Kruger National Park Safari

Balule Nature Reserve on the western border of the Kruger National park encompasses 400km2 (154 square miles) of unspoiled bushveld. This private nature reserve shares unfenced borders with the Kruger and neighboring private reserves allowing animals to roam freely.

One of the largest rivers in the Kruger National Park, the Olifants River, flows through the Balule reserve, and its waters and riverine forests attract high densities of mammals, reptiles, and birdlife. This means that all the wildlife you see on a Kruger safari, including the famous Big Five, can also be experienced in the Balule Nature Reserve.

Balule boasts a wide range of small intimate lodges and camps that cater to those looking for an affordable private getaway, a family-friendly option, or the ultimate in privacy, comfort, and luxury. All-inclusive stays, as well as self-catering options, are available throughout the Balule reserve.

Highlights of Balule

• Daily game drives and walking safaris with experienced rangers are the best way to spot the Big Five and learn first-hand about the local ecosystem. In Balule, the rangers can track animals off-road (something not allowed in the Kruger) to provide the best sightings.
• There is hardly a more tranquil aerial experience than floating over the African savannah in a hot-air balloon – just one of the activities on offer in the Balule area. If you have the nerves, you can take an adrenaline-filled flight in a microlight aircraft or go white-water rafting. You can book a boat cruise down the Olifants River for a more relaxed afternoon.
• Several lodges offer day trips to the nearby Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon on the planet. It’s a break from the bush life in the Kruger and certainly a bucket list destination.

Practical Information for Balule

• By car, the Balule Nature Reserve is approximately six hours from Johannesburg. Daily international and domestic flights call in at OR Tambo International Airport. You can catch a connecting flight to a local airport (Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, or Skukuza) near Kruger. Transfers to and from your lodge (about 45 minutes) can be arranged.
• Temperatures are high during the day, even in winter, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Light, long-sleeved clothing offers protection against the sun and mosquito bites. Pack warm clothing, too, as evenings can get chilly.
• Wear neutral-colored clothing like brown, khaki, and beige, as bright colors make it easier for animals to spot you. In turn, dark colors like navy and black can attract insects.
  Balule is in an area at risk of malaria. Get advice from your doctor before you travel.

The 130km2 (50 square mile) Kapama Private Game Reserve lies just west of the Kruger National Park and a mere 10 minutes from the town of Hoedspruit. It is not only home to the Big Five, but the sprawling savannah grasslands and riverine forests straddling the Klaserie River in the east of the reserve see more than 40 species of mammals and over 300 bird species.

Kapama has four luxury lodges, each with its flair. The bespoke villas overlooking the Klaserie River at Karula are suited to the discerning traveler looking for the ultimate in privacy and comfort.

The River Lodge, with its contemporary design, is a more social space perfectly suited to young couples and groups of friends.

At the intimate Buffalo Camp, luxury safari tents set amongst the treetops are linked together by elevated walkways. The Southern Camp caters to couples and families alike in luxury suites and villas. Karula and the River Lodge also offer accommodation suitable for families.

Highlights of Kapama Game Reserve

• Ditch the big vehicles and strap on some walking shoes for a guided walking safari. Skilled rangers will show you wildlife and share traditional knowledge about tracking, medicinal plants, and birdlife.
• Kapama offers a 2-day photography workshop led by a leading African wildlife photographer so you can hone your skills before heading out on game drives aimed explicitly at photography.
• The Romantic Sleepout lets couples experience a night under the stars on a private platform in the African bush. You even get a private chef that will prepare a five-course dinner!

Practical Information for Kapama Game Reserve

• The nearest international airport is OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, about 6 hours travel time from the reserve by car. OR Tambo is serviced by domestic flights from all over South Africa, so you can also fly to Hoedspruit, the nearest local airport to Kapama. From here, it’s a short transfer by car to the reserve.
• Kapama offers the discerning traveler the option of flying directly to the reserve from OR Tambo and Cape Town International airports in a privately owned aircraft.
• Bring warm clothing (it gets cold at night), a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the heat during the day. Wear muted colors like khaki, brown, or green to avoid being easily spotted by animals. Bright colors can attract insects.
• Kapama, like all of the Kruger, lies within a malaria region.

