December - here it comes!

Lowveld summer rainbow....

Christmas in the Lowveld - Hazyview goes from "Lazyview" to "Crazyview" in just a few short days!  Having worked in the lodge business for many years, here is my "2 cents worth" if you are planning to visit the Lowveld over the December/January holiday season, be it Nelspruit, Hazyview, the Panorama Route, or any of the surrounding areas.....GET IN EARLY!!!  While we at Perry's Bridge Reptile Park are fortunately not subject to number restrictions, many activities are and at this time of year they are often fully booked, sometimes weeks in advance.  Think game drives, river rafting, Skyway Trails, Elephant sanctuaries....all of these activities can only handle a limited number of people, and if your holiday enjoyment is dependent upon their availability, make sure you pre-book....NOW.   

I could not believe the number of people that used to phone me from the lodge gate on Christmas eve to find out if we have accomodation for the next three nights please?  At 9pm in the evening, often with small kids in the car, they were now bleary eyed and desperate, and my best advice was to keep driving to Nelspruit where some of the bigger hotels might still have some space.  Christmas dinner at a restaurant in Hazyview?  Do your research - only a very few are open, and most will be booked far ahead of time.  

Kruger Park itself has gate restrictions which see droves of people turned away over the busiest days of the holidays - the rules change regularly as to whether you can book your day entry pass in advance, so check directly with SANParks - if you can't then make sure you arrive WELL BEFORE the gate opens at 5.30 am - I have had clients arrive at 4.30am and STILL find themselves waiting in a queue!  

Of course, all of this isn't meant to put you off visiting this beautiful part of the world, rather to suggest that a little bit of preparation will ensure that your trip to this little piece of paradise runs smoothly and you get the well-deserved break you are looking for.  

If you have any questions about our opening hours over this period, please consult the website, or give me a call directly on 0847311563!
PERRY'S BRIDGE REPTILE PARK WILL BE OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY, BOXING DAY, AND NEW YEAR'S DAY!!

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