safari national park south africa

THE 10 BEST Kruger National Park Safaris

Safaris in kruger national park.

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1. 5 Day Katekani Lodge Kruger National Park Safari

2. Kruger National Park Full-Day Safari from Hazyview

3. Kruger National Park - Private full day Safari trip.

4. 7 Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari

5. Full-Day Kruger Park Safari from Nelspruit, Whiteriver or Hazyview

6. Fullday Gamedrives in Kruger National Park from Marlothpark

7. Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari

8. Kruger National Park Afternoon Private safari

9. Private Full Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Hoedspruit

10. Kruger National Park Full-Day Tour

11. Two Days, One Night Tour: Blyde River to Kruger National Park

12. Sunrise Safari

13. Kruger National Park Full Day Guided Tour

14. Overnight Kruger National Park Classic Camping Safari

15. Kruger Safari Tour - Morning Half Day

16. Safari Game Drive in the Greater Kruger out of Hoedspruit

17. Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

18. Kruger National Park - Private Sunrise Half day Safari trip.

19. 2-Days Kruger Park Safari & Panorama Route Tour from Hazyview

20. Small-Group Full-Day Safari Tour in Kruger National Park

21. Private Full Day Safari (10 hours) in Kruger National Park

22. Full Day Safari - Kruger National Park

23. 5 day-Kruger National Park Safari from Kruger Int. Airport (KMI), Panorama Route

24. Sabi Game Reserve Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner

25. Kruger National Park Morning Safari 2 people minimum

26. Kruger National Park Full Day Tour Minimum 2people

27. 3 Night & 4 Day Private Kruger Park Safari

28. Kruger Park Safari: Guided Day Tour from Nelspruit

29. Kruger National Park Private Full-Day Safari - Private Safari Vehicle & Guide

30. Kruger National Park, Safari Game Drive.

What travelers are saying.

• Kruger Safari Tour - Morning Half Day
• Full-Day Kruger Park Safari from Nelspruit, Whiteriver or Hazyview
• Kruger National Park - Private full day Safari trip.
• Kruger National Park Full-Day Safari from Hazyview
• 5 Day Katekani Lodge Kruger National Park Safari
• Kurt Safari
• Nhongo Safaris
• Africa Spear Kruger Park Safaris
• Crossroads Safaris & Tours
• Viva Safaris
• The Other Animals Safaris
• Outlook Safaris

Kruger National Park - South African Safari Tours

Steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife.

Plan your Kruger National Park safari trip from our recommended Kruger Park safari tours which range from exclusive private safaris to affordable group safaris. Take a journey of exploration to find Africa's Big Five : Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo, you will discover unique wildlife on a real Kruger National Park safari in Africa.

Classic Safari Tours

Our Classic Kruger Safaris offer you an authentic African safari experience with excellent wildlife sightings. Think 4x4 game drives followed by dinner under the African stars...

Safari Lodge

This Kruger Park lodging guide introduces you to the best safari accommodation in Kruger Park. You will stay in luxury safari lodges or opulent tented camps.

Romantic Safari

Romance, indulgence and luxury escapes. Exquisite destinations to celebrate your love. These Kruger Park honeymoon packages at the most sought after lodges...

Premier Safari Collection

Create timeless memories on the ultimate private South Africa safari Experience a safari with every luxury on hand, outstanding cuisine and a range of five star facilities...

Family Safari Holiday

Take your children on a safe, magical journey of discovery into nature's wonders. These family tours in Kruger Park provide options for kids of all ages, with tailored programs, fun...

Popular Safaris

For the time-constrained traveller wanting to experience the essence of a wildlife safari, this collection of Krugerpark tours , offers you a choice of classic, deluxe and luxury...

Accommodation Near Kruger Park

Hotel lodging and accommodation near Kruger National Park are close enough for you to participate in a self-drive or guided Full-day Safari Browse guest houses, lodges and hotels near Kruger Park entrance gates ...

Fully Guided Safari

Enjoy traditional Kruger National Park safari comfort, accompanied by a skilled ranger on your game viewing safaris. These fully guided safari travel packages deliver standard lodge accommodation and guided game viewing...

Luxury Lodge Safari in Kruger National Park

This selection of the finest luxury accommodation and lodging in Kruger Park is where you will discover a way to appreciate the African wild and do it in comfort - with exceptional cuisine, magnificent wildlife experiences and great hospitality. Our South African safari and game lodges range from artistically elegant to super luxurious with en-suite bathroom facilities.

Self-Catering Rest Camps in Kruger Park

Looking for more affordable self-catering accommodation in Kruger National Park? Rest Camps in Kruger Park offer a range of accommodation from campsites to huts, bungalows, cottages, rondavels, safari tents and guest houses. Facilities include restaurants, shops, petrol stations and more. Ideal for a self-drive safari, although guided game drives can also be arranged.

Kruger National Park Map

Where is Kruger National Park? A Kruger Park Map is indispensable in the planning of any safari. Find out how to drive to Kruger Park from Johannesburg, and how to get around Kruger Park if you are doing a self-drive safari . Here you can find

• Main Kruger Park Map
• Best Game Viewing Routes Map
• Kruger Park Gate Times and Distances List
• Map of Historical Kruger Park Sites
• Map from Johannesburg to Kruger Park

Flights to Kruger National Park

Get flight times and schedules for departures from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, to Kruger International Airport.

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

Timbavati private game reserve.

• Manyeleti Game Reserve

Thornybush Private Game Reserve

Balule private game reserve, nearby activities and attractions.

There are also other fabulous activities in the surrounding areas that will enhance your Kruger National Park safari experience. How about an amazing Kids elephant safari or a majestic hot air balloon flight? These are real once in a lifetime experiences! Other options include horseback riding, blissful spa treatments and golf.

You can also see what is being done on a grassroots level for the survival of African wildlife at rehabilitation, breeding and endangered species centres .

Combining any of these activities with your Kruger Park safari adventure is something you definitely should consider - maximize your holiday experience in every way.

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Kruger Safari Tours - Compare 373 Packages

South Africa’s premier safari destination, Kruger National Park throws up some staggering statistics. Established in 1898, it extends over some 19,000km²/7,335mi² and supports a total of 147 mammal species (the most of any African national park). This includes an estimated 13,000 elephants, 40,000 buffalo, 2,000 lions and more rhinos than any other protected area. Kruger is an ideal safari destination at both ends of the price and experiential spectrum. No other major African park is so well geared to budget-conscious self-drivers. Equally, some of the all-inclusive private and concession lodges associated with Kruger and its immediate surroundings (including MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi) rank among the most exclusive, prestigious and costly in Africa.

4-Day Private Kruger National Park Safari

$1,255 to $1,381 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Mid-range

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Southern Kruger, Central Kruger, Johannesburg (End)

Wild Planet Safari   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  206 Reviews

4-Day Greater Kruger Safari with Marc's Treehouse

$809 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Balule NR (Greater Kruger) , Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route) , Johannesburg (End)

Indigo Safaris

4.8 /5  –  127 Reviews

3-Day Best Budget Kruger Park Safari

$567 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle) Budget Guest House

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Nelspruit (End)

Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.8 /5  –  90 Reviews

4-Day Ultra Budget Glamping Kruger Safari

$526 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Budget Tented Bush Camp

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight) , Johannesburg Airport (End)

MoAfrika Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  1174 Reviews

4-Day Katekani Tented Lodge Safari

$1,186 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Balule NR (Greater Kruger) , Buffaloland, Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route) , Johannesburg (End)

Viva Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  263 Reviews

5-Day Halaal Safari with Panorama Route Tour

$1,607 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Mid-range Self Catering Accommodation

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Panorama Route (Highlight) , Tshukudu GR, Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

Khalanga Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  63 Reviews

5-Day Imbali Lodge Safari

$2,345 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Luxury+ Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Imbali Concession (Kruger NP) , Johannesburg (End)

The Kruger Safari Co.   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  125 Reviews

4-Day Kruger Park, Private Game Park & Canyon Explorer

$1,223 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Hoedspruit (Town) , Central Kruger, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route) , O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) , Johannesburg (End)

Shinzelle Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  63 Reviews

3-Day Big 5 Budget Safari, Kruger National Park

$380 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Budget Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

Safari With Us   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  217 Reviews

3-Day Camping Safari in Kruger National Park

$532 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Budget Camping

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)

Mbombela Experience Tours & Transfers   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  32 Reviews

3-Day Kruger Safari and Panorama Route - Midrange

$682 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight) , Johannesburg (End)

Nhlalala Travel   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  34 Reviews

4-Day & 3-Night Kruger National Park Budget Safari

$583 to $649 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Mid-range Guest House

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Southern Kruger, Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)

The Mzansi Experience   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.8 /5  –  63 Reviews

5-Day Luxury Kruger Park and Sabi Sand Safari

$2,921 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Chalet

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger) , Johannesburg (End)

Safari.com   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.7 /5  –  186 Reviews

14-Day Beach to Bush, Cape Town to Kruger Eco-Adventure

$4,014 pp (USD)

South Africa: Self-drive Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Hermanus (Whales) , Knysna (Garden Route) , Garden Route NP (Tsitsikamma) (Garden Route NP) , Johannesburg (City) , Kruger NP, Southern Kruger, Johannesburg (End)

5.0 /5  –  42 Reviews

4-Day Luxury Mdluli Game Lodge Kruger National Park

$808 pp (USD)

Gems of Africa Safari and Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  99 Reviews

10-Day Zula Escorted Selfdrive, Kruger National Park Camp

$6,490 to $7,150 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Budget Camping

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Bela-Bela (Town) , Kruger NP, Southern Kruger, Johannesburg (End)

Zula Zula Adventure Bus   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  2 Reviews

6-Day Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park

$2,901 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge

BST Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.8 /5  –  30 Reviews

4-Day Semi-Tented Kruger Park Safari - Camp Shawu

$1,844 pp (USD)

Mmilo Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  124 Reviews

4-Day Orpen Gate to Letaba Camp- Tented Bushcamp Stay

$1,023 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Budget Tented Camp

You Visit: Hoedspruit (Start) , Balule NR (Greater Kruger) , Kruger NP, Hoedspruit (End)

Wildlife Encounters   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  20 Reviews

3-Day Sabi Sand & Kruger Ensuite from/to Johannesburg

$947 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

Wild Kruger   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  56 Reviews

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8 Questions About Kruger National Park Safaris

Answered by

Philip briggs.

When is the best time to go on safari in Kruger?

“The best time for Kruger safaris is during the southern hemisphere winter months of May to September, with wildlife-viewing conditions improving throughout this period. Climatically, it is most pleasant during these dry winter months (warm by day, cool by night) and there are fewer mosquitoes, which reduces the risk of contracting malaria. Winter offers the most productive wildlife viewing. This is because the vegetation tends to be lower and thinner, allowing for better visibility, and the lack of rain causes wildlife to gather around permanent water sources. Bird-watchers may arrange their Kruger tours for summer, when large numbers of migrant birds arrive from Europe and many resident species display a colorful breeding plumage. If you don’t like crowds, avoid visiting Kruger during South African school holidays.”

What are the most popular areas in the park?

“Most Kruger safari packages focus on the park’s southern third. Partly this is because it’s the closest section to Johannesburg, and pretty much everywhere else in South Africa, which means it fits most comfortably into a countrywide itinerary. In addition, the south has denser wildlife populations than the north and wildlife tends to be more habituated to cars (and therefore easy to view). There is also a greater choice of rest camps and concession lodges. Probably the most productive and popular game drives in the south comprise a triangle of roads connecting Skukuza, Lower Sabie and Satara, and the two roads running south from Skukuza to Malelane and Lower Sabie to Crocodile Bridge Gate. The popularity of these roads means they can become congested during busy periods such as school holidays, which is when locals tend to visit Kruger.”

Is Kruger good for a self-drive trip?

“Yes, Kruger is arguably the best self-drive safari destination anywhere in Africa. This is due to its easy accessibility, combined with a network of good surfaced roads and well-equipped rest camps, and the ready availability of interpretative material such as maps and dedicated field guides. Self-drivers can either rent a car in Johannesburg or Pretoria and drive to Kruger, or they can fly to an airport within the park or just outside it and pick up a rental car there (by advance arrangement). Self-drivers should bear in mind that cars drive on the left side of the road (like the UK and many former British colonies, but unlike the USA and most of Europe and Asia). You should allow for average driving speeds of around 30km per hour within the park. The speed limit in Kruger is 50km per hour on surfaced roads and 40km per hour on dirt, but you also need to allow time for stops to look at wildlife. Another attraction for independent travelers is that prices for Kruger safaris tend to be very low compared to other major African parks.”

What animals can I expect to see on a Kruger safari?

“All the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) are present in significant numbers. However, wildlife viewing in Kruger can be hit-and-miss, so those seeking a Big Five quick fix would be better heading to one of the private reserves that offer expertly guided all-inclusive safari packages. That said, those who allocate a couple of days to their Kruger safari can be confident of encountering large herds of buffalo and elephant, and also stand a good chance of seeing lion, white rhino and, to a lesser extent, leopard and black rhino. Other wildlife commonly seen on Kruger safari trips includes spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, southern giraffe, plains zebra, hippo, warthog, wildebeest, impala, greater kudu, common waterbuck, vervet monkey and chacma baboon. Sightings of cheetah and African wild dog are possible but rare. Birdlife is prolific, with more than 500 species recorded. The park is particularly good for colorful savannah dwellers such as the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-billed hornbill and white-fronted bee-eater. There is also a wide variety of eagles, vultures and other raptors, as well as hefty ground dwellers such as the southern ground hornbill, kori bustard and ostrich.”

How long is the drive to the park?

“Coming from Johannesburg or elsewhere in Gauteng, most of the southern gates lie between 400km/249mi and 500km/311mi to the east, a drive of up to five hours on good surfaced roads. Coming from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport outside Mbombela (Nelspruit), most of the southern gates lie between 40km/25mi and 100km/62mi away, so allow up to 90 minutes. The most remote gate from Johannesburg is Pafuri, which lies about 620km/385mi to the northeast, a seven- to eight-hour drive on roads that deteriorate as you approach the park. When planning your Kruger holidays in the context of a full South Africa tour, be aware that the park is an astonishing 1,800km/1,118mi from Cape Town using the most direct route, and almost 750km/466mi from Durban.”

What condition are the roads in within Kruger?

“An excellent network of surfaced roads suitable for 2WD cars connects all gates and rest camps in Kruger. This is supplemented by a secondary network of unsurfaced roads, most of which are also suitable for any 2WD car, though some might become problematic after heavy rain. A good map showing the full internal road network can be bought cheaply at any entrance or rest camp gate, and all junctions within the park are signposted for easy navigation. From a wildlife-viewing perspective, surfaced roads often follow busier routes, so taking quieter unsurfaced routes will probably enhance your Kruger vacation.”

Is the park fenced?

“Until a few years back, the entire park was fenced. Today, however, it shares open borders with a number of private reserves that run along the western border, though in most (if not all) cases, these private reserves are fenced along their outward boundary. Fences along the international boundaries with the other two components of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (namely Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe) are no longer maintained. This allows wildlife some freedom of movement into these neighboring reserves.”

What lodges or camps do you recommend for a Kruger safari?

“For a short Kruger holiday (up to 3 nights), I would concentrate on the far south. My favorite camp there is Lower Sabie, which has a beautiful location on the Sabie River at the heart of several top-notch wildlife-viewing roads. Skukuza, the park’s largest rest camp, is a bit too busy for some, but it’s very well equipped (with everything from ATMs and car-rental outlets to a well-stocked supermarket and restaurant) and has a useful location for exploring some good wildlife-viewing roads. Those able to dedicate more time to a Kruger tour (4 or more nights) could head to the central plains. Satara Rest Camp lies in an area of open savannah where lion and cheetah are often seen. Olifants Camp has a stunning location on a wooded ridge overlooking the eponymous river, and tiny Balule Satellite Camp is ideal for those seeking a remote and super-affordable bush experience. An extended Kruger tour (ideally 7 to 10 days) might also take in the far north, where my favorite rest camps are riverside Shingwedzi and remote Punda Maria. For those seeking more exclusive safari packages, try one of the dozen or so upscale concession lodges scattered throughout the park. These lodges offer a luxurious all-inclusive guided experience similar to the legendary Sabi Sands block of private reserves along the park’s western border.”

Kruger Safari Reviews

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.

Killing time in Kruger

The mothership of South Africa’s parks, Kruger is more organised and has more variety of accommodation than any other park. It also has a HUGE number of animals with the Big Five and every other kind of five you can think of rustling...

Full Review

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

Africa’s Best DIY Safari

South Africa’s premier wildlife reserve divides opinion. Some who’ve visited supposedly ‘wilder’ parks argue that the Kruger’s developed infrastructure, complete with paved roads and large public camps, undermines the wilderness...

The parks we visited during our stay were varied. The first evening safari we didn’t see the animals we hoped. However the full day drive the following day made up for this. We saw everything we hoped to, mainly the Hippis and Giraffes....

It is everything that thousands of others have experienced. It is soo big that it would take weeks to discover each region, but we were thankful for seeing the best that we could in a limited timeframe.

Brilliant glamping experience. The safari tour guide was knowledgeable and we managed to spot the animals. The glamping staff were friendly and they kept the facilities clean. This was a girls trip and we felt safe throughout our stay....

Once in a life time unforgetable experiance . All staff members were very helpful +HIGHLY capiable.

Viva Safaris kept to their programme, Bushwalk, Great Kruger Safaris with very well trained, friendly guides, Sunrise and Sundown safaris (Bush Braai was unbelievable crowned with an Amarula Liquer Toast). The safari jeeps accomodated very...

Sabi-sands.com

Sabi sands is the best place in the world for a safari..

A little bit about Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Spanning 65,000 hectares, the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve is a testament to the vision of local landowners in the 1950s. It stands proudly adjacent to the globally acclaimed Kruger National Park, forming a vast wilderness teeming with wildlife.

The legacy of these founding families, now in their third and fourth generations of stewardship, resonates in the successful conservation of South Africa's richest density of big game. A unique feature of Sabi Sands is its 50-kilometer unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park, creating a harmonious coexistence that allows wildlife to roam freely. This has led to remarkably close encounters with the local fauna, including prolific sightings of the elusive leopard. The dynamic landscape is further enriched by the Sabi and Sand Rivers, weaving their way through the reserve, enhancing the rich biodiversity of this extraordinary habitat.

Going on safari in Sabi Sands

Embark on an incredible journey to Sabi Sands Nature Reserve in South Africa, but before you go, there are some important details you should know.

