9 TOP ROUTES THE VAN DEN BERG VERDICT

There are many kinds of self-drive tourists in Kruger. Birders are identified by the stickers on their windows; others are tree-spotters ticking off species on their checklist, while some simply meander along enjoying the journey. There are the photographers who act as if they have right of way, and those who race between lion sightings like maniacs, hanging out of windows with selfie sticks. Others do their best to avoid lion sightings because they don’t want to get stuck in traffic looking at people watching sleeping lions.

Wildlife is not evenly distributed in the park, despite the rich diversity of species, and roads that usually offer good sightings don’t always deliver on expectations. This unpredictability is what makes game drives so exciting – you just never know what you could see next.

The best way to drive in Kruger is to slow down, relax and focus on the small things. When looking for