Get expert answers to your safari questions—covering everything from trip planning and travel essentials to wildlife experiences and safety tips—for a seamless adventure.
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Planning Your Safari
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Booking Your Safari
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Common Safari Queries
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Destinations & Experiences
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Health, Safety & Travel
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Children on Safari
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Packing & Travel Essentials
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Our Kruger Safaris
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Planning Your Safari
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1. What is the best time of year for a safari in Africa?
The best time for a safari in Africa depends on the specific destination and the type of wildlife experience you're seeking. Generally, the dry season, from May to October, offers the best game-viewing opportunities, as animals congregate around waterholes and the vegetation is less dense, making it easier to spot wildlife.
However, each season offers its own unique advantages. For example, the wet months from November to April in Southern Africa mark the calving season, when the bush comes alive with newborn wildlife and predators are more active. In East Africa, the open plains and vast horizons provide exceptional photographic opportunities, especially outside the peak migration months, offering a more tranquil and intimate safari experience.
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2. What are the key differences between Kruger National Park and private game reserves?
Kruger National Park and the adjacent private game reserves share the same wildlife and ecosystem, with no fences separating them. The main differences lie in the safari experience: Kruger offers extensive public roads, affordable guided safaris like our 3-, 4- and 5-day Kruger Park safaris and self-drive options, while private reserves focus on exclusive, more intimate experiences, including off-road game drives and luxurious accommodations.
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3. How far is the Kruger National Park from Cape Town/Johannesburg?
The Kruger National Park is a five-hour drive or a one-hour flight from Johannesburg. From Cape Town, flying is the easiest option, with a three-hour flight to Nelspruit followed by a one-hour road transfer or a direct flight to Skukuza inside the park.
Located in the northeastern corner of South Africa along the Mozambique border, the Kruger National Park is one of the country's premier safari destinations. It is easily accessible:
- From Johannesburg: A five-hour drive or a one-hour direct flight to either Skukuza or Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport).
- From Cape Town: A direct flight to Nelspruit takes three hours, followed by a one-hour drive to Kruger. Alternatively, direct flights to Skukuza within the park are available.
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4. What animals can we expect to see in the Kruger National Park?
On a Kruger safari, you can expect to see an incredible diversity of wildlife, including the iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Game viewing differs across regions of the Kruger National Park, with the southern and central areas offering the best opportunities.
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5. What can I see or do with limited time?
What you choose to do will depend on your interests, budget, and the time of year, as availability and weather can play a big role. Whether it's a game drive, guided walk, or cultural experience, we'll tailor your itinerary to make the most of your time.
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6. Which part of the Kruger National Park should I visit?
Choosing the right region of Kruger National Park for your safari is essential to make the most of your experience. Each area offers something unique, from the high animal densities of the south to the open plains and predator action in the central region, to the scenic remoteness of the north. Your choice will depend on your wildlife preferences, the time of year, and what kind of safari experience you're looking for.
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7. Which area is the best for game viewing?
The best area for game viewing depends on several factors, including the time of year, rainfall patterns, and the reserve or lodge you visit. Southern and East Africa are home to some of the world's most renowned game reserves, each offering unique experiences.
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8. Is Sabi Sands Part of Kruger National Park?
Sabi Sands is not officially part of the Kruger National Park but is part of the Greater Kruger Park, a vast conservation area that includes the national park and adjacent private game reserves. The fences between Kruger and these reserves have been removed, allowing free movement of wildlife.
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9. What are the distances like in South Africa?
South Africa is a large and diverse country, covering 1,219,912 square kilometres (471,011 square miles). To put that into perspective, it's five times the size of Great Britain and three times larger than Texas.
Distances between major destinations can vary greatly—driving from Johannesburg to Cape Town takes around 13 hours, while flying takes just two. Popular safari destinations like Kruger National Park are more accessible, with a 5.5-hour drive or a short flight. Let us know your chosen destinations, and we'll provide personalised advice on the best travel options, including car hire, road transfers, and flights.
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10. Do you have guides that speak my language?
We understand the importance of language when enjoying a safari experience. While most of our Kruger National Park safaris are conducted in English, we do our best to accommodate requests for guides who speak other languages, including Dutch, German, and Flemish/Afrikaans, depending on availability. For languages such as French, Spanish, or Chinese, we recommend early requests as these guides are harder to source.
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11. Can we fly directly between Cape Town and Kruger National Park?
Yes, there are direct flights between Cape Town and Kruger National Park. South African Airways (SAA) and Airlink offer flights to key airports like Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport), Hoedspruit, and Skukuza. These flights make it convenient to connect Cape Town with various areas of Kruger National Park and nearby private reserves.
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12. Can we fly directly from Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls?
Direct flights from Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls are limited, but they are possible during the peak safari season (June to September) with daily flights from Nelspruit. Otherwise, most travellers fly via Johannesburg, which typically requires a one-night stopover due to flight schedules. Flights to Livingstone (Zambia), near Victoria Falls, are also available but may require additional visas.
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13. Does Wild Wings offer hunting safaris?
Wild Wings Safaris does not offer hunting safaris and never will. We focus exclusively on ethical, sustainable eco-tourism, prioritizing minimal impact and responsible wildlife viewing. Our safaris involve only photography and the utmost respect for wildlife, ensuring animals are never harmed, fed, or disturbed.
Unfortunately, there is a hunting outfit named Wild Wing Safaris (without the "s"), which has caused some confusion. We are not affiliated with them and proudly hold the trademark for Wild Wings Safaris. Rest assured, our commitment lies solely in creating unforgettable, eco-friendly safari experiences.
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