Kruger National Park Area Travel Guide
Kruger National Park Area Travel Guide
The Greater Kruger National Park is South Africa's flagship safari destination and one of the most important wildlife conservation areas in Africa.
Highlights
- One of Africa's top safari destinations
- Big Five game viewing year-round
- Self-drive and guided safari options
- Wide range of accommodation styles and budgets
- Exceptional wildlife diversity
- Easy access from Johannesburg (±5-hour drive or 1-hour flight)
- One of the best-value safari destinations in Africa
It encompasses the Kruger National Park itself as well as a number of adjoining private reserves, including Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Klaserie, Balule and Manyeleti, all of which share unfenced boundaries with the park. Together, they form a vast, continuous wilderness where wildlife moves freely across one of the most accessible yet unspoilt safari regions in southern Africa.
This is where Wild Wings Safaris began. What started as a small operation run by two brothers offering safaris in Kruger has grown into a specialist African safari company — but Kruger remains at the heart of what we do.
Why Kruger is South Africa's flagship safari destination
Kruger National Park is often the benchmark against which other African safari destinations are measured, and for good reason.
It combines scale, biodiversity and accessibility in a way few other parks can match:
- One of the largest protected wildlife areas in Africa
- Outstanding infrastructure, including an extensive road network
- Easy to reach from Johannesburg by road or air
- Suitable for first-time safari travellers and seasoned wildlife enthusiasts
- Exceptional value compared to many East African safari destinations
Kruger offers a rare balance: a truly wild landscape that is still practical and affordable to explore.
Wildlife in the Greater Kruger ecosystem
African wild dog sighting from one of our Kruger safaris
The Greater Kruger region offers some of the most prolific and diverse game viewing in Africa.
Kruger National Park has the largest number of mammal species of any national park in the world, supported by a wide range of habitats, from riverine forest and open savanna to mopane woodland and granite hills.
Wildlife includes:
- The Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino
- Large populations of plains game such as giraffe, zebra and wildebeest
- Predators including cheetah, wild dog, hyena and smaller carnivores
- Exceptional birdlife, with resident and migratory species
Because of its sheer size, Kruger often delivers a greater variety of wildlife sightings over the course of a day than smaller private reserves, even if sightings are less concentrated.
Four ways to experience Kruger
One of Kruger's greatest strengths is the range of safari styles it offers. Broadly speaking, there are four ways to experience the Greater Kruger area.
Self-drive safaris in Kruger National Park
This is the most affordable way to visit Kruger.
You stay in SANParks rest camps and explore the park in your own vehicle on public roads. Accommodation is simple but comfortable, and you have complete freedom over your daily routes and timing.
Best for: Budget travellers, independent explorers
Limitations: No off-road driving, no dedicated guide
Guided open-vehicle safaris inside Kruger
These are scheduled small-group or private guided safaris staying inside Kruger National Park.
Game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles with experienced guides, offering better wildlife interpretation and often more productive sightings than self-drive safaris.
Best for: First-time safari travellers, budget-conscious guests wanting guidance
Key benefit: Excellent value with professional guiding
Explore our 3-, 4- and 5-day guided open-vehicle safaris in Kruger. These trips are scheduled for value and efficiency, but can be customised to suit your travel dates, pace and interests.
Concession lodges inside Kruger National Park
Kruger has several private concession areas where lodges operate with their own internal road networks, alongside access to public roads.
These lodges offer more exclusive experiences and upmarket accommodation, but game drives still follow Kruger's rules (no off-road driving).
Best for: Travellers wanting comfort inside the national park
Trade-off: Higher cost, but less flexibility than private reserves
Private game lodges in adjacent reserves
The private reserves bordering Kruger — such as Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Klaserie, Balule and Manyeleti — offer a different style of safari.
Here, game drives are conducted in open vehicles that can drive off-road, allowing closer encounters with wildlife. Lodges range from budget-friendly to ultra-luxury, and most safaris are fully catered.
Best for: Travellers seeking exclusivity, close-up sightings and guided experiences
Cost: Higher than Kruger, but with a different safari rhythm
Kruger National Park vs private game reserves
The Greater Kruger Park refers to the Kruger National Park itself plus the adjacent private reserves. There are no fences between them.
What's the difference between Kruger National Park and the private game reserves in the Greater Kruger area? This is one of the most common questions we're asked.
In short:
Kruger offers scale, freedom and value.
Private reserves offer exclusivity, off-road access and more intimate predator encounters.
