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Frequently asked questions

 

Where is the Kruger National Park?

The Kruger National Park is located in an area of South Africa known as the Lowveld, in the north-eastern tip of the country. Please visit our map of South Africa to get a better idea of the park's location.

 

How long is the drive  from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park?

The drive from Johannesburg to the southern tip of the Kruger National Park will take approximately five to six hours if you stick to the speed limit and stop for a break along the way.

 

How large is the Kruger National Park?

The Kruger National Park is about two million hectares (5 million acres) in size, excluding the private game reserves to the east or the national parks in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which now form part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. To put it into perspective: the Kruger National Park is about the size of Israel or Wales. It is massive!

 

When is the best time to visit the Kruger National Park?

I believe there is no best season to visit the Kruger National Park; it depends on what you like or dislike, or on what you wish to see during your visit. Here's an overview of the different seasons:

Summer: (November-February)

Summer in the Kruger National Park is very hot, reaching temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) or more during the day. This is also the rainy season, but it seldom rains for days on end. Rain generally falls in short thunder storms that can be very dramatic. Due to the rainfall, this is also the green season when the park is at its prettiest. Many animals have their young in summer and migratory birds also visit the park over this time.

Summer pros: It's very scenic after the rains (green and lush); there are many young animals; it's not too cold at night or in the early morning; migratory birds visit; the rivers often flow strong. This is a great time of the year for scenic wildlife photography.

Summer cons: It's very hot during the day, sometimes even at night; it's very humid on rainy days; rainy days could mean poor game viewing; the dense vegetation make game viewing a bit more difficult; you may encounter malaria mosquitoes and other insects.

Autumn: (March & April)

Although the Kruger National Park does not really experience autumn, March and April are recognised as the autumn months. This is a great time to visit the park since the temperatures are more bearable than in summer, the vegetation is still green after the summer rains, and some animals still have young with them. Migratory birds start leaving the park and the vegetation slowly becomes dry and dull as water dries up. Mosquitoes may still be encountered, though.

Winter: (May-August)

Winter day temperatures are wonderful (in the low to mid-twenties  degrees Celsius / low to mid-seventies Fahrenheit), but it can become very cold at night and in the early morning. Game viewing can be very productive at waterholes and the vegetation on the roadside is usually not as dense as in summer, making it easier to spot game. However, in the dry winter vegetation becomes dull, making it less attractive than the green summers. Birding is also not as good as in summer, but there are certainly fewer insects around. Your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes are much lower in winter!

Winter pros: Lovely daytime temperatures; very few rain showers on game drives, if any; there's less dense vegetation on the roadside; there are often more animals along rivers or at waterholes than in summer; there are fewer insects.

Winter cons: Very cold at night and in the early morning; the landscape looks dull; there are fewer bird species; the rivers and some natural dams and pools dry up.

Spring: (September & October)

Rain may start falling as early as September, but in many years it may fall as late as November or even December. As a result, the Kruger National Park may stay dry until very late in the year. September, however, marks the beginning of spring and is the time when many plant species begin with new growth, pushing out leaves and flowers. The biggest drawback of springtime is the occasional veld fires that occur throughout the park. Due to a buildup of dry plant material, this becomes the ideal season for fires. If a fire starts naturally, the park generally leaves it to burn out, as long as it doesn't put human lives in danger. The veld fires leave the land black and bare, making game viewing rather unpleasant.

The park is, however,  so large that even if there are some burnt areas, you will always have other unaffected areas to do game drives in. The spring temperatures are wonderful and insects are still fewer than in summer. All in all, this is a good time to visit the Kruger National Park, although it may be very dry and dull before the summer rains, looking almost desert-like in certain areas.

 

Where should I stay in the Kruger National Park?

The accommodation possibilities in and around the Kruger National Park are endless! This website focuses on the 17 main camps in the park, but there are also bushveld camps, bush lodges, sleep-over hides and private camps in the park. Please visit the SANParks website to learn more about accommodation in the park.

To explore and read more about any of the main camps in the Kruger National Park, just click here.

To view photos of any of the 17 main camps, just click here.

 

What can I expect to see in the Kruger National Park?

The park is home to 147 mammal species, including the Big 5: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. You may also see "special" wildlife  such as cheetah and wild dogs, not to mention all the other creatures, from field mice to giraffe! Please visit our mammals page to read more about specific animal species.

The Kruger National Park is also home to over 500 bird species and 114 reptile species. To read more about specific reptile species, please visit our reptiles page.

There are almost 2 000 different plant species in the Kruger National Park!

 

Which area in the Kruger National Park should I visit?

This depends on what you want to see. Use our dynamic area maps to explore the whole park and to help you make a decision in terms of where to stay and drive.

 

Can I drive around in my own car or do I have to drive with a guide?

Visitors may drive through the Kruger National Park in their own cars. Maps of the park are for sale at all the entrance gates and in the camp shops. The speed limit in the park is 50km/h (31m/h) on tar roads and 40km/h (25m/h) on gravel roads.

There are, however, many tour operators who take visitors into the park in open vehicles. The park itself also conducts guided game drives in the mornings, at sunset and after dark. Click here to read more about guided drives in the Kruger National Park.

 

Can I go walking in the Kruger National Park?

You may not get out of your vehicle in the Kruger National Park, except where a sign clearly states that you may. Places to stretch your legs can be found at lookout points and on large bridges. Obviously, you may also get out in camps and at picnic sites.

There are opportunities to go on guided walks. Click on the specific activity to learn more about our guided day walks, wilderness trails and backpack trails.

 

What else is there to do in the Kruger National Park?

Please visit our activities page to find out more about the various activities that the park offers.

 

How much does it cost to stay in the Kruger National Park?

Please visit the SANParks website to find out what the latest tariffs are.

 

Should I be worried about malaria in the Kruger National Park?

Don't be worried, but come prepared. There is a risk of getting malaria, but if you take the necessary precautions, your chances of contracting malaria are minimal. Remember to take the necessary medication before, during and after your visit to the park. You are most likely to be bitten by mosquitoes from November to March, in the rainy season, but not all mosquitoes carry malaria. Over and above the medication, wear long clothes at night and use insect repellant.

 

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