Weather and climate. Kruger is in the South African Lowveld, with summer rains from October to April. The rains are of course unpredictable, and vary from year to year in both duration, intensity and quantity. Because of various geographical peculiarities (primarily the nearby escarpment) influencing weather patterns, the Lowveld is prone to rather nasty weather that "settles in", with low cloud, on/off rain or drizzle, and often strong winds, which can last from a few days to a week or longer. This can happen any time from September through May, rarely in winter (June through August). The Serengeti and Ngorongoro have short rains in November and December, and long rains March through June. Ngorongoro's climate is also altitude modified, with a chance of mist, cloud and rain all year round.
Game viewing is generally considered to be best in the dry months, particularly towards the end of the dry season(s), when game concentrate at available water. On the other hand, the wet season is more pleasing to the eye, with lush and verdant vegetation. The rainy season is best for those with an interest in trees, birds and insects.
The wildebeest migration will usually be found in the NCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area) and southeastern Serengeti in January and February. I can assure you that the sight of wildebeest, zebra etc as far as the eye can see in all directions is so spectacular that it exceeds most people's expectations by a wide margin. The wildebeest calve in February, and the local Masai will keep their cattle away from the plains during that time, because the wildebeests' placentas spread a disease that's deadly to cattle.
Most people, conditioned by wildlife documentaries, believe that the Serengeti consists of endless short-grass plains. Well, guess again! The short-grass plains are only found in a small part of the Serengeti, the very southeast corner. Most of the plains are actually in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The rest of the Serengeti consists of medium-grass plains, tall-grass plains, mixed woodland and riverine gallery forest. In fact, much of the Serengeti is superficially very similar to Kruger.
Game viewing in Kruger is usually excellent, with a great variety of game to be seen, not to mention the scenic diversity. However, game spotting is often far from easy. To make the most of Kruger you must not only be experienced at spotting game, but you also need to be intimately familiar with the park's flora and fauna. If you know the animals and their behavior, their seasonal migration patterns, how they are influenced by weather and climate, and if you know the roads, water holes, etc. as the back of your hand, the game viewing in Kruger is as good or better than anywhere else. If you don't have the necessary experience, you will end up relying on luck and the skills of other visitors. As I prefer to drive myself, so I have a predilection for Kruger, but it is not something I would recommend to the novice.
With its tarred roads, artificial water holes and at times dense traffic, Kruger has a bit of an artificial feel to it. Once again, if you know the place you can keep the quiet gravel roads and avoid other cars. With a bit of luck you can drive for three to four hours without seeing another car, and have all the game to yourself.
When in Kruger, try to stay in the smaller "bushveld" restcamps. I can provide advice on request.
Game viewing at private lodges. The standards of game viewing at private lodges in southern Africa is generally superior to that encountered in East Africa. Southern African lodges offer a far more sophisticated product, with a ranger/tracker team intimately familiar with the local wildlife, and very knowledgeable about the natural environment. In Eastern Africa you often have a guide/driver only, who may or may not be knowledgeable.
At private lodges you will usually be sharing the vehicle with up to 8 other guests, some of whom just can't shut up. I tend to find the incessant chatter as well as clicking of cameras etc a bit annoying, to say nothing of the often inane questions put to the rangers. These rangers are often walking encyclopedias, but there is a limit to how many times I want to year about the gestation period of an elephant, etc. etc. I prefer to drive myself, or else have sole use of vehicle. The latter is usually unaffordable, though.
Lodges in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro come in two kinds. On the one hand you have the large hotel style lodges, Serena, Sopa etc., that cater to the minivan package tour safaris. On the other hand you have the small exclusive lodge (Grumeti River Lodge, Ndutu, etc) similar in style to their southern African competitors. If you can afford it, go for the latter, if only because you will find yourself in remoter areas, with less (or even no) other vehicles around.
Ngorongoro crater (which is actually a caldera) can be a zoo. I'm not referring to animals here, but to people and vehicles. If you want to make the most of your stay, it is essential that you descend into the crater as soon as the gate opens (6 a.m., if things haven't changed). This will give you a head start, as most other guests don't start off until after breakfast. So forget about breakfast, and bring food along, but don't use the picnic site by the dam, especially not at lunchtime, when it looks like a supermarket parking lot! Use the picnic site in the Lerai forest instead, and if you try to have an early or late lunch you may well have the site to yourself. Once again, make sure to leave you lodge early in the morning, so that you can be at the top of the descent road when the gate opens.
