Greater Kruger National Park

Greater Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship national park and one of the largest in Africa. Kruger is home to some of the best game-viewing on the continent (147 mammal and 507 bird species!) and is part of so many South Africa itineraries.

Though we don’t widely suggest safaris in the national park itself due to crowds and tarmacked roads, we highly recommend that clients stay in the private concessions which share unfenced borders with the western side of the park, like the Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Klaserie and Balule. These private concessions feature incredible game-viewing and are also more exclusive. Private concessions also afford added freedoms like driving off-road to get closer to sightings as well as ability to conduct night drives to look for nocturnal species.

A few notable exceptions to our “don’t stay inside Kruger” rule are private concessions in the center of the park such as Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni and properties such as The Outpost in Kruger’s remote and beautiful northern sector.

There are daily direct flights to Kruger’s main airport, Nelspruit, as well as the smaller airports to the north and south which may be more convenient for the individual property you select. From Johannesburg, there are lodge hop flights which will take you to the small airstrips closest to the camps. From Nelspruit, you can fly onward to Livingstone (Victoria Falls) or to Vilanculos to access Mozambique’s pristine southern beaches.

Our favorite accommodation in Greater Kruger National Park

Recommended Itineraries featuring Greater Kruger National Park