I really appreciate seeing wild animals in their natural habit because it’s the best way to show the animals respect and to observe their untamed behaviour. Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of the best places to do this.
1.4 million people visit Kruger National Park every year. Will you be one of these people this year? If so, keep reading for 10 tips for your first visit to Kruger National Park.
1) Protect yourself from malaria while at Kruger National Park
Ok, health first. Kruger National Park is situated in a malaria endemic area so it is important that you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from infection. Ways of minimising the risk of infection include applying insect repellent to your skin, covering your skin with clothing, staying indoors during dusk and dawn and taking malaria prophylactic medication (consult a medical doctor).
2) Road trip or fly to Kruger National Park
The drive to Southern Kruger National Park from Johannesburg is a 450km journey. The second half of the journey is so beautifully green as you take in the views of the lush terrain of Mpumalanga Province.
Alternatively, fly to Kruger Park as there are 3 airports located on the north, centre and south regions of Kruger National Park. These are Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. These are all pricey flights.
3) Self drive, group drive or guided walk
Going for a self drive through the park gives you the flexibility of exploring the park at your own pace and in the comfort of your own vehicle. This is also the most affordable option.
Alternatively, go on a group drive with a guide or do a guided walk through the park.
4) Stay safe at Kruger National Park
Remember that you are in the wild! The animals are not domesticated. While on a game drive at Kruger National Park you are not allowed to step out of your vehicle.
Follow this rule even if you can not see any animals around you. This may be one of the most important of the 10 tips for your visit to Kruger National Park.
5) Practice sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism entails showing nature the respect that is required to maintain and protect it. This includes keeping the area clean and following all instructions and rules given by the park.
6) Checkout the surrounding attractions
The Panorama Route is a region of scenic views, waterfalls and outdoor activities in Mpumalanga. It is en route as you travel to Kruger National Park from Johannesburg and very much worth a visit.
If you only have one day to spare that is enough to visit a number of attractions along the Panorama Route. For more information about the attraction along the Panorama Route, read my blog post about exploring the Panorama Route in one day.
If you stay within the Kruger National Park gates, you just need to be mindful to return back before the gates close!
7) Increase your chance of spotting game
Because Kruger National Park is so big and because we are not all experts in spotting game, using sighting Apps is a helpful way of locating animals more easily. Visitors to Kruger National Park share locations of game they have spotted in real time.
One of the apps that helps with this is called Latest Sightings and is downloadable on Android and iOS.
Alternatively, if you are good with maps, there are also sightings boards at the park entrances which show the areas in which game was recently sighted.
8) Be patient
Tip number 8 out of my top 10 tips for your first visit to Kruger National Park is simple – be patient. This is one of the best pieces of advice for a drive through Kruger National Park. Though the big five (lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino and elephants) all reside at Kruger National Park, you may not end up seeing them all.
Be patient with the process. There are other things about nature to appreciate on a game drive such as the vegetation, the fresh air and the smaller animals. Appreciate being out in nature and remind yourself that you have made a great choice to view wildlife in their natural habitat instead of at abusive animal shows. I hope that will allow you to not get frustrated by seeing a million impala instead of a million lions.
9) Don't get lost
Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa and the second largest in Africa. In fact, it is larger than Israel. I know I am not good with keeping track of every turn I make on the road so a map is a helpful tool for navigation through the park. You can buy one at the entrances.
10) Visit during winter
The winter season is the best time to spot game. This is because the grass lies lower making it literally easier to see into the bush. It also helps that you won’t be in the scorching summer heat. Remember this when winter comes!
Every trip to Kruger National Park is different and special. I encourage you to choose this type of wildlife tourism and avoid unethical wildlife interaction businesses. I discuss this point more in a post about misconceptions about travel in South Africa.
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Well return article. thank you Gophari
Thank you! And it’s a pleasure 🙂