Kruger National Park South Africa

South Africa is one of the best places to observe wild animals in their natural habitat. The Kruger National Park spans almost 20,000 square kilometers of nature filled with a variety of wildlife. This is Africa! The world-famous park offers an adventure that is among the best in Africa.

Thanks to its good infrastructure and accessibility, the Kruger National Park is particularly attractive. Getting close to lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, and hyenas means pure adventure! Wildlife at its finest. Here, you can go on an exploration tour as a self-driver.

The Kruger National Park, along with Cape Town and the Garden Route, definitely ranks among the highlights of a trip to South Africa. Usually, the park is visited as part of a South Africa tour for several days, typically reached through Johannesburg and the stunning Panorama Route with Blyde River Canyon.

I have now visited the Kruger National Park six times. Both on my own and with a guide. During my visits, I have gained experience with bush walks, game drives, and most recently an EcoTraining course.

Hardly any other blogger who writes about their experiences with safaris in the Kruger Park has more experience than I do. This is why I have written this very detailed article with all my tips and experiences for safaris in South Africa. The focus of this experience report is, of course, on the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

I continuously receive emails with questions that I would like to answer here.

-> My best safari experience: Ranger Training (or taster course) in South Africa

The Kruger National Park was founded in 1898 by Paul Kruger. It is located in the northeast of South Africa and extends into Mozambique. Thus, it is the oldest national park and the largest nature and wildlife reserve in South Africa. The Kruger National Park is about four hours by car from Johannesburg. It spans the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It is 350 km long and 90 km wide.

In recent years, the fences to Mozambique have been removed. Further merges of the Kruger National Park with Zimbabwe are expected in the near future. The cross-border national parks are intended to merge into the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park in the long term. At 100,000 km2, this would be the largest nature reserve in the world.

In South Africa, more and more fences to former hunting reserves and private reserves are being dismantled. The protected areas for the many animals are growing larger year by year, which is urgently needed.

The Kruger National Park is home to 147 mammal species, 507 bird species, 114 reptile species, 49 fish species, and 34 amphibian species. This includes the 'Big Five': elephant, leopard, rhinoceros (white rhinoceros and black rhinoceros), lion, and African buffalo.

The Big Five do not necessarily include the largest or most dangerous animals. Historically, the term referred to the difficulty and danger of hunting these large game animals. Otherwise, the hippopotamus would need to be included as the most dangerous predator.

Please do not be disappointed if you do not see the Big Five on your first visit. Remember, we are not at the zoo. Many people wish to see leopards on safaris. I usually see them in Kruger on almost all game drives. I prefer to see lions, hyenas, or wild dogs, which are much rarer. Spotting a chameleon or pangolin (scaly anteater) is a great fortune!

There is no best time to visit Kruger National Park for safaris. You can visit the park year-round.

I have been to Kruger in all seasons: summer, spring, autumn, and winter. Each season has its advantages and disadvantages. However, the animals are always there.

-> Here I have detailed when the best time to visit Kruger National Park is.

In summer it is hot.

In winter (April - October), trees have little or no leaves, and animals can actually be harder to hide. Or so one would think. But it is dry, and the grass turns golden yellow. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, or giraffes can then be quite hard to find. They blend in with nature. Contrary to the misconception that animals are easier to spot when bushes and grasses are sparse.

Only the dryness could be a bonus. Animals get thirsty and need to drink. They then gather around the few waterholes.

In summer (November - April), it is very humid and hot. It can rain more often. Everything is green. Ideally (for nature), the grass would be at least knee-high. During my visits in November and December, this was not the case. The rain was absent. Mornings are very fresh, and it often drizzles. Cats hide deep in the bush and are hard to find.

The ideal months are January, February, and March. It is hot, and everything is green.

The bushes have thick leaves. Cats and giraffes stand out more easily against the green. However, they often hide deep in the bush. For example, we heard two young lions in the bush on the remains of a giraffe. They were hard to spot.

In the summer months, ideally enough water is available. Animals spread out over large areas. They are harder to find.

Exactly this makes tracking animals a challenge. That's why I find the summer months more beautiful. Most animals have their young during this time, which rounds out the experience.

Learn more about the climate and the best time to visit South Africa in detail

When planning a trip, I like to be spontaneous. Unfortunately, you must book accommodation in the Kruger National Park long in advance.

