KNP - Sedan OK?

[hermannn]

I plan to be in KNP for about 8 days in late July (first time) - time to be spent both in south and north of park. As focus will be on wildlife photography, I will travel alone. I will however have to rent a car... Is it worth getting an SUV-type for the ride height, or will a "cheap" sedan be sufficient for photography purposes? Your advice will be appreciated.

[Phillip.Grobler]

The extra height of the SUV is nice, and they normally have a bit more room for maneuvering inside the cabin. But the gravel roads are good but a bit corrugated at times but - nothing to worry about to much - you wont get stuck.
You'll see lots of Sedans all over Kruger.

[Hannes Thirion]

I plan to be in KNP for about 8 days in late July (first time) - time to be spent both in south and north of park. As focus will be on wildlife photography, I will travel alone. I will however have to rent a car... Is it worth getting an SUV-type for the ride height, or will a "cheap" sedan be sufficient for photography purposes? Your advice will be appreciated.

KNP? Kruger or Kgalagadi?

If your question is regarding ride height I would say the time of day would have a bigger impact on your photos than the ride height difference between a SUV and sedan.

The SUV would have a bigger impact on your image than the images you record...

[J-D]

There is no better off-road vehicle than a rental (just tick the insurance box)

[peterah]

KNP? Kruger or Kgalagadi?

KNP = Kruger National, KTP = Kgalagadi Transfrontier

To OP: One of my trips to Kruger I borrowed a Kombi thinking that the extra height would be great. For viewing game it is; for photographs, not so much. When looking at the photos after the trip all the photos of animals close to the vehicle looked odd because of the downwards angle that they were taken at because I was so much higher. I definitely prefer to take photos being at the level of the animal. Of course being in a Kombi was extreme and normal SUV's should be fine - I use one now. Just remember to keep the camera low down on the windowsill and NOT take photos from the roof .

[visagieh]

One of my trips to Kruger I borrowed a Kombi.

I always wanted to visit Kruger in a Kombi. Do something with the sliding doors to open and be legal.

Take all the back seats out, and add a mattress to go low when needed. Ha Ha.

[Dave_]

Way cool idea!

[hermannn]

Thanks for the feedback on my Kruger trip locomotion.

Sounds like the "saving" in using a rental sedan versus SUV will be put to better use in putting down the deposit on 70-200 2.8 lens!! This is a sure-fire (but fun) way to save myself into bankruptcy...

[Hannes Thirion]

KNP = Kruger National, KTP = Kgalagadi Transfrontier

.

Thanks I know, I just want to confirm since I do find it strange that someone ask if the Kruger NP is accessible in a sedan. I will understand if someone ask if the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (SA side) or Gemsbok National Park (Botswana side) of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is accessible in a sedan.
BTW the Mozambique side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park of which the Kruger NP is part is not accessible in a sedan and most soft-road SUV's.
Some photos of the Mozambique side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park from June 2008.

[Leo Theron]

I always wanted to visit Kruger in a Kombi. Do something with the sliding doors to open and be legal.

Take all the back seats out, and add a mattress to go low when needed. Ha Ha.

Le laag kry nou nuwe betekenis…


(Lying low now gets a new meaning…)

[Peter Veitch]

I always wanted to visit Kruger in a Kombi. Do something with the sliding doors to open and be legal.

Take all the back seats out, and add a mattress to go low when needed. Ha Ha.

I,m not sure the other half would appreciate that, especially with the doors wide open!

[visagieh]

I,m not sure the other half would appreciate that, especially with the doors wide open!

Peter, best to take her on Safari. Open is the best way to go. My recent trip to KNP I felt frustrated with all the limitations of a closed vehicle.

As for combi, 4 togs in the back, space galore.

Hannes

[hermannn]

To clarify, it is not whether a sedan will be able to make it through the KNP, but whether the improved ride height will help or hinder or just not matter...

I don't get this low down kombi thing... but then again I am going on my own, probably not meant for me....