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The Kruger National Park is one of the last bona fide paradises. African Sky offers comprehensive travel information and a host of luxury safari packages and private tour options to travelers intent on visiting the park. Our offerings include itineraries focused only on Kruger and the private game reserves that form part of it and longer packages that combine Kruger Park with other regional highlights.
Need Advice?Part of what makes the Kruger National Park so appealing to safari enthusiasts is the wide variety of accommodation options available, catering to various budgets and interests as well. Whether you're looking for luxury or an authentically rustic getaway in the Wilderness, a camp or lodge exists for your adventure.
The frequency of fantastic sightings in Kruger Park is unrivaled in South Africa. We offer a wide range of Kruger Park safaris to take advantage of the abundance of remarkable game viewing opportunities.
These properties range from plush personal lodges to extravagant safari palaces. They are typically scattered across the most wildlife-rich corners of the park and, for maximum exclusivity, in areas that other visitors do not have access to.
The Kruger Park's rest camps offer decent accommodations for budget-friendly safaris. The chalets are comfortable, clean, and serviced daily. The rest camps we use have casual restaurants catering to most dietary requirements.
These wild outposts have discarded luxuries for a more intimate affair with nature. No restaurant (or other) facilities are available on-site, so guests at these camps need to arrive fully equipped for their rustic getaway.
There are several casual picnic spots scattered throughout the main arteries of Kruger Park. They are ideal for pit stops or lunch while you are out and about in the park game viewing in the company of your African Sky guide.
Various wilderness trails crisscross the quieter regions of the park where private vehicles are not allowed. You'll spend a few days on the trail, getting close to nature and learning more about the animals you encounter. Accommodation is basic but comfortable.
The Kruger National Park is South Africa's most sought-after safari destination – a wild utopia that abounds with all walks of wildlife and pristine natural beauty. The sprawling two million-hectare park offers every opportunity for an unforgettably rewarding game viewing experience.
Considering its size, natural abundance, and extensive range of concessions, private reserves, and safari lodges, information on the park is plentiful – and can be a bit overwhelming. Here we've curated the most essential – and interesting – material for your convenience and pleasure.
The renowned private game reserves that share an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park count amongst the most sought-after safari destinations on the African continent.
Sabi Sand stretches along 50 km of fenceless park fringe. The reserve's named for the two rivers that run through the park; the Sabie and the Sand. The oldest (and most eminent) of Kruger's private reserves, Sabi Sand has established itself as a world-class safari destination with a medley of comfortable lodges cradled in its cusps.
Next to Sabi Sand, Timbavati is the other significant reserve bordering the park. It boasts thirteen lodges and self-catering camps, including the celebrated Kings Camp with its impeccable attention to detail and the rustic Umlani Bush Camp for a more organic (yet nonetheless comfortable) experience.
Though Klaserie shares the shortest border with the park, it is the largest private game reserve that forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Lodges such as Gomo Gomo Game Lodge provide more affordable yet still reverently stylish accommodation options.
Balule Private Game Reserve hugs the western boundary of the Kruger Park and stretches over 40 000 hectares of privately owned land. The prolific Olifants River continues its course through Balule for 20 km, sustaining the proliferation of wildlife.
Manyeleti lies in the supreme game area between Sabi Sand and Timbavati, with wildlife trekking in unabated flows between the private reserves and Kruger Park. The reserve is quieter than its neighbors, providing a truly 'private' viewing experience.
Mala Mala is generally considered the birthplace of the South African private lodge experience. The reserve is the largest of the private reserves that used to make up the Sabi Sand. It occupies prime game viewing land immediately to the west of the park.
The most impressive of Africa's large mammals occur in significant numbers in the Kruger National Park. Viewing one of these imposing beasts in its natural habitat is always one of the highlights of a safari.
Social animals by nature, prides of Lion are scattered throughout Kruger, with the highest concentrations occurring in the Southern and central parts of Kruger.
Large herds of elephants, solitary bulls, and groups of young bulls can be seen along the watercourses that crisscross the Wilderness they call home.
Kruger is home to the White (Square Lipped) and the smaller Black (Hook Lipped) Rhino. They are especially numerous in the Southern parts of the park.
Great herds of buffalo roam the grassland of Kruger. These bovines are seen throughout Kruger Park. They are a favorite prey of the lion prides in this Wilderness.
The most elusive of the Big 5, leopard prefer the densely wooded areas that surround water courses where they are able to protect their kills from other predators by taking it up into the trees.