Key differences include:
- Driving rules: Vehicles in Kruger must stay on public roads; private reserves allow off-road driving
- Accommodation: Kruger ranges from camping to guesthouses; private lodges range from rustic to ultra-luxury
- Meals: Self-catering or camp restaurants in Kruger; fully catered stays at private lodges
- Game viewing style: Broader exploration in Kruger vs more concentrated sightings in private reserves
- Crowds: Kruger can be busy at popular sightings; private reserves strictly limit vehicles
- Atmosphere: Kruger feels vast and open; private lodges feel more controlled and exclusive
Because of its size, Kruger often delivers more overall wildlife sightings, while private reserves excel at close-up predator encounters, particularly for big cats.
Best time to visit Kruger National Park
Lioness sighting during Kruger's green season
Kruger is a year-round safari destination, but seasons affect the experience.
Dry season (May to September)
- Best visibility and most consistent game viewing
- Cooler temperatures
- Wildlife concentrates near water sources
Green season (October to April)
- Lush landscapes and dramatic skies
- Excellent birding and newborn animals
- Wildlife more spread out but still abundant
For a detailed breakdown, see our month-by-month Kruger travel calendar.
Getting to Kruger National Park
Kruger is one of the most accessible major safari destinations in Africa.
By road
The southern Kruger gates are approximately a five-hour drive from Johannesburg, making self-drive safaris very practical.
By air
Daily flights connect Johannesburg to airports near or inside the park, including Skukuza, Hoedspruit and Nelspruit.
This ease of access is a major reason Kruger remains such a popular safari choice.
Our take on Kruger National Park
Kruger is where Wild Wings Safaris began, and it remains one of the most rewarding safari destinations we know.
Its scale, diversity and accessibility make it incredibly versatile — suitable for first-time safari travellers, families, photographers and seasoned wildlife enthusiasts alike.
While private reserves offer superb close-up encounters, Kruger's vastness, variety of landscapes and sheer volume of wildlife are hard to match.
For many travellers, the ideal solution is to combine both experiences.
Combining Kruger and a private reserve
We often recommend spending a few nights in Kruger National Park, followed by a stay at a nearby private lodge.
This gives you:
- The freedom and scale of Kruger
- The exclusivity and off-road access of a private reserve
Our popular Kruger Park and Private Lodge Combo is a good example and can be fully customised.
Kruger National Park FAQs
Yes. Kruger is one of the best places in Africa for a first safari.
Its excellent infrastructure, wide range of safari styles, and easy access make it very approachable, while still offering a genuinely wild experience. That said, because the park is so large, sightings aren't choreographed. Patience and time in the bush are part of the learning curve, especially on a first visit.
Yes. All Big Five species are present in Kruger National Park, and sightings are common across the park.
That said, there are no guarantees. Kruger is vast, and wildlife moves freely, so some days are quieter than others. Even on guided safaris, sightings depend on timing, location and a fair amount of luck, which is part of what makes a safari experience authentic rather than staged.
Neither is better — they offer different safari experiences.
Kruger excels in scale, freedom and overall wildlife variety, while private reserves offer more controlled, close-up encounters and a higher level of exclusivity. Many travellers find the best solution is to experience both, rather than trying to choose one over the other.
A minimum of three days is recommended.
Kruger's size means it rewards time and flexibility. With only one or two days, sightings can feel rushed or uneven, whereas three or more days allow you to explore different areas, landscapes and wildlife concentrations at a more relaxed pace.
For most travellers, yes. Kruger is vast, and finding wildlife isn't just about driving. It's about knowing where to look, what to listen for, and how to read subtle signs in the bush.
Experienced safari guides understand animal behaviour, track movement patterns, and spot things most visitors would drive straight past, from a well-camouflaged rhino to a leopard resting in thick cover. Guided open-vehicle safaris are often far more productive and rewarding, especially for first-time visitors or travellers with limited time.
Yes. Kruger is one of the most versatile safari destinations in Africa.
Good roads, rest camps, flexible safari options and short transfer times make it well suited to families, multi-generational groups and senior travellers. It's possible to design a Kruger safari that balances comfort, pace and wildlife viewing without being physically demanding.
At times, yes — especially during South African school holidays.
Popular sightings on main roads can attract multiple vehicles, particularly in peak periods. However, Kruger's sheer size means it's always possible to find quieter areas, and guided safaris often help avoid the busiest sections of the park.
Planning a Kruger safari
We've been designing Kruger safaris for over 20 years and regularly return to the park and surrounding private reserves to assess lodges, guides and safari experiences first-hand.
