Kruger National Park South Africa attractions

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!

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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 220 miles) 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.

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.

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.

The best time to visit Kruger National Park

The winter months between May and September offer excellent game viewing with a lower risk of malaria. In winter, before the rains, the animals have to find water. Therefore, you are bound to find wildlife at the watering holes and rivers, which 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. Winter is the 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. 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. Or 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.

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. We also have a page dedicated to the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

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.

South Africa Attractions

Kruger National Park safari — Lions in front of Jock Safari Lodge

Kruger National Park Accommodation

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.

We recommend the luxury private game lodges to most of our clients (as you can’t beat the experience). Especially for honeymooners so check out the lodges that have special offers for your Kruger honeymoon. Also, see our Outer Kruger Honeymoon options.

Either click on the blue drop down box here for your Kruger accommodation. This list has got quite long so you can also use the map to find lodges you are looking for. Zoom in on the map by using the + sign.

Else, you can also use these links for regions in Kruger:
Sabi Sand accommodation
Timbavati accommodation

Click here for our Greater Kruger National Park accommodation↓