555-555-5555
mymail@mailservice.com
Speaking to tourists seeking to visit Eastern South Africa for the iconic Kruger Park experience, we're here to tell you that the most obvious option is neither the only nor the best.
Africana provides accommodation options for the entirety of the Greater Kruger area but specialises within Hoedspruit, Limpopo : the unofficial beating heart of the tourism industry.
Below you’ll find explanations of each experience and, we hope, a convincing argument to choose us over the very touristy ‘Kruger Experience’.
Kruger National Park is the oldest and most iconic of the myriad of national parks that fill the in-between spaces and outermost reaches of South Africa. They keep lands protected and create anchor points for locals to operate a more on the ground experience for locals and tourists both.
Know that should you visit any parks such as Kruger National Park there will be an increased price for you to visit. A fair point we must admit as the price set for internationals is a fair one but trying to stimulate local and, expanding on that national interest requires a sizable discount for ourselves.
Kruger Park is busy. Especially if you’re planning on visiting during a common holiday season it is flooded with people. Often bookings must be made weeks or even months in advance. It is regulated and ruled according to this demographic thus cutting down the freedom of explorers for the safety of the uneducated visitor.
As a result of this limelight it is forced to adhere to international opinion. An opinion that has no understanding of the intricacies of game management and ecological preservation beyond what someone studied in a room halfway around the world. Any recent visitors will tell you that the park is full of elephants and buffalo, beautiful animals and a truly awe inspiring breeding ground for them, but as a result has become an exclusive region for them, to the demise of many other species in the area.
Note that Kruger National Park caters for the tourist with no experience and is regulated as such. It is safe and beautiful but, in the bold opinion of this writer, does not truly encompass the ‘oasis within the wild’ ethos that is the entirety of the Greater Kruger Area.
A short note on Kruger Park’s available accommodation. Camping. Chalets. And very expensive lodges.
Kruger Park facilitates the travelling tourist. In for a couple nights and then off again. Stay in one camp for a night, pack up in the morning, and take a slow drive to the next outpost. Along the way you rely on luck to spot any creatures roaming the land.
Sightings have become increasingly difficult due to the dense mopani foliage that now covers the entirety of the park. Grasslands have been filled up with the fast growing favourite of the buffalo and elephant.
All accommodation, with the exception of the few 4 and 5 star lodges, are self-catering. Pull in a caravan or pitch a tent. Cook your meat over a fire or if you’re in a chalet over the stove. There are communal showers and cleaning areas available with small stores with basics available.
Although beautiful and well maintained the options are few for control purposes.
Outside of Kruger Park, and indeed backed against each other’s fences, are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of hectares of preserved game lands. Wild terrain that stretches and rolls and changes as you travel across rivers or get closer to the mountains.
Every few dozen kilometres there’s a change in the air, the soil, the terrain, weather patterns and the fauna that are all variables in determining what animals reside in each area and what kind of behaviours they have.
The north is drier, more open. The iconic scene of an umbrella acacia standing solitary in an open grassland suits this area. In it you will find herds of springbok that leap and spring gracefully as they move across the land. You could be graced by a cheetah as it roams its territory, perhaps even springing into action for a meal, lithe and lethal.
The south, with more rivers and closer to the mountain, is thicker with vegetation. This gives way to larger antelope that require more food year round. Huge elephants will share a good feeding spot with patterned zebras or proud kudu.
Perhaps you’re a bird lover and with the push out further east where the highveld changes into the lowveld and provides a variance of terrains that during the many migration seasons will have hundreds of bird species moving through. Some that can be found thousands of kilometres away on other continents if you don’t catch them on their bush holiday down south.
When comparing the activities available at Africana Bookings Agent to those at Kruger Park Lodges, visitors will find that Africana Bookings Agent offers a superior experience that highlights the diverse wildlife and natural beauty of the region. While Kruger Park Lodges offers safari tours, Africana Bookings Agent provides an even more authentic African safari experience with exceptional wildlife sightings and can organise bush walks with your host if you have a steel will. Visitors have the opportunity to embark on 4x4 game drives with highly knowledgeable guides trained by mentors as well as books, ensuring that they have the best chance of spotting the Big Five and truly immersing themselves in the essence of a wildlife safari.
In addition, Africana Bookings Agent offers a wider range of tour options to cater to different preferences and budgets. Helicopter flips, white water rafting, gin and wine tastings and a myriad of other opportunities lie in our hands. SHould you want something that even we ourselves do not specialise in we are well connected with other local, experienced and professional service providers that we will be happy to liaise with.
