, but there will be light/traffic/noise interference as you leave and return to the camp, these days, and the trucks will be packed!

Caracal etc. can be anywhere!

Suggestions:

Take binoculars. They work perfectly well at night, and enhance light from the spotlights.

If you get to be a spotlight operator, keep the light under your nose, a little way away from your body to avoid heat and insects, as you will see eye reflections, from spiders to mammals.

Don't drink too much alcohol beforehand...urinary stops are few and far between, but if you are alone on the drive, go for it! The guide should be fine. Not sure if private coolers are allowed anymore? -O-

SHUT UP! Experience it, and listen to what the guide says. He/she will stop at certain spots and give interesting info about various subjects!

Take a jacket/warm clothing no matter how hot it is. It can get miserable as temps cool down!

Eat beforehand, preferably just a sandwich or so if you are going to braai upon return, and start the fire before you go. Drives sometimes come back later than expected, up to 10 pm or later if there was a busy sighting. Kruger wood will have nice coals still going then.

So I would say Shingwedzi! \O


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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Dewi
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by Dewi »

Hi BB,

Not done a night drive from Shing, but did see my only Caracal in daylight along the R62 (between Red Rocks and Joao waterhole if I remember correctly).

Hope you get to see one somewhere on your trip. \O


Dewi

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nan
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by nan »

Personaly I prefer evening drive, than night drive...
lottery, like said RP... but sometime we can see all we would like, Civet, Gennet, Side Stripe Jackal, Caracal....
I would say also Satara... and/or Lower Sabie

but I have some magnificent evening drives from Berg en Dale... and Tamboti, which were the best O/\
Last edited by nan on Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:35 am, edited 1 time in total.


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Bushcraft
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by Bushcraft »

Caracal :-? Shingwedzi would be my choice \O


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Flutterby
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by Flutterby »

Guys, you're all meant to be telling the Brat that a night drive is a really bad idea, and it's much better to stay in camp sitting around the fire! 0*\ O**


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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by RobertT »

BB, I would twist moms arm and do two, one from Shingwedzi and the other Satara. \O


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Flutterby
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by Flutterby »

0=


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Bushcraft
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by Bushcraft »

Flutterby wrote:Guys, you're all meant to be telling the Brat that a night drive is a really bad idea, and it's much better to stay in camp sitting around the fire! 0*\ O**
I hate these drives, but I thought that you guys digged them =O: =O: 0:


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Flutterby
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Re: Night Drive Advice

Post by Flutterby »

The Brat does, not me. :O^


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