A game drive in the Kruger National Park is known as one of those once in a lifetime experiences. When we decided to visit South Africa our dream, of course, was to see the Big 5 in person. On our Kruger National Park game drive we didn’t see as many animals as we did in some of the other private game reserves, but it was fantastic to see one of the largest game reserves in Africa.
Where to stay near Kruger National Park
There are many different places to stay in and around Kruger National Park. One of the benefits to staying within the gates of the park is that you are there before the gates open and after the gates close. This gives you more chances to see the animals when the park is not busy.
Just outside the park there are many private lodges and other accommodations to choose from as well. Many of these include their own game drives to private reserves, as well as day trips to Kruger. We opted for Tshukudu Game Lodge about 30 minutes away from the Open (north) Gate.
The area and accommodations around the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve are also very popular, and still within striking distance of Kruger. Try Little Garonga for a boutique experience, or Toro River Lodges Big 5 Safari. While these make for a longer day trip to Kruger, the Makalali reserve is abundant with wildlife.
Kruger National Park Game Drive Prices
Entry fees for Kruger National Park are currently $25 USD for adult international visitors and half price for kids. Self driving through the park is an option but not one I would recommend unless you had a massive amount of time on your hands.
Considering the enormous size of the park and the extensive road system I would definitely recommend a guide. Whether it is a tour that includes Kruger National Park or just a private guide to escort you through the park. Besides, you will want to be focused on the wildlife, not the other cars around you.
Highlights of a Kruger National Park Game Drive
Our lodge staff packed breakfast to go for our day trip to Kruger as we left early. When we arrived at the gate we met up with our Kruger NP guide. A cooler with water and snacks was provided. Keep in mind, restrooms are very few and far in-between so we limited our water intake. Halfway through our day we stopped for lunch at a restaurant inside the park.
The afternoon was very hot mid April and there is no shade on the open roads of Kruger. Even though we were in a covered jeep, it was hot! We’ve had clients visit in mid-September and they found the temperatures a little better.
Close up with Elephants
Before our visit to South Africa I was so worried we wouldn’t see any elephants, but they were everywhere. I think we saw them on every single game drive and I never grew tired of seeing them.
These majestic beings were absolutely fascinating to watch in their natural habitat. I just sat in awe as they pushed over trees and then gently cared for their young. We watched them from a distance and at times they would come so close you could almost touch them. They quickly became one of my favorite animals to observe.
Birds at Kruger
I have never really considered myself a birdwatcher but the birds in Kruger and all of South Africa were extra beautiful. The colors were unlike anything we have seen before and there was an abundance of them. I was very happy that many of them were still long enough that I could photograph them.
I hadn’t registered how huge ostriches were either. These shots were at a distance, but they really are huge!
Primates in Kruger
The primates at Kruger National Park were by far the most entertaining!
During our game drive we came to one area that was full of them. They were everywhere, even in the road. We just sat and watched for an extended period of time. There were mothers taking care of the young, some wrestling over food, some climbing in the trees, there were a few grooming themselves, and yes – it seemed to be mating season too.
It was really fascinating to sit back and watch them in their environment and not caged in a zoo.
Diversity of species at Kruger
When it comes to diversity of species, Kruger has them all. We saw zebras, antelopes, buffalos, impalas, giraffes, elephants, lions and so much more during our drive. However, since Kruger is so large it is hit or miss as to what you will see during your visit.
There is no guarantee that you will see the Big 5 or any specific animal. You must go realizing this or you will most likely be disappointed. If you go with no expectations but ready to experience whatever lies ahead you will enjoy your day as we did.
I would recommend staying a few days to broaden your chances; and include early morning visits to the private game reserves also.
Game drive highlights from Kruger National Park
It was a fantastic experience to see one of the biggest national parks on the continent, and the highlights were the elephants and birdlife.
There are some things to consider when you visit Kruger National Park though:
- Firstly, it’s massive, so naturally it is hard to explore on a limited schedule. A good quality zoom lens or binoculars will serve you well in Kruger.
- The roads are paved and you can’t go off-road. This means a lot of distance game-spotting. We found the private game reserves gave more opportunities for close-up experiences.
- The timing of your Kruger tour will likely be during the day, instead of the sunrise and sunset tours at the private reserves. The animals aren’t out so much in the heat of the day, so that may limit opportunities too.
On reflection, we would add an extra day at a private game reserve should we visit the area again. Seeing Kruger was amazing, but if you are short on time, the National Park probably isn’t the best place to see the most animals. But we really enjoyed our visit despite this. Be sure to combine a Kruger National Park game drive with some dawn and dusk private game drives for the best overall experience.
Supporting a National Park (in any country) is a great way to support government-level animal conservation efforts, so it is definitely a worthwhile exercise.
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