The Greater Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa and one of the world’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries. The Kruger National Park is located in the Mpumulanga Province and is about a 6 hour drive from Johannesburg with numerous flights to Hoedspruit or Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport).

Approximately the same size as Israel or Wales, it covers some 19,485 square kilometres offering a rich diversity of ecosystems that support over 145 mammal species including the Big 5 and over 500 bird species.

The untamed environment stirs deep emotions. Visitors experience meaningful and often life changing encounters with wildlife replacing bustling city life with the tranquil sounds and splendour of nature. Time slows down as your body adjusts to the natural rhythms of the African bush.

The Greater Kruger National Park refers to the Kruger National Park itself as well as the Private Game Reserves on the Western border of the Kruger National Park such as the Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Manyeleti and Thornybush Private Game Reserve. The Kruger National Park itself is operated by the South African National Parks Board and has several affordable rest camps for visitors.

The distinction between National Parks and Private Game Reserves is an important one. The benefits of a Private Game Reserve include:

• No restrictions on access or driving times
• Only specialised safari vehicles are permitted, no public vehicles Safari vehicles are permitted to go off road in search of the wildlife
• The accommodation is more luxurious
• You will be accompanied on your game drive by an expert ranger and tracker ensuring that your wildlife and game viewing experience is safer, superior and more informative
• Only two vehicles are permitted on a single sighting resulting in an intimate wildlife experience and fantastic photographic opportunities

The ‘Lowveld’ is one of the most spectacular and dramatic regions in South Africa and well worth exploring en route to the Kruger National Park. The ‘Panorama Route’ includes incredible geographic sites such as God’s Window, The Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon and Mac Mac Falls. Pilgrim’s Rest offers a fascinating window into the past, and captures the spirit of a bygone era and its people in their quest to discover gold.

The best time to visit really depends on your personal preferences – nature has something to offer throughout the year. Incredible game viewing can be experienced at any time and there is not really a ‘best time of year for game viewing’.

The region enjoys summer rains and dramatic thunder storms – temperatures soar into the 30s in the summer months. The vegetation is lush and verdant attracting incredible bird life while many new borns appear at this time of year.

The winter months are drier and cooler – the vegetation is sparser resulting in improved visibility for game viewing as the animals make their way to the watering holes for hydration.