Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is justifiably one of the most famous parks in Africa. The park is the size of a small country and supports a huge variety of wildlife. All of the Big Five are present in large numbers. A comprehensive road network that is fine for 2WD cars means Kruger is one of the best parks for self-drive safaris.`

Pros & Cons

Teeming with a breathtaking diversity of wildlife
Birdlife is phenomenal
Good facilities and roads
Excellent choice of lodges and rest camps for all budgets
The far south gets very busy in high season
Trunk roads are tarred and lack wilderness appeal

Kruger Park has an amazing variety of wildlife with all big safari animals present. All the big cats are found and lion, in particular, are frequently seen in the south of the park. White rhino are under threat from a dramatic increase in poaching in recent years, but you still have a reasonable chance of spotting one. Buffalo and elephant are easily seen throughout.

Wildlife Highlights

Graceful antelope are a highlight of Kruger. Impala, greater kudu and waterbuck are common. Two secretive species to look out for are steenbok and common duiker. Kruger supports the world’s largest population of white rhino, estimated at 8,000, despite a recent increase in poaching. Black rhino are rarer and seldom seen. The endangered wild dog lives in large groups that range far and wide, although it is rarely spotted.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for wildlife viewing in Kruger Park is during the dry months of June to September when the vegetation is less thick. August to September is a recommended time as temperatures are higher than in mid-winter and the animals are concentrated around water sources making for excellent wildlife watching.

Wildlife Viewing

Although more than a million visitors come to Kruger every year, incidents involving wildlife are extremely rare. Follow the park rules, listen to the instructions given by your guide and take notice of the 'Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions' below and you won’t have any problems.

Further advice on limiting dangers and annoyances when traveling:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

• General Travel Safety Precautions

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

• Safety & Security – South Africa

• Malaria – South Africa

More than 500 bird species have been recorded in Kruger, representing roughly 60 percent of the total for South Africa. This includes more than 50 migratory species, most of which arrive from Eurasia or elsewhere in Africa in November and depart in April. Kruger is the best place in the country to see birds of prey; around 55 diurnal and 11 nocturnal species have been recorded. The less visited northern part of the park offers the best bird watching. All the rest camps tend to be hot spots because there is a high concentration of trees and shrubs.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

Best Time for Bird Watching

Bird watching in Kruger Park is good year-round, but at its best from November to April, when Eurasian and intra-African migrants are present. The best time for general wildlife viewing is during the dry months of June to September.

The best time to visit Kruger National Park is during the dry winter months from May to September. At this time, the bush thins out, and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. Conditions tend to get better as winter progresses, and September is particularly lovely since the mornings are less chilly than in mid-winter. The best wildlife viewing time also coincides with the low season, making it even more attractive.

Best Time May to September (Dry season)

High Season December to January and July to August (Especially during school holidays)

Low Season April to mid-June and September to November (Except for the October school holiday)

Best Weather April to May and September to October (Mild weather and little rain)

Worst Weather June to August (Chilly mornings and nights) and December to February (Hot and humid)

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Wildlife gathers around water and vegetation thins out making viewing much easier
It is low season, except for the school holidays, and the camps and roads are less busy
Sunny skies and no rain
Mild daytime temperatures and low humidity
Virtually no risk of malaria
It is very dry and dirt roads become dusty
Early morning game drives in open vehicles are cold; warm clothing is required

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

The scenery is green and fresh
There are many baby animals, and wildlife is in good condition
Birding is excellent, and the migratory birds are present
Wildlife viewing is not as good as during the Dry season
It is high season, and the main camps get busy
Hot and humid in the middle of the day
It is advisable to take antimalarial medication

Kruger experiences winter and summer at the opposite times to Europe and North America. The wet summer months (October to April) are hot and often humid. Dry winters (May to September) are warm and mild although it cools off considerably at night. It is advisable to take warm clothing for early morning and evening game drives.

Dry season–May to September – Winter

There is virtually no rainfall during the whole of winter, and the humidity is very low. Animals are attracted to permanent water sources as water becomes scarce in the bush.