The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve covers a whopping 600km2 (232 square miles) of wilderness on either side of the Klaserie Rivier just west of the Kruger National Park. You’ll come face to face with the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos – as well as some of Africa’s less spotted species, like wild dogs and cheetahs, on your Klaserie safari adventure.

Klaserie’s range of safari camps and lodges cater to families, groups of friends, honeymooners, and discerning travelers looking for exclusive luxury. Families should consider Makumu lodge, where they can book an entire lodge without age restrictions for the youngsters. At the same time, the Klaserie Drift, Senala, and Klaserie Camps offer fully catered or self-catering perfect for couples.

For top-tier luxury, look no further than the intimate riverside suites at Klaserie Sands River Camp or the classy exclusive suites at Baobab Ridge.

Highlights of Klaserie

• Some lodges host bespoke bush dinners and traditional barbecues at particularly stunning outdoor spots in the reserve. You can even arrange to camp at certain water holes for a truly immersive night in the African bush.
• A walking safari with an experienced ranger is one of the most exhilarating experiences in the African bush. You’ll see animals from a unique perspective and be fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the environment.
• Twice-daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles within the private reserves give you the highest probability of seeing animals. With experienced guides who can drive off-road (unlike in public areas of the Kruger), you’ll tick off Big Five sightings in no time. Some lodges also offer night drives.

Practical Information for Klaserie

• The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is roughly a six-hour drive east of Johannesburg. Daily international and domestic flights call in at OR Tambo International Airport, where you can catch a connecting flight to a local airport near Kruger. The closest local airport is in Hoedspruit; from there, it’s a 45-minute transfer to the reserve.
• You don’t need special safari clothes, but neutral colors like beige, brown, green, and khaki are recommended. It makes it harder for animals to spot you and be scared off, and brighter colors attract insects.
• Prepare for scorching days and bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Depending on the season, nights and early mornings can be freezing, so pack some warm clothing too.
  Ask a medical practitioner about malaria medication before you leave, as this part of South Africa carries a risk. A course of prophylaxis is recommended.

The Kruger National Park is world-renowned for its spectacular wildlife. It’s the largest nature reserve in South Africa and, indeed, one of the largest on the continent.

At 360km (224mi) long and 65km (40mi) wide, the surface area surpasses that of the nearby country of Swaziland! Despite its size, the density of wild animals found here is one of the highest on the planet, making for superb viewing opportunities no matter where you are in the park.

The southern and central regions of the Kruger are most frequented by visitors, and for a good reason: the game viewing is most reliable on a safari here. It’s your best bet for lion and leopard sightings, especially common along the Sabie River between Lower Sabie and Skukuza.

In central Kruger, the open grasslands are stocked with plenty of elephants, while grass-feeders like wildebeest and buffalo attract predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards.

Finally, in the far north, your reward is not only solitude from the crowds of the south but also an area of outstanding natural beauty as the landscape transforms from subtropical to tropical.

Large concentrations of baobab trees are particularly beautiful. Unfortunately, big game sightings are less frequent in this part of the Kruger, although birding safaris, especially in the summertime, are pretty spectacular.

Kruger caters to all, whether you are a solo traveler, a couple on a romantic getaway, or a family looking for the quintessential safari adventure. Several accommodation options are scattered across the park, ranging from campsites to family cottages, safari tents, and exclusive guesthouses.

The main camps are well stocked with modern amenities, and most have shops, restaurants, pools, and fuel stations.

If you’re after total exclusivity or the ideal honeymoon getaway, head for one of the private concession areas within Kruger. Each concession is home to several world-class luxury lodges that provide five-star accommodation and cuisine, personal game rangers, and tailor-made experiences.

Highlights of Kruger National Park Concessions

• The Kruger is one of the few places where you can see the world’s largest land mammals mere meters from your vehicle. The park’s vast network of good roads provides excellent self-drive safari routes.
• The park has a superb avian population (over 500 species!), and keen birders can cross off dozens of sightings during a visit. Keep an eye out for the Big 6: the martial eagle, the ground hornbill, the saddle-billed stork, the kori bustard, the lappet-faced vulture, and the unique Pel’s fishing owl.
• Many guided walking trails, bookable at all main camps, offer a truly immersive bush experience. Hikers are accompanied by experienced armed game rangers who track elephants, rhinos, and lions on foot. Hikes vary from a few hours to overnight excursions with catered dinners and luxury bush tents.

