How does Kruger park compare with Kenya and Tanzania for wildlife viewing?

Kruger Park or Pilanesberg? Which would you recommend?

• Hello, My husband and I are going to Johannesburg for a wedding in April and while we're there we would love to see as much wildlife as possible but we're torn between those 2 parks. Another couple friends are also going and they booked Pilanesberg already and they think that since it's a smaller park chances of seeing more animals are greater than that of Kruger. Also another prob is malaria in Kruger according to them but we're not worried about that except seeing as much wildlife as we can since we've never been to that beautiful country before. But would love to hear the comparison from those who have been to both parks. Also any recommendations about great places to stay inside the park would be appreciated. Thanks for your time in advance. : ) angelina

• Answer:

  Now this is my food! Pilanesberg: Yes, you will see loads of game, but the probability does exist that you won't see lion, leopard, cheetah or buffalo. Since the park is small you can drive it in one day. The roads are not too bad, but at certain places a 4x4 will be recommended ( they even have a route specially made for 4x4). The lodges however are very expensive. Other than that it is a beautiful place and Sun City borders on the south side. It is also only a 2 hour drive from Jhb. I take my family at least once a year for a day trip and we still love it. Since we've visiting it during the past 8 years we only saw lion 3 times and once found people looking at a leopard...but all the cars parked in such a way we didn't see. I never saw cheetah or buffalo, although its somewhere out there. Whenever I take first timers I garauntee them elephant, because I know exactly in which areas they roam. Rhino is a given...after the 3rd you will grow tired of seeing them. I'm not sure if they have night drives. There are also flights from Jhb, but I'm not sure if the airport at Pilanesberg have a car rental agency, since it's very small. The size of the park doesn't have any influence on seeing more or less animals, since every park is bound to maintaining a balanced eco system wrt herbivores/ hectar. Kruger: The best side to do viewing is the southern areas surrounding Skukazu, Lower Sabie, Berg-en-Dal etc. Despite the park's size you will most probably see a greater variety of game. During our last 2 trips there we found leopard, but the last time we didn't find any lion. I have visited Kruger about 10 times and the lions disappointed us only on our last trip. I have never left Kruger without seeing elephant or rhino. Since they have more lions, the probability is great that you may see a kill...which is considered by most of us as the ultimate goal of safari. Kruger's accomodation is about a 3rd of Pilanesberg's price, unless you stay in one of their 5 star private lodges. They definitely have night drives which in my opinion is compulsary for foreign tourists. Kruger is however a 4 hour drive, but there are flights from Jhb to Kruger which is a 2 hour flight. Car rental is available. The roads are also much better. Whichever park you decide on I would advise that you rent at least a raised vehicle (SUV) so can have a better view over the grass. Some places the grass grows almost 2 meters tall. In a nutshell; Day trip choice - Pilanesberg; 3 days or more - Kruger.