Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in the whole of Africa, covering over 19,000 square kilometres. The Greater Kruger region is renowned for leopard sightings and the population of rhino, among 135 other species of mammal, making Kruger the ideal place to tick off your Big Five.
Flanked by the kopjes of the south, the tropical forests of the north, as well as the Lebombo Mountains and savannahs of the east, Kruger is absolutely huge and therefore you should plan where you’d like to go in advance, to make the best use of your time:
In the north of Kruger, above Olifants River, is where you’ll find the highest concentration of elephants, partly due to the density of mopane trees – their favourite snack. Denser flora, fewer mammal populations and a more remote location mean that this area is less frequented by visitors, resulting in quieter trails, camps and game drives.
In central Kruger, you’ll find expanses of open savannah, home to impala, zebra, wildebeest, kudus, giraffes and elephants. This is also the best place to see big cats, as leopards and lions are common, and cheetahs are more likely to be seen here than anywhere else in the park.
In the south, you’ll see verdant grasslands of acacia, bushwillow, fig trees and sycamore, which attract the herbivores, which in turn attract the predators. Therefore, this region of Kruger has the highest proportion of wildlife and is noted for high numbers of zebra, buffalo and white rhino. However, this means the area is also popular with two-legged mammals, so you may not have the place to yourself.
Aside from the daily morning and evening game drives, there are also options for day walks and multi-day hikes with overnight stays for those feeling brave and adventurous. You certainly appreciate the wildlife activity in the park once you’ve left the safety of a vehicle behind!
A trip to mighty Kruger is an essential safari experience for any visitor to South Africa, as one of the best wildlife watching destinations in the world. We promise you won’t leave disappointed.
