12 Reasons to Safari in Kruger National Park

Are you considering a South Africa safari? You're making a great choice, but you need to pick the best park for your interests. Kruger National Park should be on top of your list for many reasons. 
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South Africa had over 5.8 million visitors last year, which continues to rise. There are many reasons to visit South Africa, but one of the top reasons is to go on Kruger National Park safaris. But what makes Kruger National Park safaris so special? 

Kruger National Park is one of the renowned safari parks in South Africa and the world. Here are 12 reasons why you should visit Kruger National Park and experience this wonder yourself.

​1. The Best Big Five and Wildlife Sightings

If you're considering going on a safari, the chances are it is to marvel at animals in their natural habitat. However, as the animals roam free, there is no guarantee of catching sightings, which is part of the safari adventure. It is essential to consider this factor when planning a safari trip to Africa. 
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The good news is that Greater Kruger safaris are known for wildlife sightings, diversity, and the amount of wildlife. It is often said to be the best place to see the iconic 'Big 5' animals: the lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant. It is not unusual to see all five of these majestic animals in one day, especially when you use a reputable guide and team that knows the park well.
 
Kruger National Park is also home to over 147 species of mammals, over 50 snake species, 114 reptile species, 49 fish species, and over 508 species of birds. Along with the Big Five, keep your eyes peeled for the Little Five, including the leopard tortoise, elephant shrew, ant lion, red-billed buffalo weaver, and rhino beetle. There are also sightings of rarely-seen animals, including cheetahs, roan antelope, and African Wild Dogs.

​2. Flexible Options

​Kruger National Park has the infrastructure, policies, accommodation options, and professional guides to provide flexible package options that suit all needs. You can pick a package that suits your budget and just do a two-night trip to get a glimpse of the wonderful nature. 
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If you have longer, though, you can reap the benefits of fully immersing yourself in this park. It is the perfect park to plan options for wheelchair-friendly safaris, honeymoons, luxury safaris, families, first-time travelers, solo travelers, and safari enthusiasts. 

South Africa safaris are not just for huge budgets. You can tailor your safari to smaller budgets by staying in different accommodation options and planning your itinerary with one of our safari specialists. 

​3. Explore Greater Kruger

Greater Kruger includes Kruger National Park and private reserves next to the park. So, not only do you get to explore Kruger National Park, but you can also choose to spend time on the private reserves. These reserves include Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Klaserie, and Balule reserves.
These reserves also cater to different budgets, but the game viewing is prolific. They also offer a more private and authentic experience, where you can experience Kruger National Park's delights in a more intimate setting. 
The animals and birds in Greater Kruger are found in all the reserves as animals roam freely. However, specific habitats suit particular animals better, such as the Sabi Sand Reserve, a popular spot for leopard sightings.

​4. A Year-Round Destination

Kruger National Park safaris are perfect year-round, whatever the season. The Summer months are from September to April, often with hot and sunny days, along with sporadic thunderstorms. The average maximum temperature is 34°C (93° F), but temperatures can soar to over 38°C (100° F). 
The dry season is during Winter, which extends from May to August. Temperatures average between 8°- 26°C (46° - 79° F). Each season offers a different experience.
Mid-winter (June to August) can be the best time for game viewing. Water is low, so animals stay close to waterholes, and the bush is dry, which means you can spot wildlife easier. 
The first rains arrive in September, so the bush slowly turns green once more, and fauna emerges. There tend to be many predators around due to the number of young animals.
Summer is when the bush is thick and abundant, meaning game drives are early morning and late afternoon. Summer is also an excellent time for bird-watching. March to May is the end of Summer, offering cooler temperatures and the need for experienced eyes to spot game with the long grass. 

5. Varied Ecosystems

If you want a diverse safari experience, Kruger National Park is the place. Safari in Kruger allows you to experience  zones, which means there is different vegetation, climates, and animals. You can break the ecosystems down in different ways, but in general, there are five to six systems to observe. This is why there is an abundance of species of animals and flora to observe. You will be amazed at how the zones change, with zones offering different surprises. ​

​6. Easy Travel Logistics

​Safaris in the Greater Kruger area are easily accessible, which is another reason to visit, even if you're on a tight time frame. There are several different ways to access the park, such as flying to Kruger from one of South Africa's airports. You can catch connections from cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.
Alternatively, you could fly to the international airport close to Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga International Airport. Charter flights can also be arranged. Or, you can travel overland via the Panorama route. 
The road system to and through Greater Kruger also allows for driven access, though this takes six to nine hours depending on your start and end points. Roads are well maintained, and there is a well-established network. We are specialists in planning Kruger safari logistics, so you only have to worry about packing and getting to the airport. 

