QUICK FACTS
ADDITIONAL READING
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Kruger is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) in their natural habitat. The park's vast expanse provides ample opportunities to observe these animals up close.
Beyond the Big Five, Kruger is home to over 500 bird species, 100 reptile species, and numerous other mammals like cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and more. The park's biodiversity is truly staggering, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
Kruger can be visited year-round, with each season offering unique experiences. The dry winter months (May to September) are ideal for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources, while the wet summer months (October to April) bring lush landscapes, newborn animals, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Kruger National Park is a photographer’s dream, offering endless opportunities to capture stunning images of wildlife, landscapes, and the ever-changing African sky. Whether you're a professional or an amateur, the park provides a rich canvas for photography.
Kruger is located near other popular attractions, such as the Panorama Route, which features breathtaking views of Blyde River Canyon, waterfalls, and scenic landscapes. Combining a visit to Kruger with these nearby destinations can enhance your South African adventure.
The dry winter months are the best time for spotting wildlife in Kruger. The vegetation is sparse, making it easier to see animals, and water sources are limited, so animals congregate around rivers and waterholes.
Days are warm and sunny, while nights and early mornings can be cool, but not too cold. This makes it comfortable for game drives.
The dry season has fewer mosquitoes, reducing the risk of malaria. June to August is the peak season, especially during school holidays. This means more tourists and higher prices, but also the best wildlife viewing conditions.
The wet summer season brings rain, transforming the park into a green paradise with lush vegetation. This is the time to see the park at its most beautiful. The wet season is the best time for birdwatching, as migratory birds arrive, and many species are in breeding plumage.
Many animals give birth during the wet season, so you may see plenty of baby animals, which can be a fascinating and heartwarming sight.
The park is less crowded during the wet season, which can make for a more peaceful and personal experience. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but usually brief, and the rain tends to freshen up the air and landscape.
These transitional periods between the wet and dry seasons offer a mix of advantages.
In April to May, the park is still green from the rains, but animals are starting to become easier to spot as the vegetation begins to thin.
In September to October, the park is dry, but not yet crowded, with good wildlife viewing and warm weather. Shoulder seasons generally see fewer visitors than the peak dry season, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
The Kruger National Park is regarded as the ultimate safari destination and the largest in South Africa. With almost two million hectares of pristine wilderness, the park is split into northern and southern reserves. The northern reserves are often referred to as the Greater Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park is renowned for being home to the iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo—and boasts the greatest variety of large mammal species among African reserves. Visitors can enjoy an exceptional safari experience, with a range of accommodation options from luxurious lodges to self-catering facilities.
Most reserves within the park offer activities like morning and evening game drives in open vehicles, as well as guided bush walks. Additionally, some reserves provide unique experiences such as local village tours, hot air balloon rides, elephant encounters, visits to animal rehabilitation centers, treehouse sleep-outs, and photographic safaris.
Oct 21, 2024
Excellent, fast, helpful service
The service from Leigh-Ann has been exceptional. No matter the difference in time zone, her responses and suggestions are always fast and helpful. When we’ve asked for changes to the itinerary, there has never been a problem. Highly recommended.
Oct 18, 2024
Cannot recommend enough
Cannot recommend enough! Contacted at 6pm night before and Dorothy was helpful friendly and managed to book a safari trip with transport for 6 people! She was contactable on the day too and very very helpful!
Oct 17, 2024
Aquilia Safari trip
Re: Safari from Cape Town to Aquilia. Fadiel was very helpful and organised our trip for us. We were picked up by Joe, who was our driver for the day. Joe is born and raised in Cape Town. He was prompt and was very friendly and informative. There was a good choice of food at Aquilia and had choices for my husband too who is Coeliac.
Oct 17, 2024
Sweet Kim Abrahams was extremely…
Sweet Kim Abrahams was extremely patient with the two of us oldsters. We had computer problems, took a very long time to decide and confirm our intentions and challenged every detail. Thank you Kim
Oct 17, 2024
Anja has been extremely helpful and…
Anja has been extremely helpful and communicative through the process of booking our trip. Everything has been communicated clearly and quickly with lots of flexibility. I would definitely recommend. Thank you for your help!
Oct 17, 2024
Mel is friendly and patient
I would usually book my trips myself. Lucky for me I sent off an enquiry to Safari.com and received Mel's wonderful help. Mel responded quickly and made me feel comfortable with Safari.com. organising my trip. Later on, when I realised my dates didn't work with the rest of my trip, Mel gave me my options and costings and rebooked for me. Mel was very patient and friendly. I wouldn't hesitate to use Mel again.
Oct 16, 2024
Outstanding service
Response was very quick and helpful. Answered all questions. Laid out a trip that went beyond what I expected
Oct 16, 2024
Very responsive and accurate
Very responsive and accurate
Oct 15, 2024
Planning Our Family African Safari Experience
Planning our first trip to Africa was a really big deal for us. After careful review of numerous safari planners, we selected safari.com and worked with Nicole Van der Merwe. There's a lot of parts in putting together such a vacation including ground transfers, hotels, activities, and flights. At each step we had numerous questions and Nicole patiently worked through these with professionalism and care to her customers. I would recommend Nicole and safari.com for anyone planning a trip to South Africa.