The Kruger National Park is a short 35 minute drive from ilanda Guest House in White River. White River is a good stepping stone for longer visits to the park or day trips through Numbi and Phabeni Gates.
Here are some tips to help you plan your visit.
Here are some tips to help you plan your visit.
Best time to visit the Kruger National Park
Kruger Park can be visited any time of the year and each season has advantages and disadvantages.
Winter or early spring is a favourite time due to lower grass and less dense bush which means you’ll have better visibility to spot animals. As winter is dry animals will be concentrated around permanent water sources increased. Finally cooler temperature means more comfort for tourists more daytime activity of cats. The park is busier with international and local visitors.
Summer is also special, despite it being more difficult to spot game. The vegetation is lush and beautiful and the bird populations swell with migrants. Summer is peak birthing so you’ll see lots of calves.
Winter or early spring is a favourite time due to lower grass and less dense bush which means you’ll have better visibility to spot animals. As winter is dry animals will be concentrated around permanent water sources increased. Finally cooler temperature means more comfort for tourists more daytime activity of cats. The park is busier with international and local visitors.
Summer is also special, despite it being more difficult to spot game. The vegetation is lush and beautiful and the bird populations swell with migrants. Summer is peak birthing so you’ll see lots of calves.
School holidays
During school holidays, accommodation in the park can be difficult, therefore book well in advance. If you cannot find accommodation in the park camps or prefer day visits, stay in nearby town, such as White River. Below South African school holidays to help you plan:
|
|
Start |
|
End |
Easter 2016 |
19th March 2016 |
to |
4th April 2016 |
Winter 2016 |
25th June 2016 |
to |
17th July 2016 |
October 2016 |
1st October 2016 |
to |
9th October 2016 |
Summer 2016-17 |
8th December 2016 |
to |
10th January 2017 |
Easter 2017 |
1st April 2017 |
to |
17th April 2017 |
Winter 2017 |
1st July 2017 |
to |
23rd July 2017 |
October 2017 |
30th September 2017 |
to |
8th October 2017 |
Summer 2017-18 |
6th December 2017 |
to |
Early Jan 2018 |
Choose which region of Kruger to visit
The Kruger Park is vast, driving from South to North inside the park is nearly 400km. If you are short on time it is recommended to choose one region to explore for a more relaxed trip. If you have more time, it is worthwhile to change camps to see different landscapes and rarer animals. Below are recommended itineraries depending on the time you have for Kruger Park.
One or two nights
If you have 1 or 2 days for your visit, concentrate on the South. It has high game density and also more visitors, both increase your chances of seeing many mammals especially the Big 5.
Lower Sabie is our preferred choice. It is ideally located in a region with opportunities to see the Big 5, Cheetah, Wild Dogs, even Black Rhino. Right next to camp Sunset Dam is a great place to watch the sunset without having to rush back into camp and the H4-1 is good for Leopard sightings just before gate closing times. It is smaller the Skukuza but has all the comfort, amenities and types of accommodation.Skukuza is also a good option.
Our second choice would be Biyamiti Bush Camp for the those seeking a more private and quiet retreat. As a bonus guests has exclusive access to the S139 following the Biyamiti which is good for Leopard. Other great roads in the area are the S25 along the Crocodile River where Lion and Wild Dog can be seen, and the Bume Road (S26) leading to the large Mpondo Pan where you’ll likely find White Rhino, Elephant and good general game. This region with the rolling and wooded H5 also seems like an Elephant retreat where big bulls can be found.
If these camps are fully booked, Crocodile Bridge, Berg-en-Dal or Malelane are also good options. Pretoriuskop is further from the prime viewing areas of the South but hosts rare antelope species like Roan and Eland making it a good specialist destination.