In the Kruger National Park, you can find many accommodations. From government-run camps with tents to huts and private luxury lodges. It depends on your budget which safari experience you want to book.

We have tested everything.

There are 12 government Rest Camps in Kruger. These include cabins, a supermarket, campgrounds, and gas stations. There are 5 smaller Bushveld Camps, 2 Overnight Hides, and 3 private Bush Lodges.

Especially for the state-run camps by SAN Parks, you need to book early. They are affordable and extremely popular, especially the easily accessible camps in the south (Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, and Berg-en-Dal). You can reserve camps a year in advance.

In the camps, you can choose between a tent site for vehicles with rooftop tents or just a tent. For already set up tents, bungalows, or huts. The camps are enclosed by a fence. There is usually a gas station, a restaurant, and a shop where you can buy the essentials. The prices here are often high, and fresh items like salad are rarely in stock.

Book Camps with SANParks

One of the best government Rest Camps in Kruger is Berg-en-Dal. The BA3U category houses are great. Three beds, a well-equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower. There are also barbecue facilities and a terrace. Additionally, a good restaurant with fair prices. One of the best public restaurants in Kruger National Park!

Skukuza is also very popular. However, it is very large, which creates a lot of commotion. Nevertheless, it is ideally located in the south for the day of arrival or departure to Kruger National Park.

Adjacent to the west are private game reserves in the 'Greater Kruger National Park'. More luxurious accommodations at significantly higher prices. These areas provide some of the best sightings of animals: Sabi Sands, Timbavati, or Klaserie. I have been to all three.

Where you stay depends on which gate you enter the park through. Do not underestimate the distances within Kruger. You are not allowed to drive faster than 40 km/h and must stop when you spot animals. It gets dark quickly, and you can easily miscalculate your time.

On this site, you can search for and book these accommodations. They often consist of a small bungalow/hut with barbecue, kitchen, and bathroom. Expect to pay around 100 euros per night for two people. Additional costs may apply for a morning or afternoon walk (about 20 - 40 euros) or a sunset or night drive (about 18 - 20 euros).

These activities must also be booked in advance, as they often fill up quickly. Prices and activities vary according to the camp. You can also book these on the SAN Parks website.

If you want a bit more exclusivity and luxury, you should book a lodge in one of the adjacent private game reserves. The lodge prices are significantly higher, but include everything. Morning and evening game drives, and an afternoon bush walk on foot. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are also included.

Before the evening game drive, coffee and cake are served. The great thing is that you always have the same ranger and tracker with you. This allows for much better animal tracking. It is a more exclusive experience.

Angela's Safari Camp (absolute tip in Klaserie Private Game Reserve) - now found under a new name: Lodge Misava Safari Camp.

RockFig Villas, a camp in Timbavati Private Game Reserve.

The latter we got for the same price as RockFig Safari Lodge, as it was fully booked. A luxury camp that is sure to become one of the most expensive lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park.

We booked both accommodations with safariFRANK. Gesa and Frank offer tours with themselves as guides. They also assist in planning and booking your individual route. You can also book the Eco Training (Ranger Courses) through safariFRANK.

Also highly recommended:

Earth Lodge in Sabi Sabi, one of the world's best accommodations.

Rhino Walking Safaris offers a night in the Plains Camp (luxury tent, 'glamping') including a sleepout in a treehouse in the middle of the bush.

Now you know that there are government camps but also luxury lodges. Where you book your accommodation depends primarily on the route you plan for South Africa.

Do not underestimate the distances in Kruger National Park. The speed limit is 40 km/h. I prefer to drive slower. This makes it easier to spot animals. It gets dark earlier than at home, and you can quickly misjudge your time.

If arriving from Nelspruit, Berg-en-Dal (Melelane Gate) is the closest. If you're coming from Hazyview or Graskop, Phabeni Gate or Paul Kruger Gate are perfectly located. The nearest camp would then be Skukuza or.

The accommodations in the SAN Park Camps usually consist of a small bungalow or hut with barbeque, kitchen, and bathroom.

For two people, you should expect to pay about 100 euros per night. Additional costs for a morning or afternoon walk (about 20 - 40 euros) or a sunset or night drive (about 18 - 20 euros) may apply.

These activities must also be booked in advance as they often fill up fast. Prices and activities vary by camp. You can also book these on the SAN Parks website.

