Tips for a visit to the Kruger Park

With a size of two million hectare the Kruger Park one of the largest National Parks in the world and also one of the best known. During a holiday in South Africa, a safari in the Kruger Park is something you must do.  

The Kruger Park is home to a wide diversity of animals, including the Big Five. These five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) are the most dangerous animals to hunt. Because of its size, biodiversity and, with 3000 kilometres of roads, good accessibility, this is one of the best parks in Africa for a safari.

When to go? 

In the Lowveld the rain falls in the warm summer, from October till March. This means that in that time the bush is beautifully lush and green. During the day it is usually warm, with an average of 36 degrees Celsius, but it can get as hot as 40 degrees! In December many young animals are born and there is enough food and water. The dense vegetation can make it harder to spot animals in this time of the year. The Kruger Park is considered malaria area in summer. In the dry and less busy areas of the central and north of the park the risk is lower than in the wet and busy south. The winters (April till September) in the Lowveld are very nice with average day temperatures of 25 degrees. At night it cools down to about 5 degrees. In winter there is no malaria risk. The bush is much dryer and less dense this time of year because there is no rain. Animals have to rely on the greener riverbeds for food and usually go to the watering holes in the early morning and late afternoon to drink. Because most trees and shrubs lose their leaves in winter, you can see further through the bush. Winter is therefore considered the best time for a safari. No matter in which time of the year you come, the best times to go out on safari are always in the early morning and late afternoon. At those times it is cooler, which makes the animals more active and easier to find. Often these are the times that animals go for a drink so check out the watering holes. Animals like lions, which are mostly active during the night, are often seen at those times. During the day they will go deeper into the bush to get some sleep.

Facilities 

In the park are several camps where you can stay. The accommodation varies from camping and basic huts to luxurious private lodges. Outside the park there are lots of lodges, B&Bs and guesthouses varying from very expensive to cheap backpackers accommodation. From these accommodations you can go into the park yourself or do organised tours into the Kruger Park and explore the other attractions in this area. The main camps in the Kruger Park are open for day visitors and there are several picnic spots where you are allowed out of your vehicle. It is impossible to review all camps here, but I want to highlight a few.

Skukuza 

Also called the capital of the Kruger Park, this is the largest camp. There are a bank, a post office, shops, restaurants, a doctor and a conference centre. Although it is not a good place to come for some peace and quiet, it is in a good location to see animals.

Lower Sabie 

One of the most popular camps in Kruger Park, so it is advisable to book well in advance if you want to stay here, especially if you want one of the safari tents. The camp is located on the Sabie River and this is one of the best areas to see game.

Olifants Camp 

This camp high on a hill has a great view over the Olifants River. Olifants offers many activities besides the normal game drive that you can do from each camp. You can do a mountain bike trail and several hikes of a full day or even a few days are possible.

The best routes

It is almost always worthwhile to visit watering holes and rivers, especially in winter. In all camps there are maps, where everybody can pinpoint where they have seen certain animals. All roads in Kruger Park are numbered and at the entrance gates you can buy a map with all roads, camps and picnic spots on it. The maps often give additional information about the animals that you can see. In the south, the H3 from Malelane to Skukuza offers a good chance to see rhinos and lions. Around Lower Sabie and up, to the Tshokwane picnic spot, is a good area to see large herds of zebras and wildebeasts. Around Skukuza, lions and leopards are often seen and it is a good area for hyenas. In the central part of the park, the S39 along the Timbavati River is a nice route with a good chance to see different animals all year round. The S26 to the Mudzanzeni picnic spot and the S126 from there towards Satara also offer a good chance of game. On this route lions and wild dogs are often seen. East of Satara runs the S100 towards the Lebombo Mountains that mark the border with Mozambique. Here lions, elephants and buffalos are seen often and even leopards are seen regularly. More north, around Olifants Camp, you have a good chance of seeing elephants. The Engelhardt dam is paradise for birders. Up north, around Mopani and Shingwedzi, elephants and buffalos are seen regularly and the road to Red Rocks is good place to see leopard. The far north has a great diversity of birds. On the route between Punda Maria and Pafuri, lions are spotted regularly. Here in the north you can also see Roan and Sable antelopes. 

No matter which part of the park you visit and which routes you choose, it is always advisable to drive slowly and take your time to see the area. Forget about your checklist and enjoy everything that comes on your path, from bids and chameleons to the impressive Big Five and you will have an experience you will never forget!

Sources: www.todio.nl