South Africa - Kruger National Park

 Kruger Park South Africa - an iconic experience!

Kruger National Park - South Africa - what can I say - it's an experience that lives on forever in one's mind and many folk are very privileged to return again and again to this iconic part of South Africa.

So, whether you only go once in your lifetime or many times, the thrill of spotting wild animals is just something so very special.

It remains an experience like no other and it is not only about the Big Five. Those sightings of smaller animals or birds are just as exciting and should be enjoyed as animals move so quickly, that sightings are often entirely being at the right place at the right time. 

There are numerous Rest Camps within Kruger National Park

Berg N Dal, Crocodile Bridge, Letaba, Lower Sabie, Mopani, Olifants, Orpen, Pretoriouskop, Punda Maria, Satara, Shingwedzi, & Skukuza. There are also Private Concessions, such as Singita Lebombo within the Kruger National Park. These establishments are pricey but the total experience is a "once in a lifetime" memory! 

The Kruger is HUGE so don't expect to see it all unless you are there for 3 to 4 weeks. 

It is best to concentrate on smaller areas. The speed limit, together with sightings, means that one does not cover much ground in a day. Birders normally go further north whilst the south is very popular and much busier. 

The speed limits are 50 km per hour on tar and 40 km on the gravel roads. One cannot exit the vehicle except in designated picnic spots. 

African Jacana

Organised Game drives will take you out for early morning or sunset drives - these can be booked at the camps. There are also walking safari's. Check out the SANPARKS website for full details. Bookings are made months in advance so always plan ahead. Although, having said that, sometimes you will be lucky to get a last minute booking. There is also accommodation outside of the Kruger Gates - this just means an earlier start to the day! 

Do buy a Kruger Visitor Guide at the first camp shop that you go to. This will provide much information plus photos of both birds and animals. 

The following tar roads are recommended

H4-2 Crocodile Bridge to Lower Sabie

H4-1 - Lower Sabie to Skukuza

H3 - Skukuza to Malelane Gate

H1-2 Skukuza to Tshokwane

H10 - Lower Sabie to Tshokwane

H1-4 Satara to Olifants

H7 - Satara to Orpen

The gravel roads often provide interesting sightings so don't discount them although they can sometimes be challenging. 

S28 Crocodile Bridge to Lower Sabie

S114 Skukuza to Malelane

S128 Lower Sabie to Skukuza

S36 Tshokwane to Satara

S100 Satara to Gudzani Road

S90 Satara to Olifants

We enjoy going in the winter months (June/July/August) when the day time temps are lovely and warm and the park is drier so animal spotting is easier. It's a personal choice as the camps are open all year round. Flooding does happen during the summer months after heavy rains and then some gates may not be open. Please do check the official Kruger Park web site if you are going during the rainy season (Summer time in South Africa) 

August time (winter) in South Africa

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