Practical Information for Kruger National Park Concessions

• The Kruger National Park is approximately a five-hour drive from the nearest international airport, OR Tambo, in Johannesburg. Various car rental companies have counters at the airport.
• Alternatively, you can fly to a local airport such as Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, or Skukuza and rent a vehicle there. Private lodges offer shuttle services to and from all airports.
• Book well in advance for popular public camps like Skukuza and Letaba during peak holiday seasons in December and July. Avoid the holiday seasons altogether if you prefer fewer fellow visitors.
• Take precautions for sweltering days and cold nights. Bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses for daytime temperatures (over 30°C/86°F), and warm clothing for chilly evenings.
• The Kruger is a malaria zone, and it’s advised that visitors take prophylactics. Consult your healthcare professional on a course of medication before you travel.

Makalali Private Game Reserve is located on 260km (162mi) of bushveld near the town of Hoedspruit on the western edge of the Kruger National Park.

While the styling of the main lodges at Makalali features more contemporary design elements than your typical safari lodge, the wildlife experiences are as quintessentially African as elsewhere in the greater Kruger area.

It’s home to the Big Five and zebra, kudu, cheetah, and wild dog populations.

Makalali’s main lodge caters to the mid-range traveler looking for a safari experience with a touch of luxury, while the river lodge is a private 5-star affair. The river lodge also caters to families, as do the more luxurious accommodations at Garonga.

The Little Garonga Camp is an intimate and exclusive affair with only three suites, each with its own platform decks overlooking the bushveld. At the Safari Camp, the setup caters to couples with six private luxury safari tents overlooking a dry riverbed frequented by animals.

Highlights of Makalali

• Nature walks and game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, led by expert guides, are the ideal way to experience the wildlife of the African bush on a safari.
• Take to the skies in a hot-air balloon and experience the stunning African savannah from a unique perspective. The more adventurous can also enjoy flights over the reserve in a microlight aircraft.
• Golfing excursions can be arranged to the superb Hans Merensky golf course next to the Kruger National Park. Wildlife like giraffes and hippos can often be seen on the course.
• The reserve is involved in a cheetah research project, and a visit to the facility allows you to see the world’s fastest land animal up close. African wild dogs, lions, and wild cats can also be seen here.

Practical Information for Makalali

• The nearest international airport is OR Tambo International in Johannesburg. Several daily domestic flights service smaller airports, and it’s possible to fly to Hoedspruit. From here, it’s a short journey to the reserve. Alternatively, some lodges offer direct air transfers.
• Bring warm clothing as it gets cold at night and a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the heat in the day. Dull colors like khaki, brown, or green make you harder to spot by animals and don’t attract insects as much as bright colors.
• Consult a healthcare practitioner about preventative medication, as the Kruger is a Malaria zone.

There are just three lodges in the 23,000-hectare Manyeleti private game reserve on the western edge of Kruger National Park – which means game viewing without the crowds.

With no fences to separate Manyeleti Game Reserve from Kruger National Park and the private reserves Timbavati to the north and Sabi Sand in the south, the game can wander freely.

As you traverse Manyeleti’s 200km (124mi) of gravel roads in search of the Big Five, you’re unlikely to see many other cars – day visitors are not allowed, and each of the three lodges on the concession has just a few beds.

Sabi Sands is often lauded as the most prestigious private reserve in South Africa, perhaps due to the reserve’s longstanding conservation efforts.

The original reserve was proclaimed in 1898, and by 1949 the landowners had merged their properties (mostly ex-agricultural land) into what is now the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

The massive 650km2 (251 square mile) private reserve shares unfenced borders on the western boundaries of the Kruger National Park, allowing animals to roam freely between the reserves.

Thanks to the re-purposing of boreholes previously used for the farms into waterholes for wildlife, Sabi Sands can offer a year-round water source not affected by seasonal changes. This means you’re never far away from spotting the Big Five and the hundreds of other species that make up the greater Kruger population at any time of the year.

Sabi Sands is all about luxury and exclusivity, so you won’t find day visitors, camping, or public picnic sites here. The reserve’s wide range of lodges and camps are styled for every taste – some are very affordable, while others offer the crème de la crème in luxury living. Whether you’re looking for an immersive bush camp, a secluded honeymoon suite, or your own exquisite private villa, Sabi Sands has it all.