Whether you're planning a guided open-vehicle safari inside Kruger, a stay at a private game lodge, or a combination of Kruger and a private reserve, we can help you choose the approach — and accommodation — that best fits your travel style, timing and expectations.
Satara Camp
Satara Camp is one of the most popular camps in the park, in one of the best game viewing areas.
Skukuza Camp
Skukuza Camp is the biggest and most popular camp in the Kruger Park, in the game-rich southern region of the park.
Lower Sabie Camp
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Bordering Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is South Africa's most established private safari destination, and widely regarded as the best place in the country (and arguably the world) to see leopards in the wild.
Timbavati Game Reserve
Bordering Kruger National Park, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is a vast Greater Kruger wilderness known for its quieter atmosphere, excellent Big Five viewing, and the rare occurrence of wild white lions.
Klaserie Game Reserve
The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is one of Greater Kruger's most peaceful and low-density safari areas, offering an authentic, unhurried wilderness experience with small lodges, excellent walking opportunities, and very few vehicles in the bush.
Balule Game Reserve
The Balule Nature Reserve is the westernmost private reserve in Greater Kruger, best known for its rugged landscapes, excellent value, and the wildlife-rich corridor of the Olifants River.
Thornybush Game Reserve
Thornybush Game Reserve recently dropped their eastern boundary fence and now forms part of the Greater Kruger conservation area. Thornybush has a diverse collection of safari lodges.
Hamiltons Tented Camp
Hamiltons Tented Camp in the Kruger National Park offers luxury accommodation in six luxurious, fully-equipped safari tents. Styled according to an African safari of the early 19th century, Hamiltons captures the romance and elegance of a bygone era. The lodge is in an excellent game viewing area within a private concession in the Kruger National Park.
Imbali Safari Lodge
Imbali Safari Lodge is situated in one of nine private concessions in the famous Kruger National Park, South Africa, and offers guests a fantastic African safari experience. The lodge offers luxurious 5-star accommodation with a private deck and jacuzzi. At Imbali, you can enjoy open-vehicle game drives through some of the best wildlife areas in Kruger.
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge
Traditional ethnic style Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge is situated in a 10,000-hectare concession in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, South Africa. The lodge is built on an ancient elephant trail and offers luxury accommodation in true African style. Guests can view the area's abundant wildlife from open safari vehicles or even from the comfort of their private decks, as the lodge overlooks an active waterhole. Guests have the opportunity to interact with the local Shangaan or Tsonga people.
Camp Shawu
Camp Shawu is situated in a private concession area within the famous Kruger National Park, South Africa. Named after a magnificent elephant bull that frequents the area, the camp offers luxury accommodation for only 10 guests, with beautiful views over the Mpanamana Dam. In the dry season, a variety of animals gather at the dam to drink. Camp Shawu shares a vast concession area with Camp Shonga and Shishangeni Lodge, in the south-eastern part of the Kruger Park, which has an abundance of wildlife.
Camp Shonga
Camp Shonga is a luxury tented camp situated in a private concession within the Kruger National Park, South Africa's greatest game reserve. Camp Shonga is a small and cosy bush retreat, featuring only 5 luxurious tents with en-suite bathrooms. Spectacular views of the African bushveld and its wildlife can be enjoyed from private viewing decks, as well as during game drives with expert guides.
Shishangeni Private Game Lodge
Shishangeni Private Game Lodge is situated deep in the heart of the famous Kruger National Park, South Africa - a wildlife reserve that offers some of the greatest game viewing experiences in Africa. Surrounded by the unspoilt beauty of the African bushveld, the lodge provides guests with luxury accommodation, as well as excellent open vehicle game drives with expert guides.
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Luxurious Narina Lodge in Lion Sands Reserve, has a prime location in the Kruger National Park, with access to both the Sabie and Sand Rivers. This makes for an abundance and diversity of game viewing guaranteed to give you a superb safari experience. Various activities include offroad, open-vehicle safaris and guided bushwalks.
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Just 5 minutes away from Kruger’s Skukuza Airport, Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is located on the banks of the scenic Sabie River, in an area offering an incredible variety and diversity of wildlife. Exclusive and luxurious, Tinga offers you the unique opportunity of offroad safaris to get the best game viewing possible.
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Singita Lebombo Lodge is an upmarket lodge in a remote part of eastern Kruger, situated on a private concession. The lodge offers sweeping vistas of the rugged Lebombo terrain. Game drives are conducted within a private concession area inside Kruger, as well as on the Kruger's public road network.
