Located off S29 overlooking Mlondozi Dam, approximately 15 km from Lower Sabie has to be the number one picnic spot as it is situated on top of a hill with a view of the dam and plains below. We have had amazing sightings from here. Picture this – we get to the picnic cook our bacon and eggs and just as we are about to eat a heard of about 2000 buffalo appears on the plains walking in single file towards the dam.... or we see a lioness hunting giraffe...or we spot thousands of zebra ... or we watch baboons, wildebeest and zebra fighting over a dribble of water...or we watch elephants holding each other's tails in single file... etc etc - it is a magical place.... Garden of Eden of the Park

A highly recommended drive when in the North of the Kruger National Park around the Shingwedzi area, the S52 will take you along the Shingwedzi River and to the Red Rocks. Found about 15km from Shingwedzi the Red Rocks are a beautiful large sandstone slab. This rock has been weathered over an extremely long time by chemical, physical and biological processes. In this case the biologically induced process was the result of either a physical or chemical reaction being sped up by water. The formation of Red Rocks is said to be enhanced by a biological process which involves bacteria. A drive along this route is made all the more interesting because of these stunning Red Rocks.

The Afsaal Picnic Site is the main picnic area between the Berg-en-dal and Skukuza Rest Camps, and includes a restaurant and a small curio shop. Afsaal is an Afrikaans word that means "a place to break the journey" and the recently upgraded picnic spot offers just that - toilet facilities, braai stands, a shop and you can buy food if you don’t fancy a picnic.

The Nthandanyathi Bird and Game Hide is situated close to Lower Sabie Rest Camp on the S28 Nhlowa Road. It is a very quiet viewing point and can produce some amazing sights. The name "Nthandanyathi" translated and explained basically means where the Buffalo like to drink. There are a lot of water and woodland birds at the hide that can be photographed at close range.

This is just one of the many places in the KNP where you can get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs. Is on a hill top so little game will be seen, but spectacular views over KNP to the Drakensberg/ Soutpansberg. Best in the morning as the view sight looks west.

Here is a selection of our favourite photos from our 2009 trip with the girls. We had one incredible day which really stood out a a highlight for us - we entered the Crocodile Bridge Gate at opening time at 05h30. We did a quick loop to Hippo Pools as it is always productive on this stretch of road...and we were rewarded with a lion sighting under the trees. We stayed with them for a little while but they decided to become flat cats so we left them in peace. We headed back on to the H4-2, just before the S28 turnoff when we spotted two cheetahs right beside the road! After spending some time with them more cars started to arrive so we took the S28 exit and ... we found a leopard in a tree! SO happy! We continued on the loop and spotted hyenas and vultures skulking about. Then we had a magnificent sighting of a massive herd of buffalo in the river bed accompanied by a rhino! Another lion sleeping on a rock! A few ellies were thrown in for good measure and a massive hippo ran out in front of us at Sunset Dam! Then one more final trio of rhino sighting! Not a bad day in the bush!

Ngwenya Lodge is situated on the southern tip of the world-renowned Kruger National Park on the shores of the Crocodile River. This means that you do not even have to leave the resort to see a huge variety of game species – including the famous Big Five. The river view chalets overlook a scenic floodplain, which allows for magnificent views of the area where the big cats often hunt and elephants graze daily. The units have fully equipped kitchens with a stove, fridge, freezer and a microwave. Each unit has a television and an undercover veranda with patio table, chairs and a braai, for unforgettable get-togethers with family and friends. Ngwenya’s on-site facilities include a pub, a beauty salon with a wide range of treatments, a curio shop, a small convenience shop, 6 outdoor swimming pools, 18 hole Mini Golf course, 2 tennis courts, trampolines, jungle gyms, a games room with pool tables, table tennis, Playstations with Xbox Kinnect, a kiddies room with various board games, puzzles, and kids movies. It was the perfect October half term break for our family for a very many years.

The Hippo Pool is situated on the Crocodile River, about 5 km from Crocodile Bridge Gate. This pool is the home of many grunting giants, usually lazing away the day submerged up to their necks in water. Although visitors are welcome to alight from their vehicles, it is best to keep in mind that these animals, although they look cumbersome, are actually extremely dangerous and fast on land, so stay in the designated area at all times. They do come ashore at dusk to graze on the nearby grass so you will get a good view of them without leaving your car. Two antelope (one red, one white) are all that remain of a once gloriously-filled tableau of Bushmen rock art at the Kruger National Park's Hippo Pool, on the Crocodile River. The site was defaced by flood waters during the great Croc River flood in February, 2000.