We had the best time in Swaziland. We crossed an item off our bucket list in style. Thank you so much Liana for your professional and wonderful service. We live in a beautiful country.

Review on our Kruger Trip

The pennant-winged nightjar is on most birders’ bucket list, as it was for fellow birder Wessel Benecke and myself. Although more common in Zambia and Zimbabwe, there is, however, one place in South Africa where you stand a good chance of spotting it and that is near the Punda Maria Rest Camp, in the north of the Kruger National Park and then only for about six weeks in October and November. The weekend getaway was planned a year in advance with “A Frikken Great Tour Operator”, with two sunset drives to ensure we saw the elusive birds.

Our small group comprising 3 couples left Johannesburg early on Friday morning with the intention of making Punda Maria Rest Camp in time for the first sunset drive that evening. The trip up was a joyous event with Liana and her husband, Johan, entertaining us all the way. There was no end to the surprises coming out of the cooler box between the seats. We arrived at the camp and had plenty of time to settle into our bungalows before climbing onto the game viewing vehicle with all our cameras. We did the sunset game viewing drive but we weren’t allowed in the area of the pennant-winged nightjar as SANParks were carrying out anti-poaching patrols in the area. A big disappointment.

The first big summer rains came that night and our early morning game drive was an adventure through the flooded plains. We came across a large pack of wild dogs cavorting in the water right next to the road. Completely oblivious to our vehicle, they entertained us for about an hour. Another highlight were the Fiery Necked Nightjars, driven out of their nests by the water, drying out in the sunlight. A photographer’s dream to be able to capture nocturnal birds in daylight.

On our second sunset drive we were told “it was now on”. Packed with expectant, excited birders we were taken down a private no-entry road, just as the sun was setting. After about 800m we all climbed out of the vehicle to sit in a row along a dry gulley. We were joined by 3 other groups as we all sat in silence, and then it came. For about 3 minutes the pennant-winged nightjar swooped down, circled above our heads, entertained us and then was off into the darkness.

We left the next day to return to Johannesburg having witnessed this “once in a lifetime” event. It was an outstanding trip, I learned more about the African bush in two days from Liana Cronje than all my previous trips to the Park combined. The trip was very well organised, the food and entertainment just kept coming; it’s a very nice formula on which to tour the Kruger National Park.

“… we all had such a wonderful time together on our trip to Punda Maria in the Kruger National Park”

To start off with we were not really sure what to expect since my wife and I had not yet met you and Johan.

I am, at the best of times, a critical passenger and are normally stressed at the idea of being in the car with an unknown driver.

Well, perish the thought, Johan was the picture of a relaxed, thoughtful and careful driver and this is exactly how the rest of the weekend progressed.

Nothing was too much effort and meal times became one of eager anticipation of what the Cronje’s would present next. Every last detail was planned for, for example, I am a diabetic and was really surprised how Liana planned the meals around my requirements. If ‘roughing it’ with them is always like that then we are in for the long ride!

As could be expected from Liana who completed her studies in all things natural, she was always ready with tidbits of information on various aspects of nature. What was not expected was Johan’s contribution to facts and figures, we were surprised at the width and depth of his general knowledge and a keen eye noticing birds and animals!

There was a feeling of sadness when we drove back home, the weekend was just too short!

I can, without a moment’s hesitation, honestly, recommend the services of their company “A Frikken Great Tour Operator” if you want a trip with a difference!

I experienced a trip of a lifetime in October 2019!  Liana was a great tour guide, she was very knowledgeable and very caring.  She made sure the entire group was well taken care of and that all of our needs were met.  We visited many places and learned so much from the hosts from each site.  As a veterinarian, I was able to have contact with lots of animals and was able to learn about each species and how they are medically treated.  I am so looking forward to my next trip to South America and will for sure book my next trip with Liana!

We were driving through the parks and found a car right in front of us. They were slowly and stoping and we had no clue where to look at. But then we got the hint to one direction and saw the rhino in the bushes. After that sighting we were guided by Liana and Johan and had much more expirience than the time before. My girlfriend and I are from germany and we were not familiar with the vegetation and so it was hard to find some animals. But with the help of Liana we found more. We were glad to have her as a guide!