Highlights of Sabi Sands

• Sabi Sands is famous for its leopard sightings and although spotting these elusive cats is never guaranteed, with expert safari guides at your disposal, your chances of a great sighting are arguably higher here than anywhere else.
• The reserve has excellent photographic opportunities and guides that understand light, angles, and composition to help you get that postcard shot. Photographic safaris are on offer at several lodges.
• Daily game drives in open 4×4’s and walking safaris by expert guides are included in your stay.

Practical Information for Sabi Sands

• By road, Sabi Sands is approximately 450km (280mi) from Johannesburg, where OR Tambo International Airport is served by daily international and domestic flights to major cities in the rest of the country. From OR Tambo, you can schedule a charter flight directly to Sabi Sands or a nearby local airport (Hoedspruit, Kruger/Mpumalanga, or Skukuza).
• Wear natural colors like khaki, brown, or green to avoid being easily spotted by animals and scaring them off. Remember to bring warm clothing as it gets cold at night and a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the heat in the day.
• Sabi Sands, like the rest of the Kruger, lies within a malaria region. Consult your doctor before you travel, as it is advised to take a course of prophylaxis.

The 140km2 (54 square mile) Thornybush Game Reserve is located near the town of Hoedspruit on the western border of the Kruger. The famous Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – roam freely in the reserve while great numbers of plains game like giraffes, kudu, zebra, and waterbuck can also be seen.

Highlights of Thornybush

• Daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles with experienced trackers greatly enhance your game viewing experience. Unlike in the public areas of the Kruger, guides are allowed to track animals off-road or at night.
• Photographic opportunities are excellent at Thornybush. Your safari experience, including game drives and walks, can be tailored specifically to meet your photographic needs.
• Guided nature walks allow you to experience the African bush firsthand, and the rangers are keen to share local knowledge.
• With over 300 species in the reserve, birding safaris are excellent. Tailored game drives with an experienced guide will have you tick rare and unique species off your list of bird sightings in no time.
• Extensive conservation studies have been done at Thornybush on the ultra-rare Pangolin. This elusive anteater is the most trafficked animal globally and is critically endangered. While never a guarantee, your chances are good to spot one on a night drive at Thornybush.

Practical Information for Thornybush

• Thornybush is about 5 hour’s drive from Johannesburg. Several daily domestic and international flights depart from OR Tambo International airport. From OR Tambo, you can fly to a local airport (Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Skukuza, or Phalaborwa) close to the reserve. From here, a short transfer will get you to Thornybush.
• Bring warm clothing as it gets cold at night and a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the heat in the day. Light long-sleeved clothing serves as good protection from the sun too.
• Thornybush is situated within a malaria region. Speak to your doctor before you travel for advice on anti-malaria medication.

Timbavati Game Reserve is home to one of nature’s most magnificent creatures, the white lion. Ancient folklore tells of a time when the local Shangaan tribe saw a bright light streaking across the sky and crashing on the African savannah.

Shortly after that, the lions of Timbavati began giving birth to snow-white cubs. These unique lions have been regarded as sacred ever since.

Timbavati Game Reserve encompasses a vast 580km2 (224 square miles) of savannah on the western border of the Kruger National Park. The borders are unfenced and allow wildlife, including the Big Five, to migrate freely between the reserves.

An abundance of plains game like kudu, giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo, and waterbuck can be seen, while the endangered African wild dog is also often spotted in Timbavati.

The collection of luxury lodges at Timbavati caters to the traveler looking for a touch of class. Your African safari need not be without spa treatments, private pools, and five-star cuisine!

Walkers River Camp, Jaydee, and Eagle Owl are three exclusive self-catering camps offering families or groups of friends a truly secluded safari experience while still providing all the amenities you’re used to at home.

Highlights of Timbavati

• Timbavati is home to the endangered white lion, and sighting one of these unique creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Photographic safaris can be tailored to your needs. Professional photographers with specialized game-drive vehicles will give advice and tips and can arrange additional gear if needed.
• Daily personalized game drives and bush walks greatly increase your chance of animal sightings. The traditional knowledge shared by the skilled rangers is invaluable too.
• Timbavati is aiding rhino conservation by micro-chipping their rhino population. Guests at the Kings Camp can participate in the tracking and darting process.