In addition to the Big 5, Kruger is home to an abundance of large and small mammal species.
More AnimalsA week spent exploring the Kruger National Park in the company of an expert guide whose intimate knowledge should add greatly to the enjoyment of your safari.
Explore the Southern part of the Kruger National Park accompanied by an African Sky guide. Accommodation is in en-suite air-conditioned bungalows.
Two of the finest lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park in two distinct private game reserves are the focus of this week-long safari.
Kruger National Park stretches over nearly 2 million hectares of South African Lowveld; the park is one of the largest conservation areas on the African continent. Kruger is a haven for ample numbers of the Big 5, as well as almost 150 other mammal species, hundreds of bird species, and a variety of amphibian and reptile life. There is an element to overwhelm every sense and settle itself in the most romantic corners of the memory.
The remarkable collection of accommodation options available in the park itself and the private game reserves on its border is another appealing hallmark of the park, providing a diverse selection for both the budget traveler and the hedonist. From the bare minimum of a self-struck tent to the luxury of an all-inclusive private lodge, the Kruger National Park can entertain every cut of holidaymakers.
Activities abound, from guided bush walks into the untrodden bushveld to rugged 4x4 trails, rewarding and informative game drives, the reclusive game hides for private encounters, forays to historical and archaeological sites, and many more. One will not soon forget the fish eagle's haunting peal of laughter - a soundtrack to early morning excursions with the African sun bleeding over dusky treetops.
The private game reserves that border Kruger Park host some of the finest safari lodges in the world. These reserves combine the pristine Wilderness and wildlife of the park with accommodations fit for a king or queen. Meals are included on a full board basis, with some lodges offering extravagant extras like private plunge pools, en suite lounges, and personal butler services.
When staying in a private game reserve or at a lodge located on a private concession in the Kruger National Park, morning and afternoon game drives are conducted on open 4x4 vehicles by experienced local rangers and trackers. These vehicles are equipped to make your game drive comfortable and offer maximum photographic opportunities.
If you are staying at a rest camp in the national park, game drives are conducted in air-conditioned vehicles by African Sky guides. These game drives have the advantage of not being limited to the morning or afternoon, and can often last most of the day - depending on your preference. An air-conditioned vehicle offers much greater comfort on these extended game drives that cover a lot of ground.
Visiting this wild corner of the continent means that some wild dining options are available as well, which will appeal particularly well to meat lovers and adventurous eaters. Trying unique and traditional fare is undoubtedly part of a rewarding travel experience.
Four airports serve the Kruger National Park; Nelspruit and Skukuza in the south, Hoedspruit in the central part of Kruger, and Phalaborwa in the north. Scheduled charter flights are available to most of the private lodges. The flight duration from Johannesburg ranges from about 50 minutes to an hour and a half.
Traveling overland from Johannesburg to the Southern and central Kruger National Park involves between four and six hours. We recommend that anyone who visits the park on an overland safari enters the park through Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Orpen, or Phalaborwa gates.
Spring and summer in Kruger can become uncomfortably hot, reaching record temperatures as high as 40 °C but averaging at a maximum of 33 °C and a minimum of 16 °C between September and March. The chance of contracting malaria is also much higher during this period, as the rainfall draws mosquitoes.
The best time to visit the park is during the autumn/winter period between April and August when temperatures are at their lowest. The dry season lures animals to water sources, which provide great game-viewing opportunities. The temperature is still relatively high during this period, with average maximums ranging from 26 °C to 29 °C, depending on the month and location in the park. Minimums fluctuate between 6 °C and 15 °C.
| Gate | Phone Number |
| Crocodile Bridge | +27 (0)13 735 6012 |
| Kruger Gate | +27 (0)13 735 5107 |
| Malelane | +27 (0)13 735 6152 |
| Numbi | +27 (0)13 735 5133 |
| Orpen | +27 (0)13 735 0237/0238 |
| Pafuri | +27 (0)13 735 5574 |
| Phabeni | +27 (0)13 735 5890 |
| Phalaborwa | +27 (0)13 735 3547 |
| Punda Maria | +27 (0)13 735 6870 |
Entrance Gates open at 05:30 from October to March and 06:00 from April to September.
Camp Gates Opens at 04:30 during December, January, and February. In February, March, and October, the opening time is 05:30. From April to September, camp gates open at 06:00.