The difference between a luxury lodge and the government Rest Camps from SAN Parks is enormous.

In the latter two lodges, there are no fences - it's a pure nature experience. Therefore, when leaving the lodge, one should pay close attention to what animals are present at the door. At night, you may only leave your accommodation accompanied by staff.

Another advantage of a lodge is the almost family-like atmosphere. Small talk with staff and other guests is no problem. Despite the luxury accommodation, you will not find the 'Schicki Micki' (fancy) attitude that one might expect here. The vibe is very pleasant.

Difference between Rest Camp and Private Game Reserve using Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge as an example

The entrance fees for Kruger National Park increase every year. If you wish to enter the national park, you will need to pay a fee per person per day ('Permit'). Currently, it is 400 Rand (about 24 euros, as of 2020) per person per day. For children, it is only 200 Rand (about 12 euros). It's best to check on the official website to see if prices have changed.

Are you staying in a government camp? Then you can pay the fee when booking. If not, you can catch up on it at the gate.

If you are staying in Private Game Reserves and still need to pass through an official gate to enter the park, you will pay less. You must show your booking.

Entry to the Timbavati and Klaserie Private Game Reserves cost us 160 Rand. Entry to Sabi Sabi currently costs 114 Rand. For the car, you will incur an additional 310 Rand in Sabi Sabi. In private reserves, you pay a one-time fee, regardless of how many days you stay.

Important note: You can pay by credit card at all gates!

If you plan to visit several national parks in South Africa, a Wild Card might be worth considering. You pay a one-time flat fee and don't have to pay again at each gate.

The card is not always worth it. It depends on whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with family. Also, the number of national parks you plan to visit matters. On my first visit (4 weeks in South Africa, visiting many national parks), the Wild Card was worth it. On all subsequent trips, it was not, as too few SAN Parks were on the plan.

Read my report here if the Wild Card purchase is worth it (with a calculation example)

When traveling independently with a rental car, you need to consider the gate opening times! Depending on the season, these vary a little (as of 2020):

November - February: 5:30 AM - 6:30 PM

March and October: 5:30 AM - 6:00 PM

April, August, and September: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

May - July: 6:00 AM - 5:30 PM

August - September: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The Kruger National Park has nine entrances, excluding the two border gates to Mozambique from north to south:

Pafuri

Punda Maria

Phalaborwa

Orpen

Paul Kruger

Phabeni

Numbi

Malelane

Crocodile Bridge

Do not underestimate driving time. Google Maps often indicates faster times than what you actually need. Allow at least an hour extra. I recommend taking a route through the Panorama Route and staying 1-2 nights at Blyde River Canyon, Graskop, or Hazyview. I chose these routes during my two visits: once to Blyde River Canyon and once to Hazyview as a base for exploring the beautiful Panorama Route.

On future visits, we flew to Hoedspruit and traveled from there to the Private Game Reserves.

Here you can find my tips for booking a rental car and here tips for driving in South Africa.

From Germany, there are daily direct flights from Frankfurt to Johannesburg. From there, there are also daily flight connections to Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa, and Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) between Nelspruit and White River. You can also travel to this airport from Durban and Cape Town.

From Johannesburg, it takes about 5-6 hours to get to Hoedspruit (e.g., via the Panorama Route), about 4 hours to Nelspruit, and 4.5 to 5 hours to Hazyview. If coming from the south, a road trip through Swaziland, the Drakensberg, and St. Lucia or Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is worthwhile.

In Kruger National Park, all major roads between camps are paved. You must not exceed 50 km/h. I recommend driving much slower, otherwise, you will not see any animals. On smaller gravel roads, you may drive up to 40 km/h. For self-drivers, some roads are closed. You are not allowed to leave the roads.

There are often large and deep potholes. Be careful and avoid these to prevent breakdowns with the rental car. Generally, I would say that the roads in Kruger Park are among the best in the national parks of South Africa.

By the way, open cars (convertibles), motorcycles, and bicycles are prohibited in Kruger National Park. Exiting is not allowed outside the marked areas. Moreover, all day visitors should have left the park before the gates close or reached their camp. Otherwise, there are usually high penalties.

One of the most frequently asked questions is: What should I pack for a safari?

What clothing? Do I need malaria prophylaxis? What camera equipment is useful?