​7. Different Accommodation Options 

When searching where to stay in Kruger National Park, you will find there are reserves in and around the park in Greater Kruger. These reserves offer various accommodation options, from luxury lodges to bush camps. 
The Kruger National Park has mainly government-run, self-catered camps, frequented by self-drivers on congested tarmac roads. However, there are also some private lodges with fully inclusive game drives and private tracks, offering similar experiences to the private reserves in the Greater Kruger. This means that the public is not allowed to drive in that section of Kruger, which means you can avoid the crowds. 
You are guaranteed to find an accommodation option that suits your needs. Whether you want animals on your doorstep or creature comforts such as air conditioning, you can find it. Greater Kruger's accommodation fits all adventures and budgets, which is another one of its appeals.

8. Unique Safari Adventures

​Despite Kruger National Park's popularity, Greater Kruger offers a wealth of off-the-beaten-track adventures to include in your safari experience. You can try a guided walking safari while visiting the Greater Kruger reserves. These can be one of the most authentic ways to experience the South African bush. The main objective is to look out for different animal species. However, the experience can help you immerse yourself in the landscape and experience safari from a different perspective.
Children are not usually allowed on guided walking safaris. However, there are many activities for them to enjoy, from game drives to star-gazing, and activities at the accommodation. 

​9. Kruger National Park Space

The surface area ofKruger National Park is 7,580 square miles, and Greater Kruger stretches over 8,500 square miles. Fast-paced city life quickly falls away as you enjoy Mother Nature in all her glory and expansiveness. No day is the same on game drives here, with so many parts of the park to explore. You can enjoy moments of solitude with no other safari groups around and enjoy game drives at different times of the day to experience Greater Kruger in all its glory.
Your guide will know the best spots for early morning sunrise game drives, late afternoon drives, and nighttime drives. Enjoy the star-filled sky and the sounds of nature all around at night. 
Greater Kruger also is a destination where conservation efforts, advanced environmental management techniques, and policies have been implemented to protect the space. So you can also have peace of mind you are supporting tourism in a place that is working hard to manage conservation. 

​10. Bird-Watching Opportunities

​While many people consider a South Africa safari because of the animals, you may be surprised to learn that it is also an opportunity for exceptional bird-watching. After all, there are over 500 bird species, and for some species, Greater Kruger is their only home in South Africa. 
Some birds to look out for on your game drives include the Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced vulture, Pel's fishing owl, Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Lilac-breasted roller, and Kori Bustards. Even if you are not a bird-watching enthusiast, you will be amazed at the variety of species.
If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, you can tailor your safari to cater to bird-watching experiences, although you will often see multiple species on the game drives. 

​11. Family-Friendly

A challenge of some safaris is that they are not family-friendly. Some lodges have different child policies, and some activities may not be possible for children to do. The good news is that Kruger National Park is an exception to this. Due to the infrastructure and variety of accommodation options, children are welcome. You can have peace of mind they will be safe and also have an educational experience.
Our safari specialists will help you get the best family-friendly experience at in the Kruger National Park and will know how best to tailor your trip to satisfy the whole family. They can pick the best accommodation options, activities, and game drives for an experience your family will remember forever. 

12. Combine With More Exploring

Thanks to the transport connections to Kruger National Park, you can also plan to go elsewhere after your safari. Do not worry about complicated travel connections or long days traveling, as you have multiple travel connection options.
Maybe you want to explore the coast of South Africa and go diving. For example, you could fly to Cape Town and enjoy exploring the coastline. You can also travel along the Garden Route and visit the Winelands. Or, you could go to Johannesburg and spend time in the city.
Or maybe you want to go to another country in Africa for a different safari experience. Some people choose to fly to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, or Botswana; the choice is yours. We cover all of Southern and Eastern Africa.

​13. Your Choice of Safari Package 

When deciding where to go on a South Africa safari, you want to find an itinerary that suits your timeframe, budget, and interests. Indigo Safaris offers a variety of Kruger National Park itineraries and the option for bespoke itineraries. 
For example, you can choose a four-day Kruger Walking Safari with Rhino Post and Plains Camp in the Kruger National Park in a private concession, which includes airport transfers. Or, you could create a seven-day Kruger Safari combing Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Game Reserve. We have various packages, so you choose your ideal lodge and timeframe. Many of these packages also include long-stay discounts, for four-night stays or longer. 
We recommend combining reserves if you want to spend more than four nights in the Greater Kruger. For example, we offer a seven-day Sabi Sand & Timbavati at Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge & Simbavati Hilltop Lodge with one free night included. So, no matter what your Kruger National Park dreams are, there are packages to make them come true.

​Why Choose Kruger National Park Safaris

Kruger National Park safaris offer something for everyone, which means there are many reasons to choose this as your safari destination in South Africa. The next step is choosing your provider, so you can have your dream safari experience.
Indigo Safaris offers a range of Safari packages in South Africa and beyond, covering all of southern and eastern Africa. We plan and book packages tailored to each customer in order to give them the best-personalized experience. Our small team of six safari specialists has over 100 years safari planning experience between them, and four of them live in South Africa, three of them have worked and guided in different countries across our portfolio, and we visit our destinations regularly. 
Contact us today to start your Kruger National Park adventure.