All Gates close at 18:30 from November to February, at 18:00 during March, April, August, and September. In May, June, and July, the closing time is 17:30.
| Blue Wildebeest | 6400 - 13100 |
| Buffalo | 37130 |
| Burchell’s Zebra | 23700 - 35 300 |
| Cheetah | 120 |
| Crocodile | 4420 |
| Eland | 460 |
| Elephant | 13750 |
| Giraffe | 6800 - 10 300 |
| Greater Kudu | 11 200 - 17300 |
| Hippopotamus | 3100 |
| Impala | 132 300 - 176 400 |
| Leopard | 1000 |
| Lion | 1620 -1750 |
| Mountain Reedbuck | 150 |
| Nyala | >300 |
| Reedbuck | 300 |
| Roan Antelope | 90 |
| Sable Antelope | 290 |
| Spotted Hyena | 5340 |
| Tsessebe | 220 |
| Warthog | 3100 - 5700 |
| Waterbuck | 3100 - 7800 |
| Wild Dog | 120 |
All who visit the park should consult their physicians about anti-malarial prophylactics. The malaria risk in Kruger is highest in the far south and the far north, but the whole park falls within a malaria risk region.
The question of whether close encounters with wildlife are safe, as well as general safety, is a concern to many foreign visitors. Animals can be intimidating, especially the Big 5. You can rely on experienced rangers with in-depth knowledge of animal behavior. Though infrequent, there have been a couple of incidents over the years where animals have caused injury or death. However, this has never occurred on any safari operated by African Sky since 1998.
Around half an hour before the camp's gates officially open, your open-air 4x4 vehicle will slip out into the pre-dawn darkness. This period is characterized by nipping temperatures and a gloom that stirs with the peripherally rising sun. The coolness coaxes out the early risers; typically, cunning predators keen on taking advantage of prey still locked in the blind comfort of slumber. The drive is three hours long and comprises a satisfying blend of tranquility and exhilaration. A resident park ranger will acquaint you with Kruger's sights, smells, and sounds at sunrise.
The sunset game drives depart camp just before dusk, in that late afternoon stretch when the sky seems to shift its colors by the second. The waning light allows a few sun-touched sightings before the inescapable veil of nighttime. Predators like lions and leopards shrug off the languor of the day and quicken into the hunt, ready to overwhelm any quarry settling down in the dark. Spotlights will assist in your nighttime viewing, and a resident park ranger will provide valuable illumination regarding the animals' unique habits.
Night drives in open-air 4x4 vehicles offer the unique opportunity to encounter Kruger's more seldom spotted nocturnal wildlife. Depending on the time of the year, the drives generally depart camp between 19:30 and 20:00. They are characterized by encounters with spotted genets, porcupines, civets, bush babies, and larger nighttime ramblers like hyenas, hippos, leopards, and lions. Night drives are also the ideal time to learn more about the star-spangled Milky Way, effervescent in its glory so far removed from the interference of city lights.
When staying at a lodge in a private concession or private game reserve, you will enjoy two scheduled open-air 4x4 game drives daily – one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon. These are periods of increased animal activity, largely due to the more moderate temperatures. The vehicles in question are often modified Land Rovers or Land Cruisers, which are hardy enough to traverse various terrains. Rangers occasionally venture off the road for more significant sightings like lions, leopards, cheetahs, or wild dogs.
Mid-way through your game drive – depending on how much time you spend enjoying sightings, of course – you will typically stop somewhere scenic in the bush to enjoy a cup of coffee with a biscuit or a sundowner gin and tonic.These stops allow guests to stretch their legs, take a moment to breathe, and truly relish their awe-inspiring surroundings.
There are many benefits to enjoying an open 4x4 game drive in a private concession or private game reserve rather than serving as add-on activities in Kruger Park. Unlike the excessive seating of the national park vehicles, these vehicles are limited to a maximum of between 6 and 8 passengers, ensuring your uncrowded comfort and a far superior field of vision. Your game drives will also take place in areas of little or no traffic, removed as you will be from the main arteries of the park. There is something immensely satisfying about being the only vehicle at an extraordinary sighting, almost as if nature has chosen to share a secret with you alone.
In 1898, the initiative of Jakob-Louis van Wyk, R.K. Loveday, and President Paul Kruger to establish a 'government wildlife park,' the area between the Sabie and Crocodile rivers, was proclaimed the Sabie Game Reserve. This area now comprises the Southern third of the modern park. The first official warden, Scottish-born Major James Stevenson-Hamilton, was appointed by Sir Godfrey Lagden in 1902. Harry Wolhuter and Thomas Duke became the Sabie Game Reserve's first rangers, posted at present-day Pretoriuskop and Lower Sabie. At the same time, Stevenson-Hamilton operated headquarters at the Sabie Bridge (present-day Skukuza).
In 1903, the Shingwedzi Game Reserve (which now forms part of northern Kruger) was proclaimed and added to Stevenson-Hamilton's list of responsibilities. He appointed Major AA Fraser as the reserve's first head ranger in 1904.
In 1926, the National Parks Act was passed. The reserves were fused and expanded into forging the Kruger National Park. The first three tourist cars accessed the park in 1927, with numbers swelling to 180 in 1928 and 850 in 1929. In the 1940s, the Greek royal family and King George II visited Kruger.
Vestiges of yesteryear survive throughout the park, from the Albasini ruins (the original home of the area's first European settler) near the Phabeni gate and prospectors' graves in the south to the site of Wolhuter's lion attack and the Masorini archaeological site in the north. From the near-extinction of several species to the ongoing battle against poaching, Kruger Park and its champions have braved many challenges in its evolution toward the distinguished reserve as it exists today.
Kruger National Park is an excellent arena for close encounters of the four-legged kind. It is a haven where critically endangered and vulnerable species, such as the African wild dog, black rhinoceros, and cheetah, can still be viewed in their natural habitat. The big cats prosper, with around 2000 lions and 2000 leopards residing in the park, ensuring that the average game viewer can quickly tick them off their checklist.
Elephants occur in abundance, with herds expanding so much in recent years (almost 12 000 elephants currently call Kruger home) that many groups had to be relocated to protect the ecosystem. White rhinos are present in lesser numbers but are regularly spotted throughout the park. Solid herds of African buffalo frequently blacken the gold sweep of the savanna, emerging from the bush in their thousands.
Large herbivores such as Burchell's zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, and impala prevail on every terrain, while eland, nyala, and smaller antelope are rarer finds. Lesser mammals include spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals, honey badgers, genets, meerkats, mongoose, warthogs, bush pigs, porcupines, baboons, and Vervet monkeys. Dams and rivers teem with hippo and crocodile populations.
With over 500 feathered species, Kruger is a birder's paradise. From the delightful lilac-breasted roller to the majestic Bateleur eagle, even wildlife enthusiasts will be charmed by the kaleidoscope of birdlife after the larger game. A few of the park's birds belong to a group called 'The Big Six.' They include the tremendous Lappet-faced vulture, the snow-bellied Martial eagle, the eccentrically dressed saddle-billed stork, the low-stalking Kori bustard, the comically odd ground hornbill, and the rarely spotted Pel's fishing owl.
Kruger is home to several snake species. Though most people detest these reptiles, a growing number of safari enthusiasts are fascinated by snakes and their role in the ecosystem.
Stretching 380 km north to south and averaging 60 km east to west, the wild expanse of the Kruger National Park may almost be considered a province in its own right. Two rivers are natural borders to the park; the Limpopo River in the north and the Crocodile River in the south. Kruger's western boundary runs across the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, while Mozambique's Limpopo National Park lies to the east.
A few significant rivers run west to east through the park, starting with the Sabie River in the south, the Olifants and Letaba rivers in the heart of the park, and the Luvuvhu in the far north. These rivers replenish the numerous smaller streams and dams throughout the park. Depending on the region, rainfall varies from a maximum of 720 mm to a minimum of 400 mm per annum.
Vegetation digresses throughout Kruger, creating a stirring medley of settings for game sightings. Rock figs and bushwillows star the southwest, with kiaat and silver-cluster leaf lacing the Pretoriuskop area. The general south is full of sickle bush and thorn trees, ranging from knob thorn to scented and sticky thorn. Shady tamboti trees and the juicy-fruited marula trees cloak the area as well. A mopane mantle covers the earth from the park's heart to the far north. Rare tree species occur in the northern Pafuri and Punda Maria regions; an area also weighted in ancient baobab trees.
Around seven geological substructures pad the bushy carpet of the park. The west is generally bedded in granite, with rolling plains sprouting from the sandy earth. Coarse, dark gabbroic intrusions also pepper this region, occurring sporadically in the savanna. Karoo sedimentary rock stretches north to south in an axial girdle, yielding fine sand and salty clay soils. The east of the park is stained with ruddy basalt, climbing into the rhyolite base coat of the Lebombo Mountains' stony bulges toward Mozambique.