You can find a detailed packing list for safaris here for download as a PDF

Binoculars

Camera with telephoto lens

Clothing: Muted colors: sand or olive tones, especially for walking safaris. Definitely no black, as it attracts mosquitoes.

Good shoes for walking safaris. Thorns can penetrate the soles of sneakers.

Sun protection: hat or baseball cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen SPF 30 - 50

Useful apps for identifying animals, tracks, plants, and birds

Mosquito spray

Headlamp

Pocket knife (Leatherman)

Notes:

I do not pack anything against malaria. South Africa is officially malaria-free. However, consult a doctor (preferably one with tropical medicine expertise) if you are unsure. I cannot make this decision for you; I can only say that I would never take prophylaxis for South Africa.

Drones are prohibited in Kruger National Park and all other SAN Parks! In Private Game Reserves, you may receive an exception, as we did. Anti-poacher units (against poaching) may shoot down drones, as poachers also use drones to track rhinos, elephants, and lions.

If you are self-catering, be sure to buy food supplies before entering Kruger National Park. In the supermarkets of the rest camps, there is often only frozen meat and 'canned food'. Drinks are always available in abundance. Fresh items are either overpriced or not available. In Hoedspruit, Graskop, Hazyview, or Sabie, there are Pick 'n Pay, Spar, or Woolworths supermarkets.

I do not pack anything against malaria. South Africa is officially malaria-free. However, consult a doctor (preferably one with tropical medicine expertise) if you are unsure.

I cannot make this decision for you; I can only say that I would never take prophylaxis for South Africa.

For Kruger National Park, I recommend purchasing the official Kruger National Park Guide at the entrance to the park. These are available everywhere. Inside, you'll find maps and all important information about rest camps, roads, and animals.

For road trips in South Africa, I like to keep Dumont's travel guide to South Africa and the Dumont picture atlas of South Africa handy.

See more recommendations and tips for travel guides for South Africa tours here. (I own at least 15 different travel guides and know which ones are the best and most helpful.)

I enjoy reading books with personal accounts from people who live the safari life. Some of my favorite books include:

Breakfast with Elephants, the bestseller by Gesa Neizel. By the way, I visited Klaserie and Timbavati with her.

The Elephant Whisperer - My Life with Gentle Giants and What They Taught Me by Anthony Lawrence.

Cry of the Kalahari - Mark Owen. The book is about the Kalahari in Botswana. Nevertheless, it's one of the best books about southern Africa.

Hyena Nights and Kalahari Days - Gus & Margie Mills. This book is about the Kalahari in South Africa and Botswana, discussing the exploration of hyenas. I love hyenas, which is why the book captivated me.

For Kruger National Park, you have three options for exploring the park and its wildlife:

You can drive through the park on your own with your rental car.

Book a safari with a trained ranger, known as a 'Game Drive'.

Book a 'Walking Safari' with a trained ranger on foot.

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages.

Exploring Kruger National Park on your own is fantastic if you don't want to be in larger groups. It also saves you some money.

If you are skilled at spotting animals, this is a great option.

You can set your own pace for the day and be flexible.

This is especially valuable for transfers from camp to camp.

You have no idea where animals like to hang out. Many animals are often hard to spot, especially those you think you could see easily, like giraffes. You will definitely see fewer animals.

You can't concentrate on searching for animals since you must also pay attention to the road. We often had elephants or rhinos dash across the road right in front of us.

You cannot start as early as you can with a ranger, who may be out earlier and later than you.

Typically, you ride in an open safari jeep that is taller than your rental car.

The ranger shares many interesting insights about animals, tracks, and habitat.

The ranger knows exactly what to look for. You are guaranteed to see several more animals than you would on your own.

Tours start at dawn when animals are active. Night safaris occur in the late afternoon, when you must already be back in camp. It is precisely at these times that the animals are most active.

It usually costs more. However, I find the prices for SAN Parks tours to be very reasonable and affordable (when compared to other African destinations). This is also the only negative aspect, which I overlook.

I have had my most beautiful experiences on foot. The adrenaline level is definitely higher than in a safe vehicle. There is no other activity where the experience is so intense. Your senses become heightened, and you pay attention to everything around you, especially tracks and sounds.