Plan your itinerary to allow for two full-day game drives in the Ngorongoro crater. The weather is not completely reliable, you don't want your only day marred by mist, fog or rain.
johan
Game viewing is generally considered to be best in the dry months, particularly towards the end of the dry season(s), when game concentrate at available water. On the other hand, the wet season is more pleasing to the eye, with lush and verdant vegetation. The rainy season is best for those with an interest in trees, birds and insects.
The wildebeest migration will usually be found in the NCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area) and southeastern Serengeti in January and February. I can assure you that the sight of wildebeest, zebra etc as far as the eye can see in all directions is so spectacular that it exceeds most people's expectations by a wide margin. The wildebeest calve in February, and the local Masai will keep their cattle away from the plains during that time, because the wildebeests' placentas spread a disease that's deadly to cattle.
Most people, conditioned by wildlife documentaries, believe that the Serengeti consists of endless short-grass plains. Well, guess again! The short-grass plains are only found in a small part of the Serengeti, the very southeast corner. Most of the plains are actually in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The rest of the Serengeti consists of medium-grass plains, tall-grass plains, mixed woodland and riverine gallery forest. In fact, much of the Serengeti is superficially very similar to Kruger.
Game viewing in Kruger is usually excellent, with a great variety of game to be seen, not to mention the scenic diversity. However, game spotting is often far from easy. To make the most of Kruger you must not only be experienced at spotting game, but you also need to be intimately familiar with the park's flora and fauna. If you know the animals and their behavior, their seasonal migration patterns, how they are influenced by weather and climate, and if you know the roads, water holes, etc. as the back of your hand, the game viewing in Kruger is as good or better than anywhere else. If you don't have the necessary experience, you will end up relying on luck and the skills of other visitors. As I prefer to drive myself, so I have a predilection for Kruger, but it is not something I would recommend to the novice.
With its tarred roads, artificial water holes and at times dense traffic, Kruger has a bit of an artificial feel to it. Once again, if you know the place you can keep the quiet gravel roads and avoid other cars. With a bit of luck you can drive for three to four hours without seeing another car, and have all the game to yourself.
When in Kruger, try to stay in the smaller "bushveld" restcamps. I can provide advice on request.
Game viewing at private lodges. The standards of game viewing at private lodges in southern Africa is generally superior to that encountered in East Africa. Southern African lodges offer a far more sophisticated product, with a ranger/tracker team intimately familiar with the local wildlife, and very knowledgeable about the natural environment. In Eastern Africa you often have a guide/driver only, who may or may not be knowledgeable.
At private lodges you will usually be sharing the vehicle with up to 8 other guests, some of whom just can't shut up. I tend to find the incessant chatter as well as clicking of cameras etc a bit annoying, to say nothing of the often inane questions put to the rangers. These rangers are often walking encyclopedias, but there is a limit to how many times I want to year about the gestation period of an elephant, etc. etc. I prefer to drive myself, or else have sole use of vehicle. The latter is usually unaffordable, though.
Lodges in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro come in two kinds. On the one hand you have the large hotel style lodges, Serena, Sopa etc., that cater to the minivan package tour safaris. On the other hand you have the small exclusive lodge (Grumeti River Lodge, Ndutu, etc) similar in style to their southern African competitors. If you can afford it, go for the latter, if only because you will find yourself in remoter areas, with less (or even no) other vehicles around.
Ngorongoro crater (which is actually a caldera) can be a zoo. I'm not referring to animals here, but to people and vehicles. If you want to make the most of your stay, it is essential that you descend into the crater as soon as the gate opens (6 a.m., if things haven't changed). This will give you a head start, as most other guests don't start off until after breakfast. So forget about breakfast, and bring food along, but don't use the picnic site by the dam, especially not at lunchtime, when it looks like a supermarket parking lot! Use the picnic site in the Lerai forest instead, and if you try to have an early or late lunch you may well have the site to yourself. Once again, make sure to leave you lodge early in the morning, so that you can be at the top of the descent road when the gate opens.
Plan your itinerary to allow for two full-day game drives in the Ngorongoro crater. The weather is not completely reliable, you don't want your only day marred by mist, fog or rain.
johan