Kruger Park Safari Travel Advice

For general information on travelling to South Africa and the Kruger National Park, visit our South Africa travel advice page.

Top Travel Tips for the Kruger National Park

Keep it Safe: not only will you encounter large and potentially dangerous animals either when you are in a 4X4 vehicle or when on a walking safari, but accommodation in the Kruger National Park and its private reserves tends to be unfenced and it’s not unusual for wild animals to wander through camp. Listen carefully to the safety briefings given by your ranger and lodge manager, and feel free to request an escort to and from your tent at night.

Mind the Mosquitoes: the Kruger National Park lies within the malaria belt but the chances of contracting the disease are low, even during the rainy summer months (December to April) when mosquito numbers are at their highest. Nevertheless, you’re strongly advised to consult a medical practitioner before you visit the Kruger (especially if you are taking children) and to take necessary precautions to avoid being bitten while you’re there.

Wrap Up in Winter: with early morning temperatures barely above freezing in June and July, it’ll be colder than you think during Kruger’s mid-winter season. Bring a warm top and hat for morning and evening game drives – many lodges will also supply blankets your personal use during these activities.

Avoid School Holidays: the main public-access park can get very busy during South Africa’s long December and January summer holidays. We’d advise staying at one of Kruger’s private reserves or concessions to ensure a private and more intimate safari experience.

Do a Self-drive Safari: a mix of easy accessibility, excellent infrastructure and do-it-yourself game viewing makes self-drive safaris to the Kruger National Park and Panorama Route both a simple and rewarding option. Choose your itinerary from our suggestions or tailor-make your own – either way it’ll be a safari at your pace and set to your requirements.

Flights & Getting Around

Did you know you can book your flights through Go2Africa? For more information and frequently asked questions, please see our Flights section.

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport: located in Nelspruit, Kruger’s major airport is served by flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban while a flight from Vilanculos on the Mozambique coast means easy safari and beach holidays.

Hoedspruit Airport: fly into the Kruger’s second airport from Johannesburg or Cape Town for easy access to the park’s private reserves like the Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Thornybush.

Phalaborwa Airport: serving the wilder northern Kruger destinations, this small airport is accessed from Johannesburg only.

Private airstrips: it’s also possible to take charter flights straight from Johannesburg to bush airstrips in the Sabi Sands and several of the Kruger’s other private reserves.

Game drives and transfers to and from Kruger’s airports and airstrips are conducted in open-sided 4X4s. Guided walking safaris – ranging from a few hours with your guide to multi-day camping hikes – are permitted in the private reserves and certain sections of the Kruger National Park.