Destination
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger is Africa's most accessible Big Five safari, with self-drive roads, rest camps and private reserves where leopards and lions walk past open vehicles.
Trips to Kruger National Park from every city
No live trip to Kruger National Park right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | fine |
| February | fine |
| March | fine |
| April | fine |
| May | best |
| June | best |
| July | best |
| August | best |
| September | best |
| October | best |
| November | fine |
| December | fine |
- May, June, July, August, September, October: Dry season: sparse bush, animals gathered at waterholes and the easiest sightings; cold early mornings.
- November, December, January, February, March: Green season: newborn animals, migrant birds, afternoon storms, thick bush and lower lodge rates.
Where to stay in Kruger National Park
- Sabi Sand Game Reserve: Private reserve on Kruger's western border with the famous leopard sightings and luxury lodges.
- Skukuza and the southern rest camps: SANParks camps for self-drive safaris in the park's richest game country.
- Timbavati and Thornybush: Private reserves north of Sabi Sand with open-vehicle drives and fewer crowds.
- Hazyview and White River: Lodges just outside the Paul Kruger and Phabeni gates, near the Panorama Route.
- Hoedspruit: Gateway to the central reserves with its own small airport and bush lodges.
What to do in Kruger National Park
- Big Five game drives in the Sabi Sand reserve
- Self-drive safari between SANParks rest camps
- Sundowner stop in the bush as the sun sets
- Guided walking safari with an armed ranger
- Panorama Route: Blyde River Canyon and God's Window
- Night drive to spot hyenas, civets and bush babies
Good to know
| Airports | Kruger Mpumalanga International (Mbombela) (MQP), Skukuza Airport (inside the park) (SZK), Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International (JNB) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | Africa/Johannesburg |
| Kind of trip | nature, national-park, adventure, romantic, family |
Questions about Kruger National Park
When is the best time to visit Kruger National Park?
May, June, July, August, September and October.
Do US citizens need a passport for Kruger National Park?
Yes. Kruger National Park is in South Africa; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Kruger National Park on the ground?
Kruger National Park is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.