KRAGGA KAMMA GAME PARK WITH KIDS
Kragga Kamma Game Park is a great way for your little ones to see animals. The animals are in a natural environment and seem to be well cared for. I was sceptical but it seems like everything is above board! There is lots for the kids to see and its not too big to bore the kids.
I think Kragga Kamma is a really lovely place for kids to visit, whether you are a local or a tourist.
What to see at Kragga Kamma Game Park
If you’re in Port Elizabeth or nearby and wanting to see African animals in their natural habitat but you don’t have the time go through Addo Elephant Park, Kragga Kamma Game Park is your best bet.
Aside from the variety of buck species present, you may also have sightings of:
- Giraffe
- White rhino
- Buffalo
- cheetah (these are in a separate area)
- Zebras
- Bush pigs and warthogs
- Ostriches
- Vervet monkeys
Looking low to the ground you may also see:
- Mongooses
- Spring hares or cape hares; or
- Porcupines
How to see Kragga Kamma
There are two options when visiting Kragga Kamma. Either you can do a self-guided drive in your own vehicle or you can go out on a Game drive with a Guide.
We went with the self-drive option as we had the two little ones with us. Although we were in a 4X4 you don’t need to be – while the roads aren’t tarred they are manageable in a normal car especially at the low speed you’ll be traveling at.
Self-Drive Through the Game Park
At a minimum the whole drive should take you 90 minutes. It took us 2 hours but we didn’t go around the Mountain View Loop, we did however stop a lot and also managed to get stuck behind some very lazy cheetahs who refused to move out the way to let us pass.
As you come in through the Gate you will go along an initial loop. From the initial loop you can branch off left to go around Forest Loop and / or the Mountain View Loop. Whichever loop you take you will ultimately land up back on the Initial Loop which will take you to the exit.
Aside from the three Loops there is also a Cheetah enclosure which allows you to drive around a smaller area where the resident Cheetahs live. DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR. You may be able to get really close to them. If you don’t manage to see them which I doubt you can always stop at the Cafe after the Forest Loop which overlooks a portion of the Cheetah enclosure.
We did Forest Loop and I recommend because the buck love hiding in the bushes. We managed to show the children a variety of buck up close and point out their different attributes from close proximity.
After you’ve done the game drive, stop off at Cafe where you can grab a bite to eat, play on the playground or do the Monkey Walk.
The Monkey Walk
The Monkey Walk takes you over a suspension bridge and along a walkway through the trees. You are asked to keep silent as you may come across some of the 200 identified bird species or the vervet monkeys. We were with two monkeys of our own who couldn’t keep silent (one was too busy discussing what the word ‘silent’ meant why the other was repeating the word ‘monkey’).
The Walk is circular so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.
The only concern I have with the Monkey Walk is that there are some parts where you have to climb up stairs, duck under branches and walk along a narrow-ish path so if you’re not fit at all or at either end of the age spectrum maybe give it a skip.
The Cafe and Playground Area
The Cafe area overlooks the Cheetah enclosure which means you can sit and have a bite to eat while watching these amazing animals.
This area is also where you will find picnic spots and the toilets.
If you’re not up for eating at the Cafe take a picnic and enjoy the fresh air while letting the kids play on the jungle gym. This is what I would do.
The jungle gym was a highlight for my kids and a welcome relief because after more than 2 hours in the car. Driving around the Game Park and the time it took to get there meant the kids desperately needed to stretch their legs.
Tickets and Admission
Entrance fees for the Self- Drive option, as at December 2016 are:
- Adults R65.00
- Scholars R30.00 (3 to 18 years)
- Pre School – Free (0-3 years)
The 2 hour guided tour is R210 per person but you need at least 3 people to make a booking.
Kragga Kamma Game Park is open every day during the year, excluding Christmas day. The gate opens daily at 8:00 am and closes for entry at 5 pm. You can stay in the Park until 7pm in Summer and at 6pm in Winter.