Curious about the travel duration? Wondering if this destination is accessible to everyone? Intrigued by the unique aspects that make this place truly special? And what essentials should you pack? In the following sections, you will find answers to these queries and more. If there's a question left unanswered, feel free to reach out to us using the contact form below, and our team will be thrilled to assist you!

About Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve near Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of those very special places in the world and is the ultimate African safari destination.

Sabi Sands special offers

Searching for that one special offer that makes all your safari dreams come through? Our Sabi Sands special deals offer excellent value for money. We hope to see you soon!

Getting to Sabi Sands Reserve

The Sabi Sands is one of South Africa's best accessible game reserves. We have multiple daily flights, three access gates and a lot of world-class roads leading right to us.

So incredible, we started to plan a return trip during the flight home!

The food was spectacular - budget on gaining a kg or 3! Good, fresh South African food, prepared and served in style. You will love it!

...the highlights being following a pack of wild dogs and watching a leopard and her cub jumping from branch to branch high up in the trees.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve lodges

Set off on a journey to Sabi Sands Nature Reserve, a captivating destination that offers a unique safari experience. After a day filled with discovery and exploration in the African bush, you'll appreciate a tranquil haven to relax and recharge.

Sabi Sands caters to every taste and budget with its varied accommodations. From cozy bush camps tucked away in the wilderness to luxury options beneath the stunning African night sky, there's a unique experience for every traveller. A stay in the Sabi Sands not only promises unforgettable moments, but also fosters a lasting bond with the pulsing heart of the African bush, leaving an enduring memory long after your journey is over.

• Price $$$$$

Chitwa Chitwa Lodge

lodge style Art-inspired African

Chitwa Chitwa Lodge overlooks one of the largest lakes in the Sabi Sands. It is designed as a spacious yet intimate camp - presenting sophistication in a relaxed atmosphere. The eight very spacious suites all have plunge pools.

from ZAR 26,550 per person per night

Ulusaba Rock Lodge

lodge style Tranquil hill & trees

Ulusaba Rock Lodge is built high on the summit of a small hill overlooking the South African bushveld. The rooms and suites offer views over a waterhole in front of the lodge, allowing you to view wildlife from the privacy of your room.

from ZAR 14,159 per person per night

Notten's Bush Camp

lodge style Down to earth elegance

Notten's is one of the original family run lodges in Africa, and a true gem within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. As one of the original lodges, it has a magical bush atmosphere and offers a truly authentic safari experience.

from ZAR 9,975 per person per night

Lion Sands Game Reserve

lodge style Riverside serenity

The award winning Lion Sands is the only private reserve to have access to the perennial Sabie River, which it shares with Kruger National Park. You will find five beautiful lodges here, so there's always one that suits your taste!

from ZAR 23,800 per person per night

Sabi Sabi Game Reserve

lodge style Present, past & future

Within the Sabi Sands Reserve, Sabi Sabi has created three unique worlds through its four first-class camps: one of yesterday's vintage romance; today's classic bush experience; and tomorrow's African renaissance.

from ZAR 15,969 per person per night

Singita Sabi Sand lodges

lodge style A very private affair

At the Singita lodges, guests share the privilege of experiencing this wonderful part of Africa. Spanning more than 45,000 acres, Singita is renowned for high concentrations of big game and frequent leopard sightings.

from ZAR 39,954 per person per night

Dulini Game Reserve

lodge style World class luxury

Dulini boasts several extraordinary safari lodges, including Dulini River, Dulini Leadwood, and Dulini Moya, where sumptuous accommodations offer a strikingly elegant contrast to the rugged bushveld.

from ZAR 26,800 per person per night

Elephant Plains Lodge

lodge style Bushveld simplicity

Elephant Plains Lodge offers comfortable style and affordable luxury. This lodge is family owned and sleeps a maximum of 24 guests. As such, you can be sure to expect personal service and a warm atmosphere.

from ZAR 5,500 per person per night

Arathusa Safari Lodge

lodge style classic lakeside safari

Arathusa offers an affordable wildlife and Big 5 Safari experience in a traditional safari camp. In front of your chalet is a lake that attracts lots of game throughout the day: perfect for game viewing from your lazy chair!

from ZAR 9,045 per person per night

Tengile River Lodge

lodge style Tranquil river views

Tengile River Lodge is the latest addition to the Sabi Sands. Extremely spacious suites offer incredible views over the river in incredible luxury. Of course the sounds and views of the African bush are best enjoyed from the privacy of your own plunge pool.

from ZAR 34,799 per person per night

Jaci's Sabi House

lodge style Group and family home

This is the ideal bush retreat for small groups and families alike. Jaci's Sabi House accommodates six guests only in a completely private setting. Explore the Sabi Sands from the comfort of your private safari vehicle and take home some unforgettable memories.

from ZAR 48,174 (sleeps four)

Ulusaba Safari Lodge

lodge style Under a canopy of trees

Sir Richard Branson's Ulusaba Safari Lodge overlooks a dry riverbed and is shaded by ancient trees. The nearby waterhole guarantees great game viewing. The eleven luxury rooms provide a luxurious safari experience in complete privacy.

Leopard Hills Lodge

lodge style Hilltop splendour

Expect to enjoy some amazing views over the African bush when staying in Leopard Hills Lodge. Eight luxury suites offer only the best safari accommodation. Enjoy the sunset from your viewing deck or plunge pool.

from ZAR 22,714 per person per night

&Beyond Kirkman's Kamp

lodge style Victoriana delight

Kirkman's is a well known historic camp which was originally built in the 1920s. It airs a feeling of an early rural homestead, with a vintage style and gracious ambience. All cottages have a deck overlooking the Sand River.

from ZAR 18,394 per person per night

Nkorho Bush Lodge

lodge style stylish modesty

To ensure travellers of the best possible attention, Nkorho only sleeps a maximum of twelve people in six stylish thatched chalets. The spacious rooms have en suite bathrooms, contemporary interiors, and offer complete privacy.

from ZAR 9,379 per person per night

Londolozi Game Reserve

lodge style Magical lodge collection

Londolozi is one of the pioneering Private Game Reserves of the ecotourism industry in South Africa and an unashamedly family run, stand alone operation. There are five beautifully appointed lodges to choose from.

from ZAR 22,564 per person per night

Savanna Game Lodge

lodge style Classic semi-tented savannah

A longtime favourite and much loved true South African safari lodge. Savanna Lodge is situated in an area where 'Big Five' sightings are so common that it is not unusual to see all of them during a single safari activity.

from ZAR 16,015 per person per night

Idube Game Lodge

lodge style affordable african safari

Idube is situated in prime game area. Many animals are seen close to the lodge on a daily basis. The lodge is family owned and offers just ten luxury suites. Each suite has its own private wooden deck, great for wildlife viewing!

from ZAR 11,309 per person per night

Inyati Safari Lodge

lodge style Classic bush experience

Inyati Game Lodge is situated on the banks of the Sand River, providing stunning river views. All chalets have been refurbished recently, now offering perfect luxury safari accommodation in the midst of the Sabi Sands Reserve.

from ZAR 12,584 per person per night

Silvan Safari Lodge

lodge style Luxury safari redefined

An innate understanding of the bush and a deep love for Africa: these two elements define Silvan’s story. Book yourself a stay in this new, luxury lodge and leave with an uplifted spirit and a firmly rooted love for this land.

from ZAR 29,129 per person per night

Cheetah Plains Lodge

lodge style Ultrachic retreat

Characterised by modern design, this three-villa lodge offers privacy and exclusivity, accompanied by superb service. The ideal setting to relish in the untamed wilderness, and unparalleled wildlife encounters.

from ZAR 33,869 per person per night

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

lodge style Affordable elementary Bush

Umkumbe Safari Lodge is owner-managed and run; ensuring guests enjoy a personal, rustic and real South African safari experience. The lodge consists of six chalets with most overlooking the Sand River.

from ZAR 5,145 per person per night

Mala Mala Game Reserve

lodge style Classic family owned reserve

Many years of superb service -and experience- has resulted in the satisfaction of many guests. Relax in the unpretentious elegance and style of one of the finest safari experiences in Africa at Mala Mala Private Game Reserve.

from ZAR 19,664 per person per night

Simbambili Game Lodge

lodge style moroccan style Lakeside

Simbambili Game Lodge is a destination for the discerning traveller. Sophisticated yet simple, each suite has spectacular views whether from the unique en-suite bathrooms and salas or individual plunge pools.

from ZAR 18,895 per person per night

Sabi Sands Video

The best way of getting an idea what the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is about is by seeing some incredible footage from the area. We went out with our video camera and spent a lot of time outdoors to get you some of the most beautiful shots of the reserve imaginable.

Visit our Sabi Sands videos overview page for more videos and get inspired for your Sabi Sands safari.

We were off road and moving with the animals or quietly sitting watching them playing or feasting....magical.

The staff went out of their way to make our wedding and honeymoon as special as it could ever be. We were blown away.

Great place for viewing big cats!

Send your enquiry

We hope you have found all information needed to decide that the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is the perfect place for your next travel adventure. Still have questions? Or perhaps you would like more specific information about one of the topics on this page? Please fill in the contact form and we will get back to you soon!

• Sabi Sands Game Reserve
• Mpumalanga, South Africa
• [email protected]

Kruger National Park

QUICK FACTS

• World-famous for it's wildlife
• Kruger Park is state-owned and accommodates budgets on both the low-end with self-catering, and on the high-end with luxury concessions
• Luxury customers usually fly in to nearby airports (KMIA / SZK / HDS) from either Cape Town or Johannesburg
• Self-drive possible but flying more common for luxury itineraries
• Game viewing best during the dry winters months May to Oct
• Wet summer season brings full waterholes, lush bushveld, many newborn wildlife and the summer migrant birds arrive
• 15+ luxury lodges in 9 private concessions (each run by a particular operator) over an area of 1,950,000 hectares.  Bare in mind that the majority of this is state-owned and run.

ADDITIONAL READING

• https://www.safari.com/blog/top-5-kruger-national-park-safaris
• https://www.safari.com/blog/top-10-luxury-lodges-in-the-greater-kruger-park

Lodge and package options are shown below, but if it seems daunting, feel free to contact [email protected]

Sub regions inside

Broader region.

The Kruger National Park is one of the most famous and visited National Parks in Africa, for good reason. Home to an incredibly diverse wildlife population including the Big 5, a wide range of predators, the biggest collection of mammal species in Africa and an amazing range of bird species - the Kruger Park is a mecca for wildlife encounters.

Over and above the endless African wildlife within the reserve, there are also an incredibly large and unique variety of luxury lodges within and surrounding Kruger National Park.

The Kruger National Park is a destination that is generally considered to be good all year-round.

The attraction to the Kruger National Park is most certainly the wildlife and there is no question that the dry winter season from May to October is considered the best time to experience phenomenal game viewing and walking safaris. The bush is less dense and animals tend to gather around the fewer permanent water sources, allowing for better viewing opportunities.

Mid-winter - June to August - is a very comfortable time of year to visit the Kruger as there are few mosquitoes, little if any rain and temperatures are pleasantly warm during the day and refreshingly cool at night. The bone-dry, end-of-winter months of September and October often experience uncomfortably hot and humid conditions but concentrations of animals around water sources are at their highest - this period is often regarded as the best game-viewing time for a Kruger safari.

The summer rains arrive from November onwards , peak in January and February and end around April. The Kruger is transformed into a beautiful, thriving green landscape and it makes for superb photography. Game viewing is still good with many young animals around, making it a predator's paradise. It is also the best time for bird watching as well as safari-and-beach holiday combinations.

The Kruger National Park is considered a low malaria area, however, we would recommend consulting a medical practitioner for advice about malaria.

The Kruger National Park is also very popular during the long December/January school holidays, so should you be looking to travel during this time period, we strongly recommend that you book well in advance and consider the northern parts of the park or the Kruger's private reserves and concessions, should you desire a less crowded 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 .  

Home to the famous Big 5 : lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, and the highest number of large mammal species on any African reserve, the Kruger offers a rewarding safari experience and an array of accommodation options including luxury lodges and self-catering. Activities offered at most reserves include morning and afternoon/evening open vehicle game drives and guided bush walks. Some reserves offer optional local village tours, hot air ballooning, elephant interactions, visits to animal rehabilitation centers, treehouse sleep-outs and photographic safaris.

Apr 30, 2024

Customer service a welome surprise!

The website was easy to use, I made a double payment in error and they were super helpful and refunded me within two days cheerfully. It was an absolute pleasure dealing with them.

Apr 28, 2024

Great service

Great service. The staff are so helpful and accomadating. I would highly recommend them.

Shann was great

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Shann was amazing. Really knowledgeable and helpful. Nothing too much trouble.

Apr 27, 2024

Anja is awesome!

Anja is awesome!! She went above and beyond for me as I had several changes until I locked in my bucket list itinerary and then my friend cancelled. She wasn't mad and just went about cancelling her portion which saved me money in the long run. Anja is a true professional regardless and I have been dealing with her since Sept 2023. Cannot wait until my trip in Sept 2024.

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Shann was beyond amazing

Shann was beyond amazing. Listened to our needs, communicated super-efficiently and gave really honest excellent advice. She was so patient, kind and professional. The time difference across the globe made no difference. I am so excited for the itinerary she has put together. I usually cobble my own itinerary together for our holidays and it’s so time consuming and hard work. This was a piece of cake! Thank you Shann.

Great planning and service

Great planning and service, and everything worked like clockwork. We booked an Inyari Lodge safari with air with Safari.com. it wasn't clear if there will be 2 or three of us, so with Candis' help we booked a family chalet for 2 and added the third later when it was confirmed he can come. Candis put us on flights that maximized our game drive time (unlike some of the other guests) so we got all 6 drives in 3 nights. The lodge was great. Especially the game drives. We saw more than we hoped for. Additionally, Safari.com's insurance was very competitive. Highly recommended.

Apr 24, 2024

Kim helped us for the details of trip…

Kim helped us for the details of trip planning.

Apr 23, 2024

Shann was amazing , great prompt service and went above and beyond to meet our travel requirements.

How to Safari in South Africa

By Laura Dannen Redman

It doesn’t matter what you’ve read, or how many times you watched Out of Africa, or if you’ve always felt comfortable in khaki-colored clothing: Nothing prepares you for the first time you’re within 10 feet of a lion in the wild. Your breath catches—there they are, the kings and queens of the African savanna, with retractable claws and powerful haunches any Cross-Fitter would envy, and the only thing between you and them is a few inches of safari-jeep metal and a very hearty guide with a gun, should you need it.

You won’t need it. The lions don’t care about you. (Even if you're advertising your snackability in a white or red windbreaker—don't do that.) Lions only see the massive multi-tiered Land Rover and figure it’s not worth wrangling with that elephantine creature. So you get the privilege to watch, quietly, binoculars and iPhones out, as they go about making a meal of the baboon they just caught. It’s a circle-of-life moment that makes you rethink what you know about survival, or the multi-course lunch spread you’ll have back at the safari camp. It also makes people who were previously blasé about animals want to quit their jobs and stay on as guides, teaching other newcomers about the tell-tale signs of rhino droppings.

That first safari may change you, in subtle ways—sharpening the senses to the slightest rustle in the bushes, or training the eye to look for different birds in the trees, even once you’re home in a concrete jungle. It’s addictive, and despite its legacy as a vacation for the rich and regal, it doesn’t have to exclusive. Think about this: South African children grew up exploring the bush on school trips, camping out under the stars, and keeping night’s watch with a buddy and a flashlight, just like Traveler’s Mary Holland did ; Capetonians may make a long weekend out of the same excursion you feel like you need a lifetime to plan. South Africa offers everything you may want in a safari, so it's a great place to get your boots dusty.

Consider this your nudge out the door—our guide to planning your first, but hopefully not your last, safari holiday.

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Let’s start with the basics: Are you worried about malaria?

If you’d rather not fuss with malaria medication, just plan a trip to a no-malaria or low-risk malaria zone. A number of South African private game reserves—like Phinda in KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast and Madikwe just south of the border with Botswana—check all the boxes. “Madikwe Reserve has wonderful and varied game viewing as well as camps that cater to families, ” Daniel Saperstein , co-owner of Hippo Creek Safaris and a Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist, told us . “Also, Tswalu Kalahari is one of the largest private game reserves in Africa—it’s malaria-free and has fantastic activities for children, including Southern Skies stargazing and daytime meerkat tracking.” Tswalu doesn’t guarantee sightings of all Big Five, though. “If you want something different, there’s Shamwari in the Eastern Cape, a no-malaria area,” says Holland. Shamwari has a number of options, including the luxury tents of Bayethe and the family-friendly Riverdene Lodge, and is just an hour-long drive from Port Elizabeth.

Is it a top priority to see the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo?

If yes, “definitely head to Kruger Park,” says Holland. South Africa's pride and joy of national parks, with nearly 5 million acres to explore, all but guarantees a Big Five sighting in a two- or four-day safari (though, really, there's no guarantee, no matter what anyone says). East Africa may deliver more of the "ur-safari people think of"—those wide-open, big-sky, Lion King landscapes—says Traveler's Andrew Sessa, but Kruger gives you a better shot at seeing white and black rhinos. There will be crowds, though, so consider private reserves within Greater Kruger National Park like Royal Malewane , a luxury lodge in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, and Tanda Tula Safari Camp , a luxury camp in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. For more budget-friendly options, try Jock Safari Lodge (from US$630 per adult per night) or the Sanparks website, which has a huge range, from cheap to expensive, self-catering to camping and luxury lodges.

Are you going solo, or as a couple, maybe on a honeymoon?

"South Africa is great because you can have incredible city and wine experiences [by pairing a few days in Cape Town and its surrounding wine country] with safari," says Sessa. I did just that for an anniversary trip: four days in Cape Town, then a flight to Durban, where we rented a car and drove to andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve (though that drive is only suited for nerves of steel—you can also fly to Phinda via Johannesburg and Cape Town). There are multiple andBeyond lodges in this game reserve: Phinda Forest Lodge, Phinda Mountain Lodge, Phinda Rock Lodge, Phinda Vlei Lodge (which will reopen June 2018 after a complete renovation), Phinda Zuka Lodge, and Phinda Homestead. We booked a four-day, three-night stay at the Rock Lodge, which has six suites built of contoured stone and adobe—our own private pueblo in Zululand. Each comes with an outdoor deck and plunge pool, big ensuite bathrooms and outdoor showers, and feels entirely secluded and romantic. If you're celebrating an anniversary or birthday, tell the staff ahead of time, and they may surprise you by prepping a champagne-and-roses bath at night.

