Six Things I Learned on My First Kruger Safari (That I Never Expected)
This was my first guided safari in the Kruger National Park; and it bore no resemblance to the childhood day trip I remembered. Back then, we drove around aimlessly for hours, saw very little, and declared the day exhausting.
Years later, I found myself heading back to Kruger, this time on a proper safari with a qualified guide. What surprised me most wasn't just the wildlife, but how the experience completely overturned my expectations: of time, of stillness, and of the people who choose this life.
Here are six things I learned about life, travel, and myself on that first Kruger safari.
When my boss called me into his office to tell me I would be going on a Kruger safari, I tried not to show my alarm. As kids, my parents took us on a day trip to the Kruger National Park. We spent hours driving around aimlessly. It was the longest day of our young lives.
I glanced at the safari itinerary to hide my expression of doom. The itinerary said we would be met in Skukuza by a safari guide called Simon Vegter. We would recognize him by his lack of footwear.
My mind wandered. Was Simon Khoisan? Did he even speak English? I googled the name and was relieved to discover that not only did Simon speak excellent English, but he was also a fabulous safari guide, a fantastic cook and had a great sense of humour.
I went on to learn that none of the reviews I'd read about Simon were exaggerated, that self-driving in the Kruger with clueless parents (sorry, Mom and Dad) is very different to a game drive with a qualified safari guide and that going on a Kruger safari can teach you some wonderful things about life.
#1 Early mornings on safari teach you patience
Early morning in Kruger.
You'll fall in love with the early morning stillness of the bushveld. There is something nostalgic about the silence of the African bush at dawn. Any animals you see move, if at all, slowly and quietly.
It's almost as if the denizens of the veld are in no hurry to start the theatre of the day. Like actors getting ready for a play they've put on a million times before, there is no sense of urgency, no need to rush. I couldn't think of any better way to start the day.
#2 Safari brings out childlike wonder
Something with ears! Impala, buffalo and a vervet monkey. Can you spot the vervet?
You'll point at animals and squeal like a child. Driving through the wilderness on the back of a safari vehicle shaves years off your age. You'll feel like a kid on a grand adventure where everything is new and exciting, and the possibilities are endless.
It's simply impossible not to get excited when you see movement in the bush. One of my fondest memories from our first early morning game drive is of a frightfully proper Englishman pointing at a kudu and shrieking, "There! There! Something with ears!"
#3 Loving your work changes everything
Safari guide extraordinaire, Simon Vegter.
How often do you get to meet people who truly love what they do? People who get out of bed every morning eager to see what wonders the day has in store?
Safari guides are some of the most committed, dedicated and passionate individuals I've ever met. When they knock on your door before sunrise, it doesn't matter if you're an early riser or not. Their infectious enthusiasm is more potent than a double espresso and you'll be wide awake and ready for adventure in no time.
#4 Shared meals create unexpected connection
Fellow travellers off on an adventure.
There's something about sharing food with fellow travellers beneath the African sky at night that brings out the storytellers in us.
It's practically impossible not to trade stories and share laughs when you're sitting at a table near a crackling fire and sharing a meal with people from all walks of life and all parts of the globe. Starlight and an open fire are all that are needed to turn conversations with strangers into moments you'll cherish for a lifetime.
#5 Quiet moments teach you more than big sightings
Listening to the sensei.
The Big Five always make for exciting finds but there will be times when you find yourself looking forward to lulls between sightings because the game is scarce. That's when the safari guide unpacks the good stuff.
Epic Game of Thrones stuff like how termite colonies are set up to serve and protect their Queen who resides in a royal chamber that she'll never leave — a prisoner running an empire. Jaw-dropping Ripley's Believe or Not stuff like how dung beetles take mental snapshots of the Milky Way while dancing atop their dung balls which they then use to find their way back home.
#6 Safari has a sense of humour (especially about identity)
On safari in Kruger with an old German army parka to keep me warm.
South Africans are friendly people who will bowl you over with their gracious hospitality and disarming smiles. But National Park Rangers are in a league of their own. Or so I thought.
Every time I passed a ranger in camp I was greeted with hearty hugs and the most flattering comments about the old German army parka I was wearing. Only later did I learn that secondhand German Bundeswehr parkas were given to SANParks rangers to wear back in the 80s and early 90s. It seems I was mistaken for a fellow retired SANParks Ranger. Moi? That's funny.
Looking back, this safari taught me that the real magic isn't in ticking off animals. It's in how you experience the time between them.
Were you inspired or surprised by what you discovered on your Kruger safari, too? If you have a story you'd like to share, please leave a comment below.
If this way of travelling resonates with you, speak to one of our Africa Safari Specialists. We'll help you design a safari that suits your pace, expectations, and travel style.
First Safari Questions, Answered
What surprised me most was how different a guided safari felt compared to self-driving. The stillness, shared silence, and insight from a great guide changed the experience completely. Safari turned out to be less about chasing sightings and more about how time, patience, and attention shape what you notice.
Yes. A guided safari adds context, interpretation, and awareness most self-drivers miss. A skilled guide notices subtle signs, explains behaviour, and helps you understand what you're seeing. Even when wildlife is quiet, guided safaris feel rich because nothing happens without meaning.
Quiet moments often teach more than dramatic sightings. When animals are scarce, guides share stories about ecosystems, behaviour, and patterns in nature. These moments slow the pace and deepen understanding, turning safari into an immersive experience rather than a checklist of animals seen.
Great safari guides don't just find animals; they shape the entire experience. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, and ability to read both guests and the environment influence how relaxed, curious, and engaged people feel. Long after the trip ends, it's often the guide who guests remember most clearly.
A first safari is memorable because expectations are overturned. Time slows down, small moments gain meaning, and strangers connect easily. The experience challenges how travellers normally move through the world, replacing urgency with presence and observation.
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About the author
Dianne Kokkonidis was born in Johannesburg, grew up in the Transkei and spent years exploring Europe. She returned to South Africa to live on a farm in the Outeniqua Mountains when the call of Africa got too loud to ignore. She comes from a family of storytellers, so it's no surprise she's now found her way into writing about one of the oldest stories known to mankind - the lure of Africa.
