National Parks

Kruger National Park in South Africa

Let the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa be the stage for a safari like no other, offering you an indescribably rich wildlife experience at one of Africa’s best national parks.

Ker & Downey® Africa > Destinations > South Africa > Parks > Kruger National Park in South Africa

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Everything you need to know about Kruger National Park

Rated as one of the top wildlife parks in Africa, the Kruger National Park is a spectacular backdrop for a Big 5 safari and boasts some of the best scenery on the continent. A jewel in the African safari crown, the nearly 2 million hectare park stretches 352 kilometres from north to south and is home to six major rivers, and the greatest diversity of flora and fauna in Africa. It is the ultimate destination for a truly rich wildlife experience including African big cats, buffalo, giraffe, elephant and a variety of large antelope.

Where is the park located?

The Kruger National Park is situated in the north-eastern region of South Africa. Wedged between the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and bordering the countries of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the Park offers a wide diversity of landscapes. It is easily accessible from South Africa’s two major international airports – Johannesburg and Cape Town – with regular scheduled flights to local airports in the different regions of the Park.

About the park

What can you expect from the terrain?

Because of the sheer size of the Park, the landscape, and subsequent game viewing, differs vastly as you travel from north to south. Ultimately, the park is divided into two major sections – the more arid northern section, and the slightly more saturated south. Home to five different vegetation zones, the terrain ranges from wide grassy plains, interspersed with vast river valleys and dense woodland forests, to craggy sandstone hills, and iconic Baobab trees that pepper the region. It is a medley of remarkable nature at its very best. 

What type of wildlife will we see?

Because of the varying terrain, animals are generally seen in bigger numbers in the more arid southern region. Here, the Big 5, including incredible cat sightings, are a more regular occurrence, whereas in the north, unique sightings of localized mammals and bird species, as well as some of the Kruger’s biggest elephant populations can be seen that are unique to that region. All in all, Kruger offers some of Africa’s best game viewing opportunities. Guests can expect close encounters with leopard, white and black rhino, buffalo, lion, elephant, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hippo, hyenas, and the rare wild dog amongst a range of other various smaller game, birds of prey, and nocturnal animals.

Top experiences to enjoy at Kruger National Park

Not only is the Kruger National Park a spectacular backdrop for a Big 5 safari, but the area is also  remarkable for an exceptional range of ancient Bushman rock paintings and important archaeological sites. These, and other close encounters with the bushveld, can be experienced on incredible walking safaris where expert local guides will share their extensive knowledge and bush lore with you. 

Another bucket list experience when visiting this iconic wildlife haven is a night spent out in the open, experiencing the sounds and sights of the bush while sleeping in luxury mobile tents under the stars. There really isn’t anything quite as magical as being up close and personal with the nocturnal animals of the bush and experiencing the sight of millions of stars scattered on a black canvas like moon dust.  

When to visit

Although the Kruger National Park thrives throughout the year, the best time to visit is at the beginning or end of the region’s drier season – the South African winter, from May to September. Though the evenings can get cold, the days are pleasant and sunny and because the vegetation is sparse during this time, it is far easier to spot wildlife. However, if you choose to visit in summer, you will witness the birthing season.

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