Laura Walsh

Alex Erdekian

Charlie Hobbs

And the two-a-day safari drives? Incredible. We spotted the Big Five easily, but there were so many other special sightings: a pregnant zebra, an albino giraffe, a cheetah and cubs, white and black rhinos (and their babies!) that looked like they had stumbled out of some prehistoric time warp. And then there was the unexpected visit by a herd of elephants looking for a mid-day drink out of our plunge pool.

Are you going as a family?

“I would say a high-end lodge or camp in Sabi Sands Game Reserve (on the outskirts of Kruger) is ideal for the first-time family safari," says Traveler correspondent Paul Rubio, who’s been on 20 safaris in as many years. "This area is incredibly wildlife-dense so sightings are prolific—it's not uncommon to see rhinos, lions, elephants, and a pack of wild dogs in a single game drive (read: the kids will be constantly entertained)." At the lodge, you have every amenity possible to ease the transition for tech-driven teens, he says. "The Wi-Fi and TVs we want to avoid as adults are there for the kids to enjoy if need be. Plus everyone loves the pool." For starters, try Singita Ebony Lodge , where all ages are welcome, and infants under the age of two are free, or Ulusaba Private Game Reserve , one of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition collection of retreats, which has a dedicated Cub’s Club.

Related: Should you bring kids on a safari?

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WILD AFRICA

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A complete solution to planning your Kruger National Park vacation Take advantage of our knowledge, experience and passion ...

A Kruger Park Safari is an incredible special extremely magical experience!

Go SAfari will assist you in all aspects of making a magical Kruger National Park SAfari a reality. Working from your brief and budget we put our skills, contacts, experience and knowledge together to create an unforgettable Big 5 wildlife vacation for you. From start to finish.

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From your brief to us, we design, recommend, negotiate, book, schedule, then ensure through timely communication and updates, that you arrive and depart as planned and monitor the inbetween.

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Take advantage of our knowledge & experience. Talk to us. We can help you plan an unforgettable wildlife safari vacation. Our specialty is Kruger National Park accommodation and vacations.

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• Family Safari in the Kruger National Park

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

By Adelle Belle

Safari Travel Planner

The Kruger National Park sits right at the top of family-friendly safari destinations in South Africa. The park prides itself on being accessible to young and old alike, and many South Africans will confess to cultivating a life-long love for the African bush from an early age in the Kruger.

A family holiday in the Kruger is best done in one of two ways; either self-driving or choosing an all-inclusive package at a private lodge. Both options have their own unique appeal depending on the type of holiday experience you’re after.

Long hours in the car are always a concern when traveling with children, but the Kruger is only an easy five-hour drive from the nearest international airport in Johannesburg. All major car rental companies have counters here and offer vehicles suited to families. Alternatively, you might opt for a shuttle service when staying at an all-inclusive luxury lodge.

En route to the Kruger National Park, whether self-driving or by lodge transfer, there are plenty of rest stops, and you can even turn it into a scenic road trip of sorts by including some of the sights on the stunning Panorama Route. Once inside the park, the vast network of good tar and gravel roads makes getting from one place to another equally comfortable.

Exploring the park in your own vehicle means your family stays together, and you can plan outings according to personal preference. If you’re traveling with toddlers, this is the only way you can take them on game drives in the reserve, as children under the age of 6 are not allowed on the game drives in open 4×4 vehicles (for safety reasons) provided by the park. Similarly, only children over 12 may join guided bush walks .

The southern and central regions of the park are more family-friendly than the far north since distances between rest areas are not so spread out, the landscape is more varied, and animals are more abundant. Skukuza, Satara, Lower Sabie, Letaba, and Berg en Dal camps are superb family-oriented accommodation options since they offer restaurants, shops, swimming pools, child-friendly activities, museums, and movie screenings.

Although staying at a luxury lodge is naturally more costly, the experience is more personal with offerings such as private family villas, your own guide in an open 4×4 game viewing vehicle, and special activities for children.

Travel Tips for Family Safari in the Kruger National Park

• Rent an SUV or a 4×4 with good ground clearance for your visit to the park. The additional vehicle height makes for better game viewing, and the extra space will come in handy for luggage and make the time spent in the back seat more comfortable for the youngsters.
• Some rental companies offer fully kitted camping vehicles with enough equipment and tents for the whole family. This is a great all-inclusive option if you plan on camping in the Kruger. The kids might not like getting up early on holiday, but it’s worth it in the Kruger. The early mornings are best for game viewing, not to mention cooler than during the day. The same goes for late afternoon game drives.
• Grab a park map at an entrance gate or a camp shop. You’ll need it to navigate the park when self-driving.
• When traveling with small children, bring some games, puzzles, and books to entertain them during leisure time in camp or long drives in the car.
• All the main camps have restaurants with reasonable prices and small shops for self-catering, so there’s no need to over-pack your car with food supplies.

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Free safari planning advice from destination experts

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The Best of Africa’s National Parks

The lowdown on africa’s best national parks for safaris & wildlife.

National parks in Africa are some of the largest in the world – as well as the most spectacular.

Most of them have been created over the past century to help safeguard the continent’s wildlife from habitat destruction and poaching. Known for their natural beauty and diverse wildlife, Africa’s national parks have become premier safari destinations for increasing numbers of travellers in recent decades.

The page below details our picks of the very best national parks in Africa for wildlife spotting, with a focus on the top African safari spots of East and Southern Africa. (There are also some Indian and Sri Lankan national parks listed as these countries provide alternative safari activities and   wildlife spotting opportunities of a high standard.)

The nature of the parks listed varies considerably in terms of the degree of accessibility and protection, the number of tourists, and the type of environment. This is something to bear in mind whilst researching which national parks you might want to visit on your next safari.

Africa’s best national parks for wildlife

Amboseli national park.

Crowned by Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is one of Kenya’s most popular parks . The name “Amboseli” comes from the Maasai language and means ‘salty dust’… peffect for those large herds of elephants that roam the park.

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park lies in northern Botswana, bordering the Okavango Delta . It was the first national park to be established in the country and has one of the best concentrations of game in Africa.

Etosha National Park

 A classic African national park – with excellent visitor facilities – housing the “big five” and much more in plains surrounding the huge central pan.

Kruger National Park

The centrepiece of South African national parks, Kruger National Park has a worldwide reputation as offering one of the best wildlife experience… and a great chance to spot the big five .

Lake Nakuru National Park

The stunning Lake Nakuru National Park is on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by bushy grasslands and woods. There are 56 species of mammals in the park, but the star show are the thousands of flamingos.

Namib Naukluft National Park

The oldest desert on earth, probably the most beautiful. In Namib Naukluft National Park giant dunes tower 300 meters into the air, and pockets of dried-out lakes serve as sporadic homes to forests of thousand-year-old dead trees. In a word, epic!

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife reserve is sandwiched between several other parks and reserves, so part of a much larger East African ecosystem – and a critical checkpoint for the Great Wildebeest Migration  between July and October each year.

Parc National des Volcan

One of the best places in the world to see wild gorillas is without a doubt Parc National des Volcan – 160 km sq. of dense, wet jungle on the upper reaches of towering volcanos. It’s a long,sweaty walk to the very top of these peaks, but the reward is getting to see several fmailies of wild. habituated mountain gorillas.

Lake Manyara National Park

The park is dramatically marked off at its entrance by lush green vegetation, consisting of tall trees providing a home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys. Further through the forest opens into woodlands and swamps beyond the soda lake itself.

Serengeti National Park

Declared a Game Reserve in 1929, the Serengeti National Park offer some of the greatest concentrations of plain animal left on earth. The vast plains are the centre of the Serengeti ecosystem, and today cover 14,762km sq, around the size of Northern Ireland.

Situated in the southwest of Chobe National Park, Savuti has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the African continent, with year-round opportunities to  view all kinds of game – from giraffe, elephants, zebra, and buffalo, to big cat predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.

Tsavo East & West

Coming soon!

National parks by country

Select a country below to read an in-depth review of its national parks, as well as maps, pictures, and links to further resources such as official tourism and park authorities.

Aside from it’s many national parks – including Savuti – Botswana is renown worldwide for the Okavango Delta region in the north of the country, providing water and supporting an incredible array of African wildlife. All national parks in Botswana are run by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), based in Gaborone.

Kenyan national parks include the world-famous Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks – which can be uncomfortably heaving with tourists in January and February. Kenya has plenty of smaller, out of the way national parks, such as Hell’s Gate national park – that see only a trickle of visitors year-round.

Whilst not as popular as it’s large East and Southern African neighbors, Malawi still offers comparable game viewing. The best time of the year for visiting national parks in Malawi is between August and November in dry season.

There are six national parks in Mozambique, including one off shore and one coastal park. Whilst they don’t have large amounts of game on offer to view, it’s an extremely peaceful and low-level tourist destination, and has some of the best marine parks in Africa nestled in the stunning Indian Ocean coast.

Namibia is an enormous country, and one with large tracts given over to national parks. This gives Namibia the impressive status of being the country with the highest ratio of animals to humans in the world: In short, Namibia’s national parks are fantastic places to visit for safaris and wildlife watching. Highlights include: Etosha ,   Fish River Canyon ,   Namib Naukluft , Sperrgebiet , and Skeleton Coast national parks.

Rwandan national parks tend to focus on gorilla safaris, though there are also opportunities to hang out with habituated chimps, and the very rare golden monkey when taking a safari in Rwanda. As Rwanda’s a very small country there are just 3 national parks – including Nyungwe and Parc National des Volcans – all of which hug it’s borders with the neighboring countries.

South Africa

From Rubondo Island national park in Lake Victoria in the north, to mountainous chimp-filled forests around Lake Tanganika in the west, to the world-reknown Serengeti and Ngorogoro parks, and adjoining Lake Manyara , there’s plenty to see in Tanzania. And if it’s the big 5 you’re after, there are plenty of national parks to spot them when on safari in Tanzania.

As well as the big five, Uganda is home to more than half the world’s remaining mountain gorilla, and plenty of chimps. It’s also recognized as one of the best places for bird spotting in the world. Most national parks in Uganda have a good range of accommodation, and the parks are easily accessible, making Uganda a great place for a safari.

Zambia boasts 19 national parks across the country, with many enduring decades of poaching and habitat. However, a handful of national parks are jam-packed with wildlife and offer some of the best game viewing in Southern Africa. South Luangwa National Park is unparalleled in Zambia for scenery and variety and density of animals.

Hwange National Park is the jewel in the crown of Zimbabwe’s national parks – covering the largest area (14,650 sq km) and holding the most wildlife, including over 30,000 elephants. Across the countries’s national parks Zimbabwe is the premier destination in the world to see huge elephant herds and black rhinos.

Top African parks for wildlife

Aberdare National Park, Kenya

Addo Elephant Park, South Africa

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Arabuko-Sokoke National Park, Kenya

• Etosha National Park, Namibia

Fish River Canyon National Park, Namibia

Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya

• Kruger National Park, South Africa

Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

Malindi Marine National Reserve, Kenya

• Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

Parc National des Volcan, Rwanda

Rubondo Island National Park, Tanzania

Savuti, Botswana

• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia

Sperrgebiet National Park, Namibia

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
• Kenya safaris
• Namibia safaris
• South Africa safaris
• Tanzania safaris
• Uganda safaris

Safari basics

• Safari animals
• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
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Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
• Okavango Delta, Botswana

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Take a solo safari through South Africa’s wild grasslands

Discover vast savannas, forested hills, and extraordinary animals on this self-guided 500-mile drive.

It pains me to say it now, but for many years I lived under the illusion that only the very rich could afford an African safari. This saddened me. My preferred strategy for wealth accumulation—Powerball—had yet to pay dividends, and sometimes I’d wonder if I’d ever see a lion without having to pay a zoo admission fee.

Fortunately, as it turned out, I was profoundly mistaken. “Do you think South Africans spend $2,000 a night to see an elephant?” my friend asked. She had lived in Cape Town for many years—was even married to a South African—and knew what she was talking about. “If you really want to go on safari, travel like a local. Rent a cheap car and drive yourself. With airfare I bet it would cost less than $2,000 for a week of game viewing.”

“Travel like a local.” The words were a revelation. Safaris, I’d always thought, were for men who referred to each other as “old boy” and for women who wore cravats. I did not realize there was another way—the South African way.

Which is how I found myself in the town of Mkuze in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa . I’d flown in to Durban ($750 roundtrip from Washington, D.C. ) and rented the cheapest car I could find—a Ford Fiesta. Then I spent a lively day adjusting to driving on the left side of the road (apologies to the good people of KwaZulu-Natal ). My plan was to visit Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park , where I was confidently informed I’d see rhinos, before making my way through Swaziland to South Africa’s fabled Kruger National Park , an expanse of land nearly the size of New Jersey. Here one can reliably see the storied “big five”—the African elephant, the leopard, the Cape buffalo, the black rhinoceros , and the lion.

Impulsive travel, of course, is the best kind of travel. What every traveler yearns for is surprise and wonder, and nothing beats following the bread crumbs of serendipity. This was my first time in South Africa, however, so I availed myself of the advice of locals. “Don’t drive at night” was the universal dictum. Be where you need to be by sunset and stay there. Crime, unfortunately, is an issue in South Africa, but for those who are amenable to common sense, a 500-mile self-guided safari tour should be as safe as a road trip to Florida.

It was fall in the Southern Hemisphere, which meant warm, sunny days and temperate evenings. South Africa is one of the world’s most biodiverse nations, and as I threaded my way north on smooth two-lane highways, I noted the sweeping changes in the landscape, from the fields of sugarcane outside Durban to rolling hills of bushveld to the savanna of African lore. Occasionally I’d find a hulking Land Rover in my rearview mirror, urging me to move toward the shoulder—where a startling number of warthogs tend to congregate. As the 4x4s raced by, I imagined they were ferrying the well-heeled tourists who’d booked luxury safaris at one of the innumerable private game reserves that ring the big national parks like orbiting satellites. I didn’t envy them—well, maybe a little bit, particularly when the Fiesta went hurtling over an unexpected speed bump.

I had booked a room at the Ghost Mountain Inn near Mkuze, which turned out to be a lovely single-story hotel with an expansive lawn that unraveled toward a mirror-smooth lake. In the near distance the Lebombo Mountains reflected the light of the late afternoon sun.

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After checking in I sauntered toward the water. A troupe of vervet monkeys scampered across the grass. The colors began to melt across the sky, with flaring streaks of crimson merging into a darkening blue void. I headed toward a dock that stretched invitingly over the water. Perfect, I thought. That’s where I’ll watch the sunset. And that’s when I noticed the sign: BEWARE OF THE CROCODILES.

For real? What to do? Should I make some noise, or should I be stealthy? I tiptoed my way toward the end of the dock, my senses attuned to every ripple, every rustle of grass, when suddenly, about 20 yards from me, there was an explosion of water as a hippopotamus thundered above the surface, its gaping, toothy maw glistening with threat. I stood stunned, immobile, as I watched what many consider to be the most dangerous animal in Africa swim and belch a stone’s throw from my quivering legs.

I was beginning to feel a little out of my depth. I thought of the Ford Fiesta. I was about to encounter elephants and rhinos and herds of Cape buffalo and God knows how many other creatures that could crush my subcompact rental like an errant bug.

“So what do I do if I encounter an elephant inside the park?” I inquired. I was speaking with Jean, a matronly safari guide from Botswana who had moved to Hluhluwe more than 20 years earlier and never left.

“You should back away slowly, particularly if it’s a male elephant in musth,” she said. This seemed like sensible advice. I had stayed up late the previous night bingeing on video after video on YouTube of elephants destroying cars in South Africa.

“What about rhinos?” I pressed.

“The thing about rhinos,” she said, leaning in conspiratorially, “is that they are nearly blind. So whatever you do, do not stop your car above a pile of rhino poo. A rhino could mistake you for another rhino. It will feel challenged. And then it might charge your car, which is not something you’ll want to experience.”

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the former hunting grounds of the Zulu kings , is the oldest game reserve in Africa. Today it is perhaps South Africa’s best kept secret. I saw not more than a dozen other vehicles—an occasional multistory safari truck full of camera-laden tourists, a couple of antipoaching ranger pickup trucks. As I slowly drove in, the first critter I came across was a baby zebra suckling at its mother’s teat. Aww, I thought, it’s like a Disney movie.

That’s when the snake appeared. It slithered across the narrow, two-lane road. Sadly, I cannot tell you what kind of snake it was—Black mamba? Spitting cobra?—because I have an Indiana Jones-level fear of snakes and had to pull to the side of the road and take a few deep breaths and go to my safe place.

South Africa's fabled Kruger National Park is nearly the size of New Jersey. Here one can reliably see the storied “big five”—the African elephant, the leopard, the Cape buffalo, the black rhinoceros, and the lion.

The park is a rugged mix of topography with steep forested hills interspersed with vast savannas. I encountered scores of extraordinary animals—zebras and impalas and wildebeests. I saw warthogs and baboons and monkeys. And then, through a clearing, about 50 yards distant, I spotted two black rhinos. Once upon a time there were but 25 rhinos in the park. Today there are roughly 1,800. If you would like to see a rhinoceros in the wild, this is where you go.

I paused, making sure I selected a spot clear of animal droppings of any kind, rejoicing that I had found the first of the big five, and then drove onward to Hilltop Camp , where people who plan ahead can stay inside the park. Often booked months in advance for its accommodations, Hilltop Camp has a restaurant where I intended to have lunch. Alas, standing in my way on the narrow road was a herd of Cape buffalo. They seemed in no hurry to mosey on. Retreat and adapt became my safari motto.

Sleep well at places such as Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge, noted for its commitment to sustainability.

More. This is what I heard from my neurotransmitters. Once you’ve seen something as magnificent as a black rhino, you can’t help but yearn for sightings of Africa’s other charismatic megafauna. I headed through the Kingdom of Swaziland —which I found to be a surprisingly alpine country—on what was the most direct route to 7,700-square-mile Kruger National Park. Travelers with more foresight than I should reserve a bungalow in one of the park’s rest camps. I managed to snag a last-minute room at the Protea Hotel near Paul Kruger Gate . At breakfast a vervet monkey leaped on my table and stole my banana.

Day visitors to Kruger should plan on being at the gate—in my case, the Kruger Gate near Skukuza—at 6 a.m., when most of the animals are up and about in search of breakfast. There is presently a drought in southern Africa, which is bad, but for someone on a self-guided safari it made spotting otherwise reclusive animals almost painfully easy. Elephants and giraffes walked among umbrella thorn trees. Wild dogs sheltered in the nook of a marula tree. A leopard cast a furtive glance from across the river. Hippos did hippo things, while enormous crocodiles sunned themselves on the rocks.

