Kruger National Park Budget Travel Guide

View all Kruger National Park budget safaris & tour packages

74 tours pass through this location

---

Kruger National Park Wildlife

The Kruger National Park is South Africa's premier National Park and plays host to a dizzying array of species:

• 336 Trees
• 49 fish
• 34 Amphibians
• 114 reptiles
• 507 birds
• 147 mammals

The Kruger Park is home to a plentiful population of Africa's "Big 5" (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, buffalo and Leopard).

The Kruger has long been a sanctuary for the endangered species of Southern Africa. Within the fences of this immense park approximately the size of Wales, plants, birds and animals have found a huge ecosystem within which to sustain themselves. This in the midst of a chaotic continent where warfare, social instability and poaching have often decimated the fauna and flora over the generations.

Rare species such as the African Wild Dog, Black and White Rhino, Cheetah and Lion have perpetuated their bloodlines safely within the park's perimeter.

Kruger Park Geography

The Kruger Park can be divided into the Southern Kruger park, the Central Kruger and the Northern Kruger. The Southern Kruger generally speaking is the best part of the park for game viewing. This is as a result of its savannah like vegetation. This  area is the most popular part of the Park with the largest concentration of accommodation on offer ranging from 5 star lodges to National Park Rest Camps. The Central and Northern Kruger are more hilly and tropical, and as a result game viewing is scarcer. The Central and Northern Kruger areas are more remote and ideal for those travellers wishing to get off the beaten path. The Kruger Park has been a protected area since 1898. The size of the park is roughly the size of Wales in the United Kingdom. From North to South the Park is approximately 500km long.

The "Greater Kruger National Park" and Private Game Reserves

Adjacent to the Kruger park on the Western side are several Private Reserves which are collectively known as "The Greater Kruger National Park".( These include, Klaserie Nature Reserve, Timbavati Nature Reserve, Balule Nature Reserve, Thornybush Nature Reserve, Manyeleti Nature Reserve Sabi Sand Nature Reserve amongst others). Over the last few years through mutual agreement fences between the Kruger Park and the majority of these parks have been removed which has significantly increasing the roaming area of the Kruger Wildlife. It is in these Private Nature Reserves that you will find a concentration of smaller, more intimate Game Lodges that cater for small groups of tourists. These Lodges cater for visitors who wish a more intimate experience in the Bush.

Kruger Park Rest Camps

The Kruger is home to several South African National Parks Board managed camps. These offer various levels of accommodation, most of which will suit the budget-conscious traveller. This ranges from camp grounds to self-catering chalets and bungalows.

These rest camps provide a safe haven for visitors to shelter for the night and are securely fenced off to keep predators out. It is however possible to view game from the perimeter of the camps, particularly at night when hyenas, monkeys, crocodiles hippo and more can be spotted, depending of course on which camp you are visiting.

Kruger rest camps range in size from basic campgrounds to small towns with supermarkets, restaurants, swimming pools, petrol stations and even golf courses if that is your thing.

The main Kruger Park rest camps

• Berg en Dal
• Balule (Check in at Olifants camp)
• Crocodile Bridge
• Letaba
• Lower Sabie
• Malelane (Administrated by Berg en Dal)
• Maroela (A satellite camp of Orpen) This is the only camp where caravans and camper vans are permitted.
• Mopani
• Olifants
• Orpen
• Pionier (A satellite camp run from Letaba)
• Pretoriuskop
• Punda Maria
• Satara
• Shingwedzi
• Skukuza
• Tamboti (A satellite camp of Orpen)
• Tsendze

Zoom in on the Kruger National Park map below to see where these Kruger rest camps are situated.

What's in store for the Kruger National Park.

There are plans to combine Kruger National Park with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and the Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe into a new transfrontier park to be called The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, this will result in the biggest National Park in Africa.

The Kruger Park has for decades been at the forefront of animal and plant research, many eminent scientists and researchers have made important discoveries in this area.

When to visit the Kruger National Park

September - April in the Kruger Park is hot and sunny with occasional showers with temperatures in the shade ranging from 18°-30°C.

May - August is the winter time period with warm and dry temperatures ranging from 8°-22°C. The winter time is traditionally the best time to view game in the Kruger Park as the vegetation is sparse and the animals tend to congregate around the watering holes.

Kruger National Park Malaria

The Kruger Park does fall within a malaria risk area and although the risk is low, anti-malaria medication or prophylactics are recommended for visitors to the area.

Malaria Prevention in the Kruger Park

In terms of which medication to take, combining Chloroquine - taken weekly beginning one week prior to visiting the risk area - & paludrin - every day beginning two days prior to the visit - is widely believed to be the most effective course of action. Mefloquine is also an option and can be taken on it's own with no other medications.

Before taking Malaria prevention medication be sure to consult your doctor or a recognised travel clinic as there are side effects which may occur.Proguanil (Paludrine) has been known to cause mouth ulcers and / or nausea. Chloroquine (Nivaquine or Avloclor) may bring on temporary blurred vision, rashes and nausea. Patients with a history of psychiatric complaints, particularly depression, must avoid mefloquine as it can aggravate or bring on depressive episodes.

It is because of the above side-effects that many people have come to believe that the best way to deal with the Malaria risk is with insect repellants. Certainly in the Kruger Park, where the risk is usually fairly low, this is a popular approach to the problem.

This popular alternative to taking anti-malaria medication essentially involves avoiding being bitten. There are various external applications and insect repellants which can ward off mosquitoes, as well as the good old traditional mosquito net for sleeping under. Burning mosquito coils and other ambient preventative aids also help. These days there are even iPhone applications which will deter mosquitoes by emitting an inaudible sonic repellant whilst you sleep.

If you choose to take anti-malaria medication it's best to stock up before arriving at the risk area and perhaps even before arriving in Africa. If you do get caught short though, these prophylactics can be bought from chemists in Gauteng and most towns on the way to the Kruger National Park, as well as at some of the bigger Kruger Park camps.

When to be most vigilant

The time when you need to be on your toes is early in the morning and at sunset when mosquito activity is at its peak. During these hours it's best to cover up the legs, ankles and arms with light clothing and apply some insect repellant.

If you do happen to sustain a bite or two, there is no need to dash off to the nearest doctor. The majority of mosquitoes are malaria-free.

When is the Malaria Risk Season?

During the dry season (most of the year) the malaria risk in the Kruger Park is minimal and there are far fewer mosquitoes around. This can also be a good time to visit as sparser vegitation makes it much easier to spot game from your vehicle.

When to worry about Malaria

If you develop flu-like symptoms within one to three weeks of visiting the Kruger (or any malaria-risk area) go directly to a medical doctor for proper diagnosis. Be sure to mention that you have been to the area in question.

The South African National Parks Malaria Hotline

You can call this 24 hour number any time of the day or night if you are concerned about Malaria:
g(+27) 082 234 1800