HOW TO GO FROM SWAZILAND TO THE KRUGER

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Day 14: Hlane Park - How to go from Swaziland to the Kruger

It's today go from Swaziland to the Kruger, to begin what will be the last stage of the trip to South Africa in 25 days, which we know, will be the perfect icing on one of the most incredible destinations we have had the great luck to know.

As we said yesterday today we will start the day with a sunrise safari in Hlane Park, one of the places to see in Swaziland, so when it's 4 in the morning our alarm clock gives us the warning and after a quick shower without electric light, but in the light of the oil lamps, we set off when it's 5:15 in the morning, approaching the general parking lot, right next to the reception, where we have the ranger that will take us to this first game drive of the South Africa for free.

Game Drive at sunrise in Hlane

In Hlane you have the possibility of doing self drive and game drive, name with which the traditional African safaris are known, which go through different areas of the park in Land Cruisers and Land Rovers open, with canvas roofs.
Although for us to do it on your own, by rental car, it is a unique experience, we believe that making a game drive as a complement is almost essential to know some safety rules first-hand, in addition to having the opportunity to see and know first-hand Hand the fauna of the place.

Game Drive at sunrise in Hlane

In this case, we have chosen to do the Sunrise Game Drive with a duration of 2.5 hours, for R375 per person. In this game drive we can enjoy the wildlife at dawn, including the restricted area of the lions, which can not be accessed by free.
In addition to the safari by car, in case the ranger finds it suitable and safe, a small walk is made on foot to get closer to some rhinoceros.
This safari includes tea / coffee and a snack halfway, in an area of the park where you can get off and have a small picnic.
Keep in mind that this activity is not available for travelers staying at the Bhubesi Camp, unless there is a group activity of at least 6 people, which will allow you to leave directly from this camp.

Game Drive at sunrise in Hlane

Rhinos on the Game Drive at sunrise in Hlane

Tips for doing a sunrise safari in Hlane

Although when you go with a ranger, you don't need many tips, we want to leave you some details that we believe, they can serve you to fully enjoy a guided safari in Hlane.

Keep in mind that when you start at 5:30 in the morning the weather is usually very cool, so it is advisable to wear some shelter, although the ranger also provides you with a blanket.
Do not forget the binoculars and the camera with a good lens.
Although in our case we have not had the option to do the Sunset Drive, the ranger tells us that at dawn the animals are much more active so after this and our experience, we can only recommend doing the Sunrise Drive.

Game Drive at sunrise in Hlane

Whenever possible, the ranger will invite you to take a walk on foot to get close to one of the white rhinos that live in Hlane. Keep in mind that this must be done in absolute silence and always following the indications of the ranger. We cannot forget that they are wild animals.

Rhinoceros breeding

After 2 and a half hours and an incredible experience, in which we have been alone, since no one else had signed up for the Game Drive and in which we could see lions, a couple of scenes with elephants and a short walk to get closer to A rhino with its young, we dare to say that we have enjoyed one of the most brutal safaris we have ever done.

More practical information to prepare your trip to South Africa
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In addition to this incredible encounter with nature, in the middle of the tour, the ranger prepares us a small breakfast in an enabled area, where we can have a coffee with sweets, which gives us energy to continue with the day that we will remember as unforgettable in who after the Sunrise Game Drime, plays go from Swaziland to the Kruger.

Hlane park

Elephant on the Game Drive at sunrise in Hlane

We finish the safari when it is 8 in the morning and after checking out and saying goodbye to Hlane, we can not avoid approaching the pond that has given us so many moments these days, to have a coffee while enjoying a last lap , watching as the hippos return to the pond after having been eating all night in the interior of the park.

Hippos in Hlane

It's 9 in the morning when we start the journey to go from Swaziland to the Kruger leaving Hlane Park and heading to Crocodile Bridge, which will be the entrance gate we take at the Kruger and the camp where we will stay for the next two nights.

From Hlane to the Kruger we have 130 kilometers that we travel with a pinch in the stomach, intuiting what awaits us in the next few days, to arrive at 11:30 in the morning after returning to the border between Swaziland and South Africa, where we return to carry out the procedures, this time without paying anything, to resume the route in South Africa.

Entrance procedures to the Kruger

Although the entry procedures to the Kruger are nothing special We leave you a series of recommendations for this moment.

Keep in mind that both you can enter and leave the Kruger every day, complying with the schedules and paying the corresponding fees, such as staying in the camps inside the park.
Whatever your circumstance, you must go through the ticket offices, either every day or only the first day, depending on the option you have chosen.
Once there, you must go to the reception, pay the fees (included in the Wild Card) and with this ticket, which you must keep throughout the entire stay, as it will be the receipt that you must deliver each day in the camp where you make a new stay, deliver it to the guard, who will check the car and give you access to the Kruger park.
The entrance price to the Kruger is R372 per person and day and as we mentioned before, it is included in the Wild Card.
The entrance schedule to the Kruger changes according to the season and whether or not you are staying in the park.

Kruger schedule. South African National Park Image

Taking into account that at this stage of the trip we will spend 9 days in the Kruger, we believe that it is not too interesting to tell you about our day-to-day experience, beyond the incredible and unforgettable moments that we have lived and have given us this impressive place . That is why we have chosen to publish several specific posts of the Kruger, in which we will explain and give advice according to our stay and experience in the Kruger, which you can read in the next published posts

How to go from Suatziland to the Kruger

After going from Swaziland to the Kruger and making the entry procedures, we go directly to the Crocodile Bridge Camp, where we take advantage to buy basic products for these days and eat for after checking in, which is at 2 in the afternoon, do the first safari in the area, where we begin to enjoy one of the most incredible places in the world, where you can have direct contact with the wildest nature.