Shared Sunsets and Wild Stories: What It’s Like on a Group Safari with Nhongo

Group Safari: There is something unforgettable about driving through the gates of Kruger National Park for the first time. That warm bushveld breeze, the gravel crunching under the tyres, and the anticipation in the air. I had eight guests with me on this particular trip, all arriving as strangers, yet something told me they wouldn’t stay that way for long.

They had come from different countries and different walks of life. A couple from Switzerland, two friends from Canada, a recently retired teacher from the UK, and three guests from Cape Town. All had signed up for one of our small group safaris with Nhongo, and each of them was about to have an experience they would carry for the rest of their lives.

A Warm Welcome at Pretoriuskop

We started our safari with a short afternoon game drive after entering the park through Phabeni Gate. Our destination for the night was Pretoriuskop Rest Camp. We kept things slow, easing into the bush. The group spotted impala, a pair of giraffes, and a shy warthog or two near the road. Cameras were already clicking, but the best was still to come.

Arrival and check-in at 17h30, as booking in only opens from 14h00, we arrived just in time, checked into our rondavels, and everyone had a bit of time to relax before dinner. That evening, we gathered at the camp restaurant for a traditional African meal. Plates were filled with oxtail stew, roasted butternut, and pap with chakalaka. The setting sun painted the sky in deep orange as the group began to bond over shared stories and the thrill of being in Kruger.

Later, we sat around a fire near our units, sipping Amarula and laughing gently under the stars. There was an energy already forming. These were no longer just tourists. They were becoming something more.

Sunrise Sightings and Breakfast at Afsaal

The following morning, we were out the gate as soon as it opened. There is something sacred about those early hours. The mist still clings to the grass, and everything feels fresh and full of promise. Not long into the drive, we were treated to a herd of elephants grazing near the road, and just before 8am, a white rhino ambled across our path near a river crossing.

By 9am, we had reached Afsaal Picnic Spot. The group stepped out of the vehicle, stretched, and tucked into a hot breakfast cooked fresh at the onsite kitchen. Eggs, bacon, tomato relish, and toast with strong bush coffee hit the spot. Everyone chatted easily now, laughing about bird names they could not pronounce and comparing camera shots of zebra and giraffe.

Midday Pause at Skukuza and an Afternoon in the Bush

After breakfast, we continued north along the tarred roads, passing herds of wildebeest and kudu along the way. By midday, we arrived at Skukuza Rest Camp, where we stopped for lunch under the trees at the day visitor’s area. The group ordered from the cafeteria, and some sat overlooking the Sabie River, watching waterbuck graze on the opposite bank.

With check-in still a few hours away, we headed out again for an extended afternoon game drive. The bush was alive with activity. We spotted a large troop of baboons, a cluster of vultures circling above, and even a lone buffalo near a dried pan.

We returned to Skukuza at 17h45, checked into our rooms, and had time to rest before dinner. That night, we once again met at the restaurant for a hearty meal of grilled venison, baked potatoes, and malva pudding with custard. After dinner, the group gathered at a small fire circle, and as the stars began to fill the sky, they shared their thoughts on the day. One guest quietly said, “I feel like I’m seeing the world with new eyes.”

Leopard Dreams and Breakfast at Tshokwane

Day three began early again, and spirits were high. Clara, one of the guests, had her heart set on seeing a leopard. She told me as we pulled away from camp, “I have dreamt of this since I was ten years old.” Everyone was quietly rooting for her.

We headed north toward Tshokwane Picnic Spot, a well-known stop with lovely trees and wide-open views. On the way, we passed a small pride of lions lying in the early sun. The group sat quietly as the lionesses yawned and rolled lazily in the grass. Just before Tshokwane, we saw a martial eagle perched in a dead leadwood tree, a truly powerful sight.

At Tshokwane, we had another warm breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, mushrooms, and toast with jam. The bush was alive with birdsong, and a few vervet monkeys kept their eyes on us from the nearby trees. It was the perfect break.

Lunch at Skukuza Golf Club and Down South to Berg-en-Dal

After breakfast, we turned south again, moving toward our final camp, Berg-en-Dal. Around midday, we made a relaxing stop at Skukuza Golf Club for lunch. The deck overlooked the river, and hippos grunted nearby. The menu was simple and tasty — burgers, toasted sandwiches, and crisp salads. With a gentle breeze and the sounds of nature all around, no one wanted to leave.

But the drive to Berg-en-Dal had its own surprises. Just before we reached the Matjulu Bridge, we saw a spotted hyena standing near the road, staring into the thick bush. Moments later, two more emerged from the trees and trotted across in front of us.

We arrived at Berg-en-Dal just after 17h00, checked in, and took time to unwind before the evening’s final adventure.

A Night Safari to Remember

That evening, after dinner, the group gathered with excitement. At 20h00 sharp at the camps reception, we boarded one of SANParks’ open safari vehicles for a night drive into the dark bush. A trained SANParks guide welcomed us aboard and gave a quick briefing. There were two spotlights mounted on the vehicle’s sides, and one hand-held light used by the guide himself.

We rolled out into the night, wrapped in blankets, hearts beating a little faster. The guide’s spotlight scanned the bushes left and right. The air was cool and carried the scent of dry leaves and earth. Within twenty minutes, we saw a pair of genets darting through the grass. Then, further ahead, two large eyes reflected the light — a civet, calmly crossing the road.

Later, we came across a herd of elephants in the distance, their shapes barely visible but unmistakable. The highlight came just before we returned to camp — a spotted hyena standing directly beside the road, its fur glowing under the spotlight. It stared right at us before disappearing into the dark.

We returned at 22h00, sleepy but smiling, with stories that would be told again and again.

Final Breakfast at Afsaal and Goodbye at Malelane Gate

The next morning was quiet. The group knew this was the last leg of the journey. We left Berg-en-Dal just after gate opening and made our way to Afsaal once more for breakfast. Everyone seemed to savour the moment more. The bush coffee tasted better, and the eggs were somehow fluffier.

After breakfast, we continued slowly toward Malelane Gate. Just before the exit, we were gifted one final sighting. A leopard, resting high in a marula tree, tail swaying gently in the wind. Clara covered her mouth. “That was her,” she whispered. Her eyes were full of gratitude. She had seen her leopard.

We reached Malelane Gate at just after 11h00, before noon. Goodbyes were not easy. There were hugs, promises to stay in touch, and more than one tear.

More Than Just a Safari

This group had arrived with different passports, different stories, and different reasons for coming. But they left with something shared. A connection forged in the stillness of the bush, the thrill of the chase, the laughter at fireside, and the silence when words were not needed.

That is what a group safari experience in Kruger really offers. You come for the wildlife, but you leave with stories. You leave with people who were strangers, now friends. And you carry with you memories of wild places and soft sunsets that will never fade.

Join the Next Adventure

Thinking of going on safari? Whether you are travelling solo, with a friend, or looking to make new ones, a group safari offers all the magic of the Kruger, shared with others who will soon feel like family.

Discover our custom group safari packages here.

Let your story begin where the wild still whispers, and the sunsets stay with you forever.