Lower Sabie is our preferred choice. It is ideally located in a region with opportunities to see the Big 5, Cheetah, Wild Dogs, even Black Rhino. Right next to camp Sunset Dam is a great place to watch the sunset without having to rush back into camp and the H4-1 is good for Leopard sightings just before gate closing times. It is smaller the Skukuza but has all the comfort, amenities and types of accommodation.Skukuza is also a good option.
Our second choice would be Biyamiti Bush Camp for the those seeking a more private and quiet retreat. As a bonus guests has exclusive access to the S139 following the Biyamiti which is good for Leopard. Other great roads in the area are the S25 along the Crocodile River where Lion and Wild Dog can be seen, and the Bume Road (S26) leading to the large Mpondo Pan where you’ll likely find White Rhino, Elephant and good general game. This region with the rolling and wooded H5 also seems like an Elephant retreat where big bulls can be found.
If these camps are fully booked, Crocodile Bridge, Berg-en-Dal or Malelane are also good options. Pretoriuskop is further from the prime viewing areas of the South but hosts rare antelope species like Roan and Eland making it a good specialist destination.
Three to four nights
The first option aiming to see the most game possible, is to start in the South following the advice above and add a night or two in the central Satara, in the middle of cat country. It is a busy camp but worth it due to the many Lion and Leopard sightings along some of the best roads in the park. The S100 is great as it follows the N’wanetsi River’s left bank while the other side of the road is very open giving the opportunity for great sightings.It’s proximity to the camp to makes it a great afternoon drive when the Lions finally become active after resting all day. Girivana water hole (S12) also provides good sightings close to camp. The best alternative to Satara in the area is the self-catering Talamati Bush Camp. In case Satara and Talamati are full, Orpen or Olifants / Balule are good alternatives.
If you’re not too stressed about having to see the Big 5, but value having a quiet bush experience and the quality of the sightings (being alone with your pride of Lions while they play or lactate, or taking your time watching a herd of Elephant bathe and play) head directly North of the Olifants.
Our ideal four nights in the region would be Punda Maria, Shingwedzi and / or Sirheni Bush Camp, perhaps the best camp in the Kruger National Park.
Shingwedzi is a lovely area with fantastic roads along riparian forest and more diverse vegetation than the surrounding Mopane woodland. This woodland attracts herds of Elephants which you’ll meet often as the come to the rivers to drink and bathe. Large herds of Buffalo are also common. Lion and Leopard are present with frequent sightings. White Rhino is scarce though. Another advantage of this are is the higher likelihood of seeing scarce antelope such as Roan, Tsessebe, Sable, Eland.
With the S50 along the Shingwedzi River, the very scenic Red Rocks Loop (S52) and the S56 Mphongolo Loop it’s difficult to take a wrong road here. Even the H1-7 is interesting as the Mopane trees are low allowing for good sightings, especially of rare antelopes near Babalala Picnic Site and Boyela.
Punda Maria is special due to the hide overlooking a water hole spotlit at night. In winter you’ll have a procession of Sandgrouse at dusk, followed by breeding herds of Elephant and Buffalo. For those interested in birds Punda Maria is a must, with a very good loop road around the hill next to camp and access the Pafuri, the best birding site in the Kruger if not South Africa. This is one of the only places to find Suni in the park.
Sirheni may be the best camp in the Kruger. The bush has been preserved around each self-catering unit.Sitting in your terrace you are completely isolated from the rest of the camp and travellers. With its nice and modern furnishing you could imaging yourself being in a private game reserve. The camp is situated next to the Sirheni river with Buffalo and Elephant as neighbours, and good birding. The adjacent Mphongolo Loop is good for cats, and it’s likely you’ll have the roads to yourself in late afternoon.
If you’re not too stressed about having to see the Big 5, but value having a quiet bush experience and the quality of the sightings (being alone with your pride of Lions while they play or lactate, or taking your time watching a herd of Elephant bathe and play) head directly North of the Olifants.
Our ideal four nights in the region would be Punda Maria, Shingwedzi and / or Sirheni Bush Camp, perhaps the best camp in the Kruger National Park.
