Experience the captivating wildlife of Kruger National Park on a safari adventure, where you can see diverse wildlife in their natural habitats. Kruger National Park is unrivalled in wildlife and ecosystem diversity. It is rugged, romantic, wild, luxurious as well as affordable – a safari destination which caters for everyone! As one of the largest reserves in Africa, the park is not only rich in ecology but in history and archeology as well. Its surface spans an area of 20 000 km sq, a result of surrounding reserves opening their borders to allow animals to roam freely between. There are over 145 species of mammals, 114 reptiles, and more than 500 bird species. A safari seekers dream!
Wildlife Viewing at Kruger National Park
During your Kruger National Park safari, there are many game viewing routes throughout the park, offering a variety of scenery during your stay. Bird and elephant enthusiasts are recommended to head to the far north for sightings, lions and other cats are more central, however the Big 5 and big herds of plains game – explore the south. Each section has its specific characters and ecosystems – all equally fascinating to discover. Best advice – give yourself time to experience both!
When to Travel to Kruger National Park
Dry Season (Winter)
The best time to travel to the Kruger National Park is during the dry winter months from May to September. During these months, the landscape undergoes a transformation and the vegetation becomes sparser as water sources dwindle, causing animals to congregate around the remaining waterholes and rivers. The presence of wildlife near water sources boosts your chances of seeing a variety of species in one location, making it a perfect time for safari. Clearer vision through reduced vegetation also improves wildlife spotting, allowing you to examine the interactions of the park’s inhabitants more intimately. Furthermore, the drier conditions make it easier to manage the park’s roads and trails, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable safari trip.
Wet Season (Summer)
During the summer (rainy) months in Kruger National Park, you can anticipate a vibrant and dynamic safari experience. The landscape transforms into a lush and green paradise as the rainy season brings rejuvenation to the vegetation. This period, from November to February, is characterized by higher temperatures and occasional rain showers. While the dense foliage might slightly hinder wildlife visibility compared to the dry winter months, the park comes alive with a burst of activity. Many animals give birth during this time, resulting in adorable and heartwarming sightings of young offspring.
Bird Watching at Kruger National Park
Birdwatching is exceptional during the summer, as migratory birds arrive, adding color and diversity to the avian population. With its distinctive call and striking appearance, the African Fish Eagle is an iconic sight. It has a white head, brown body, and a distinctive hooked beak. It’s often found near water sources, as it’s an expert fisher.
Kruger National Park Camps
The Kruger National Park consists of 12 main camps, as well as several smaller camps scattered throughout the park. There are also several private concessions with their own camps. The main camps in the park contain shops, restaurants or cafeterias, petrol stations and first aid stations. The largest camp, which also serves as the headquarters for the Kruger National Park, is Skukuza.
Skukuza
Skukuza is the biggest camp in Kruger, as it also contains the administrative headquarters for the park. It is located on the southern bank of the Sabie River.
Letaba
Letaba rest camp overlooks a bend in the Letaba River, very close to the geographic centre of the park.
Berg-en-Dal
Berg-en-Dal is one of the most accessible camps in the Kruger National Park. It is 12 km from Malelane Gate, which is an hour drive from Mbombela via the N4.
Malelane
Near Berg-en-Dal and the Malelane gate is the small Malelane satellite camp. Featuring 15 tent sites, 4 four-bed rondavels and 1 three-bed rondavel, Malelane only provides one activity of game drives.
Mopani
Mopani sits on the north bank of Pioneer Dam, just south of the Tropic of Capricorn and 50 km north of Letaba. Mopani is also the administrative location of the Shipandani sleep-over bird hide.
Crocodile Bridge
Crocodile Bridge is directly along the southern border of the park near the town of Komatipoort. It is smaller than the other main camps, and as such doesn’t have a separate restaurant.
Lower Sabie
Lower Sabie lies about 45 km downstream of Skukuza on the south bank of the Sabie River. It is situated near one of the three bridges to cross the Sabie river in the park.
Kruger National Park Safaris
We’ll assist you in securing the best accommodations near the Kruger National Park and surrounding attractions, ensuring your comfort and convenience throughout your trip. We can design custom tours to the Kruger National Park, taking into account your budget, preferred activities and amenities. We can also provide you with a detailed packing checklist that includes essentials for African safari adventures.
Bookings / Enquiries:
info@jenmansafaris.com
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+27 21 683 7826