Face-to-face with a rhino? Following the drag marks of a hunted animal by a leopard? Seeing excited animals run away without knowing what they are fleeing from? No tree in sight to climb?

I advise you to try all forms of safaris. You never have a guarantee to see the Big Five, so do not set your expectations too high. Enjoy the smaller animals as well.

If you are self-driving, you can theoretically drive around all day in Kruger National Park. However, I don't find it particularly exciting when you encounter animals just sleeping in the blistering heat of midday. Morning and evening are the most interesting times for me.

I booked the official safaris in advance on the SAN Parks website. They have limited capacity. Spontaneous visitors are often turned away as they're fully booked.

If you stay in the lodges of Private Game Reserves, you can decide spontaneously what to join in. That's one of the advantages of the expensive accommodations. The experience is also more exclusive. Rangers are allowed here to leave the paths and drive off-road.

Basic rule: The earlier and cooler, the better and more active the animals are. This is especially true in the early morning and from early to late evening. Then you have the best chances of witnessing predatory cats hunting live. That is truly unique!

The first rays of sunlight reveal what the night has brought. Hyenas and wild dogs return from their hunting adventures while big cats lie with a bit of luck over their catch in open areas.

During hot days, most animals retreat to the shade. Nothing is more boring than sleeping animals. Except elephants, who are always seen feeding. That is why walking tours often occur during the day as the danger of surprising one of the Big Five is (theoretically) lower.

In the evening, it becomes interesting again as the sun sets and temperatures drop. That's when the wild cats go hunting. We have already observed leopards hunting three times. Never was one successful. But it was truly exciting, even though we sat in the car for three hours, captivated by what was happening.

Depending on the camp, different game drives are offered. Morning tour, sundowner tour, and night drive are available in almost all camps.

Bush walks take place everywhere at different times. Try everything out! As a self-driver, you can drive around all day without a break.

Even though many claim the morning is the best time, for me, evenings have usually been more exciting. But you never know, and all animal sightings usually depend on chance. That is what makes the adventure!

Consider whether you want to spend that much money for the ultimate experience in a private game reserve. It is worth it. These lodges are located in exclusive and particularly good areas for animal sightings. Sabi Sabi is known for its many predatory cats and rhinos.

If you spot rhinos, remove all GEO tags from photos. Upload images with a time delay on the internet. Poachers also try to track these photos online.

Getting up early is worthwhile. Especially in the morning, animals are active.

There is a lot of traffic in the southern part of Kruger National Park. Sometimes you feel like you're in a zoo. Particularly in the southern areas, high traffic often means 'waiting in line' when several cars are lined up at an animal sighting.

Driving is only permitted during certain hours. Inform yourself when entering the park.

Are you driving yourself through the park? Start as early as possible.

Drive to waterholes on hot days.

Pack snacks and plenty of drinks.

Only leave the car at designated places. You could face a lion, rhino, or elephant at any time.

Keep an eye on the signs in the camps where animal sightings are marked. Ask other travelers if and where they have seen animals.

Which route is worthwhile for you depends on where you are coming from and how long you have.

Book your accommodation so that you don't have to do long drives each day.

In the southern area starting from the Paul Kruger Gate southbound, there is the most activity. Therefore, accommodation in the camps Skukuza, Berg-en-Dal, Lower Sabie, and Crocodile Bridge is often booked out long in advance. Book accommodation in advance.

Most animals concentrate around the Sabie River in the south. There is a lot of water available. It gets quieter as you move north. I would now prefer the north, as I enjoy the peace away from the crowds and prefer to go exploring on my own.

In general, I recommend staying at least four days in Kruger. Entering through the Orpen or Phalaborwa gate is worthwhile to work your way down. On the way over the Drakensberg or to St. Lucia, you can stop in a game reserve in Swaziland.

Kruger is one of the most touristy places in South Africa. It's also one of the most fascinating. We love animals and nature. With each visit, we explore new paths. We continually work our way further north. Each trip, we test a new accommodation to find out where the most beautiful experiences await.

The park is diverse, and it is the easiest park to explore for wildlife sightings in southern Africa.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions. If you have ideas or questions, we look forward to your comment here on the travel blog.

If you have no questions: We are still looking forward to your feedback and your sharing this with friends!

Do you want to always receive the best travel and insider tips? Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, or subscribe to my newsletter to receive regular updates and exclusive tips.