Shingwedzi is a lovely area with fantastic roads along riparian forest and more diverse vegetation than the surrounding Mopane woodland. This woodland attracts herds of Elephants which you’ll meet often as the come to the rivers to drink and bathe. Large herds of Buffalo are also common. Lion and Leopard are present with frequent sightings. White Rhino is scarce though. Another advantage of this are is the higher likelihood of seeing scarce antelope such as Roan, Tsessebe, Sable, Eland.
With the S50 along the Shingwedzi River, the very scenic Red Rocks Loop (S52) and the S56 Mphongolo Loop it’s difficult to take a wrong road here. Even the H1-7 is interesting as the Mopane trees are low allowing for good sightings, especially of rare antelopes near Babalala Picnic Site and Boyela.
Punda Maria is special due to the hide overlooking a water hole spotlit at night. In winter you’ll have a procession of Sandgrouse at dusk, followed by breeding herds of Elephant and Buffalo. For those interested in birds Punda Maria is a must, with a very good loop road around the hill next to camp and access the Pafuri, the best birding site in the Kruger if not South Africa. This is one of the only places to find Suni in the park.
Sirheni may be the best camp in the Kruger. The bush has been preserved around each self-catering unit.Sitting in your terrace you are completely isolated from the rest of the camp and travellers. With its nice and modern furnishing you could imaging yourself being in a private game reserve. The camp is situated next to the Sirheni river with Buffalo and Elephant as neighbours, and good birding. The adjacent Mphongolo Loop is good for cats, and it’s likely you’ll have the roads to yourself in late afternoon.
A week or more
Visiting the whole Park becomes a viable option. Combine Lower Sabie, with Satara and then Shingwedzi for the best of the Kruger. Push on to Punda Maria if you have an interest in birds or want to see the whole park, in order to visit Pafuri, arguably to most beautiful area of the Kruger.
Visit our accommodation rates page to help you choose which camps and units are most suitable for you.
Visit our accommodation rates page to help you choose which camps and units are most suitable for you.
Find the right rental car
Many options are available for car rental. You can have a good Kruger experience by renting a cheap compact car or splurge and rent a safari equipped 4x4. These aren’t really necessary for the Kruger, but the ride comfort and peace of mind are welcome. Also the extra height helps with game viewing. Here are suppliers and price ranges for 1 week:
A good site to compare prices is drivesouthafrica.co.za.
- The cheaper compact car will cost you around R250 per day
- A 4x4 equipped with all the equipment for overlanding and roof tent accommodation will cost over R1'800 per day. Popular supplier are Bushlore, KEA, Britz or AVIS Safari Rental.
A good site to compare prices is drivesouthafrica.co.za.
Car rental insurance
Save on car rental cost by taking separate insurance to cover the excess. There are several companies which offer seperate insurance at much lower prices than car rental companies. Here is a good article on the subject.
For example https://www.carhireexcess.com/ offers Worldwide coverage for EUR 3.99 per day. Other good alternatives are for european residents ishttp://www.insurance4carhire.com and https://www.questor-insurance.co.uk/. Also check whether you are already covered with your credit card company. These two might save you hundreds of Rand per day.
For example https://www.carhireexcess.com/ offers Worldwide coverage for EUR 3.99 per day. Other good alternatives are for european residents ishttp://www.insurance4carhire.com and https://www.questor-insurance.co.uk/. Also check whether you are already covered with your credit card company. These two might save you hundreds of Rand per day.
GPS
If only driving to Kruger and South Africa, it isn't worthwhile renting a GPS with the car. Either bring your own or use GoogleMaps on your phone. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave and buy a prepaid SIM card. You can find one of the many phone repair or accessory shops in any shopping centre. Buy a data bundle in any shop or petrol station and you're good to go. In addition you'll be able to communicate cheaply with your data using WhatsApp or similar, and access the internet.
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