Undeniably one of the most famous nature reserves in the world, the Kruger National Park continues to be one of the best examples of accessible wildlife experiences in Africa.
Occupying an appreciable space in the north-eastern part of South Africa, the Kruger National Park has welcomed visitors from across the globe since 1926. Its appeal is easy to understand: the terrain across its 19 000 km2 varies from savannah to scrubland, and from mountain to riverine forest, all of which host hundreds of mammal species alongside over 500 bird species – some of which are found nowhere else in the country.
Accessible by road or air, a visit to Kruger National Park promises days and nights filled with a true safari experience. Travel between 12 main rest camps, five bushveld camps, two bush lodges and four satellite camps connected by over 3000 km of roads, which can be navigated without the need for an off-road vehicle. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to spot the Big 5: lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant. Other highlights include African wild dog, hyena, cheetah, civet, and genet; antelope species include giraffe, zebra, springbok, sable, eland, waterbuck and kudu. Head to the banks of the five major rivers that flow through the park to spot hippo and crocodile; and even if you see every animal listed here, you’d still have a lot more to go before ticking off the complete Kruger Park list!
Of the multitude of bird species that can be spotted within the park, notable sightings include the Big 6: the lappet-faced vulture, Pel’s fishing owl, martial eagle, ground hornbill, kori bustard and the saddle-billed stork. This elegant bird is the world’s largest stork and prefers a solitary life near water; its numbers are dwindling, and as a result, it is rarely seen outside of Kruger National Park. Similarly, the habitat-specific Arnot’s Chat and the rare, migrant Pallid Harrier also prefer life inside Kruger.
Experiencing the Kruger National Park can be done in a variety of ways. A self-drive safari is a popular option, with many visitors choosing to stay at the main rest camps located across the park. There are many options to suit budgets and group sizes; the serviced and equipped accommodations range from single rooms with communal kitchen and ablutions, to self-contained multi-room family units with en-suite bathrooms.
For those wanting a more luxurious experience, Kruger National Park plays host to multiple concession lodges, known as Golden Kudus. These private camps offer discerning guests a luxurious safari experience, complete with 5-star service and guided game drives.
If being as close to nature as possible is your preference, there is also the option to take on one of the park’s wilderness trails. Walking these trails allows visitors to see, smell, hear, touch, feel and even taste the wild, and their remoteness, tranquillity and peace can be a life-changing experience.
Certain camps have their own experiences on offer. At Olifants, you can join a guided walking or mountain bike trail, while Skukuza has an 18-tee, par 72 golf course. The course is unfenced, allowing for the unique experience of having wildlife occasionally traversing the fairways and greens.
Kruger Park even caters for hardcore adventure seekers: over four days, you can tackle the Mafunyane 4×4 Eco-Trail behind the wheel of your 4×4. The 270km trail, between the Olifants and Luvuvhu rivers, has no facilities en route, and is completely self-catering, requiring guests to pack their own camping gear, water, firewood and food.
However you choose to experience Kruger National Park, a world of incredible natural beauty and special wildlife experiences awaits!
- Nine main gates provide various access points to the park via either the Limpopo or Mpumalanga provinces
- The Kruger Park is way more than the sum of its parts; there are vast number of animal species to see, a plethora of bird species and all sorts of topography to tackle between the north and south
- Easily accessible and navigable in your own vehicle
- Experiences and adventures tailored to a wide range of visitors
- At different times, areas of the Kruger Park have been dominated by prides of Lion who have become notorious for their hunting styles and their individual looks. Two of the most famous prides, no longer in existence, include the Mapogo and the Majingilane
- Kruger National Park is roughly the same size as Israel
- Areas of Kruger were initially protected in 1898, and it became South Africa's first national park in 1926.
- There is evidence of human occupation in Kruger National Park dating back 1.5 million years, when South Africa’s first indigenous population occupied caves in the area.
- Dry season (May to October) is best for game viewing as the vegetation is less dense.
- Some rest camps have notice boards with maps marking the location of animals that have been sighted. It’s a good tool to help plan your route for the day.
- Don’t try to take on the whole park - it’s huge! Choose areas and rest camps based on the animals you want to see or activities you want to do.
- Photographers - make sure you pack at least a 200mm lens as a lot of animals prefer to rest a short distance from the road.