Practical Information for Timbavati

• The Timbavati reserve is roughly a six-hour drive from Johannesburg. Daily international and domestic flights call in at OR Tambo International Airport, where you can catch a connecting flight to a local airport (Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Phalaborwa, or Skukuza) near the reserve.
• Some of the lodges in Timbavati have private runways, and you may opt to travel (approx. 1 hr 30 min) by scheduled flight directly from Johannesburg to your accommodation.
• It gets scorching in the day so bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You’ll also need to pack warm clothing, as evenings and early mornings can be chilly.
• Malaria is a risk in this part of Africa, so it’s advised to speak to your doctor about a course of prophylaxis before you travel.

Picture this: A red sun kisses the horizon as the last rays of daylight bathe the camelthorn trees around you in a warm glow. At the waterhole in front of you, a mother elephant helps her newborn take a mud bath while an elegant giraffe kneels nearby for a drink.

You sip a sundowner and watch as a troop of baboons grooms each other, a pod of hippo snort in the water, and a herd of impala antelope nibble away at an early dinner on a grassy embankment. As the day’s heat fades, a palpable serenity descends on the world, and another glorious African day ends.

This is not just some idyllic scene from a nature documentary; this is daily life in the Kruger National Park.

It’s easy to see why the Kruger National Park is consistently rated as one of the top safari destinations in Africa. The enormous 20000 km2 (7,722 square mile) park is not only home to the famous Big Five (elephant, rhino, cape buffalo, lion, and leopard), but it also boasts an incredibly diverse African savanna biome.

More than 140 species of mammal, including oddities such as the shy aardvark and the fierce honey badger, call it their home, while over 300 species of trees stand proudly scattered across the landscape.

The Kruger National Park is a birder’s paradise, so be sure to pack your binoculars and keep an eye out for a large variety of raptors, vultures, storks, kingfishers, and weavers among the 500-odd species.

Each season brings its own flavor to the Kruger, changing the features of both the landscape and animals, meaning no two visits are alike. Summers are hot, humid, and full of rainfall that drapes the landscape in a lush green grassy cloak. Winters are a dry affair but much cooler and excellent for game viewing.

While wildlife is certainly the main attraction, the Kruger has another major drawcard: its world-class lodgings. Since becoming South Africa’s first official national park in 1926, the Kruger has systematically established a wide range of accommodation options in a dozen main camps, several bushveld camps, private lodges, and four remote satellite camps.

Whether you fancy camping, self-catering cottages, family units, guest houses, luxury lodges, or even your very own private villa, you’ll be spoiled for choice throughout the park.

Besides the accommodation within the Kruger, a host of private game reserves on the park’s western perimeter share unfenced borders with the Kruger, which means you can also experience the park’s abundant wildlife from several exclusive 5-star luxury safari lodges.

Here you’ll enjoy everything from personalized game-viewing experiences and spa treatments to exceptional cuisine and more, all with little to no other visitors.

Ease of access completes the trifecta of Kruger’s best features. The park lies a mere four to six hours from the nearest international airport (OR Tambo in Johannesburg), making travel to and from the reserve a breeze.

You can even travel via a charter flight and cut travel time to under two hours. An extensive network of tar and good gravel roads makes it easy to get around in the park. You won’t need a 4×4 or a GPS to find your way here.

The Kruger National Park is a place that you can visit for a lifetime without ever running out of sensational experiences. Thanks to nearly a century of conservation efforts, Mother Nature’s circle of life remains largely untouched in the reserve. Best of all, you can easily and comfortably observe it without needing a David Livingstone-style expedition.

The Kruger is, without a doubt, a place where the warm heart of Africa still beats strong. Spend enough time here, and you’ll soon find your own heart beating to the same rhythm.

There is something intrinsically romantic about the African savannah, one of the last vestiges on Earth where the majesty of nature so effortlessly inspires a sense of connection. It’s no wonder the Kruger National Park is the quintessential South African safari destination for couples.

The park’s proximity to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (only a 5-hour drive away) means that you could arrive in South Africa in the morning and watch the sun set over the African savannah by the end of the day.

All major car rental companies have counters at the airport, and self-driving allows adding other scenic destinations, like the Blyde River Canyon, on the way to the Kruger. Alternatively, scheduled flights to local airports near the Kruger cut travel time significantly.

The budget-conscious traveler might choose to stay at one of the various self-catering chalets, guest houses, or lodges and do self-drive game viewing in a rental vehicle.

However, for the ultimate in privacy and luxury, it’s best to head to one of the dozen-or-so private concession lodges within the Kruger or the collection of private luxury reserves on the western edges of the park.

Here you’ll enjoy opulence to the finest detail. Secluded suites with sensational views, private pools, outdoor rose (or champagne!) baths, and exquisite cuisine set the scene for the best romantic getaway.

Several private game reserves offer treehouse experiences: a night under the stars on a secluded raised platform in the bush. There’s no better way to spend an evening with a loved one, not to mention the fine dining provided by your own personal chef.

Speaking of meals, why not try traditional gourmet cuisine under the open African sky? Various lodges offer a bush banquet set in the open bush framed by lantern light and the Milky Way overhead.

Many couples-orientated packages at the luxury reserves include personal game drives and bush walks with an experienced game ranger who will tailor the experience to your preference, such as photography, birding, or spotting rare species at night.

Spa treatments are a quintessential luxury on any honeymoon, and when you stay at one of the luxury lodges, you can expect the very best. Want to keep active during your stay? Most lodges offer gyms, yoga classes, and wellness centers.

Travel Tips for a Romantic Safari in the Kruger National Park

• Most of the luxury lodges offer all-inclusive packages specifically aimed at couples. Book one of these, and you won’t have to worry about a thing from start to finish. Honeymoon packages that include activities and experiences aimed explicitly at couples are often offered at a discount.
• Combine a trip to the Kruger with a visit to one or more of Southern Africa’s other top attractions like Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Mauritius. Several lodges and tour operators offer such combo packages.
• Scheduled flights from OR Tambo arrive and depart daily from local airports (Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Phalaborwa, or Skukuza) near the Kruger, which cut travel time to under 2 hours. From here, a short transfer gets you to your lodge. Several lodges have private airstrips, so direct flights are possible too.

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

• Ensure your vehicle has sufficient 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.

There is a very particular kind of adventure that comes with solo traveling. It takes you to unimaginable new places, experiences, and people and also affords the opportunity for calm, uninterrupted self-reflection. The vast expanse of the Kruger National Park offers you plenty of both.

Kruger National Park might be one of the wildest places in Africa and home to the biggest land mammals on Earth, but that doesn’t mean that it is out of bounds for the solo traveler. The extensive network of tar and good gravel roads makes getting around a breeze, and a wide selection of accommodations suits every budget.

The myriad of campsites is a great DIY option, while safari tents, chalets, and guest houses offer all the creature comforts (plus the marvel of air conditioning) you’re used to at home.

If you’re looking for a touch of exclusivity and personalized service, take your pick from one of the private concession areas within the park or the multiple five-star luxury lodges that border the Kruger.

In the private concession areas and private game reserves, you’ll arguably get a more personal experience than going solo in the park’s public areas.

Daily game drives with an experienced ranger come as standard at most luxury lodges, birding and photography excursions can be tailored to your preference, and shuttle services to and from airports eliminate the need to rent a vehicle. Last but not least, all meals are taken care of.

The southern and central regions of the Kruger National Park are your best bet for spotting large populations of animals and having access to comfortable accommodation facilities like restaurants, fuel stations, and shops.

If you’re a veteran of solo travel and have the time, then the northern part of the park is much less populated with stunning, unspoiled landscapes.

Travel Tips for Solo Travel in the Kruger National Park

• If you plan on spending multiple days in the reserve and/or plan to move between different camps, you’ll need a vehicle. The roads are superb, so any vehicle will do, but if you’re planning to camp, you may want to consider renting a camper van or kitted-out 4×4.
• A larger rental vehicle like an SUV or 4×4 can aid game viewing since it has a height advantage, especially in the summer when the grass is tall.
• There’s no public transport within the park. If renting a vehicle is not an option, or you prefer not to drive, stay at one of the private lodges in the greater Kruger, where shuttle services and daily game drives are included in your stay.
• Be sure to buy a map of the reserve at the entrance gate or a camp shop. You’ll need it to navigate through the Kruger on your own.
• All the main camps have restaurants with reasonable prices and small shops for self-catering. You can also book guided drives and walks with rangers from here.
• Several overland and hop-on/hop-off tour operators offer multi-day guided trips to the Kruger. Join one of these, and you’ll meet fellow travelers, and your accommodation, meals, and game drives in the park are included.