May – This is a transitional month and marks the end of summer. Temperatures are cooling down to typically 12°C/54°F in the morning and 27°C/81°F in the afternoon.
June, July & August – Morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold, so it's recommended to pack warm winter clothing. The average morning temperature is 10°C/50°F. Afternoons will be pleasant with temperatures around 26°C/79°F and cloudless skies.
September – The heat gradually builds to about 29°C/84°F in the afternoon, and the first rains bring relief from very dry conditions. Mornings are less cold with temperatures around 14°C/57°F.

Wet seasons–October to April – Summer

It can be uncomfortably hot and humid in summer. Peak temperatures frequently reach well over 40°C/104°F, although average daytime temperatures reach 32°C/90°F with high humidity. It seldom rains all day, but the pattern is afternoon storms.

October & November – It gets warmer and starts to rain more often, mostly in the afternoon. Temperatures are between 18°C/64°F in the morning and 31°C/88°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These are the wettest and hottest months, characterized by torrential downpours in the afternoon and high humidity. Afternoon temperatures are usually around 32°C/90°F but can soar up to an unbearable 40°C/104°F.

March & April – Rainfall decreases, and it slowly gets colder. April has lovely, clear weather and few clouds. The nights get a bit chillier but are still pleasant at about 18°C/61°F. Daytime temperatures are around 30°C/64°F and the humidity drops

Most visitors to Kruger fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) near Johannesburg. From here a connecting flight goes to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), which lies 40km/25mi from southern Kruger’s Numbi Gate. Alternatively, fly to Hoedspruit (for the central and northern sections) or Phalaborwa (for the northern section).

It is also possible to take a scheduled flight to Skukuza Airport inside the park and Federal Airlines (see below) offers scheduled flights to some of the lodges’ airstrips.

Alternatively, you could hire a car in Johannesburg and drive to the park. The park has nine entrance gates, the closest of which, Numbi Gate, is 375km/235mi from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. The drive takes at least four hours.

Domestic Flights

Charter flights between parks and lodges are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package. Charter flights to Skukuza Airport in the park or any of the lodges’ airstrips are also available

Safety

As with most parks and reserves in South Africa, it is, in our opinion, very safe to travel around in Kruger NP. Crime is not an issue in the park, but we recommend a few normal safety precautions, just as you would carry out in any part of the world: lock your car when you’re not in it, don’t leave valuables in open sight and follow the park rules.

Johannesburg

When visiting Kruger, Johannesburg is the main entry point from abroad and crime is a concern within the city. However, taking sensible safety precautions (see links below) will result in a great trip without any problems for the vast majority of people. Also, since the airport is located on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg, along the main road to Kruger, it isn’t necessary to stay in or even drive through the city when traveling to/from Kruger.

Kruger Park lies in a malaria zone, but there is only a very small risk in the wet summer months (from October to April). At this time, you should take measures to protect yourself by wearing appropriate clothing and applying mosquito repellent. Seek medical advice before your trip about antimalarial medication options and if they are needed. Several vaccinations are also recommended when traveling to South Africa in general and to Kruger.

South Africa is generally a safe country to visit, in our opinion. All the more so if your visit is primarily an organized safari or tour. More than 10 million tourists visit South Africa every year, and most visits are trouble-free. South Africa does have, however, a high level of both petty and violent crime. Most crime is committed in big cities, such as Johannesburg and Durban but issues can usually be avoided by following basic safety precautions.

Below are tips on staying safe in South Africa.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

To stay safe on safari, always listen carefully to your guide’s instructions, follow the rules of the park and respect wild animals. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so, and don’t drive too close to animals. For additional tips:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

There is a fair amount of crime in South Africa’s big cities. Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are crime hotspots but you are very unlikely to encounter any issues on guided visits. Cape Town and Durban are fine to visit independently as well as long as you avoid ‘bad’ areas and you follow basic safety precautions: seek advice from your hotel before taking a walk in the city; don’t wear valuables and only take the money you need with you; don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for South Africa and general travel safety precautions.

• South Africa: Malaria & Vaccinations

• General Travel Safety Precautions

Malaria – South Africa

The information on this page is just a brief guide and should not be used as a replacement for a consultation with your travel doctor

Malaria Risk

Most of the country is free of malaria, but the main wildlife area lies in a moderate-risk zone, including Kruger NP and all other Lowveld reserves in Mpumalanga. The KwaZulu-Natal parks lie in a low-risk zone. The highest risk of transition is in the rainy season from October to May

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible