Kruger National Park

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.

What is the difference between a Kruger National Park safari and a Private Game Reserve safari?

This is one of the most important decisions you will make when planning your trip! The Kruger National Park is a massive public reserve managed by the government. It has paved roads, and visitors must stick strictly to these roads and abide by gate opening and closing times. It can get quite busy, especially during holiday seasons.

The Kruger private reserves (like Sabi Sands, Timbavati, and Thornybush) share an unfenced border with the national park, meaning the animals roam freely between them. However, the private reserves offer a highly exclusive experience. Here, you are treated to off-road driving to get up close to major sightings, night game drives with spotlights, and guided walking safaris, none of which are allowed in the main public park. Furthermore, vehicle numbers at wildlife sightings are strictly capped, ensuring you never feel crowded. Read more about the pros and cons of visiting a national park vs a private game reserve.

What are the luggage restrictions if I take a hop-on lodge transfer flight?

If you are taking a light aircraft charter flight directly from Johannesburg (OR Tambo) into one of the bush airstrips in the Sabi Sands or private reserves, strict luggage restrictions apply due to the size and weight limits of small planes.

You are generally limited to 15kg to 20kg (33lbs to 44lbs) of luggage per person, which must be packed in soft-sided bags with no rigid frames or wheels. Hard-shell suitcases simply cannot fit into the small aircraft baggage holds. Don’t worry about having to packing light though, almost all luxury safari lodges offer excellent, often complimentary, same-day laundry services.

Can you bring and use a drone to capture wildlife footage?

To protect the pristine peace of the environment and the safety of the wildlife, the use of drones is strictly prohibited across the entire Kruger National Park and all surrounding private game reserves. Drones cause immense stress to wild animals – particularly rhino and elephant, who can become highly agitated by the buzzing sound – and unauthorized drones interfere with crucial anti-poaching operations. We highly recommend leaving the drone at home and investing in a high-quality zoom lens for your camera instead.

Are children allowed on game drives in the Kruger area?

Kruger is one of Africa's absolute best family safari destinations, but individual lodges have strict policies regarding age limits for game drives to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort.

Generally, children under the age of 6 are not permitted on standard, shared game drives because long hours in an open vehicle require patience and quiet. However, many of our favorite family-friendly lodges offer specialized “Cub Clubs,” private villas with dedicated safari vehicles exclusively for your family, and shorter, tailored “Bumble Drives” specifically designed to keep younger children engaged and safe.