The Greater Kruger Park encompasses a number of private reserves scattered around the edges of the Kruger National Park. Some of these smaller reserves share an unfenced border with the Kruger which allows the wildlife, including the Big Five, to move freely. Travellers are afforded an intimate safari experience with a limited number of lodges and safari vehicles in each private concession. An adventure awaits you in the Greater Kruger Park with a selection of tented and luxury safari lodge accommodation, open-vehicle game drives, guided walking safaris, elephant interactions, hot air ballooning experiences, cultural village tours, and sleep-out experiences beneath the stars.
The Kruger National Park experiences two distinct seasons: a dry winter from May to October and a wet summer from November to April. As the area is a year-round destination, when you choose to go largely depends on the type of experience you wish to have.
We rate the dry winter season as ideal for game viewing and safari walks. During this period, the vegetation thins out significantly and animals congregate around permanent waterholes, making them easier to spot. This is also a pleasant time to visit as there are relatively few mosquitoes and little to no rain. Day-time temperatures during winter are warm but not stiflingly hot. Visitors will need warm clothing for the chilly evenings and early-morning game drives.
At the end of the winter season, from around September to October, conditions can become very hot and humid. Concentrations of animals around water sources are at their peak, resulting in exceptional game viewing.
The summer rainfall period typically begins in November and continues until about April. The park is at its most beautiful as the vegetation becomes lush and green, providing an ideal backdrop for wildlife photography. This is also the calving season, when baby animals abound, and bird watching is at its best with the arrival of summer migrants. If you’re keen on combining your Kruger safari with a classic South African beach holiday, this is the time to visit.
Travellers looking to avoid the crowds should avoid Kruger during the peak tourist seasons from July to August and during the December/January South African school holidays.
At Safari.com, we have more than 50 accomplished Kruger travel consultants ready to help you make your Safari dream a reality. With our in-depth knowledge and first-hand experience of the Kruger region, we’re able to tailor a safari to suit your budget, and our price guarantee ensures that you won’t get it cheaper elsewhere… not even by booking direct. Please let one of our safari experts give you a call to discuss your travel plans, we provide the most convenient flight options with seamless transfers, pre and post safari accommodation, day trips and insider traveler tips or you can go onto Live Chat right now.
There are a number of reserves and concessions scattered around the edges of the Kruger, some sharing a border with the park. These smaller reserves offer diverse landscapes of savannah grasslands, granitic hills and riverine woodlands, often with the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains as backdrop. Most are home to the Big Five and a wide array of other big mammals.
Accommodation varies greatly and is usually far more affordable than the Kruger’s private concessions. You can choose anything from luxury chalets and rustic en-suite rondavels (huts) to self-catering bush lodges and romantic sleep-out decks under the stars.
Activities in these reserves include game drives, guided bush walks, star gazing, horse riding, hot-air ballooning, elephant-back safaris, white-water rafting, boat trips and cultural-village tours. You can even enjoy a game of golf, which might be interrupted by a giraffe strolling across the fairway.
Contact us now to plan your ideal Greater Kruger Park holiday. We have more than 50 expert safari consultants ready and waiting to help you.
Must see: Enjoy the thrill of a hot-air-balloon ride and watch the sun rising over the vast, untamed wilderness of the Kruger.
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
Sep 12, 2024
making it very difficult to get…
making it very difficult to get included transfer from Ulusaba lodge to Skukuza airport. the Lodge includes this Transfer, but Jayson said I have to contact the Lodge directly to set it up. He will not set it up for me.
Sep 12, 2024
Jayson was very professional helpful…
Jayson was very professional helpful and patient with me. I would recommend him Anytime. Too bad the Ngorongoro crater lodge will be closed during our visit
Sep 11, 2024
SANPARKS booking.
Very prompt and efficient response and service.
Sep 11, 2024
Fadiel did a great job
Fadiel did a great job helping us plan and customize our trip. His follow up was timely and consistent.
Sep 10, 2024
Quick reactions to requests
Quick reactions to requests. Very efficient.