QUICK FACTS
ADDITIONAL READING
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Kruger is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) in their natural habitat. The park's vast expanse provides ample opportunities to observe these animals up close.
Beyond the Big Five, Kruger is home to over 500 bird species, 100 reptile species, and numerous other mammals like cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and more. The park's biodiversity is truly staggering, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
Kruger can be visited year-round, with each season offering unique experiences. The dry winter months (May to September) are ideal for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources, while the wet summer months (October to April) bring lush landscapes, newborn animals, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Kruger National Park is a photographer’s dream, offering endless opportunities to capture stunning images of wildlife, landscapes, and the ever-changing African sky. Whether you're a professional or an amateur, the park provides a rich canvas for photography.
Kruger is located near other popular attractions, such as the Panorama Route, which features breathtaking views of Blyde River Canyon, waterfalls, and scenic landscapes. Combining a visit to Kruger with these nearby destinations can enhance your South African adventure.
The dry winter months are the best time for spotting wildlife in Kruger. The vegetation is sparse, making it easier to see animals, and water sources are limited, so animals congregate around rivers and waterholes.
Days are warm and sunny, while nights and early mornings can be cool, but not too cold. This makes it comfortable for game drives.
The dry season has fewer mosquitoes, reducing the risk of malaria. June to August is the peak season, especially during school holidays. This means more tourists and higher prices, but also the best wildlife viewing conditions.
The wet summer season brings rain, transforming the park into a green paradise with lush vegetation. This is the time to see the park at its most beautiful. The wet season is the best time for birdwatching, as migratory birds arrive, and many species are in breeding plumage.
Many animals give birth during the wet season, so you may see plenty of baby animals, which can be a fascinating and heartwarming sight.
The park is less crowded during the wet season, which can make for a more peaceful and personal experience. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but usually brief, and the rain tends to freshen up the air and landscape.
These transitional periods between the wet and dry seasons offer a mix of advantages.
In April to May, the park is still green from the rains, but animals are starting to become easier to spot as the vegetation begins to thin.
In September to October, the park is dry, but not yet crowded, with good wildlife viewing and warm weather. Shoulder seasons generally see fewer visitors than the peak dry season, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
The Kruger National Park is regarded as the ultimate safari destination and the largest in South Africa. With almost two million hectares of pristine wilderness, the park is split into northern and southern reserves. The northern reserves are often referred to as the Greater Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park is renowned for being home to the iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo—and boasts the greatest variety of large mammal species among African reserves. Visitors can enjoy an exceptional safari experience, with a range of accommodation options from luxurious lodges to self-catering facilities.
Most reserves within the park offer activities like morning and evening game drives in open vehicles, as well as guided bush walks. Additionally, some reserves provide unique experiences such as local village tours, hot air balloon rides, elephant encounters, visits to animal rehabilitation centers, treehouse sleep-outs, and photographic safaris.
Sep 16, 2024
First time to Cape Town
We are a group of ten friends traveling together to Cape Town for the first time. Safari.com was our top choice for travel agents. Leché and Tracy were incredibly helpful and prompt with our questions and bookings. The trip to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve was fantastic, and everything went off without a hitch. We highly recommend Safari.com for your safari plans!
Sep 15, 2024
Very responsive
Very responsive, I sent an email and got a response almost immediately (I checked it’s like 11pm their time…on a Sunday)
Sep 15, 2024
Shann was amazingly helpful
Shann was amazingly helpful! After spending several days online on our own trying to find good accommodation or even available rooms and lodges, we reached out to safari and to shann, who set us up in record time with a beautiful destination, flights and transfers. I absolutely recommend this dite and the incredible service
Sep 15, 2024
Safari booking
Fadiel was very prompt in responding to my emails. Despite a double booking for our Safari - not his fault - everything worked out well in the end.
Sep 14, 2024
Sara Van Coillie
Sara Van Coillie, representing Safari.com, has gone above and beyond in assisting with a custom booking for an African safari experience I wanted arranged for my colleagues visiting Namibia for the first time. I highly recommend reaching out to her—she’s a true champion! It’s been a pleasure working with her.
Sep 14, 2024
Had such an amazing experience working…
Had such an amazing experience working with Leigh-Ann. She was able to get me everything I wanted at the price I wanted. Could not recommend more.
Sep 13, 2024
Sara curated a trip of a lifetime
Sara curated a trip of a lifetime. Met all our requirements and exceeded our expectations all within our budget!
Sep 13, 2024
South Africa Here We Come!!!
We had the inclination to take Rovos Rail through part of South Africa and found Safari.com online. Nicole Van der Merwe, the friendly agent who connected with us was amazing! We connected on WhatsApp and were handled with absolute care. Nicole answered our questions in detail and within one day, were were booked on the train in the Royal Suite! We look forward to completing the additional details of our fabulous train/safari trip with her! As we have never been to SA, Nicole and Safari.com took away ALL of the concerns we had about making our trip a reality. to tell you the truth, it has been a long time since we have been treated this way by such a wonderful travel firm. Safari.com makes makes traveling to SA simple! We look forward to having them assist us with the additional details.
Sep 13, 2024
Jayson is polite and knowledgeable…Highly recommend
Jayson was a polite and knowledgeable person. He was never 'pushy' and gave us a lot of options. He was very understanding when we had to 'delay' our plans due to an aging mother-in-laws health and wellbeing. We have every intention of pursuing our dream of visiting Africa in the 2025/26 season and we will certainly be in-touch with Jayson. Many thanks to Jayson