Ending 2024, we pointed our convoy toward the wild heart of the Kruger National Park, determined to welcome the New Year of 2025 in a place woven deeply into the TUSCK Overland story. Over the years, Kruger has gifted us countless memories with our kids, our friends, and the wider overlanding family—so it felt only right to close the chapter of 2024 here. Yet, despite all our journeys through this iconic reserve, this was our first December visit…and many had warned us about what the Kruger summer truly feels like.
With Numbi Gate no longer the safest option for travelers, we made our approach from the south, slipping through Malelane Gate and working our way up toward Pretoriuskop. The moment we entered, the heat wrapped around us like a heavy blanket—the humidity rising with every kilometre. Holiday traffic inside the park slowed our progress even further, but that’s Kruger in December: busy, alive, and humming with anticipation.
By the time we rolled into Pretoriuskop, towering black clouds were gathering in the northwest—an omen of the wild weather to come. The TUSCK Overland crew wasted no time setting up camp as the first drops fell. That night, the heavens unleashed one of the fiercest storms of the year. Lightning tore across the sky, thunder rolled through the bushveld, and rain hammered the earth as we shared our final moments of 2024 in a spectacular natural fireworks show.
Dawn broke with blistering heat and humidity that felt almost otherworldly. Still, tradition called, and at 6 a.m. sharp, Paul and I climbed into the vehicle for our first game drive of 2025 using our pre mapped Tracks4Africa route. Turning left out of Pretoriuskop onto the S7, it took only minutes before a massive herd of buffalo greeted us. Not long after, at Mt. Shaba, we witnessed our first lion sighting of the year—a dramatic display between two males vying for the attention of a lone lioness.
Carrying on, we traced the Sabie River and met hyena, wildebeest, impala, even bushpig along the way. Kruger was showing off. But the real moment came on the S65 near the Nwaswitshaka bridge, where a lone elephant bull stepped out and put on a magnificent display. We followed his slow, purposeful stride until he joined his herd for a morning drink on the H2-1—one of those encounters you feel in your bones.
Back at camp, a hearty breakfast awaited. Cicadas buzzed loudly, declaring the first day of 2025. By midday, the heat was brutal, pushing us toward the rock pool near camp. The cool water was a welcome relief—but it didn’t last. Storm clouds began to gather once again, and by late afternoon, the Kruger unleashed one of the most violent tempests we’ve ever faced in TUSCK Overland history.
Eighty-five millimetres of rain hammered the ground. Winds tore through camp, flattening gazebos like twigs. Two ground tents were swept away entirely. Lightning struck the camp’s main transformer, exploding in a shower of sparks. Paul and Karen’s tent flooded completely—gear, bedding, everything soaked. By the morning of January 2nd, frustration hung thick in the air as we surveyed the damage under weak, filtered sunlight.
Still recovering from the chaos, we received fresh warnings from the rangers: more severe storms were predicted for the evening. With no sun to dry anything and our friends in ground tents facing another night of punishment, the mood grew heavy. The rooftop tents kept the core TUSCK crew safe, but the rest of camp was visibly worn down. Even breakfast was eaten under another downpour.
Then came the news: several bridges in the park had washed away overnight, and more collapses were expected. Travellers would likely be stranded. And indeed, many low-lying crossings were already impassable.
That was our cue. With storms still building and escape routes closing, the TUSCK Overland crew made the call—pack up and begin the long journey back to Johannesburg.
Check out some of the equipment we used during this trip!
