Kruger National Park safari

Kruger National Park offers the most incredible safari holidays with the ‘Big 5’ (Buffalo, leopard, lion, rhino, and elephant) in South Africa.

This area is over 2 million hectares in size and is one of the greatest game reserves in the world. Home to a large variety of wildlife; including the ‘Big 5’. There is an impressive number of species: 147 mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 49 fish, and 336 tree species!

Kruger safari
Leopard on game drive in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park falls into two provinces; Mpumalanga and Limpopo and also borders Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland). The park is 350km (about 220miles) from North to South; so it is impossible to see it all in one visit. There are many packages for 3 days or more; which will enable you to experience the best the park has to offer in a short amount of time.

Is it safe for children?

As long as all visitors to the park follow the rules; stay in vehicles during drives and respect the animals; a visit to the bush is no more dangerous than any other vacation. Some lodges may have age restrictions in place; please check when you make a booking.

Best time to visit Kruger National Park

The winter months between May to September offer excellent game viewing with a lower risk of malaria. In winter; before the rains; the animals have to find water and therefore; you are bound to find wildlife at the watering holes and rivers; that still have water. Daytime temperatures are warm and at night it can be a little chilly. The ideal time for tracking or a walking safari is during winter when it’s cooler in the middle of the day. Best game viewing, as animals gather around waterholes and are easier to spot in the thinned-out bush.

Summertime (October to April) can be very hot so it is advisable to stay in air-conditioned accommodation. The rains make the area lush and green with newborn animals, prolific birdlife, and a variety of flowers. Summer is the best time for a photographic safari as landscapes are greener and watering holes fuller. Although offered year-round, night drives in Kruger are ideal during the summer months when evenings are warmer. Birding is also better at this time of year as the migrant birds return. The best time to view baby animals in the bush is during summer; usually at the start of the rainy season.

Since malaria occurs in the region (particularly in the summer months); visitors are advised to take prophylactics.

Getting to Kruger National Park

The Park is easily accessible and has a good network of well-maintained roads. Consequently; it is ideal for self-drive safaris. Else; you can either connect to a road transfer or it is a short flight from Johannesburg. If you are traveling to Kruger National Park from Cape Town; there are scheduled flights to Nelspruit, Hoedspruit, or Skukuza; depending on where you are staying. From there; transfers to your lodges are arranged, or you can collect your rental car.

Where to stay in the Kruger National Park

Accommodation in the Greater Kruger National Park area varies substantially, but here is a very broad and basic explanation:
There are very basic fenced camps; inside the reserve; with accommodation ranging from camping with shared facilities; to guest houses. Prices are more reasonable than the ‘Private Camps’; but then you usually have to add on the costs of game drives, meals, etc. These are really only suitable for self-drive guests.
Entry-level game lodges provide accommodation and usually most of your meals, but your activities are extra. These are not as personalized as the luxury game lodges and are often not inside the park.
The luxury private game lodges are usually inclusive of meals, drinks and game drives so, therefore; are more costly; but you get the best experience as far as game viewing, staff and service, and a much more personalized safari vacation.

Packages on offer vary; not only in the experience provided by each camp; but also in the activities available and what is included.

Kruger walking safari
Kruger National Park walking safari at Pafuri

Walking safaris are also offered at some of the lodges. This is great to see big and small animals that you can’t see on game drives.

Private Game Reserves and Concessions

The Greater Kruger National Park area includes several private game reserves/concessions. The most popular are:

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

The Sabi Sand region offers some of the finest game viewings; with excellent lodges. We have a page dedicated to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve as it is so popular and exclusive.

Timbavati Game Reserve

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is another one of South Africa’s prime safari destinations. It comprises 53 392 hectares of private land; adjoining the Kruger National Park (unfenced). Consequently; this allows the animals free-roaming between each park, and ensures guests to the area the opportunity to view the greatest diversity of wildlife; including the “Big Five” that South Africa has to offer.

The Timbavati comprises various smaller private game reserves; including Motswari Game Reserve, Ngala Game Reserve (Ngala Safari Lodge and Ngala Tented Camp), Tanda Tula Game Reserve, and Umlani Game Reserve.

The Famous Timbavati White Lions

When the White Lions of the Timbavati were discovered; they became the subject of much interest and debate. Many people were and still are; of the opinion that the lions are a different species; or albino. The truth is that this is a natural phenomenon. It occurs due to a recessive gene for white lions. It only expresses itself if this gene is inherited from both parents; hence why white lions are so rare.

Other private reserves in the Greater Kruger National Park include Manyeleti Game Reserve, Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Kapama Private Game Reserve, Balule, and Klaserie.

Kruger National Park golf
Hyena with a kill on Skukuza Golf Course

Also in this area is the Panorama Route; known for its quaint towns, waterfalls, and stunning vistas. There are also golf courses in and around the park; including Leopard Creek Country Club in Malelane and Skukuza Golf Course. Wildlife frequently visits these courses.

Greater Kruger National Park Accommodation ↓
andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp

Ngala Tented Camp (Timbavati)

Ngala Tented Camp rates and safari special offers including honeymoons at Ngala Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park.

Ngala Safari Lodge accommodation in Kruger

Ngala Safari Lodge (Timbavati)

Rates and safari discounts at Ngala Safari Lodge, in the Kruger National Park – South Africa Holiday and honeymoon Safari Specials.

Kings Camp Private Game Reserve

Kings Camp Private Game Reserve (Timbavati)

Kings Camp and Waterbuck Private Camp offer sensational Big 5 safaris in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (Kruger) plus Kosher and Yoga

Sabi Sand safari

Tengile River Lodge (Sabi)

andBeyond Tengile River Lodge offers luxury all inclusive accommodation in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger National Park in South Africa – perfect for honeymoons and even weddings

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve (Sabi)

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve is an exclusive 5-star luxury experience in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the best part of the Kruger

Lion Sands River Lodge safari

Lion Sands River Lodge (Sabi)

Luxury Lion Sands River Lodge is in the southern Sabi Sand Game Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park). Ideal for families and honeymooners

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (Sabi)

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is in the southern Sabi Sand Game Reserve with fully inclusive luxury villas and a 2-bed residence with private pools

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is a luxurious accommodation safari lodge in the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park

MalaMala Camp exceptional safaris

MalaMala Camp (Sabi)

MalaMala Camp in the MalaMala Game Reserve; which consistently produces the most exciting wildlife experience this side of the equator!

Ulusaba Rock Lodge, Sabi safari

Ulusaba Rock Lodge (Sabi)

Luxury South African safari at Richard Branson’s Ulusaba Rock Lodge overlooking the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, in Greater Kruger National Park

Singita Ebony Lodge

Singita Ebony Lodge (Sabi)

Singita Ebony Lodge combines the romance of a tented camp and bush lodge providing the utmost luxury in the heart of the Sabi Sand.

MalaMala Rattrays Camp accommodation

MalaMala Rattrays Camp (Sabi)

MalaMala Rattray’s Camp offers romantic exclusivity and the best safaris situated between the Sabi Sand Reserve and the Kruger National Park.

Sable antelope in Sabi Sand

MalaMala Sable Camp (Sabi)

MalaMala Sable Camp is ideal for those seeking a more private and secluded safari experience in the game-rich Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger.

Singita Castleton family safari

Singita Castleton (Sabi – Exclusive-Use)

Singita Castleton is a family friendly exclusive-use safari lodge in the Sabi Sand with 6 cottages accommodating up to 12 guests

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Ulusaba Safari Lodge (Sabi)

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is Richard Branson’s safari lodge located in the western Sabi Sand Game Reserve, for an incredible Greater Kruger National Park safari. Lots of offers and packages including family and honeymoon.

Singita Boulders Lodge

Singita Boulders Lodge (Sabi)

Singita Boulders Safari Lodge is in the Sabi Sand, Greater Kruger National Park. The ultimate safari in South Africa – rates and offers

Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge

Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge (Sabi)

Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge is a luxurious safari lodge situated in the Sabi Sands It welcomes families and has a private villa

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is sculpted into a slope of the earth, almost invisible and the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa

Sabi safari

Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp

Sabi Sabi Little Bush Lodge (Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park) – luxury South African safari accommodation at discounted rates and offers

Andbeyond Kirkman's Kamp sunset deck

Kirkman’s Kamp (Sabi)

South Africa Holiday Safari Specials – Discounted rates for the ultimate South African safari at Kirkman’s Kamp in the Sabi Sand (Greater Kruger National Park).