
National ParkFeatured DestinationBig Five
Kruger National Park
South Africa 19,485 km² (7,523 mi²) Est. 1898
About Kruger National Park
South Africa's flagship national park and one of Africa's greatest wildlife sanctuaries, Kruger spans nearly 20,000 square kilometres of diverse bushveld. Home to the Big Five and over 500 bird species, the park offers an unparalleled range of self-drive and guided safari experiences across multiple ecological zones from mopane woodland in the north to bushwillow and knob-thorn savannah in the south.
Established in 1898, Kruger is one of the oldest game reserves in Africa. Its extensive network of tarred and gravel roads, rest camps, and picnic sites make it the most accessible Big Five destination on the continent, welcoming over 1.5 million visitors annually.
0
Safari Tours
4.5
Avg Rating
5/5
Big Five
128
Years Protected
Highlights
- South Africa's premier Big Five safari destination
- Excellent self-drive infrastructure with tarred roads
- Huge variety of accommodation from camping to luxury lodges
- Over 500 bird species and incredible biodiversity
- Affordable SANParks rest camps available
Considerations
- Very crowded during South African school holidays
- Popular waterholes can feel like car parks
- Malaria risk requires prophylaxis
- Vast size means long driving distances between sightings
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
common
🐆
Leopard
common
🐘
Elephant
common
🦬
Buffalo
common
🦏
Rhino
rare
Notable Species
Lion
Common
Leopard
Common
Elephant
Common
Cape Buffalo
Common
Black Rhino
Rare
White Rhino
Common
Cheetah
Occasional
Baboon
Common
Giraffe
Common
Zebra
Common
Wildebeest
Common
Hippo
Common
Kudu
Common
Waterbuck
Common
Impala
Common
Warthog
Common
Wild Dog
Occasional
Hyena
Common
Jackal
Common
Fish Eagle
Common
Kori Bustard
Occasional
Lilac-breasted Roller
Common
Saddle-billed Stork
Occasional
Ground Hornbill
Occasional
Crocodile
Common
Honey Badger
Rare
Aardvark
Rare
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
Multiple entry gates accessible from Johannesburg (4-5 hours to southern gates) or Nelspruit/KMIA airport (1-2 hours). Hoedspruit Airport serves the central section.
Nearest Airport
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP)
Nearest City
Nelspruit
Drive Time
4.5 hours