Singita Sweni Lodge
Singita Sweni Lodge is luxury private lodge in a remote part of eastern Kruger, situated on a private concession. The lodge offers luxurious suites with breathtaking views over the Sweni river. Game drives are conducted within a private concession area inside Kruger, as well as on the Kruger's public road network.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge
Rhino Post is a luxury safari lodge set in the 12 000 ha Mutlumuvi Concession Area within the Kruger National Park. This elegant 8-suite lodge was built using only natural materials such as wood, stone, thatch and canvas. It's the main accommodation base for Rhino Walking Safaris.
Plains Camp
Plains Camp is part of Rhino Walking Safaris in the Kruger National Park. As the name implies, Rhino Walking Safaris specializes in foot safaris and guided bush walks. Often, Plains Camp is combined with Rhino Post Lodge on the same trip, offering the guest a combination of game drives and walking safaris.
Jock Safari Lodge
Jock Safari Lodge is named after Jock of the Bushveld, the famous dog from the true story by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick. This luxury safari lodge is situated in a private concession in the southern part of Kruger, and offers game drives on their own concession as well as on Kruger's network of public roads.
The Outpost
Situated in the far north of the Kruger National Park on the ancestral land of the Makuleke tribe, The Outpost is a contemporary architectural gem offering exceptional safari lodge accommodation. Overlooking the Luvuhu River Valley, guests are treated to panoramic views of the African bush and the chance to watch wildlife roaming freely between Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
Skukuza Safari Lodge
Located within the Skukuza Rest Camp in Kruger National Park, Skukuza Safari Lodge offers a comfortable base for exploring the African wilderness. This lodge provides convenient access to the park's diverse wildlife and natural beauty, making it a practical choice for visitors seeking an affordable upgrade from a Kruger Park bungalow.
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Experience the unique blend of history and luxury at Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, an innovative luxury accommodation offering in the heart of the Kruger National Park. Permanently stationed on the historic Selati Bridge above the Sabie River, this re-envisioned train pays tribute to the early explorers of the 1920s while providing modern comforts in a remarkable setting.
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3 Day Kruger Park Safari
Our popular 3 Day Kruger Park Safari is designed for those who want a quick and affordable way to experience the incredible wildlife of the Kruger National Park in the company of an expert guide. With regular scheduled departures from Johannesburg or Nelspruit, custom departure dates and private departures can also be arranged on request. Book early to avoid disappointment!
4 Day Kruger Park Budget Safari
Our 4 Day Kruger Park Budget Safari is a cost-effective yet authentic way to experience South Africa's most famous wildlife destination. This small-group safari departs regularly from Johannesburg or Nelspruit, offering expert-guided open-vehicle game drives and comfortable en-suite accommodation inside Kruger National Park. Book early to secure your spot!
4 Day Kruger Park and Panorama Route Safari
Combine world-class wildlife viewing and some of South Africa's most spectacular scenery on this popular 4-day guided safari. This small-group tour includes three nights inside Kruger National Park with guided open-vehicle game drives, and a full-day tour of the iconic Panorama Route. You'll overnight in comfortable en-suite bungalows (not tents) and enjoy expert-led safaris with a maximum of nine guests per vehicle.
4 Day Luxury Northern Kruger Park Safari
Experience one of the most scenic and least-visited parts of Kruger National Park on this 4-day safari at The Outpost, a luxury lodge in the remote Makuleke Concession. Surrounded by baobabs, fever trees and rugged gorges, this wild and beautiful region is home to excellent birding, fascinating landscapes and rewarding wildlife encounters — without the crowds.
5 Day Best of Kruger Safari | Classic Big Five Adventure
Discover the ultimate Kruger National Park safari on this 5-day African safari, featuring open vehicle game drives, a guided bush walk, and an exciting night safari. Stay at two different camps in Southern Kruger Park, maximising your chances of spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—as well as cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, and abundant birdlife. Whether you're looking for an affordable Kruger Park safari or a well-rounded Kruger Park tour, this is one of the best Kruger safari options available.
5 Day Kruger Safari & Private Lodge Combo
Choosing between a Kruger National Park safari and a private game lodge can be tough—each offers unique advantages. This 5-day Kruger safari package gives you the best of both worlds! Spend two nights inside Kruger Park, where expert-guided game drives take you through diverse habitats teeming with wildlife. Then, transfer to a private game lodge in Greater Kruger, where off-road game drives bring you closer to the action, offering intimate encounters with the Big Five and other iconic species. This customisable Kruger safari lets you experience the best of both, with flexible options to suit your travel style.
