Tour Managers Reviews

Nick Joyce

Cape Town & Kruger Park

Where were you in January and February 2025?

I was lucky enough to be somewhere quite different — in the sunshine of South Africa with a fantastic group of people on another brilliant Not Out Travel tour. Based in Cape Town, we soaked up the sun, the wine, and the action of the SA20 tournament, with matches in Cape Town and Paarl, plus the added bonus of catching England’s U19s playing nearby. Being able to watch the likes of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and a few potential England stars of the future was a real treat.

But the cricket was only part of the story.

After the matches, we headed off to the legendary Kruger Gate Hotel — the gateway to Kruger National Park, a wildlife haven roughly a third the size of Ireland. Over the course of three incredible days, we experienced two game drives per day, each one more jaw-dropping than the last. I’ve been on safaris before, but I’ve never seen so much in such a short space of time.

The tone was set almost immediately. Just minutes after entering the park, we were greeted by a herd of around fifteen elephants — adults and calves — casually crossing the road right in front of us. It was like something out of a documentary. And from that moment on, it was non-stop.

Each drive brought something new — lions, crocodiles, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and a dazzling array of birds. But two moments really stood out.

First, a leopard emerged from the undergrowth and walked calmly alongside our vehicle, close enough to see every detail of its coat. An awe-inspiring sight.

And then there was the drama of a pride of eight lions attempting to hunt a large herd of water buffalo. We watched the whole sequence unfold — the positioning, the stalking, the teamwork, and the incredible response from the buffalo. The big cats closed in, but the buffalo weren’t having it. With some well-timed charges, they forced the lions to abandon the chase. It ended 0–0, but what a game to witness. We did, however, see one lioness make a successful kill — a warthog, taken just yards from our vehicle. It was nature in its rawest, most compelling form.

Honestly, I could go on. Those three days in Kruger were some of the most thrilling I’ve ever had on safari — and that’s saying something.

But it wasn’t just about the animals. There was the sunshine, the excellent food, the world-class South African wines, and above all, the camaraderie of travelling with such a warm, friendly group of cricket lovers and adventurers.

Once again, a huge thanks to Not Out Travel for another unforgettable experience. Great cricket, great company, and a once-in-a-lifetime safari — the perfect way to escape the British winter.