The Kruger National Park SA

Home > South Africa > Game Reserves & National Parks > Kruger National Park

Formed in 1898 by Paul Kruger, this world famous Kruger National Park is now also part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a park that links Kruger National Park with the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.

The Kruger National Park is huge, about 350km from North to South and covers an area of two million hectares and is home to an astonishing array of wildlife, including 147 species of mammals, 500 types of bird and 33 types of amphibian. The flora is equally diverse with 300 difference types of trees. All the big game can be found here including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, giraffe, rhino and buffalo. The Southern section of the Kruger National Park is the most popular as it has the richest diversity of habitats and animal life.

The Park attracts more than 750,000 visitors annually and caters for day-trippers and well as overnight guests and campers. The Kruger Park has 21 rest camps, as well as 7 private lodge concessions, and 11 designated private safari lodges. The concessions are parcels of land operated by private companies in partnership with communities, who outsource the operation of private lodges. Accommodation, apart from camping, must be pre-booked through the National Parks Board.

The park offers numerous organised wilderness trails as well as ranger guided day and night safaris in open vehicles. All the main camps have petrol stations and shops. Skukuza is the biggest rest camp and has a large information centre, a bank, post office as well as a photo developing service and vehicle workshop.

Kruger National Park Wilderness Trails

A Wilderness trail in the Kruger National Park allows you to get a close and personal encounter with nature. There are large areas of unspoiled wilderness which you can explore on foot, a walking safari is a very different experience than that of a game drive, it allows you to follow ancient game paths snaking through the bush in search of tributaries and waterholes. You will focus less on the larger mammals in the Kruger and more on the smaller things, like tracking, plants, birds and some of the interesting aspects of the bush that you would drive past without noticing. That is not to say you wont encounter some of the larger game, and when you do, it just makes it that more exciting because you are on foot. On you Wilderness Trail in the Kruger, you will be accompanied by an armed and experienced trail ranger at all times.

Some Facts on Wilderness Trails:
No persons under 12. Maximum 8 per trail. Example cost: 3 nights in a wilderness camp accompanied by a trail ranger costs approx R2400.00

The Olifants River Back-Packing Trail
You leave from Olifants on Sundays and Wednesdays. The trail is 3 nights long.

For something different, there are also Mountain Bike Trails, which currently only leave from Olifants. Morning only: approx R325,00 Afternoon: approx R185,00 Full day: approx R685,00

Wilderness Trails can bee booked through the National Parks of South Africa.

Kruger National Park Accomodation

Accommodation in the Kruger National Park range from a luxury safari lodge, to standard bungalow, to basic camp site and so the kruger has a place to stay to suit every preference and budget. So whether you are a family on holiday, someone who likes to rough it a little and camp, or just looking for a weekend break, the Kruger offers something for you.

The Main Kruger Park Lodging and Rest Camps offer self-catering, economy family cottages, bungalows, chalets and huts. I have listed a few of the better ones below:

Skukusa Restcamp

Skukusa Restcamp in Kruger National Park is the biggest and one of the the most popular rest camp. It is located right in the heart of Big Five territory and is easily accessed by road and by air. Skukuza Restcamp in Kruger National Park is capable of accommodating over 500 guests with 104 camp sites, it has 21 furnished safari tents, 180 economy bungalows, 20 luxury bungalows, 15 guest/family cottages, one dormitory and 4 luxury guesthouses. The myriad of birds and wild game in the area is easily spotted by going on bush walks and game drives. You can also watch wildlife documentaries which are shown in an outdoor amphitheatre. On top of that, there is a 9 hole (18-tee), Par 72 golf course available for golf enthusiasts, for more on Golf and Safari Holidays in South Africa click here. Other facilities include a shop, ATM, internet cafe, restaurant, library, fuel station and more.

 

Crocodile Bridge Restcamp

Right on the Mozambican border, Crocodile Bridge Camp is rich in local ancient history and if your on the way to Maputo a great place to stop on the way. The area is pretty flat and has many Marula trees on the banks of the Crocodile River. This game viewing area is known as the Southern Circle and is well known for the concentration of different prides of Lion with different hunting techniques and behaviors. Obviously with so many lions in the area you will also see plenty of their play, so a large and varied amount of antelope. This area is also home to many of the Kruger National Park's rhino population. The types of accommodation at Crocodile Bridge Restcamp includes bungalows, safari tents and caravan or tent camping sites. To sum up, the Crocodile Bridge Restcamp is an ideal camp if you are looking for the Big Five, there are self-catering facilities and camping is available for the independent traveler or camper. The Amenities include a laundromat, grocery shop and liquor store.