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 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.

Kruger Park Safaris at a Glance

Kruger Park is a strong safari choice for travellers who want reliable Big Five game viewing, a wide choice of lodges and flexible itinerary options. You can stay inside Kruger National Park, choose a private concession, or combine Kruger with nearby private reserves such as Sabi Sands for a more exclusive safari experience. The dry winter months from May to September are usually best for wildlife viewing, while the summer season brings lush scenery, migratory birds and newborn animals.

Best for First-time safari travellers, families, Big Five viewing and flexible safari packages
Best time to visit May to September for dry-season game viewing; November to March for birding, lush scenery and baby animals
Ideal trip length 4 to 7 days, depending on whether you combine Kruger with Sabi Sands or another private reserve
Good for families? Yes, especially in southern Kruger and selected lodges with family rooms, fenced accommodation and flexible game drives
Main wildlife Big Five, cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, hippo, zebra, antelope and over 500 bird species
Closest airports Skukuza, Nelspruit/Mbombela and Hoedspruit


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.
Safari vehicle in Kruger National Park


Kruger Park Safari Packages

Our Kruger Park safari tours include private safaris, family-friendly packages, and luxury lodge-based experiences in Kruger. Each itinerary can be customised to suit your travel dates, preferred lodge style, and budget.

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.

From $1,644 pp sharing

View Itinerary

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.

From $2,766 pp sharing

View Itinerary

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.

From $3,433 pp sharing

View Itinerary

6-Day Affordable Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari

Experience a budget-friendly Big Five safari through Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Includes guided game drives and a scenic tour of the iconic Panorama Route.

From $2,262 pp sharing

View Itinerary

6-Day Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari Tour

Experience an authentic Big Five safari through Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Includes guided game drives, bush walks and close-up sightings of the Big Five.

From $3,664 pp sharing

View Itinerary

10-Day Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls Tour

Combine Cape Town, Kruger Park and Victoria Falls on a 10-day journey, with guided city and peninsula tours, Big Five game drives, a Victoria Falls tour and sunset cruise.

From $4,799 pp sharing

View Itinerary

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.

From $1,644 pp sharing

View Itinerary

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.

From $2,766 pp sharing

View Itinerary

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.

From $3,433 pp sharing

View Itinerary

6-Day Affordable Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari

Experience a budget-friendly Big Five safari through Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Includes guided game drives and a scenic tour of the iconic Panorama Route.

From $2,262 pp sharing

View Itinerary

6-Day Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari Tour

Experience an authentic Big Five safari through Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Includes guided game drives, bush walks and close-up sightings of the Big Five.

From $3,664 pp sharing

View Itinerary

10-Day Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls Tour

Combine Cape Town, Kruger Park and Victoria Falls on a 10-day journey, with guided city and peninsula tours, Big Five game drives, a Victoria Falls tour and sunset cruise.

From $4,799 pp sharing

View Itinerary

Kruger Tour Ideas

Explore scheduled small-group Kruger safari tours for travellers who prefer a guided itinerary and fixed departure route.

Scheduled Small Group Departure Tours (not private)

+
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Price range: R21 105,00 through R22 560,00
+
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
R17 150,00
+
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Kruger National Park

3 Day – Best of Kruger Safari

R12 579,00


What to Do in Kruger

Kruger Park is a flexible safari destination, with options ranging from budget-friendly guided tours to luxury all-inclusive lodge packages. You can explore the park on a scheduled small-group itinerary, choose a private lodge-based safari, or combine Kruger with nearby private reserves and the Panorama Route.

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.
  • Private concession safaris, offering a quieter lodge-based experience with guided drives in exclusive-use areas.
  • Panorama Route day trips, often combined with Kruger to include Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.


Best Time to Visit Kruger National Park

Kruger can be visited year-round, but the dry winter months from May to September are usually best for wildlife viewing. During this time, the bush is less dense and animals are easier to spot around rivers and waterholes.

The summer months from November to March bring greener landscapes, migratory birds and newborn animals, making this a rewarding time for birding and photography, although days can be hotter with occasional rain.

  • Best for wildlife viewing: May to September
  • Best for birding and green scenery: November to March
  • Best for photography: May to September for clearer sightings, or November to March for lush landscapes
  • Best for families: school holidays, lodge availability and malaria guidance should all be considered when choosing your dates


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.

Lukimbi Safari Lodge

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.

Rhino Post Safari Lodge

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.

Imbali Safari Lodge

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.

Shishangeni Main Lodge

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.

Lukimbi Safari Lodge

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.

Rhino Post Safari Lodge

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.

Imbali Safari Lodge

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.

Shishangeni Main Lodge

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.

Family Safaris in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of the most accessible safari destinations in South Africa for families. With excellent wildlife viewing and a wide range of accommodation options, it offers flexibility for families travelling with both younger children and teenagers.

The southern regions of the park are often a good choice for a family Kruger safari, as wildlife sightings are frequent and travel distances between camps and lodges can be shorter. Many lodges and rest camps offer family rooms, fenced accommodation and guided safari activities, depending on the property.

Age policies vary by lodge and activity. Shared open-vehicle game drives are often best suited to children from around 6 years and older, while younger children may need to join closed-vehicle drives or travel in a private vehicle where available. Guided bush walks are usually limited to older children and teenagers, often from around 12 or 16 years and above. A private vehicle can be especially helpful for families wanting a more relaxed pace, flexible drive times and age-appropriate safari experiences.

Kruger is in a malaria-risk area, so families should speak to a doctor or travel clinic before travelling, especially with younger children. It often works best for families who want strong Big 5 game viewing, a classic South African safari experience and easy combinations with Cape Town, the Panorama Route or the Garden Route.

For more detailed family planning advice, read our guide to the best family safaris in Kruger National Park.

Why Plan Your Kruger Safari with African Family Safaris & Tours?

Have questions about visiting Kruger? We’re here to help plan the right safari for you.

What our travellers say

Safari Planning Guides & Inspiration