Kruger

The Kruger National Park is one of South Africa's 'must see' destinations with the finest game-viewing in the country.

Overview

A safari is usually a crucial element of any South Africa trip. And there is no better safari destination than the Kruger National Park. Words cannot describe the thrill of tracking a leopard on the hunt. Or observing a breeding herd of elephants at a waterhole. A Kruger safari can be in the National Park itself. Or in one of its adjacent private game reserves.

The Greater Kruger is the safari destination for many of our guests. The park itself is vast and encompasses many diverse biosheres. This ensures a diversity of wildlife on offer. But the Kruger offers an unsurpassed concentration of wildlife. (The Greater Kruger comprises the National Park, plus the Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Thornybush private game reserves, amongst others).

Some of these game reserves share an open border with the Kruger Park. So animals move freely between watering holes. These massive private game reserves offer several game lodges who co-operate to conserve their valuable heritage.

Kruger park safari, on safari at The Royal Malewane

We recommend spending at least three nights on your Kruger Park safari, preferably more. Many guests like to combine two safari areas to see different habitat and thus different wildlife. So you can combine the Sabi Sand Game Reserve with the Timbavati. Or with one of the private concessions in the Kruger National Park. Or you can enjoy a Kruger Park safari and then head to a completely different safari destination such as Madikwe Game Reserve, northern KwaZulu Natal, Botswana and Zambia or Zimbabwe.

Features

Why you may love it

  • Excellent game-viewing with a diverse variety in habitat offering close viewing of the Big Five
  • Great choice of private game reserves and Kruger concessions at varied price points
  • Option to sleep out in a treehouse in the bush at most lodges for the more adventures
  • Walking safaris on offer at most lodges in the Kruger Park with highly skilled guides
  • Located close to the Blyde River Canyon area for your exploration after or between safaris

When to visit Kruger

Nov to mid-March

Summer in Kruger

The Kruger has a summer rainfall climate with the rains starting somewhere in November. This usually takes the form of late afternoon or evening thunderstorms which are actually welcome as it cools the air and keeps everything lush and green. Temperatures are hot and humid during the day and stay warm in the evening and night. The rains are heaviest in January and February. This is not the best season for safari as the bush is thick so it’s harder to spot the game. Plus animals don’t need to come to rivers and waterholes so much to drink. However birding is excellent with the summer migrants. The Kruger is also not as affected as other Southern African reserves as the animals tend to stay within the greater Kruger reserve and don’t migrate away as happens elsewhere.
AVG RAINFALL 84mm
AVG HOURS SUNSHINE 7.5 Hours
MAX TEMP 32 ℃ / 90 ℉
MIN TEMP 20 ℃ / 68 ℉

Mid-March to mid-May

Rains cease

This is the start of the dry season and the safari season. By the end of March the rains have stopped, making game-viewing much easier. The landscape is still green and lush but grasses start dying down. The sunsets are superb as the skies are clearer. Nights are pleasantly warm but drier weather means the malaria risk is much lower.
AVG RAINFALL 25mm
AVG HOURS SUNSHINE 8 Hours
MAX TEMP 28 ℃ / 82 ℉
MIN TEMP 13.5℃ / 56 ℉

June to mid-Aug

Dry winter season

This is our dry winter climate with virtually no rain for months. This is the best time for game-viewing as the bush is less dense and the animals flock to the rivers for water. Daytime temperatures are very pleasant (23-25c). But you’ll need to have warm clothing once the sun sets. And for any early morning game drives. However it starts warming up in August.
AVG RAINFALL 15mm
AVG HOURS SUNSHINE 8 Hours
MAX TEMP 26 ℃ / 79 ℉
MIN TEMP 7 ℃ / 45 ℉

Mid-Aug to October

Heating up

Spring in the Kruger is tail-end of the dry season. So it remains a very good time for safari, though the bush tends to be less attractive. The temperatures heat up quickly in September and October prior to the start of the summer rains which usually start in November. With October being particularly hot.
AVG RAINFALL 30mm
AVG HOURS SUNSHINE 8 Hours
MAX TEMP 30 ℃ / 86 ℉
MIN TEMP 16℃ / 61 ℉

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We felt like royalty!

"The accommodations were top notch everywhere we stayed and the service was over the top. But the grand finale of Silvan Safari in the Sabi Sabi, totally blew us away. The game drives were like being in a movie… we could not believe what we were seeing, ride after ride. Our guide and tracker were incredible. And the accommodation! Good lord, our suite was twice the size of our apartment at home! The food, the service, everything was over the top. We felt like royalty! " Mrs Deb

Once more million thanks for organizing and supervising our trip of the lifetime.

"Service and staff were outstanding everywhere! And game was superb! I personally enjoyed viewing at Bateleur in Kruger the most , as relatively open spaces gave us the opportunity to see all Big five in no time. Mr & Mrs Yuly " Mr & Mrs Yuly

Had no idea how beautiful

"It really was the most wonderful experience, we feel truly privileged to have seen so many amazing animals close up in the bush. This was our first trip to South Africa and we had no idea how stunningly beautiful your country is. " Laughton Family, UK
Did you know
  • NameNamed after President Paul Kruger
  • HistoryFirst tourists enter in 1927

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Gloria Darvall

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I’m Gloria, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience

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