We have just returned from a trip to the Kruger Park, having driven over 5000km on the round trip, with a 6-year old in the car. Next time we will definitely fly! It is in fact closer to drive to Mozambique from the Cape, than to the Kruger Park, and the driving of course doesn't stop once you are in the park!
But, once you get past the whole driving nightmare, the Kruger Park is a great place for the kids. We stayed in a private camp, Roodewal, which consists of 4 newly refurbished bungalows, a central kitchen and central dining room. The camp was spectacular, overlooking a river bed - dry now, as it isn't the rainy season. The option of a private camp is great for families, as the kids can play around camp (when you are not in the car...) without disturbing other guests. There is adequate space to them to run about and ride their bikes after being cooped up in the car.
The resident vervet monkeys also proved to be very entertaining to the kids. They had strict instructions 'NOT TO FEED THE MONKEYS' but monkeys being what they are, and kids being somewhat forgetful, meant that the odd rusk got snatched from a child's hand, and scurried up a tree to be devoured out of reach. A bright orange wristwatch was even snatched on one occasion, presumably resembling a delectable fruit to a hungry vervet monkey. It was later returned, somewhat worse for the wear.
Our kids were not the only young in the park. Below are some photos of wildlife with their young:
an elephant cow with her day-old baby, ears still curling from the womb
a giraffe with her young - all legs
a hyena with her pups
Many an 'oooh' and 'aaah' and 'oh cute' were whispered from our vehicle.