I maneuvered the Fiesta onto the dirt roads that extend like tributaries throughout the park. I was beginning to feel at ease in my car. Perhaps too at ease. I pulled into a spot next to the Sabie River. A South African couple in a weathered SUV were staring intently at something through their binoculars.

“It’s a lion,” the man informed me. “Want to have a look?” Yes. Yes, I did. I stepped out of my car and reached for the field glasses. There, a short distance across the river, was a lion, a male with a rock-star mane that suddenly perked up at the sight of a human walking freely in his domain. “You might want to get back inside your car,” the man said, as I returned his binoculars. That seemed like the prudent thing to do, and as I settled into the Fiesta, I felt giddy. I have seen a lion in the wild.

I patted the steering wheel. Thank you, little car.

South Africa’s Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal Province are best visited in spring (September-October), when you will see newborn animals, or in winter (June-August), when it’s driest—vegetation is thinner and visibility is better.

Where to stay

Rest Camps Reservations are recommended at the rest camps inside the parks, including Hilltop Camp ( hilltopcamp.co.za ) in Hluhluwei-Mfolozi Park and Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Kruger (sanparks.org). Accommodations range from basic camping sites to family cottages.

Protea Hotel Kruger Gate Conveniently located at the Paul Kruger Gate at Kruger National Park, this 96-room hotel is part of the Marriott network. From $120. protea.marriott.com Ghost Mountain Inn This country inn near Lake Jozini in KwaZulu-Natal offers 50 rooms amid a five-acre indigenous garden, a spa, and two outdoor pools. From $100. ghostmountaininn.co.za

Where to eat

In some places the best—and often only—option is the hotel restaurant. Inside the parks, day visitors can grab lunch inside the official rest camps.

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• WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
• WILDLIFE WATCHING

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Book the Best 3, 4 or 5 Day Kruger Park Safaris and Tours

“Kurt Safari is the # 1 Rated  Kruger National Park Safari Company on Tripadvisor. We specialise in 3, 4 and 5 Day Kruger Park Safari Packages , as well as Day Safaris and Tailor-Made Kruger Safari Trips .

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Garden route tours, cape town / johannesburg day tours, trip advisor reviews, for the last 20 years, kurt safari’s experienced kruger guides have been driving both local and international travellers through some of the most exquisite and wildlife-filled areas of the world-famous kruger national park..

Today, we are a highly ranked, and much recommended, TripAdvisor  Kruger National Park safari  company. We have curated an exclusive array of safaris, activities, and tours that promise to give you a wildlife encounter that is nothing less than absolutely extraordinary. We offer some of the very best 3, 4 and 5 Day Kruger Park Safari Packages, as well as an array of Day Safari options. 

A place of untouched African landscapes, the Kruger National Park is a true haven for those seeking adventure in a place that is home to a rich and diverse wildlife and plantlife. It’s a place made for the more adventurous spirit. Have a look at our comprehensive selection of Kruger National Park packages and discover the magic within each expedition.

Our Kruger Park Safaris Depart from Johannesburg Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

OUR OFFICE IS THE ROADS, CAMPS AND ATTRACTIONS OF THE MAJESTIC KRUGER NATIONAL PARK. AND OUR PASSION FOR THIS EXCEPTIONAL PLACE HAS MADE KURT SAFARI SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST ESTEEMED KRUGER NATIONAL PARK SAFARIS TOUR OPERATOR

We have a selection of the very best  Kruger National Park Safaris travel packages, each of which have been created for clients who are looking for that real African Safari experience, where a rustic adventure meets first world comfort. Every aspect of our Kruger Park safaris and tours are tailor made to suit a variety of budgets, experiences, and tastes.

Our  Kruger National Park safaris include a range of affordable trips, created just for those travelling on a limited budget, and we also have a selection of Kruger Park tours designed for holiday makers wanting a luxury African vacation. Not only do our guests get to explore the best of the  Kruger National Park , spending their days slowly driving along some of the most famous roads, those well-known for their wildlife population’s, but they also have the option to explore some of the region’s most interesting and beautiful attractions.

In the company of a trained and passionate guides, our guests spend up to 9 hours a day in the Kruger National Park . This is more time than most other companies allow for, and this means our guests have a better chance of seeing the Big 5 and more. We make use of the most comfortable, open-air safari vehicles, giving guests a real bird’s eye view of the wildlife we encounter.

Most of our Kruger Park safaris and tours are conducted in areas of the Southern Kruger, where wildlife populations are abundant. This part of the park is home to the Big 5 – Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard and Rhino – herds of rambling zebras and wildebeest, and more birds than you could imagine. The Kruger National Park has over 148 mammal species, and many of which can be seen in the Southern regions of the park. 

Kurt Safari offers one of the widest varieties of Kruger National Park Safari Packages, from exciting 3, 4, and 5 Day Packages to an epic 8 day Photographic and Birding safaris. Each tour is conducted with professional guides, who are both passionate about the park and knowledgeable about its inhabitants.

To book any of our Kruger Park safaris , you can browse through our website and find the one most suitable for your needs, your expectations and your budget. You can then book directly via our website, pay online and start preparing for your trip. Alternatively, you can contact us and have a chat with one of our knowledgeable consultants.

We are based in the sleepy Lowveld town of Hazyview, which is a 15-minute drive away from the Kruger National Park . Our consultants, guides and management team are predominantly locals who’ve spent a lifetime living in the area. They all have tremendous knowledge about the Kruger National Park and its wild inhabitants and can give you the kind of advice that you won’t find online, which you can use to make your holiday simply unforgettable.

Guests who choose an overnight holiday with Kurt Safari, stay at some of Hazyview’s most incredible private lodges. Just a 15 minute drive from the park, the lodges we use are chosen for their comfort and their high standard of excellence and friendly hospitality. The lodges we choose have Wi-Fi and the booking includes breakfast and dinner. We are also able to block book accommodation. 

Kurt Schultz, the Director of Kurt Safari personally guided Kruger Park safaris for almost 12 years before creating his safari company. Today, the company is rated as one of the leading Kruger Safari operators on TripAdvisor, and all of our packages have been personally curated, after many years of trial, error, and trips in the park. We believe that the Kruger Park safari should be simple but wild, with a focus on quality guiding and safety. We also believe that what can make a market truly special is the added benefits such as secluded but comfortable accommodation, indulgent meals, and the opportunity to have a memorable experience, even if you are travelling on a budget. 

We very much look forward to welcoming you to one of our our favourite places, the Kruger National Park. We hope that you truly enjoy your Kruger Park safari with us.

Read our Complete Guide to the Kruger National Park here

Welcome to kurt safari. here you will find a selection of well-priced kruger park safaris as well as travel information., your adventure begins here.

Kurt Safari Co is one of the Kruger’s leading tour operators, with over 20 years spent welcoming guests from all over the world to experience the ultimate Kruger Park safari.

We have a diverse selection of fantastic Kruger safaris for our clients to choose from. Each safari is carried out in an open safari vehicle and in the company of one of our professional guides, each of whom has years of experience guiding tours through the Kruger. Our safari packages are designed in such a way that you are guaranteed to have a truly unforgettable time in our beautiful country. We know that for many of our guests, a visit to the park is a once in a lifetime adventure and so we try to ensure that our Kruger Park safaris are as entrancing, captivating and as memorable as possible. Our tailor-made safaris as well as our standard safari packages, offer something for everyone. Whether you are looking to spend a single day, 3 days, 4 days or even 5 days in the Kruger, we have the tour for you. We also have shared safaris and private Kruger Park safaris, as well as packages for guests wanting to see the Panorama Route and the Kruger National Park.

Our guests stay in the exclusive Umbhaba Eco Lodge, where they can look forward to a world class experience in their air conditioned en-suite room. Should there be no availability at Umbhaba Eco Lodge during their trip, guests will stay at the equally stunning Sanibonani Lodge in Hazyview.

The Kurt Safari Kruger Experience

A Kurt safari is a laidback experience and our itineraries, as well as all that is included in each tour, will ensure that you are well taken care of and in the best company. 

Our guided tours are well priced and well organised and accommodation is included with each overnight package.

We specialise in small guided group Kruger Park safaris and with our daily departures from Johannesburg to Hazyview, you can arrive in the city in the morning and be enjoying the Kruger in the afternoon! Our Kruger safaris are ideal for both locals and international visitors.

Each safari vehicle is open, giving you ample visibility, allowing you to easily spot animals through the wild vegetation. This visibility makes each safari perfect for budding and experienced photographers looking to capture those one of a kind snaps. If you are in search of a more photographic focused safari, please have a look at our custom photographic safaris.

The Kruger National Park is without a doubt the best place in South Africa to spot the Big 5. The Kruger is home to the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo and a day trip to the park can offer enough time to spot these animals and many more. Keep in mind that when visiting the Kruger, you never know what is waiting around the next twist and turn in the road! The Kruger boasts a massively diverse number of wildlife and bird species.

Although we have a wide range of Kruger Park safaris and exciting game drives for our guests to choose from, we are also more than happy to customise a package to fulfil all of your wildest safari daydreams! We always go the extra mile for our guests as we know how truly amazing and memorable a real African safari should be. We are SATSA accredited, which is our guarantee to you that the safari you are paying for will live up to all of your expectations. You can look forward to a safe, well-priced, one of a kind safari. Each of our safaris will meet your expectations for that African experience you seek.

You can view the pricing of our bestselling Kruger Park safaris on our website.

Should you have any questions about our tours kindly get in touch with our helpful Hazyview based team. You can also check out TripAdvisor to see all of our latest reviews.

We look forward to welcoming you to the African continent. You can make your safari booking via our website or by getting in touch with us via email.

Kruger park safaris: must know info.

The majestic Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s best loved iconic landmarks. Each year the conservation reserve welcomes thousands of guests from all over the world. Embarking on one of the many Kruger Park trips available, or taking a self-drive through the park , is the way that most guests are introduced to the quiet solitude that you will only find when out in the wild. But it is not the quietness that brings guests to the park. It’s the animals.

Booking a Kruger Park safari or a Kruger Day Tour has also never been so easy. A quick look online will present you with a huge number of options, most of which are from top-notch safari companies, such as ours. Why book a safari instead of doing a self-drive? 

We reap the benefits of the wisdom and foresight of those who came before us. The Kruger Park safari is an experience to be remembered and it’s one that is not as costly as you might think.

The Founding of a Legendary Conservation Park

Paul Kruger , the onetime president of the now-defunct Transvaal Republic, made it his mission to have an area of the Transvaal set aside for the conservation of animals. Without his efforts, the animals that we now see roaming the park would have long been erased from the land. Back in 1898, when the park was first founded, hunting was rife and trophies of big game, such as lions and elephants were much sought after by overseas visitors. 

To prevent the local animal life from becoming completely eradicated, the park became a no-hunting zone and to this day remains one of the oldest and biggest areas of conserved land in the world.

The Kruger National Park might have been proclaimed in 1898 , but it was only in 1927 that it was named the Kruger National Park and opened to tourists. Those early days were interesting, to say the least, with tourists literally flying through the park on a train. Not a lot could be easily seen, and the route was one that could not be changed. But this was the safest way for the earliest visitors to see the park. These were the days before the can.

By 1928, the Kruger Park was being steadily run by a board of directors and it was decided that in order to make the park more accessible, overnight accommodation needed to be built. The park’s first rondavels, a round hut style of accommodation that is as synonymous with the park as the Big 5, were built at Skukuza, Pretoriuskop and Satara. As more guests visited the park, more accommodation was added for their benefit while the former accommodation used for rangers was also converted into unique accommodation for guests.

Fees were never exorbitant and so the park became known as the People’s Park; a place where anyone could experience all that the conservation effort had to offer. 

If you have done your research about South Africa, and the Kruger Park in particular, you will know that the summers are exceptionally hot and humid. So you can sympathise with the park’s earliest overnight guests and their struggle to stay cool. 

In fact, staying over in the park, in one of the rondavels, was not a popular choice. Sure it was a novelty, but the heat was as unbearable as the mosquitoes, which could not be kept out. These days, rondavels have fans and some even have air-conditioning.

Kruger Park Flora and Fauna

While animals are what draws people to the park, the flora of the area is just as captivating as the fauna. The plants and trees of the Kruger are really diverse, and different flora can be seen in different areas of the park. The Kruger is divided into 4 distinct areas, each distinguishable based on the flora of the area.

Thorn trees and red bushwillow veld

In the west and more or less centre of the park, just south of the Olifants River, lies the red bushwillow trees as well as acacia (thorn) trees. The area also boasts plenty of marula trees. The acacia trees line the rivers and streams. Along with the Nwatimhiri Bush, the areas along the Sabie River are very dense with vegetation.

Knob thorn and marula veld

In the area south of the Olifants River, and to the east of the park, lies knob thorn and marula veld. This region provides plenty of grazing ground. Red grass and buffalo grass, as well as the knob thorn and marula trees, make this an important region of the park.

Red bushwillow and mopane veld

North of the Olifants River and to the west of the park, the red bushwillow trees and mopane trees mostly make up the vegetation.

Shrub mopane veld

Almost the entire northeastern area of the park is covered with mopane trees.

While these areas have more plants and trees than mentioned above, it is the abundance of these trees and bushes that contribute to the naming of the areas. Each region is exceptionally important for the survival of fauna.

Famous Fauna and the Effort to Conserve

The park is famously home to the Big 5, which consists of the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. 

These iconic animals are part of the allure of visiting the Kruger, but they are not the only incredible animals to have a home here.

In fact, there are more species in the Kruger than in any other park on the African continent! 

Overall, there are 147 species of animals in the park. Along with numerous predators and large species such as elephants, the park also has a host of antelope such as kudu, impala, nyala, and eland. The Kruger National Park is also home to various endangered as well as rare species, such as the wild dog.

Anti-Poaching Efforts

As the park has many endangered species, efforts to prevent poaching have been underway for many years. Anti-poaching units are equipped with the latest in prevention equipment such as night vision technology and advanced telescopes. Game rangers, the police and the army have been actively involved in the effort to stop poaching and while instances have been reduced, animals are under constant threat.

While elephants are occasionally hunted, it is the savage slaying of our precious rhinos that makes the headlines. Poachers sneak into the Kruger, often when the moon is full, and hunt rhinos for their horns. The horn is worth around $ 66 000 per kilogram and although there is a ban on the trade of the horn in most countries, the ban sadly has little effect.

Those who go on a Kruger Park safari drive are incredibly lucky to see a rhino.

Must Know Kruger National Park Rules

In the beginning, the rules for guests visiting the park were very relaxed and not widely enforced.

But as time has gone by, more rules have been added to the sheet given to guests upon entry. All of the rules are simple to understand and very easy to follow. If this is your first time going to the park, here’s what you need to know:

• Guests are only allowed to drive in the park from sunrise to sunset. Before the evening comes, guests need to be out of the park or they need to be at the rest camp they are booked into. An exception is made when guests embark on a Kruger Park night drive but guests are not allowed to self-drive after dark, so you’ll need to make arrangements and bookings for such an experience.
• Another important rule and one that applies greatly if you are going to be doing a self-drive through the Kruger is the speed limit. There is a strict speed limit in the park ; 50 km on tar roads and 40 km on gravel (dirt) roads.
• It goes without saying, but indeed sometimes needs to be said, that guests are not allowed to leave the safety of their vehicles . There are also those rare cases of guests wanting to touch the animals, which is also forbidden. One of the major park rules is that people must remain in their vehicles.
• Feeding or disturbing the animals is also very much against the rules . Littering goes in this category and it is also forbidden. Because all of the animals are wild, feeding them can do more harm than good. Animals also often mistake litter for feed and end up eating the litter and becoming ill or dying.
• If you will be doing more than a Kruger Park day tour, then there are other rules that you will have to adhere to. Being booked into your camp before 14:00 pm and leaving by 10:00 am the following day is a must.
• Another thing to take into consideration is the noise rule . Camps are generally quiet places. What keeps them quiet is the rule that states that guests must limit noise between the hours of 21:30 pm and 6:30 am. Cell phones are permitted in the camps, but minimal use is encouraged.
• Only safari vehicles and private vehicles are granted access to the parks . Motorbikes are not allowed and roller-skates and skateboards are not permitted.
• All of the rules and regulations are enforced by legislation (the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act of 2003). This means you can be charged or fined for breaking the rules. The rules and regulations are there for the safety of the guests while they can also make the trip more relaxed and enjoyable.

Reputable safari companies always adhere to the rules of the park.

The kruger’s 12 main camps.

There is a laundry list of reasons why you should visit the Kruger National Park.

And one of those reasons is the history and the hospitality you will find in every camp. If anything, the park is one really laid-back place to be. Even the busy main camps, of which there are 12, are in their own bubble, away from the modern world.

Berg-n-Dal is one of the few camps in the park set in a mountainous area and the natural environment and habitat have been well preserved within the camp. The camp has dry riverbeds on the southern and northern borders, along with very large trees. Some of the animals to see near the camp include the wild dog, the klipspringer, and the leopard. If you are staying over in the park, then you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of facilities available along with great accommodation.

Berg-en-Dal is one of the Kruger’s newest camps. The beautiful rocky region in which it has been built often makes it the perfect place to see cats while the camp also has an indigenous rock garden that guests can explore. The camp was originally built in 1984 but just before the camp was opened, it just about completely burned to the ground. Officials scrambled to get the facilities rebuilt, and somehow managed to get everything done in time for the opening.

The camp has been built on top of a prehistoric settlement and the area around the camp is filled with all kinds of examples of ancient life and it has a Bushman Trail which allows guests to view San Bushmen rock art. The bush walk is about 20 minutes and guests will see various ecological and geological sites when viewing the paintings.

There are a few archaeological sites close to the camp and pot shards and bone fragments have been unearthed here. Some of the latest evidence shows that those who lived in the area were from the Iron Age.

The camp is in the southern Kruger, a region of the park that is well-known for its abundant wildlife. The camp has all kinds of accommodation including camping, cottages, guesthouses and bungalows. It also has a big swimming pool, an internet cafe, a conference centre, and picnic areas for day tourists. Not many guided Kruger Park safaris stop here, but those that do enjoy a quieter setting than compared to Skukuza. The Kruger National Park accommodation at Berg-en-Dal is rustic but comfortable and affordable.

Crocodile Bridge

One of the smaller camps in the Kruger National Park, Crocodile Bridge gets its name from the Crocodile River, which flows close to the camp. Game viewing is excellent when you drive the Southern Circle which is near to the camp. In this area, lions are often spotted. Other animals known to prowl the area include kudus, giraffes, spotted hyenas and cheetahs. This camp has been time and again nominated as the best camp in the park.

Situated at the halfway point of the park, a perfect fit between north and south, is Letaba. The name means River of Sand and it is one of the best-known places to spot elephant. While a lot of areas in this sector of the park are already turning into grassland, Letaba is green and lush. And the night erupts with life. When you stay at Letaba, bats, owls, nightjars, frogs and cicadas keep the night alive. But there is more than the nightlife to keep you entertained. The areas surrounding Letaba are known for sightings of elephants and bushbuck.

Lower Sabie

Lower Sabie is situated along the banks of the Sabie River. The camp’s location gives it a laid back, calm atmosphere that guests can really unwind in. The camp is well known for having numerous, massive trees which makes it the ideal place to see leopards. Other animals you can see in the area includes hippo and lion, along with all of the usual antelope. A large number of other animals also visit the river to have a drink of water. At Lower Sabie, you will also have access to fantastic accommodation.

This is one of the camps in the park that is home to plenty of Mopani trees. But the most significant feature of the camp is the massive baobab tree that sits in the centre of the camp. Most of the camp’s vegetation is left to grow naturally. Some of the animals that you can spot in the area include hippo, waterbuck and tsessebe. The camp is on the border of the Pioneer Dam, so seeing animals late in the afternoon and early morning coming for a drink of water is the norm.

Olifants is well-known for the amazing views that it has on offer. The camp is situated high up on a hill, above the Olifants River. The camp is surrounded by viewing platforms, which offer a great way to spot the wildlife roaming near the water below. Some of the animals you can see here include crocodile, lion, elephant and hippo. Along with great accommodation, there is also a great picnic spot for day visitors.

With two satellite camps, Maroela and Tamboti, Orpen is well situated. The camp got its name from the Eileen Orpen who was owner of the land which was donated to the park and became the place where Orpen now is. This grassy area is a great place to spot grazing animals, while the wide open surrounding plans are home to many prides of lions. By night, the air is filled with the sounds of roaring lions, something that you will never forget. Orpen is well known for having a diverse array of wildlife, and some of the animals you will come across include rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard and lion which make up the Big 5. Other animals include wildebeest and jackals.

Pretoriuskop

Pretoriuskop is a camp nestled between millions of years old outcrops of granite rocks. There are a number of interesting granite boulders in this south-western based camp. But the real attraction here is, of course, wildlife. Pretoriuskop is one of the park’s oldest camps and evidence of its age can be seen in the layout and style of the camp. The animals that are often spotted here include the Sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, wild dog and kudu. Many people like to stay at this camp because it is quite close to one of the entry points to the park.

Punda Maria

Only those willing to brave the heat are brave enough to stay at Punda Maria during the intense summer months. And even in the midst of winter, this camp can get hot. Punda Maria is found in the north-most part of the park and because of the sandveld habitat, it is home to a number of interesting plants. Punda Maria is often called the botanical garden of the park. When travelling in this region you might come across nyala, wild dog and plenty of zebra herds. The drive is a long one when you are heading north. Often only those who will be spending more than a few days in the park will attempt a stay here.

Some of the first rondavels were built at Satara after more and more guests became interested in spending a night in the park. Today, Satara is a very busy camp and one known for its excellent game viewing opportunities. Satara is in a wooded area and the camp itself is considered to be rustic. If you are an avid bird watcher, this is definitely the place to go. And along with the birds you can see here, there is also a variety of animals such as lion, giraffe, wildebeest and the honey badger.

Another camp located in the northern region of the park, Shingwedzi is known for its wildlife sightings, such as nyala, waterbuck and elephant. To get to the camp, you will need to take the scenic route along the Shingwedzi River. This camp is also one that is considered to still be rustic, with a lot of the conveniences of modern living not found here, a factor that makes staying here a real break away. If it is tranquillity that you are seeking, you’ll find it here. Along with tranquillity, you will also find some interesting birds such as the Giant Eagle Owl and the Green Pigeon.

Of the plants that you can see here, there is Natal Mahogany, mopane scrub, brack thorn, sausage trees, and mustard trees. There is also a lot of bird life in the area.

As a northern camp, Shingwedzi is worlds away from the wet and humid sub-tropical southern areas of the park. Here the vegetation is sparser, which makes seeing wildlife a little easier. The further north you travel, the terrain changes from mountains and hills, to wide open plains and you can imagine cheetahs darting over the grassland. Shingwedzi is not on the day Kruger Park safari destination list because it is further away than most camps, but it is the ideal place to spend a holiday if you are looking for tranquillity.

Shingwedzi is famous for being home to some of the biggest elephants the park has ever seen. The Magnificent Seven once roamed the areas around the camp, and they became famous for having the biggest tusks ever recorded for elephants in the Kruger. An artist who learned of the elephants searched the area to find them and immortalise them in his artwork. Once the art became public, and more people learned about the elephants, guests from all over the world came to see them. The great tuskers lived in the area during the 1070s and 1980s, when the last of the tuskers died. The park has not seen the likes of these elephants again, and today, their tusks can be seen in various camps. The Shingwedzi River runs close to the camp, and it is one of the best places in the area to spot all kinds of wildlife. When the river comes down in flood, even more animals can be seen. Beyond the river lies an old alluvial plain which has a few trees and little vegetation.

Shingwedzi camp is a modern one with a touch of that rustic appeal that the Kruger has become so well known for. The camp has a restaurant and café, a swimming pool, a shop, a petrol station and a picnic area. For those who want to stay over in the camp, they are really spoiled for choice when it comes to their accommodation options. Shingwedzi has camping spots, huts, bungalows, and more luxury accommodation such as guest cottages and houses. The fixed Kruger National Park accommodation is kitted out beautifully and has fans and/or air conditioning for those intense northern Kruger summers. The camp is laid out perfectly for those wanting privacy while staying in the park and during the day, their Kruger National Park safaris offer unforgettable sightseeing.

Leaving the best for last, we have Skukuza. This camp is the capital of the park and when you are on a Kruger Park safari, this is the camp where you are sure to be stopping off for lunch. The camp is situated along the southern banks of the Sabie River and there are plenty of lookout points here. Guests stopping off for lunch can do so outside in a seating area as well as on benches that look out on the river. The camp is nice and shady, the perfect place to catch your breath, cool off and eat a snack. A few of the animals often spotted in the area include spotted hyena, bush baby and warthog.

Some wildlife comes into the camp, and day visitors enjoying a Kruger Park safari can get really up close to the wildlife. Monkeys and warthogs can be found roaming the camp in search of left over picnic snacks. Guests should be warned, however, as the monkeys can get very brazen and end up stealing food from your table or even your hand. Skukuza means “He who sweeps clean”, and it is named in honour of one of the camp’s most famous and beloved wardens, James Stevenson-Hamilton. The camp was originally called Sabie Bridge Camp, but upon the 30th anniversary of James Stevenson-Hamilton working in the park, it was renamed.

Serving as the camp’s administrative headquarters while also being the one place where all day visitors converge, Skukuza has a long and important history. As the “Capital City” of the Kruger National Park, all of the day to day administration and management of the park is done here. Well away from the prying eyes of the tourists, the park’s officials work around the clock to ensure that the park is running smoothly. Those who live and work in the park have made their homes in the quiet Skukuza Village, where there is also a school, a few shops and a weather station.

As far as Kruger National Park accommodation goes, there are all kinds of options to choose from. Camping and rondavels remain the most common and the most popular style of accommodation, although the camp does have more luxurious lodgings. There are plenty of things to do in the camp, for both day visitors and those staying over. The most luxury lodgings is the Kruger Shalati Train, which is to be built on the Sabie Bridge in 2019. The camp has a refreshing swimming pool, a golf course, and countless memorials and museums. Be sure to take a look at the dog memorial, which pays homage to the hounds that helped shape the park. You should also see the oldest hut in the Kruger, which is now a museum.

The camp has all kinds of modern conveniences, such as shops, ATMs, a classy restaurant, a café and ablution facilities. Guests staying over can look forward to air conditioned accommodation.

One of the best ways to spend your time in Skukuza, when you are on a day Kruger National Park safari is to set up a picnic while overlooking the Sabie River. You never quite know what you’ll see when you are in the camp.

Most Kruger National Park safaris will end up at Skukuza at some point in the day. We, for instance, enter the camp at around 10 am to give our guests some time to stretch their legs and grab a bite to eat.

In addition to these main camps, there are also a number of satellite camps, bushveld camps, overnight hides, bush lodges, luxury lodges and campsites.

Select your kruger park safari.

The biggest decision you need to make when planning a trip to the Kruger National Park is deciding what type of safari experience you would like to have. A quick online search brings up all sorts of safari packages, but the only way to narrow down the search is to know more or less what you want to get out of your Kruger National Park safari. It doesn’t help to book a Kruger Park day safari when what you really want is 10 days in the park.

Generally, the more time you spend in the park, the more animals you will see. The Kruger is home to hundreds of different animal species, including the Big 5. And the different regions of the park have unique habitats, meaning where you go in the park will be a deciding factor for what you see.

Kurt Safari offers guests a variety of safari packages, including 3, 4, and 5 day tours of the Kruger National Park as well as morning, afternoon and full day game drives and night drives.

Full and Half Day Safaris

To save time, and particularly if you are on a budget, opting for either a Kruger Park day tour or a half day tour is one of the easier ways to get a taste of the Kruger. Generally, we encourage visitors to spend more than a day in the park, in order to see everything. But when you are limited on either time or money, choosing a day or half a day in the park, can be a great introduction to this magnificent place.

We have Kruger Park Full Day Safaris, Afternoon Safaris , Morning Safaris and tours that combine the best of the Kruger, with a trip to the picturesque Panorama Route. 

Full day private Kruger Park safaris can offer you the best way to see the park, and you have the added benefit of enjoying the sights on your own or in the company of friends and family. We offer private morning and afternoon Kruger Park safaris as well as full day safaris. 

The other option is to have a full day Kruger National Park safari. Again, this private Kruger experience will give you just enough time to spot all sorts of animals. And the more time spent in the park, the more animals you are likely to see. A full day safari is also less likely to leave you feeling rushed. Along with taking you to the best places in the park, there is also the added opportunity that comes with being in the company of an experienced tour guide, who is sure to share a few stories of their time in the park.

Visiting the park during the morning or afternoon is often considered to be the best times, as the heat is not intense and the animals are likely to be grazing. During the peak heat times of the day, animals tend to seek out shade, leaving guests with a disappointing drive.

We depart on our safaris in the early morning and later afternoon, when the heat of the day has either not yet arrived or has cooled off, as these remain the best times of the day to see animals. Each of our Kruger Park Safari prices are affordable, and each will take you into the parts of the park best known for wildlife sightings.

Private 3, 4 and 5 day Kruger Park Budget Safaris

Within our selection of safari packages, we have something for every type of traveller, including those travelling as part of a small group. For these guests, we have created the 3, 4 and 5 day Kruger National Park safaris. Our tours are designed to include sophisticated,comfortable accommodation. 

• The 3 day Kruger Park safari 

This tour includes 3 days and 2 nights. The days are spent on safari, while in the evening you will return to the beautiful Umbhaba Eco Lodge or an equally upmarket nearby lodge should Umbhaba lack capacity. Breakfast and dinner are included as well as your transfers. Along with days spent on safari, this tour package also includes a Kruger Park night drive. With the 3 day Kruger Park safari , you will certainly have plenty to see, especially as we travel to those areas best known for animal sightings.

• The 4 day Kruger Park safari 

Much like the 3-day package, your evenings will be spent at either Umbhaba Eco Lodge or a similar nearby lodge. This package includes 4 days and 3 nights in the wild, with your days being spent on safari. The ideal tour package to give you ample time in the park, you are sure to see numerous animals while you are on this safari.

• The 5 day Kruger Park safari 

Finally, the last budget safari that we have available is the 5 day Kruger Park safari. While this package is similar to the 3 and 4-day tours, you will have 5 days in the park . And with this extra time, seeing the Big 5 is very much a possibility. You will be accommodated in either Umbhaba Eco Lodge or another nearby lodge.

The 3, 4 and 5 Kruger Park Classic Safaris

If you are looking to have a truly relaxing safari experience, and you are not so tightly constrained by your budget, the 3, 4 or 5 day classic Kruger Park safaris are a must. Stylish accommodation in a 4 star hotel and just the right amount of time spent in the park, when you sign up for one of our classic safaris, you will be in for a treat.

• The 3 day classic Kruger National Park Safari

Heading out early in the morning and late in the afternoon for a real Kruger experience, the 3 day classic safari is as comfortable as it is exciting. Your guide will be taking you to some of the best areas in the park, spending the day on the dusty Kruger roads looking for the Big 5 and all the other interesting park inhabitants. We offer guests transfers from Johannesburg and for the next 3 days you can sit back while we drive you through the Southern regions of the park. Breakfast and dinner are included.

• The 4 day classic Kruger National Park Safari

With 4 days and 3 nights included as a part of this tour package, you will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your Kruger trip. The day starts early with an exciting Kruger Park tour, while the afternoons are for relaxing until late afternoon, when guests go on another game drive. This tour package also includes a night drive, something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

• The 5 day classic Kruger National Park Safari

The more time you spend in the park, the more opportunity you will have to see the Big 5. The 5 day classic Kruger National Park safari is a must for anyone who wants to take their time and have a truly memorable holiday. You will be accommodated in 4 star lodgings and breakfast and dinners are included. Much of this tour package is similar to the 3 and 4 day classic safaris, although you will have extra time in the park.

The 3, 4 and 5 day Kruger National Park Backpackers Safari

Not at all like the classic safari, and quite different to the budget option, the various Kruger National Park Backpackers safaris are designed for those who enjoy an on the move type of holiday. 

Regardless of the number of days you want to spend in the park, your accommodation will remain the same, as guests opting for the Kruger National Park Backpackers safari will be lodged at the Bushpackers Campsite and Accommodation. This accommodation includes meals and will give you that touch of rustic living that you might be after when visiting the Kruger. This is more than a backpacker’s safari, it is also ideal for students looking for an adventure!

• The 3 day backpackers Kruger National Park safari

With 3 days spent enjoying a safari , and accommodation provided by the Bushpackers Campsite and Accommodation, guests embarking on this safari package are in for a real treat! Days will start off and end with a Kruger Park safari.And as always, we take guests to the more exciting areas of the park, where animal sightings are frequent.

• The 4 day backpackers Kruger National Park safari

Regardless of the package you select, always keep in mind that the more time you spend in the park, the more chances you have of seeing the animals you really want to see. Some guests have truly seen all they wanted to see in the 4 days that they have been on safari. We take guests to the Southern areas, as these are the most populated regions of the park.

• The 5 day backpackers Kruger National Park safari

You cannot go wrong with any 5 day safari . Giving you more than enough time to see many of the park’s inhabitants, anyone embarking on a 5-day safari is in for a once in a lifetime trip. And when opting for the backpacker’s safari, you won’t be breaking the bank. This safari also includes a tour of the Panorama Route.

The Guided Group Open Vehicle Safaris

Experiencing the Kruger National Park in the comfort of an open safari vehicle remains one of the most popular ways to see the park. Guests are up close to nature, and even though you are in an open safari vehicle, you will still be kept safe. With fresh air blowing in your hair, and the unmistakable sounds of Africa filling up the vehicle, seeing the Kruger in an open vehicle will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. And they are also the perfect vehicle for capturing some incredible photographs.

At Kurt Safari, we offer some of the best priced Kruger National Park safaris. With private Kruger National Park tours and Kruger National Park day tours, guests have a number of different options to choose from when they are planning a visit to the park.

Book your tour today.

Why book a kruger national park safari with us.

Affordable World-Class Safaris

With a range of safari options, which include all of the comforts you can expect as well as conservation fees, you can save money by booking one of our exciting Kruger Park safaris.

SATSA Accredited

As a SATSA accredited company, we are dedicated to and bound by the rules and regulations as set out by the South African Tourism Services Association.

Professional Services

From booking your accommodation, to planning your day trips into the Kruger National Park in the company of one of our tour guides, Kurt Safari will do it all for you.

Constant Support

To ensure that your stay in Africa is the best possible experience, we strive to provide our guests with 24/7 support.

We are passionate Africans

We love every part of the African wilderness that we are privileged enough to call home. Our guides, consultants and management team are all locals and we live close to the Kruger National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Kruger National Park

Is a kruger safari the best african safari.

The Kruger National Park is a truly wonderful and famous tourist destination in South Africa. The animal conservancy is world known for its diverse range of animals, biomes and plant life. The park was founded all the way back in May 1926, by the hard working game warden James Stevenson-Hamilton and the late President Paul Kruger. The Kruger National Park came to be after  areas around it and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve merged together to form the Kruger National Park we know today. The Kruger National Park was built with the conservation of animals in the Lowveld in mind.

The Kruger National Park is home to an unbelievable number of animal, plant and bird species. The Kruger National Park hosts some of the largest and fastest animals known in the world. Animals like the African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, White and Black Rhinos and lions are some of the most popular animals in the Park and attract visitors from around the world. The Kruger Park’s location in the Lowveld provide a surprizing amount of different biomes. Each of these different biomes have stunning diversity when it comes to animals and plant life. Guests can find a sandy and dry area that hosts resilient plants, sparser landscape and lesser animals that are adapted to the hot and unique environment, while traveling a distance onwards and encountering a dense savannah bush with lush trees, lots of water and plants.

Because the Kruger National Park is such a sprawling and diverse place, every experience is different. One day guests will be able to see the Big 5 in a few hours while other days they only see zebras and impala and this is why the Kruger Park is such a well loved and visited place, for the random and exiting adventures that await. Safaris in the Kruger National Park are also great ways to experience the wonder and the beauty of the Park as guides can take guests to a variety of unique areas, provide helpful and interesting information, and they can enlighten and enrich the knowledge of the Guests. The guides are all well trained and they are living their passion, and that passion shines through with how well guests are treated on safaris.

Kurt Safari is the No.1 Rated Kruger National Park Safari Company, we offer quality and affordable 3-4-5 Day packages and day safaris with Leading guides. The sheer size coupled with the breath-taking scenery and unbelievable amount of different animal species is very inviting. The Kruger is filled with amazing history and great stories that will entice and entertain people of any age and inclination. Safaris in the Kruger are so memorable that many guests never forget their first ever time, leaving lasting memories of adventure in one of the wildest and most diverse places in South Africa.

With so many ways to explore and experience the Kruger National Park and the ease of applying for a safari, along with the friendliness and helpful ness of the guides, you can never go wrong with a Kruger Park Safari.

Is the Kruger Park Dangerous?

The Kruger National Park is world famous for its amazing animals, stunning scenery, and great history. Thousands of people visit the Kruger Park on a daily basis and want to experience all that the Park has to offer. There are plenty of great sights in the Kruger, from stunning hilltop camps overlooking the river, lookout points near a river or watering hole and even a beautiful clearing next to the road. Guests can interact with animals almost anywhere in the Kruger National Park which means there is always a risk of an altercation, with both animals and people.

Some of the “Big” dangers

One of the animals that can potentially cause problems and cause for concern when travelling in the Kruger Park is the African Elephant. These gentle giants are passive and don’t generally cause any problems unless a calf is present. Elephants have a strong maternal instinct and will protect its calf at all costs. Agitated Elephants can attack out of nowhere but will luckily provide warning before attacking. The Danger comes when you are separating the calf from the mother or when you are backed into a difficult position with little room to move. Luckily, Elephant attacks are not a common occurrence so guests can rest assured. Buffalo herds are more dangerous than an elephant herd as if you antagonize them, they attack without warning. Buffaloes are very social animals and often attack or defend in groups. When the herd is threatened by a vehicle, they will often charge or stampede to or away from the threat, causing complete chaos and providing a serious danger to all involved. Buffaloes have been known to damage cars and kill people.

The Hidden Dangers

Taking a break from the larger dangers in the Kruger, guests also face dangers when on foot in the Kruger. Some of the more hidden dangers guests can encounter when on foot, be it during a bush walk or walking around in the rest camps, are snakes and spiders. The Kruger Park is home to 152 different species of spider that range from the Crab Spider to the Baboon Spider, but out of all these, guests should avoid the Button Spider, Sac Spider and the Violin Spider as they are the three most dangerous species in the Park. Snakes have a tendency to seek shelter in a variety of places, from holes and bushes, to cracks in a wall and inside containers. Snakes are one of the biggest threats a guest can encounter while in a rest camp or bush walk as they are always well hidden and strike without warning when threatened.

The common treat

Some of the residents of the Kruger Park are extremely curious and will often be in closer interaction to humans, one of these residents is the Vervet Monkey. Vervet Monkeys are very clever animals that travel in large troops and are very common near rest camps where trash cans fresh food can be found. Vervets can enter people’s homes and cause havoc and will sometimes lash out and attack people when cornered or injured. Where there is one, there are plenty and many members of a troop can attack, causing a dangerous situation for both parties.

How much does a Kruger Park safari cost?

The Kruger National Park is the most popular tourist attraction in South Africa. The pure size of the reserve paired with the large amount of animal and plant species as well as stunning photography opportunities makes the Kruger a must visit when visiting South Africa. Many visitors to the Kruger National Park are international and are not as knowledgeable to what they can encounter and what they can expect everything to cost while they are staying here.

Your whole safari experience and the cost of it all depends greatly on what you want to do while in the Kruger. Entrance fees to the Kruger National Park vary, depending on where you are from. Guests with a South African ID will pay R200/adult and R50/child, while guests from outside SA will pay R400/adult and R200/child. Everyone international or not must pay conservation fees per day staying in the Kruger, with R400/adult and R200/child.

Guests can easily take part in a self drive safari, which means that guests are responsible for everything the whole safari, driving from place to place and making their own adventure. Self drive safaris are very popular among guests looking to experience the Kruger National Park at their own pace, spending time with family and friends without being on a tight schedule or rush. The Costs regarding a self drive safari are generally the entrance and conservation fees paid at the gate, fuel money, money for food and snacks for the long day ahead and money for souvenirs. Accommodation, should you wish to stay over are paid separately and can sometimes be pricey.

There are plenty of safari companies that can take guests on amazing safaris. There are a large variety of different tours that guests can take that will provide them with different experiences and that will cost differently. Many companies have a 3/4/5 day safari series that allow guests to experience the Kruger National Park in multiple days. Many of these 3/4/5 day safaris range from cheap budget safaris to expensive tours through the park and surrounding areas with meals included. Every safari company is different and its worth doing your homework. For the Guests that are planning on taking a 3/4/5 day safari will see that their accommodation costs are also included into the tour costs allowing guests to focus their minds on the experience and not where they are going to spend the night(s).

A Kruger Safari with a safari company allows guests to experience more of the Kruger National Park, they are driven around by an experienced tour guide that provides them with very interesting information about the park and the animals they will encounter along the way. Guides stay in the loop with animal sightings providing very reliable and exciting tours. Self drives are relaxing and cheaper alternatives to Guided Tours. Guests have the whole day to get where they need to do and make memories along the way with friends and family and isn’t a rushed affair. Newer guests to the Kruger Park are encouraged to take part in a guided tour as they are not always familiar with the landscape and the suurroundings.

Which Kruger Camps are the best?

The Kruger National Park is surrounded in a truly stunning landscape with a large variety of different biomes that house different plant life, climate and animals. The Kruger National Park is a very large conservation reserve and because of its large size, it needs to provide plenty of opportunity for guests to stretch their legs, enjoy some food, cool off and lay down their heads after a long day. The Kruger Park is littered with a variety of unique rest camps, tent camps and lodges to accommodate and meet any person’s expectations.

Luxury Living

There are so many amazing rest camps in the Kruger National Park, each providing something unique that other camps don’t have. If you are looking for central access to the Kruger National Park, great accommodation options, stunning scenery and plenty of amenities like a cinema, library and restaurants, Skukuza is the perfect place to visit. Satara is famous for its location, smack in the middle of Lion territory. Guests are guaranteed to encounter plenty of lion prides while visiting the area and staying at the camp. The Camp has a rustic appeal and isn’t as busy as Skukuza, meaning you will have the luxury of a Modern camp with the peace of a small rest camp.

Home of the Elephants

Elephants are always a huge attraction in the Kruger Park and is one of the most popular animals, which means an area that is known for their amazing elephant sightings will be an immediate hit. Olifants is built on the top of a hill that provides a view that is almost unrivalled. The camp is known for its stunning views and is also the home of Elephants. Olifants is often considered one of the best camps in the Kruger, because of its views, its peacefulness and because it is a hotspot for elephants, providing a truly unique experience as the accommodation options are also top notch.

Secretive and Relaxing

For those who prefer to live a little lighter, there are plenty of rest camps that provide great camping spots. Berg en Dal is one of the larger camps in the Kruger but its location in a hilly area surrounded by dry riverbeds, provides one of the most relaxing and chilled places to stay the night. Some of the best places to set up your tent is near the fences of the camp as you have a front row seat to the beauty of the Kruger and your views aren’t obstructed by buildings and trees. Located close to center of the Kruger Park, Balule is the second smallest camp in the Park. Though it is located close to Satara, many people who want some peace and quiet often flock to Balule. Balule is a satellite camp that has no electricity, with the kitchen run on gas, and has very spacious areas that mean less shade but more places to do stargazing. The camp is frequented by Hyenas and Elephants that patrol the low fence. Guests can truly feel close to nature while staying at Balule Satellite Camp.

Which animals can you see in the Kruger National Park?

The Kruger National Park is home to a large variety of different species of Mammals, Birds and Plants. Since the inception of the Kruger National Park back in May of 1926. Back then, before the founding of the Kruger, the Sabi Sand Reserve already focussed on the conservation of animals of the Lowveld. When the Kruger National Park was founded, it was declared that no animals are to be hunted as they were found on Conservational Ground. The Lowveld is known for a large variety of unique mammal species, many of which can only be found in the Lowveld. The Kruger Park is home to a surprising number of wild cats, the most common of the Kruger Wild Cats are the Lions. Lions are the 2nd largest species of cat in the world and largest in South Africa, only bested by the Tiger. Lions are very social animals that can live in large prides that consist of a dominant male, a number of juvenile males, many lionesses and their cubs. The most popular or sought-after cat is the Leopard , a solitary and secretive hunter that blends in perfectly into the savannah plant life. The Cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal and a true surprise for anyone on a Kruger Park Safari. The Cheetah has an appearance similar to the Leopard but is much less stocky and has smaller spots. The other cat species in the Kruger National Park are lesser known and much rarer than the Lion and Leopard. The Rooikat, Wild Cat , Serval and Caracal are very solitary animals and are much harder to encounter while on safari as many of them are nocturnal hunters.

Antelope make up a majority of the animals that can be encountered in the Kruger National Park and is probably the first animal you will encounter when entering the Park. The most common antelope in the Kruger is the Impala . These social animals can be found in large herds and are often in the vicinity of Zebra and Buffalo herds. Impala are known as the McDonalds of the Kruger as there are so many of them in the park and they are an easy catch for most predators. Some of the famous antelope in the Kruger Park include the Kudu , which is used as the face of the Kruger National Park, and the Eland , the largest species of antelope in the world. These stunning antelope are prized animals on hunting reserves but are luckily safe in confines of the Kruger National Park.

Though not belonging to the same species, the following animals are some of the largest animals in Africa. The African Elephant is the majestic and gentle giant of the Kruger National Park and is well known for its amazing herds and strong maternal instincts. The African Elephant is the largest and heaviest land animal in the world and one of only a few species of elephant in the world. The Black and White Rhinos are some of the most popular animals in the Kruger National Park, but unfortunately due to poaching their numbers have dropped dramatically and there are very few left in the wild. Some of the more common of these giants are the Cape Buffalo and the Blue Wildebeest . These animals are most commonly found near water sources and socializing with Zebra and Impala herds. These animals are mostly passive but can be very dangerous if provoked.

The variety of animals that can be encountered in the park is staggering. Zebras are always fun to see in the Park as they socialize with Impalas and interact uniquely with them. Wild Dogs , though rare are very popular animals and on many people’s wish list during safaris. Hyenas aren’t very common during the daytime but are quite active during the afternoon. You can often hear Hyenas long before you encounter one. Giraffes are great fun to encounter and can sometimes be tricky to spot amongst the trees. They travel in small herds, but you are almost guaranteed to encounter one on you adventure through the Kruger Park.

Which birds can be spotted in the Kruger National Park?

The Kruger National Park is mostly known for their large variety of mammal and reptile species and not many people give much attention to the large variety of bird species and the amazing bird watching opportunities the Park has to offer. The Kruger Park has a diverse and unique variety of bird species. Birdwatching in the Kruger National Park is a very popular activity that provides plenty of great sights and thrills. One of the most iconic and popular birds in the Kruger National Park is the Bateleur Eagle. This beautiful bird can often be seen perching in trees near more sandy parts of the Kruger. The Bateleur is a very sought-after bird by bird watchers and is a true blast to encounter while on a Kruger Park Safari. One of the most common birds you will likely see when stopping at a rest camp is the Greater Blue Eared Starling, that beautiful blue bird that often flies close to people in search of dropped food. The Kruger National Park is actually home to a number of different eagle and hawk species. Some species like the Bat Hawk , Hawk Eagle , Crested Eagle amongst the many. One of the most iconic birds in the Lowveld is the African Fish Eagle. This majestic raptor can more often than not be heard before you spot them circling in the skies. Its iconic whistle has become synonymous with the lowveld is often spotted near bodies of water that can sustain it. Their rather large nests are often seen near watering holes in the trees, with nest sizes averaging 2m in diameter and a meter deep. These birds often have more than one nest that they travel between when food is scarce in an area. A bird that, by many people, has become synonymous with the Kruger National Park is the humble Helmeted or Spotted Guinea Fowl. These little birds can often be seen in small flocks in rest camps, picnic areas and next to the road in the mornings. A common story that is known in the Lowveld is, Guinea Fowls can be eaten but only during months that do not contain an R in them like May, June, July, and August. There is a grouping of birds that were created to mirror the Big 5 of mammals. The big 6 consists of the Kori Bustard, known as the world’s heaviest flying bird, the Martial Eagle, that is strong enough to knock an adult man off his feet, the Leppetfaced Vulture, Africa’s Largest Vulture, The Pel’s Fishing Owl, known as the leopard of the group because of how rare it is, the Saddle-billed Stork, the most colourful of the group and the Southern Ground Hornbill. The Kruger Park also houses some of the more common birds that can be found around the lowveld. Birds like the Hadida, Hammerhead, Hoephoep, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, and the Piet-my-Vrou are all common and can be found spread out through the park and provide a sense of familiarity for most people.

Explore Southern Africa

From rolling red desert sand dunes that shift in the afternoon breeze, to vibrant, natural green forests brimming with life, Southern Africa is as diverse as it is beautiful.

Those travelling to Southern Africa can enjoy a truly memorable journey to some of the most desired destinations such as Cape Town , the Garden Route and Namibia . Tours are carried out in groups, and in the company of a guide who knows the roads, the best attractions and those secret off the beaten track adventures.

Namibia tours, tours of Cape Town and Garden Route tours all include a slice of history, a dash of discovery and a whole lot of fun! Bring along your hiking boots and good camera, and prepare yourself for an unforgettable trip.

The featured tours include your accommodation, entry fees for the various attractions on the itinerary, comfortable transportation while on tour, and a few added extras. To get a more accurate idea of what to expect, be sure to read through each tour on offer.

With a wide selection of Southern Africa tours available, you can find and book a tour via our website. If you are having difficulty finding the right tour to meet your needs, you can always contact us directly and have a chat with a consultant.

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Embarking on a journey to Balule Game Reserve is an exhilarating escape into the heart of untamed African wilderness, where every sunrise unveils a new chapter of raw beauty

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Traveling to Manyeleti Game Reserve is a soul-stirring expedition into the untouched African savannah, where each sunset paints the sky in hues of magic and every safari drive reveals the secrets of the wild.

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The 11 most incredible national parks in South Africa for wildlife, hiking and more

Jan 5, 2022 • 8 min read

You can spot some of Africa's most iconic animals in South Africa's impressive national parks © WitR / Shutterstock

From snow-capped mountains and the Bushveld to sub-tropical beaches and the Kalahari, South Africa is a mind-bogglingly diverse country. Showcasing an astonishing array of landscapes, the country's national parks and game reserves are great places to experience true wilderness and get close to Africa's famous wildlife.

If you include private reserves, South Africa has hundreds of national parks and game areas. In some reserves, the focus is on wildlife encounters, while others are primarily wilderness sanctuaries or hiking areas. Here are the best national parks to add some natural wonder to your South Africa itinerary.

Kruger National Park

Best national park for wildlife watching

Kruger National Park is one of the world's greatest wildlife-watching destinations. Some of Africa's most iconic species – elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and zebra – share the bushveld with a supporting cast of 136 other mammals and more than 500 bird species. Beautiful granite kopjes (hills) pepper the south, while the Lebombo Mountains rise from the savanna in the east, and tropical forests cover northern parts of this 7520 sq mile park.

Yes, we concede that Kruger can sometimes become crowded with safari groups. And yes, you may have to wait in line to see those lions around a kill. On the flip side, Kruger's vast network of roads makes this one of Africa's most accessible parks, and it's well suited for families. You can explore with your own vehicle or join a huge range of guided wildlife safaris, and accommodation is plentiful and great value.

Royal Natal National Park

Best national park for mountains

Fanning out from some of the loftiest summits in the Drakensberg mountains, 30 sq mile Royal Natal National Park has a presence that far outstrips its modest size. With some of the Drakensberg’s most dramatic and accessible scenery, the park is crowned by the sublime Amphitheater, a 5km (3 mile) wall of cliffs and canyons that’s spectacular from below and even more dramatic when viewed from above.

Here, the Tugela Falls drop 945m (3100ft) in five stages; the highest level often freezes in winter. Looming behind is Mont-aux-Sources at 3282m (10,768ft), the source – hence the name – of the Tugela, Elands and Western Khubedu Rivers. This last river eventually becomes the Senqu (Orange) River and flows all the way to the Atlantic. The park is renowned for its excellent day walks and more ambitious multiday hiking opportunities.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Best national park for sunsets

Just before the darkness erases the remaining flecks of color from the sky, something magical happens in Golden Gate Highlands National Park . The jagged sandstone outcrops fronting the foothills of the wild, maroon-hued Maluti Mountains glow golden in the dying light. The lemon-yellow rays may silhouette a lone kudu standing still in a sea of mint-green grasses before the sky explodes in a fiery collision of purple and red. Golden Gate Highlands National Park might not boast any of the Big Five, but it does feature some fantastic sunsets.

There are plenty of animals in the park, however, including grey rheboks, blesboks, elands, oribi antelope, Burchell’s zebras, jackals, baboons and numerous bird species, including the rare bearded and Cape vultures and the critically endangered bald ibis. The park is popular with hikers on long treks, but there are also shorter walking trails.

Table Mountain National Park

Best national park for activities

Stretching from Signal Hill to Cape Point, Table Mountain National Park is a natural wonder, and the most recognizable natural feature in South Africa. The surrounding national park covers granite and sandstone mountains, giant-boulder-strewn beaches and shady forests. For the vast majority of visitors, the main attraction is the 1085m-high, table-flat plateau, the top of which can easily be accessed by cableway from the outskirts of Cape Town. The park is the setting for an impressive range of adventure activities including hiking, abseiling, mountain biking, rock climbing, paragliding, bird and wildlife watching, snorkeling and diving.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Best national park for desert landscapes

A long, scorched highway leads between crimson dunes from Upington to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park , one of the world’s last great, unspoiled ecosystems. As soon as you enter this magical park, tucked away alongside Namibia in the Northern Cape and spilling into southwest Botswana , you’ll see why the journey was well worth the effort.

The Kgalagadi is a wild land of harsh extremes and frequent droughts, where shifting red and white sands meet clusters of spiky thorn trees and bone-dry riverbeds. Yet despite the desolate landscape, the park teems with wildlife. From prides of black-maned lions to packs of howling spotted hyenas, there are some 1,775 predators here. It’s one of the best places in the world to spot big cats, especially cheetahs. Add in giant, orange-ball sunsets and black-velvet night skies studded with twinkling stars, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered the Africa of storybooks.

Cederberg Wilderness Area

Best national park for hiking

Some of the Western Cape's finest scenery can be found in the desolate Cederberg Wilderness Area . Here, craggy peaks climb to around 2000m (6560ft), harboring weird rock formations, well-preserved rock art produced by the San people, and clear mountain streams. It's excellent terrain for hiking and rock climbing.

Cederberg isn't known for its wildlife, though you might glimpse a baboon, a bat-eared fox or one of the small antelopes that hop amongst the rocks. Elusive leopards roam the crags at night, but you'd be extremely lucky to see one.

The region is better known for its plant life – mountain fynbos (shrubby vegetation with fine leaves) abounds, and wildflowers erupt in spring. Vegetation varies with altitude, with the eponymous cedar stands growing between 1000m (3280ft) and 1500m (4920ft). This is also the only place in the world where rooibos (red bush) grows and is processed into tea.

Mapungubwe National Park

Best national park for history

Stunningly stark, rocky landscapes reverberate with cultural intrigue and throng with wandering wildlife at Mapungubwe National Park . A Unesco World Heritage site, Mapungubwe contains South Africa’s most significant Iron Age site, plus animals ranging from black and white rhinos to meerkats and the rare Pel’s fishing owl.

The wildlife-watching is excellent, as is the birdwatching, and lions, leopards and elephants are commonly spotted. But the park is as much about history as wildlife – archeological finds uncovered in the 1930s are displayed at the excellent Interpretation Center, and the site itself can be visited on a tour.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Best national park for rock formations

The stunning Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is centered on the 26km (16 mile) Blyde River Canyon, where epic rock formations tower above forested slopes, and birds' eye views abound at the dramatic meeting of the Drakensberg Escarpment and the Lowveld. It's one of the world's largest canyons and one of South Africa’s most impressive natural sights.

Most visitors drive along the canyon’s edge, where the Panorama Route (mostly Route 532) offers plenty of viewpoints where you can stop and gaze in awe, including the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. If you have enough time, however, the canyon is even better explored on foot, with numerous walking trails.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Best national park for coastline

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park , another Unesco World Heritage site, incorporates a broad range of landscapes from the Mozambique border to Maphelane, at the southern end of Lake St Lucia. With the Indian Ocean on one side and a string of lakes on the other, this park protects five distinct ecosystems, covering everything from offshore reefs and beaches to lakes, wetlands, woodlands and coastal forests.

Loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest along the park’s shores, and whales and dolphins appear regularly offshore. On land, the park is occupied by numerous mammals, including antelopes and zebras, but the showstoppers are the reserve's 800 hippos and 1200 Nile crocodiles. During the holiday season, big crowds gather on the ocean beaches for everything from diving to fishing.

Addo Elephant National Park

Best national park for elephant watching

The jewel in Eastern Cape's crown is Addo Elephant National Park , South Africa's third-largest national park. It protects what remains of the once-huge elephant herds that used to roam the Eastern Cape. When Addo was proclaimed a national park in 1931, there were only 11 elephants left; today there are more than 600 in the park, and you’d be very unlucky not to see some.

A day or two at Addo is a highlight of any visit to this part of the Eastern Cape, not only for the elephants but also for chances to spot lions, zebras, black rhinos, Cape buffaloes, spotted hyenas and myriad birds. This is also one of the few parks in Africa to boast the "Big Seven," thanks to sightings of great white sharks and southern right whales (in season) off the coastal section of the park.

Namaqua National Park

Best national park for wildflowers

Flower-seekers flock to the small, remote Namaqua National Park each spring, when the shrubland and old wheat fields are transformed into vivid color by the annual wildflower bloom. There are short nature trails and drives with viewpoints, and plenty of spots where you can stop to photograph the flowers. For the rest of the year, the national park is largely forgotten, although that does make it a peaceful place for a hike. It's also a good destination for birdwatching, home to many small, colorful bird species.

You might also like: Do you need a visa to go to South Africa? The top 8 hikes in South Africa for stunning views 19 best places to visit in South Africa

This article was first published Apr 4, 2013 and updated Jan 5, 2022.

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National Parks

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The African elephant is perhaps the most enduring symbol of nature’s grace and fragility. Here’s where to spot one (or many) in the wild.

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Mid-range Kruger Safaris

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3 Day Bundox Explores Lodge Experience

Our 3 Day Explores Lodge safari is based in a small, simple, naturally luxurious and authentic safari camp that pays homage to the days when exploring the African wilderness was a pioneering adventure.

• Collection from OR Tambo Airport Bus Terminals by 07:00am

3 Day Kruger Park Umbhaba Eco Lodge Safari

The Kruger National Park is one of the world’s premier nature reserves, and you will spend a significant amount of time exploring it during this three-day safari. 

Many safari operators only offer three-hour morning and afternoon drives, but the Kruger National Park is vast, and this safari is one of only few that offers a full-day safari on a three-day safari tour.

This allows clients to see more of the Kruger and different areas, as opposed to short 3-hour safaris. On such short safaris, drivers must stay close to the camps, resulting in the same areas being driven on every safari. 

A full day in the Kruger National Park may sound exhausting, but the guides make frequent stops at rest stops and lookout points. As you travel through different grasslands and ecological zones, you will have a better chance of seeing more wildlife.

Your three-day itinerary will include a sunset / night safari on day 1, a full-day open vehicle safari on day 2, and a morning safari in Kruger National Park on day 3.

On 3-day safaris, your chances are very good to see all of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.

The Kruger National Park is home to 148 mammal and 500 bird species. So there’s a lot to see and photograph.

Highlights:

• A Sunset / Night Safari in the Kruger Park on Day 1 
• A full day open vehicle safari on day 2 
• A morning safari on Day 3
• Quality accommodation at a hotel near the entrance gate

Don’t forget to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Warm & Rainproof Jackets
• Personal belongings

Accommodation: You will stay at Umbhaba Eco Lodge, a privately owned quality lodge in Hazyview, with en suite accommodation and excellent meals located 15 minutes from either the Phabeni or Numbi gates.

3 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari

This popular 3-day safari tour takes you to one of the founding game lodges in a private game reserve that falls within the world-famous Greater Kruger.

3-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari

The  Kruger National Park  is renowned for its incredible biodiversity as well as its rich cultural  history . This tour provides a brief glimpse of an outstanding wilderness region that is part of the internationally designated Kruger2Canyons UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.

Enjoy your  Kruger National Park   safari trip using our  three day classic safari tour  option for an adventure to find Africa’s Big Five: Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo making Kruger National Park the most exciting African safari destination in South Africa.

Guests stay in traditional 2-sleeper bungalows in  Pretoriuskop Rest Camp  in the Kruger National Park.

Facilities include an en-suite bathroom with shower, air-conditioning, twin beds equipped with SANParks linen, blankets and towels, a kitchenette with small fridge and tea/coffee-making facilities. There are mosquito netting on windows and doors and electrical lights and plug points.

A family guest cottage can be requested, depending on availability. It has a small lounge and kitchenette, as well as two bedrooms that can accommodate two adults and two children.

All  accommodation  is strictly non-smoking.

Breakfast and dinner are prepared in a private section of the rest  camp ’s  camp  kitchen and served in our open-air dining tent or in the camp restaurant if it rains.

The  rest camp  has a take-out restaurant and a Park shop for drinks and snacks. Please note that no alcohol may be consumed on the open safari vehicles during  game drives , so only use it before or after leaving for  game drives .

An enormous swimming pool built around a massive granite rock is a unique feature of the historic  rest camp .

The camp has cell phone service but no Wi-Fi. To access the internet while on vacation in the  Kruger Park , purchase a Sim card with Pay as You Go data.

You might also like our  4 Day Classic Kruger Park Safari Tour  or  5 Day Classic Kruger Park Safari Tour .

Guests are collected from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport between 7:00 and 7:30. Collections from any other Johannesburg hotels or addresses are possible at additional rates.

Guests are dropped off at Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport around 17:00, other hotels or addresses can be arranged at additional rates.

Kruger Safari Company Tours and its service providers provide cost-effective transfers for groups of 2 – 12 people per vehicle; please let us know if you prefer a private tour (additional rates may apply).

Keep in mind that if you plan to fly out of OR Tambo International Airport on the last day of the safari tour, we recommend booking a domestic flight no earlier than 19:30 and an international flight no earlier than 21:00.

4 Day Bundox Explores Lodge Experience

Our 4 Day Explores Lodge safari is one of our top selling Mid-range safari packages. Based in a small, simple, naturally luxurious and authentic safari camp in the Balule Private Game Reserve.

4 Day Combo Kruger Park Safari

This option lets guests choose the number of days they would like to spend on safari but split between the Kruger National Park and a private lodge in the Greater Kruger. This allows guests a good mix of accommodation types and landscapes to explore while on safari.

An experienced game ranger will show guests the African bush as it has never been seen before as they enjoy a mix of safari game drives, bush walks, relaxation time and fantastic cuisine. Guests will stay in en-suite African chalets in the Kruger National Park and in luxury en-suite rooms in the private reserves.

• Flexible number of days to suit your budget (4-7 days)
• Accommodation in en-suite chalets and luxury en-suite rooms
• Meals as per the itinerary
• FGASA-registered professional field guides
• Transport for the duration of your safari
• Daytime game drives in an open safari vehicle
• Optional Panorama Route excursion (safaris of 3+ days)

Safaris depart 7 days a week, pending availability.

Our Budget and Classic Kruger Safaris depart with a minimum of one person with no single supplement for single travelers. Our Combo safaris require a minimum of two persons to depart.

Guests make use of facilities and accommodation situated inside the Kruger National Park, unless forced to stay elsewhere because of availability.

Safaris with accommodation in multiple rest camps are available on request.

This is not a private safari and more-than-likely there will be other guests joining you on the game drives and transfer vehicles.

Children are welcome, subject to availability. Children under 6 years of age are not allowed on SAN Parks open game drive vehicles. Children under 12 years of age are not allowed on SANParks bush walks. Private game drives for families can be arranged at an extra charge.

Guests flying out of OR Tambo Airport are urged NOT to book flights earlier than 19:00 (domestic flights) or 20:00 (international flights), in order to have sufficient time to get to the airport. Or even better – spend the night in Johannesburg if possible.

You will be held responsible for any missed flight, or flights not booked at a suitable time. Private transfers for guests with early flights can be arranged in advance at an extra charge.

** Terms & Conditions apply **

4 Day Kruger Park Umbhaba Eco Lodge Safari

This safari allows clients to see more of the Kruger and different areas. 

Your four-day itinerary will include a sunset / night safari on day 1, 2 full-day open vehicle safaris on day 2 and 3, and a morning safari in Kruger National Park on day 4.

On 4-day safaris, your chances are very good to see all of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.

• A full day open vehicle safari on day 2 and 3
• A morning safari on Day 4

Don’t forget to bring

Accommodation

You will stay at Umbhaba Eco Lodge, a privately owned quality lodge in Hazyview, with en suite accommodation and excellent meals located 15 minutes from either the Phabeni or Numbi gates.

4 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari

3 Night / 4 Day Tremisana Kruger Park Safari accommodation in en-suite thatched chalets, includes open vehicle safari drives, guided bush walks and a visit to the Blyde River Canyon.

4-Day Classic Kruger Chalet Safari

The diversity of animal and plant life of South Africa’s most well-known wildlife reserve contribute to the park’s magnificent reputation. An African safari in the Kruger National Park is likely to be at the top of almost everyone’s bucket list when visiting this part of the world.

Visiting the Kruger National Park is an unforgettable experience and exactly what you would expect from an African safari and spending time with a knowledgeable guide is without a doubt the best way to ensure that you see exactly what you came for.

It is no surprise that so many people prefer a four day classic safari offered by the Kruger Safari Co to explore those incredible landscapes. Time spent in the park on a four day classic safari tour provides a welcome respite from the stresses of everyday life.

You might also like our 5-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari Tour .

5 Day Bundox Explores Lodge Experience

Spend 4 Nights at the Bundox Explores Lodge in the heart of the Balule Private Game Reserve. The Lodge is small, simple, naturally luxurious and authentic safari.

5 Day Classic Kruger Safari

a 5-Day African safari in the Kruger National Park is likely to be at the top of almost everyone’s bucket list when visiting this part of the world.

5 Day Kruger Chalet & Greater Kruger Lodge Combo Safari

Embark on a thrilling safari adventure in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. From the Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport, you’ll be whisked away to the enchanting Pretoriuskop rest camp, where you’ll enjoy open vehicle safaris, delicious meals, and the magic of the African bush. The journey continues to the Greenfire game lodge, nestled within the Balule private game reserve, offering an immersive wildlife experience. With expert guides, incredible wildlife sightings, and unforgettable landscapes, this five-day safari is a truly unforgettable experience.

5 Day Kruger Park and Panorama Route Umbhaba Eco Lodge Safari

The Kruger National Park is one of the world’s premier nature reserves, and you will spend a significant amount of time exploring it during this four-day safari. 

The Panorama Route refers to the escarpment area in Mpumalanga Province where the Drakensberg mountains separate the Highveld from the Lowveld to the east. The Panorama Route along the escarpment is one of South Africa’s most scenic areas and include the Blyde canyon that extends for 50kms along the escarpment. 

This safari offers a full-day safari in the Kruger National Park as well as a full-day tour of the Panorama Route.

Your five-day itinerary will include a sunset / night safari on day 1, a full-day open vehicle safari on day 2, a full-day Panorama Route on day 3 and 2 morning safaris in the Kruger Park on Day 4 and 5.

Your chances are very good to see all of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. The Kruger National Park is home to 148 mammal and 500 bird species. So there’s a lot to see and photograph.

• A full day Panorama tour on Day 3
• 2 morning safaris on Day 4 and 5
• Quality accommodation at Umbhaba Eco Lodge.

The safari uses Umbhaba Eco Lodge in Hazyview, outside Kruger National Park, with en suite accommodation and excellent meals located 15 minutes from either the Phabeni or Numbi gates.

5 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari

Join our safari guides on a 4 Night / 5 Day Tremisana Kruger Park Safari. En-suite accommodation and a full Day guided open vehicle safari drive in the heart of the Kruger National Park.

6 Day Kruger Chalet & Greater Kruger Lodge Combo Safari

Embark on a 6-day safari adventure in Kruger National Park. Day 1 starts with a transfer to a comfortable chalet in Pretoriuskop rest camp, followed by an afternoon safari and dinner under the stars. Day 2 offers a full day of exploration with breakfast en route and the freedom to choose your own lunch. Day 3 takes you to Greenfire lodge in Balule private game reserve for off-road safaris. Days 4 and 5 feature immersive safari drives. Conclude with a memorable morning safari on Day 6 before departing for Johannesburg. Reflect on unforgettable wildlife encounters and cherished memories.

6 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari

Bush walk in Balule Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger and two full days in the iconic Kruger National Park. Balule Game Reserve is one of the founding private game reserves that make up the Greater Kruger, which lies adjacent to the Kruger National Park. Guests stay in comfortable ensuite thatched chalets that are fully equipped for comfort and convenience. A highlight of the tour is a trip to Moholoholo to meet its famous wild ambassadors and a starlit dinner at a boma deep in the bushveld. The safari tour ends with a scenic return trip travelling via the world-famous Panorama Route.

A Kruger National Park safari thus delivers some of the finest game viewing in the world and the right safari operator can offer visitors an experience of a lifetime.  But the park is not only popular because of its animals,  many people visit to enjoy its mountainous areas, bush plains and tropical  forests, which are all part of the unique landscape, another reason why a  safari into the Kruger always makes for the best kind of holiday.

The best time to visit the Kruger National Park on a safari, is at the beginning or end of the region’s dry season, which is between April and September. During the dry season, temperatures are mostly pleasant (with night-time temperatures that may dip below 20 degrees Celsius and daytime temperatures normally reaching into the mid-20 degrees Celsius.

As with most parks and reserves in South Africa, it is very safe to undertake a safari into and drive around Kruger. Both staff, tour operators, accommodation attendants and park authorities will make sure that you have a great safari.

Steeped in legend and history, the iconic park is one of the places in South Africa just waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife.

What type of safari can one book into the Kruger National Park?

When planning a first safari trip into the Kruger Park, it is advised that travellers should make use of a reputable safari tour operator that knows the park and can recommended the best safari tour options, which range from exclusive private safaris to affordable group safaris. When you spend your money on such a journey of exploration to find Africa’s Big Five: Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo, you want to make sure that you will experience all the facets of the unique wildlife on a real safari in Africa.

Tremisana Lodge safaris

Tremisana Game Lodge is located in Balule Private Nature Reserve which is a protected wildlife area that falls within the Greater Kruger National Park in northern South Africa. Balule is 23 000 square kilometres of pristine bushveld that stretches along the length of the Olifants River. The reserve is unfenced and game roams freely between Balule and the Kruger National Park. Tremisana Game Lodge is less than an hour’s drive from the Kruger Park.

Tremisana Game Lodge is a founding member of Balule Private Nature Reserve and maintains much of its original warmth and charm. The ensuite thatched chalets are air-conditioned and fully equipped for comfort and convenience. Guests dine under the stars at the lodge boma.

Classic wildlife safaris

Think 4×4 game drives at dawn or dusk, followed by dinner under African stars…

The classic Kruger safari offers a client an authentic African safari experience, usually with excellent wildlife sightings.

Accommodation can be provided in a luxury safari lodge or opulent tented camps. Most of these types of lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park offer excellent accommodation options, with just the right ambience for romance, indulgence or just luxury escapes.

All are exquisite destinations and a Kruger Park honeymoon package are of the most sought after possible…

Without necessarily spending a fortune, you can create timeless memories on a private South African safari experience with every luxury on hand, outstanding cuisine at a range of facilities.

These midrange options, as offered by The Kruger Safari Co. make it possible to take your whole family, including children, on a safe, magical journey into nature’s wonders. The Kruger is ideal for family tours and provide options for kids of all ages, with tailored programmes and fun activities.

Accommodation can be taken up at country lodges or hotels in reserves near Kruger National Park or inside the game reserve itself. A selection of the finest luxury accommodation and lodging lets you appreciate the African wild in comfort – with extraordinary cuisine, great hospitality and magnificent wildlife experiences.  South African safari and game lodges are famous for its  super luxury facilities.

Many hotel lodgings and accommodations near the National Park are close enough for guests to participate in a full-day safari, if the lodge is not situated on a private game reserve with its own abundance or wildlife.

Kruger National Park guided safaris offers guests a traditional safari experience in the company of a skilled ranger for the best game viewing.

What is the benefit of an organized Safari over a self-drive impromptu visit to a game park?

A safari put together by your tour operator is fully usually inclusive of accommodation, game drives and some bush walks, meals and other added values. Game drives are conducted in 4×4 open safari vehicles which brings the bush experience much closer and the safaris are conducted by qualified guides who look out for spoor and signs that animals have moved through an area.

How long should a safari last and should one stay at one lodge or different  lodges?

During an average stay of between 2 and 3 nights, you may get the best experience. While a longer stay is a bonus, a short stay should ideally be no less than 2 nights.  This way you have time to enjoy the surrounds and have a  good chance to see all there is to see in the African bush.  Staying in one place maximises your game viewing and minimises  your travel time, but if you can stay more than 4 nights, splitting your stay  between two game lodges may be worthwhile.

Will children also enjoy a safari?

The Kruger National Park is the ideal destination for children of all ages and offers families a great way to spend quality time together while getting to know more about nature. While some private game lodges are more suited for children 12 years and older others often offers specialised children’s programmes and activities that keep children entertained and focus on environmental education.  Children under 6 years old are not allowed on game drives for  safety reasons and no children under 12 years old are allowed on bush walks. It  is advised to enquire from your tour operator about which options should fit  you and your family the best.

Should I be scared of Malaria?

During the rainy months (October – April) there is an increased risk of Malaria in the Kruger National Park and surrounds, but during the dry season, the risk of infection is very low.  It is always wise to take malaria prophylaxis when visiting  the area and while the malaria mosquito is more active during the night, it is  advisable to take any precautionary measures like wearing long sleeves and  rousers and sleeping under mosquito nets – which are provided by most lodges. A  mosquito net provide additional protection against other insects too.  Mosquitoes do not like cold, hence keeping air conditioning  or fans on, will also help. The risk is very low when one deals with the issue  in advance. By choosing the correct accommodation, you can minimize the chance  of being infected as well.

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3-day Fly-in Safari &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge

Old world charm in the heart of the kruger national park, welcome to 5-star luxury: ngala safari lodge.

The magic of Africa comes alive in the elegant Ngala Safari Lodge, a timeless safari lodge ideally positioned on a private concession inside the highly acclaimed Kruger National Park.

The lodge has a large rim-flow pool overlooking a waterhole. Have a sundowner while enjoying the wildlife in the act of hydration.

Ngala Private Game Reserve shares an unfenced boundary with the world-renowned Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary and one of the biggest game reserves in the world.

Safari game drives, bush walk adventures and exceptional game viewing.  For relaxation visit the wellness center or have a work-out in the gym. Also be sure to try our treehouse - sleep on an elevated and safe platform, under the stars.

Location and getting here

Firstly, we'll handle everything including your lodging, flights and transfers! Ngala Safari Lodge is closest to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS).  There are daily flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) to HDS. Once guests arrive at HDS, a 1.5hr road-transfer will have them at the lodge.

Our 5-star service

1 ‍ Place your enquiry. Be sure to include number of travelers, dates and whether you require flights and/or transfers

2 ‍ A reservations agent will liaise with you directly to coordinate all the details of your trip.

3 ‍ You'll receive a provisional booking via email. Complete payment and you're ready to travel!

THE ROOMs - ONLY 20 UNITS AT LODGE

Thatched cottage with bath and private veranda.

Ngala Safari lodge has 20 air-conditioned thatched cottages with ensuite bathrooms including a shower, twin hand basins, wc, bath. Each cottage has an intimate veranda.

3 DAY package in a thatched cottage

Meet anja, our resident expert, she'll help you book your trip. she's available on whatsapp for fastest response.

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Intimate luxury in the heart of the kruger national park.

• Addo Elephant National Park

A DIVERSE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK SITUATED IN SOUTH AFRICA'S EASTERN CAPE, WITH NUMEROUS LUXURY LODGES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA

Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest game reserve in the country after recent incorporation of further adjoining land.

The South African game reserve is famous among tourist for its large elephant herds that graze on the vegetation and parade in a calm manner.

You can witness these marvellous creatures by simply travelling to one of the waterholes, which is a hot spot for elephants. The game reserve is also famous for viewing the Big 5.  Due to its close proximity to the coast, travellers can visit Algoa Bay for an opportunity to see Southern Right Whales and White Sharks.  The area has a range of Safari Game Lodges  for the discerning traveller.

Excellent Wildlife

Game Drives

Superb Safari Lodges

Night Game Drives

All-inclusive Packages

Experience You Can Trust

Addo Elephant National Park has become the third largest game reserve in the country after its recent expansion. The South African game reserve is famous among tourist for its large...

• Amakhala Game Reserve

Amakhala is comparatively a budget-friendly and a convenient choice for a private wildlife reserve experience in the Eastern Cape. Covering a small area the reserve is fenced from all sides.You...

• Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega Game Reserve is a private, malaria-free Big 5 South African Safari. Found along the Garden Route, it 2019s driving distance from Grahamstown and Kenton-on-Sea, one of the Eastern Cape...

• Kwantu Private Game Reserve

Kwantu Private Game Reserve is a 6010-hectare safari destination in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, only 85km from Port Elizabeth.It 2019s home to the village of Sidbury, built by the British...

• Lalibela Game Reserve

Easy to reach and family-friendly, Lalibela Game Reserve is one of the Eastern Cape 2019s best-kept secrets. The malaria-free sanctuary promises guests an authentic African Big 5 experience. While safaris...

• Pumba Private Game Reserve

Pumba is an eco-friendly Private Game Reserve, located in the heart of the Yarrow region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It's an hour drive from Port Elizabeth, and...

• Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Officially declared as a Protected Environment, Shamwari Private Game Reserve is deemed as the most popular reserve in the Eastern Cape. This reserve provides an exceptional array of various wildlife species, notably...

• Gorah Elephant Camp

• Kariega Homestead

Activities Spotlight

Night Safaris

Photographic Safaris

Gym Facilities

Spa Treatments

Boma Dinners

Bush Dinners

Wine Tasting

In terms of wildlife, The game reserve is renowned for its elephant population along with the Big Five. Visitors can witness lions roaming the landscape early in the morning. Black rhinos are also present in the region, but due to their shy nature, they tend to stay in the thickets.

Addo Elephant National Park is home to interesting species of antelope and they are found in abundance, along with red hartebeest, eland, and kudu. Game viewing is always in abundance in the game reserve. However, during the dry-summer seasons, you can witness a concentration of animals at the waterholes.

White Rhino

Black Rhino

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Top 10 Safari Parks in Africa

C an't decide where do you want to start your next (or first) safari in Africa? We collected the top 10 safari parks in Africa places to see wild African animals in their natural habitat. If you want to know what to be on the lookout for, read our article on the top 10 safari animals you can spot on your travels!

There's always more to explore so feel free to check out our article on the top 10 countires for safaris! For some Safari fun you can check our blog post on how a Family Safari completely errupted into chaos!

Read ahead or jump to any section that interests you:

Introduction

A safari (Swahili: journey) in one of Africa's national parks is an exciting thing: many people can observe a larger number of wild animals and even have the oppurtunity to see the famous Big 5 of africa. 

The focus is on the savannah and bush landscapes, where savannah elephants , lions , buffalos , and other well-known wild animals feel at home. 

Whether it's Africa for the first time or safari connoisseurs, there should be something for everyone. And it attracts attention: There is no best destination in Africa, but there are the best destinations. 

So, where should the next safari lead?

10th place: Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Where else can wild animals be observed in front of one of the most famous mountains on earth? The Amboseli National Park at the foot of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania serves both as a postcard motif for Africa and as a photographic object. Giraffes, elephants and all sorts of other wild animals strut in front of the snow-covered summit of the "Kili" and give great photo motives.

Ancient elephants still live in the park. This allows visitors to observe the almost intact social behavior of the pachyderms in their herds.

The Kilimanjaro usually wraps itself in thick clouds during the day. The chances of seeing it are best in the morning and evening.

9th place: Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

Number 9 on the top 10 safari parks in Africa is Addo. Known for, as the name suggests, its elephants, the Addo is more than a convenient destination near South Africa's Garden Route. The park is home to lions again after a resettlement program; black rhinos and leopards are also found here. Due to the extension to the south, the coast with its sharks and whales is also part of the park, which now advertises with the "Big 7".

In conclusion, the park is ideal for exploring with your own (rental) car. Please make sure to ask in advance what you have to consider for the self-drive safari.

In addition, holidaymakers in their cars should ensure they do not run over pill turners (African dung beetles), hundreds of which run across the roads depending on the weather.

8th Place: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Namibia's most important park is home to countless wildlife, including the white and black rhino who are critically endangered, something you can read more about in one of our other articles about these ancient and disappearing creatures. There are also several predatory cat species and many antelopes. "Etosha" means "big white square," which describes the landscape well. The vegetation is extremely sparse; in the dry season, many animals gather at artificial waterholes.

In the dry season, many animals can easily be observed at the park water holes and camps. 114 different species of mammals live in the park.

Every coin has two sides: The park is completely fenced in and cuts the animals off their original routes in search of water in the Kuene region. The waterholes are not comparable to the actual environment and natural migration behavior for true lovers.

7th place: Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

The Tarangire National Park is one of the most underestimated parts of the continent. Many visitors only make a short stop at the Serengeti or do not ebaobabven include the national park in their travel plans. But the park is home to large herds of elephants and many other species in a remarkable landscape of boabab trees.

The park is known for its elephant herds, which run through a prehistoric landscape along the Tarangire River.

The park is home to the tsetse fly, which transmits sleeping sickness. Visitors should urgently pay attention to consistent protection.

6th place: Chobe National Park, Botswana

"Land of the Giants" is written on the sign at the park entrance and already announces the park's main attraction: Elephants, one of the savannah's most social creatures . Between 80,000 and 100,000 pachyderms are estimated to live in the park and adjacent areas, where they migrate depending on the season.

Botswana pursues an exemplary animal and species conservation policy and no longer kills elephants if they become too numerous for the ecosystem. Instead, fences were dismantled to create more space for the animals. Kaffir buffalos and warthogs are also common. As a result, always check the weather forecast before you go.

A safari with the boat on the Chobe river belongs to the experiences, which holiday-makers surely do not forget so fast.

During the high season the Chobe River can be very narrow.

5th place: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

On the Luangwa River, the wilderness awaits: no fences, no radios to communicate with the rangers. Those who travel to the South Luangwa National Park will experience the bush unadorned, without much traffic and wild. It is not uncommon for your own jeep to be the only one at a spectacular sighting, giving visitors more time and peace to enjoy the encounter with the animals. Night safaris and bushwalks, i.e. safaris on foot, are allowed in the national park.

Pure wilderness. The park is known for its hippos and leopards . Many camps are not fenced and often wild animals run through the lodges. The park is also home to numerous endemic species and subspecies, i.e. animals that can only be found here. Sometimes you can even see the endangered Pangolins and the even more threatened Rhinos . Two species of Animals we explore in more detail in another article.

These include the Cookson gnu, the Crawshay zebra and the Thorneycroft giraffe.

The season plays an important role in the South Luangwa National Park. While in the dry season many large wild animals gather at the water and are so easy to discover, during the rainy season bird lovers get their money's worth.

4th place: Kruger National Park, South Africa

For most vacationers the Kruger National Park is the first safari experience in the African bush . It is one of the largest national parks on the continent and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. In contrast to the open savannahs in East Africa, the landscape is bushy and the animals are harder to spot.

This may be described as the best South African Safari.

In the Kruger National Park live some very rare animal species like wild dogs. Another animal worth further exploration in another one of our articles.

Animals in Vermont

The good infrastructure, the developed roads and the fences around the national park make it clear that the park is used and marketed commercially.

This partly causes a lot of traffic in the park and has at some corners only little to do with the real wilderness feeling.

3rd place: Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, Tanzania

While driving over the edge of the burglary crater into the nature reserve, visitors can rarely suppress the "wow" that involuntarily comes over their lips. The view can take your breath away. The safari through the crater, which has the highest predator density in Africa, becomes the photographic highlight of many Africa journeys.

The wildlife hike through Masai Mara and Serengeti also touches on the protection of the wildlife.

Overall, the high density of animals naturally attracts many visitors and some have the feeling of driving through an open-air zoo.

Some of the jeeps obstruct the way of the animals or hinder cats of prey during the hunt. Tell your driver that you don't approve of such behaviour.

2nd place: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Hardly any other national park in Africa is as famous as the Serengeti. This is of course due to the diverse fauna and one of the largest animal migrations in the world .

On the other hand, the Serengeti is almost always threatened: Many people have an interest in the place and in the fertile savannah, on which millions of wild animals cavort and planned large-scale projects would probably mean the end of the national park. The battle for the Serengeti has been fought for decades and culminated in the documentary "Serengeti must not die" by Michael Grzimek and his father Bernhard in the 1950s.

Really one of the Top 10 Safari Parks in Africa.

The migration of wild animals, where millions of wildebeests, zebras and antelopes travel in a large circle through the Serengeti and the adjoining Masai Mara in Kenya during the course of the year. This is known also as one of the great wilderbeast migration , a topic you can do further reading on with another one of our articles .

The Serengeti is exposed to constant threats. The plans to build a highway through the area are not over yet. There are also frequent conflicts between wildlife and humans.

In addition, organizations are now warning that too many tourists are coming to the park. It is best to drive in the low season and avoid facilities that require a lot of water (swimming pools etc.).

1st Place: Masai Mara Nature reserve, Kenya

Number one on the top 10 safari parks in africa list! When tears shoot into the eyes of the viewers of a lion documentary because the pictures are so overwhelming, the reportage is mostly shot in the Masai Mara (or Maasai Mara).

Wide landscape with green hills as far as the eye can see. The view is interrupted only by Wildebeest , zebras, giraffes, Elephants ,, antelopes , lions , hyenas… The Masai Mara could pass for an African cliché if it were not real.

Word has got around of course that the Masai Mara is a paradise on earth. It is therefore frequently overcrowded and the many cars already have influence on the behavior of the wild animals. Some cars leave the tracks in search of the best view. If this happens to you, it's best to tell the driver that you don't want them to.

The park also serves as a Rhino sanctuary and is home to some 60 white and black rhinos, who are guarded around the clock by armed rangers. An absolute must for rhino fans, who are almost guaranteed to meet some of the animals here.

The impressive Murchison waterfall, where the Victoria Nile plunges over 43 metres into the depths, is also a must see. The park is home to the endangered Rothschild Giraffes (also Uganda giraffe or Nubian giraffe). To the south of the park is the Budongo chimpanzee forest.

The park is in some places tsetse fly high area. Be sure to take care to protect yourself against insects.

When to go on a Safari

The best time is always present, but if you are looking for the most enjoyment from your trip, the best time to go is from July through October, when the animals are easy to find and in substantial numbers. However, deciding when to go on a safari depends on  what  country you want to visit and when you can plan your trip. As well as the type of wildlife you hope to encounter.

The best months for an African safari are therefore varied.

What to pack/ best luggage for African safari

Some of the most recommended basics:Here's the "must-haves" to  pack  for your  safari :

• T-shirt, shirt or blouse – long sleeves and collars help to protect from the sun and mosquitoes
• Fleece or warm jacket.
• A pair of  safari  trousers – those that zip off at the knees are very handy, too.
• Comfortable walking shoes (or boots) and socks.

Above and beyond the comfortable basics, there are niche items which could enhance your experience on safari. We've researched the best of these items to take with you.

Best insect repellent for African safari: Natrapel 8  Hour insect repthatellent: this is a CDC recommended product based on 20% Picaridin formula and is  DEET  FREE. It is safe to spray on your skin and clothing.

Best binoculars for African safari : Celestron 71347 Outland x | 10×25 |  Best compact Binoculars  for Travel.

Best camera for African safari : Best -buy cameras for  safari  in Africa: At Canon, it would be the Canon EOS Rebel series. Often you can get a kit ( camera  + lenses + accessories). Best for travelling and easy shots.

Best shoes for African safari :  light trail  shoes  and hybrid  shoe /sandals (Keen, Teva, Merrel, North Face, HiTec, Garmont, Salomon etc) are adequate for regular travel and normal  safari  conditions. Even fly-camping trips and walking trails on fairly rough terrain don't warrant hiking boots when conditions are dry.

It is important to find out what you need for specific areas as well as administrative documents and permits.

Summary on Top 10 Safari Parks in Africa

The landscape is very bushy and visitors often only see the animals when they are standing directly in front of or next to the car. Slow driving is therefore all the more important.

How did you like the article on the top 10 safari parks in africa? In conclusion, we hope to give you some ideas and inspirations on the best african safari tours, animal encounters and holiday trips.

• Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya – Overcrowded but abundant wildlife, including rhinos.
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – Famous for the great wildebeest migration.
• Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, Tanzania – High predator density, popular tourist destination.
• Kruger National Park, South Africa – Large park with diverse wildlife, commercialized.
• South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – Unspoiled wilderness, known for hippos and leopards.
• Chobe National Park, Botswana – Land of the Giants, home to a large elephant population.
• Tarangire National Park, Tanzania – Underrated park with large elephant herds and baobab trees.
• Etosha National Park, Namibia – Sparse vegetation, artificial waterholes attract many animals.
• Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa – Known for elephants, self-drive safari recommended.
• Amboseli National Park, Kenya – Elephants near Mount Kilimanjaro, observe intact social behavior.

Tips for Safari:

• Best time to go is from July to October for high animal sightings.
• Pack essentials like long-sleeved shirts, hat, fleece, comfortable shoes, insect repellent.
• Recommended binoculars: Celestron 71347 Outland x | 10×25.
• Canon EOS Rebel series for safari photography.
• Check specific requirements, permits, and administrative documents for each park.

Be advised that those are subjective ideas and of course every safari park, whether big or small can be beautiful and present you with awesome wildlife.

There's always more to explore so feel free to check out our article on the top 10 countires for safaris!

Frequently Asked Queastions (FAQs)

Safari experiences are generally safe, but it's important to follow guidelines and instructions provided by your guides or tour operators. Wildlife should be observed from a safe distance and never approached or provoked. It's also recommended to stay within designated areas and camps, especially during night hours. Adhering to these precautions ensures a safe and enjoyable safari experience.

Many safari operators and lodges prioritize sustainability and conservation efforts. They work to minimize the ecological impact by implementing responsible practices such as supporting local communities, conserving natural resources, and participating in wildlife conservation initiatives. When choosing a safari operator, it's advisable to opt for those with strong environmental ethics and credentials.

Interacting with or touching wildlife is strongly discouraged and, in most cases, prohibited during safaris. The well-being of the animals and the safety of visitors are of utmost importance. Safaris promote responsible wildlife viewing, which involves observing animals from a safe distance and respecting their natural behaviors. Touching or disturbing the wildlife can cause stress or potentially dangerous situations for both humans and animals.

Several ways to contribute to conservation efforts during a safari include supporting eco-friendly lodges or tour operators that actively participate in conservation initiatives. Additionally, you can choose to visit parks and reserves that allocate a portion of the entrance fees to conservation projects. It's also encouraged to learn about and respect local customs, traditions, and wildlife protection regulations while engaging in responsible tourism practic

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