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SOUTH AFRICA > KRUGER
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations – a place where you can drive for hours through open bush, watch elephants gathering at a river at sunset, and fall asleep to the distant sound of lions roaring.
Our Kruger Park safari packages and tours range from classic lodge-based stays to fully tailored private and family safaris, allowing you to experience this remarkable wilderness in a way that suits your travel style and pace.
Why Visit Kruger for a Safari?
Huge and wild: Covering nearly 20,000 km², Kruger is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. You can explore for days and still find new roads, viewpoints, and animals.
The Big Five and more: Kruger is famous for the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – but also has cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, hippo, zebra and many antelope species.
Birdwatcher’s paradise: With over 500 bird species, from fish eagles to colorful bee-eaters and hornbills, Kruger is superb for birding, especially in the summer months.
Real African landscapes: Open savannas, rocky outcrops, riverine forests and thorny acacia bush all meet here, creating classic safari scenery and great photo opportunities.
Family Friendly: Many areas of Kruger offer secure accommodation and flexible game drive options, making it a practical choice for families.
Kruger Park Nature & Wildlife Highlights
- Around 147 mammal species, from tiny steenbok to massive elephant herds.
- 507 bird species, including many migratory birds in the rainy season.
- Rivers running through the park (like the Sabie and Olifants) attract animals all year, especially in the dry winter months when water is scarce elsewhere.
- South Kruger: Often the best area for frequent Big Five sightings and large concentrations of animals.
- Central and North Kruger: Quieter, wilder feel, ideal for birding and fewer vehicles.
A Bit of Background
Kruger began as a protected area in 1898 to stop over-hunting. It became a national park in 1926, named after Paul Kruger, a former South African president who pushed for conservation. Today it is managed by SANParks and forms part of the larger Greater Kruger ecosystem, which includes neighbouring private reserves with no fences between them – meaning animals roam freely over a vast area.
The park also has rich cultural history, with over 250 heritage sites and ancient rock art hidden in the hills, giving a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived here thousands of years ago.
What to Do in Kruger
Kruger Park is very flexible. Choose between budget-friendly Kruger Park safari tours or luxury all-inclusive packages with African Family Safaris & Tours.
Activities include:
- Guided game drives in open vehicles, including early morning, sunset and night drives with experienced rangers.
- Guided bush walks, where armed guides lead small groups on foot to learn about tracks, plants, and animal behaviour.
- Photographic safaris and birding trips tailored to keen photographers and birdwatchers.
Where to Stay
Kruger offers a wide range of accommodation, from bush camps inside the park to exclusive safari lodges in Greater Kruger.
Bush camps and bush lodges: Smaller, quieter, more exclusive; great for a more secluded feel. Ideal for travellers who prefer flexibility, self-drive safaris, or a more classic park experience.
Private lodges in Greater Kruger: Situated along the unfenced western boundary, these luxury safari lodges offer all-inclusive stays with guided game drives, gourmet meals and top-notch service.
You can choose to stay in one area or combine different regions of the park as part of a tailor-made itinerary.
Set within a private concession in southern Kruger, Lukimbi Safari Lodge offers an exclusive Big Five safari experience combined with refined comfort, excellent guiding and a tranquil atmosphere.
An eco-conscious, unfenced safari lodge in Kruger’s Mutlumuvi Concession. It provides an authentic wilderness experience ideal for families with older children seeking adventure.
One of Kruger National Park’s few luxury lodges set within a private concession, offering exclusive game viewing, spacious suites and a peaceful, high-end safari experience.
An upscale safari lodge in a private concession, with spacious luxury chalets, guided game drives, and excellent wildlife viewing in a quieter, more exclusive area of the park.
Best time to visit
May–September (dry winter): Cooler, vegetation is thinner and animals gather at water – excellent for game viewing.
November–March (wet summer): Lush scenery, baby animals, incredible birding, but hotter and sometimes harder to spot wildlife in dense bush.
Getting there
Fly directly to nearby airports such as Skukuza, Nelspruit (Mbombela), or Hoedspruit.
4-Day South Africa Kruger Park Safari
Enjoy classic Big Five game drives in Kruger National Park, with a stylish safari lodge base, sunrise and sunset drives, bush walks, and expert ranger-tracker teams.
$1,644 pp sharing
7-Day Two Kruger Private Reserves
Split your week between two exclusive private reserves, with morning and evening drives, guided walks, luxury lodge stays, and exceptional Big Five game viewing.
$3,433 pp sharing
5-Day Sabi Sands + Kruger Park Combo Safari
Blend the intimacy of Sabi Sands with the vast Kruger landscape: twice-daily game drives, superb leopard viewing, guided bush walks, and relaxed downtime at a luxury lodge.
$2,766 pp sharing
Kruger Tour Ideas
Explore our scheduled small-group Kruger safari tours, designed for travellers who prefer a guided itinerary and the chance to experience the park alongside like-minded adventurers.
Scheduled Small Group Departure Tours (not private)
Kruger National Park
Price range: R21 105,00 through R22 560,00
Kruger National Park
R17 150,00
Kruger National Park
R12 579,00
Family Safaris in Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the most accessible safari destinations in South Africa for families. With a range of accommodation options and excellent wildlife viewing, it offers flexibility that works well for both younger children and teenagers.
The southern regions of the park are often best for a family Kruger safari, as wildlife sightings are frequent and travel distances between camps are shorter. Many lodges and rest camps offer family suites, fenced accommodation and expert guides who adapt game drives to suit children’s attention spans.
Private vehicles can also be arranged, allowing for a more relaxed pace and tailored schedules. Whether combining Kruger with Cape Town or other South African highlights, a family safari can be planned around school holidays, comfort levels and preferred lodge style.
Have questions about visiting Kruger? We’re here to help you plan the right safari for you.
