At a Glance: I defy you to find a more authentic way of engaging with the wilderness in Kruger National Park than this! Simply the best—a grounding, down-to-earth experience across the board.
The Lodge & Personnel: This tented camp is located in the heart of the Kruger National Park, in particular the Rhino Post private concession. Situated on a sweeping plains vista with a watering hole in the distance, the tented camp offers stellar game viewing right from the veranda. During our visit in the dry season, we saw hundreds of zebras every day, plus elephants, baboons, impalas, warthogs, & a hornbill, all just from the camp itself. One night, using the spotlight, we even saw a lioness in the distance.
The tented camp has that genuine African bush experience, making you feel like you are really in the thick of it all, while still enjoying the best accommodations: amazing breakfasts, high tea every day, a splash pool & lounge area, a telescope for stargazing, & a wonderful firepit. The room was also divine, with an extremely comfortable bed, toilet, & beautiful sink & shower. The animals could come right up to the tented area, & at night we heard hyena’s whooping in the distance. Can’t be beat!
The treehouse sleepout under the stars was truly a once-in-a-lifetime excursion. I was so excited I barely slept, just taking in the stars, plus the sounds & the smells of the bush. We heard & saw hyenas at night, plus something massive thundering around in the thicket behind us. Just an amazing camping experience, complete with bathrooms, a shower if needed, & a firepit cooking area.
The Lodge employees are all extremely attentive & caring: Pepsi & Lindy were amazing at keeping the tented camp running smoothly. The chefs were exquisite: world class, coming to our tables at high tea so we could hear about our dinner. My dad & I both of our own set of allergy restrictions, & can thus be bit high maintenance in that regard. Yet, they made sure we were very well taken care of, including meals that were both personally tailored but still in line with what everyone else was having, from the snacks at high tea to the last bite of dessert. The crêpes were out of this world! Trinity was an absolute delight—really showing genuine passion for the wildlife, pointing out elephants & the lion at night as we were eating dinner. Really a touching experience.
The Bush Walks & Personnel: Traversing the bush on foot—engaging with all aspects of the ecosystem while encountering wildlife both big & small—is simply the best! The word “authentic” gets tossed around in our present world with reckless abandon (as we all emotionally crave the authenticity we lack in our alienating, modern society), but I genuinely believe “authentic” applies to this experience to the fullest extent.
We learned so much, thanks to our fearless leaders Wesley & Orance, both of whom always made sure we were safe, comfortable, & informed. Orance did a great job as tracker & caretaker, both finding wildlife & making sure our food at the treehouse was out of this world. The dinner he cooked over the firepit was just stellar. Wesley, our head ranger/guide, is the man! It’s clear safety was his absolute number one priority, which, given we were hiking in the wilderness, was definitely spot on! It also made us feel secure knowing there was a calm, steady hand in command. Wesley’s hikes were also very educational, conveying both his passion & appreciation for all components of the environment. Lastly, he was legit hilarious, cracking great jokes & keeping the mood light, all while making sure everything was in order.
While hiking, I was blown away by the frequency of animal encounters with wildebeests, zebras, bushbucks, kudus, elephants, giraffes, & a hyena. In addition, while driving to a hiking location, we came across two wild dogs! They ran right toward our vehicle before passing us, & then we followed them for as long as we were able. Just the moment of a lifetime, & I wanted to cry with excitement. One night drive, we also came across 6 or 7 white rhinos crossing the road, including some younger ones. Doesn’t get any better than that! All the while, we got to learn about the equally important components of the bush, from the birds & flora to the tracks, excrement, & fur left by the animals.
Conclusion: Rhino Walking Safaris is a must do for anyone eager to live amongst the wildlife in their very own home. You get the most real, genuine experience possible, with plenty of education & heart pounding animal encounters. Because Rhino Walking Safaris affords guests unrivaled access to Kruger National Park, you can fully immerse & ensconce yourself in the wonders of the natural world.
I just wish I could give them more than 5 stars on TripAdvisor.