Furthermore, Africana Bookings Agent is conveniently located near Kruger National Park, providing easy access for self-drive or guided full-day safaris. You can have a taste of the Kruger experience and still have the freedom to explore the entire area. Visit the local rehabilitation centres or have a local cultural experience in between!
In terms of pricing, Africana Bookings Agent offers more competitive rates compared to Kruger Park Lodges. This is because we have more to offer. Whatever your budget, your depth of experience, how relaxed or adrenalised you want to be we have options that will cater to you in the most personal of fashions.
Here are four key points to consider about the pricing at Africana Bookings Agent:
Better affordability
Africana offers a wider range of affordable accommodation options, including self-catering units and luxurious lodges, tree houses and homes away from home. These options are priced more competitively compared to Kruger Park Lodges and other establishments in the area as competition breeds options.
Great value for money
Despite its lower prices, Africana still provides excellent value for money. Guests can expect comfortable and well-maintained facilities, along with clean and spacious rooms equipped with all necessary amenities. In house restaurants, fibre internet, pool tables, swimming pools and spas are just some of the options depending on your accommodation preferences.
Convenient proximity to attractions
Africana Bookings Agent is conveniently located near Kruger National Park, the Panorama Route, Pilgrims Rest, Magoebaskloof and so much more. Not only that but we will help you with every step of the way so you never feel neglected nor lost in the wilderness.
Special promotions and discounts
Africana Bookings Agent frequently offers special promotions and discounted rates, making it even more affordable for visitors. These deals allow guests to enjoy their stay while keeping costs within their budget. Keep an eye on our website for weekend deals!
Overall, choosing Africana Bookings Agent over Kruger Park Lodges can be a more cost-effective decision without compromising on quality or convenience. Africana Bookings Agent's competitive pricing, wide range of amenities, and convenient location make it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travellers seeking an enjoyable safari experience.
Comparing Africana as a booking agent in the Greater Kruger area vs the confines of Kruger Park there is one stand out feature: Kruger Park is the past, local safaris are the future.
One of the main advantages of Africana is the outstanding wildlife sightings that guests can expect. While both establishments offer 4x4 game drives to see the Big Five animals, Africana's tours stand out for their exceptional guides who live and love the land around them with a passion that is evident in every breath they take. You’ll be coming back just for the campfire stories they have to offer.
Furthermore, Africana's accommodation options surpass those of Kruger Park Lodges. Guests can choose from a range of luxurious safari lodges and tented camps that provide not only comfort but also a true immersion in the African wilderness. The facilities at Africana's accommodations are artistically elegant and offer a level of luxury that surpasses what Kruger Park Lodge provides. Additionally, the en-suite bathroom facilities at Africana are more convenient and ensure guests' comfort throughout their stay.
Kruger Park has survived for years by giving in to the opinions of people that, unfortunately, don’t know much more than the scare factor of the creatures of the bush. Africana accesses the local market, people who have gone into business for the love of the land, which caters and showcases a truly nuanced experience in the wilderness. One hand crafted and tailored for each and every personality.
Peruse our accommodation options and let us know what takes your fancy:
Kruger Park has a few restaurants with relatively few options. If you want a true dining experience, a real foodie's delight, then ask us for more information regarding the private chefs, the hidden restaurants and the well established connoisseurs of cuisines in town.
Africana Bookings Agent is considered better than Kruger Park Lodges when it comes to game drives. Unlike Kruger Park Lodges, Africana Bookings Agent offers a wider range of game drive options. This is because Kurger has a one policy for all whilst some people with young children may want an experience that caters for them, enquire with us and we’ll find you what you need.
Only VIPs in the luxury lodges of Kruger can access services as such. An unfortunate side effect of handling thousands and thousands of tourists every year. Africana can arrange transfers for just one if you need, smoothing your journey the whole way through.
In all regards children that are too young may not be permitted to certain spa treatments as well as anyone, including the elderly, who have health conditions that a treatment may threaten. Enquire for specifics.
While the specific terms and conditions may vary, Africana generally offers more flexibility and leniency when it comes to cancelling reservations. It is advisable to thoroughly review and compare the cancellation policies of both establishments before making a booking to make an informed decision.
Africana represents the ideal of personal touch that goes beyond expectations. Transforming every stay into a warm and welcoming experience.
Guests that book accommodation in Hoedspruit become part of the family and their comfort and satisfaction throughout their stay is of priority. From our beautifully curated properties to our handcrafted amenities, we believe in the power of uniqueness and the joy of discovery.
All Rights Reserved | Africana
Updated August 2023