The Big 10 of South Africa

Quick Facts

• Special Status: UNESCO International Man and Biosphere Reserve
• Location: North-East South Africa
• Land mass: Total 21,000 km² (Kruger National Park 19,485 km²/ Greater Kruger Reserves 1500 km²)
• Mammal species: 147
• Bird species: 517
• Big 5 reserve: Yes

Activities

• Game drives
• Off-road driving (private reserves only)
• Night drives (private reserves only)
• Walking safaris

Highlights

• Exclusive safari experience in the private reserves
• Exceptional safari properties
• Big 5 game viewing
• Huge wildlife abundance and biodiversity
• Largest mammal count of anywhere in Africa
• Night game drives in the private reserves

Kruger National Park and the adjacent private reserves are located in the far north-east of the country on the borders of Zimbabwe to the north and Mozambique to the east. Undoubtedly the most famous game reserve in South Africa, it is renowned throughout the entire African continent and for good reason. The national park occupies 19,485 km² of pristine wilderness, extended to 21,000 km² when combined with the adjacent private reserves to the west of the park. It is larger than the entire country of Israel and only slightly smaller than Ireland. Even more impressive is its involvement in a huge cross-border wildlife corridor that provides a sanctuary for wildlife in a 35,000 km² protected area. This peace park is known as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and combines Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and Kruger National Park.

The Greater Kruger ecosystem includes the national park itself, the private conservancies within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the Greater Kruger Reserves. The majority of the area is one huge continuous ecosystem without any physical barriers preventing wildlife movement across the national park and individual reserves. We only recommend reserves that are authentic and unfenced. The Greater Kruger Reserves we feel meet our standards and promises are Makalali Game Reserve, Balule Game Reserve, Kapama Game Reserve, Karongwe Game Reserve, Klaserie Game Reserve, Thornybush Game Reserve and Timbavati Game Reserve.

Kruger National Park and its greater ecosystem is a special wildlife sanctuary. It is also a place of immense biodiversity. It is home to an astounding 147 species of mammals, more than anywhere else in Africa. This diversity is supported by an impressive abundance of game. Elephant populations continue to grow since controlled culling ceased in 1994. There were an estimated 16900 individuals at the last count with numbers expected to exceed 20,000 at the time of writing. Predators are found in healthy numbers with the three big cats, lions (1600), leopard (1000) and cheetah (120) being well represented. Hyena occur in impressive numbers of approximately 3500 animals, whilst 240 of South Africa’s endangered African wild dog population occur in the Kruger and greater ecosystem.

Both black and white rhinoceros, so poorly represented in most of Africa’s parks and even extinct in Uganda and Zambia, occur in relative healthy populations here. The more numerous white rhinoceros has been estimated to number 10,500 individuals whilst the more inconspicuous black rhinoceros numbers 660 maximum. Large herds of buffalo occur in the park, not surprising considering the area supports an estimated 37,500 individuals. Giraffe are conspicuous in the park, as are hippopotamus. Antelope species are plentiful and the park supports specials such as roan, sable, eland and greater kudu, all stunning animals.

Bird species have been recorded at 517 species of which 253 are resident, 117 non-breeding migrants, and 147 nomads. Look out for the so called ‘Big Six Birds’ of which are the lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, saddle-billed stork, kori bustard, ground hornbill and the reclusive Pel’s fishing owl. If this is not enough to keep you occupied Kruger is inhabited by 114 species of reptile, 33 amphibians, and 50 fish species.

With such exceptional wildlife viewing and the immensity of the national park you would be forgiven for thinking Kruger must be the premium safari destination on the continent. Sadly, this is not the case. Kruger’s secret got out a long time ago and now it seems everybody is aware of her strengths. Great wildlife, lots of huge lodges and campsites and relatively easy accessibility has lead to Kruger becoming one of the most commercialised parks in Africa. It is the home of self-drivers taking their saloon cars on the tarmac roads, its wilderness appeal diminished by traffic queues at interesting wildlife sightings.

However, all is not lost. There are a small handful of properties within the main national park that are geographically removed from the maddening crowds and can still offer an authentic safari. However, we overwhelmingly recommend staying in the private reserves to the west of the reserve. This offers a much more exclusive and high-quality experience. The wildlife abundance and variety remains the same as the national park but with a fraction of the visitors as safari in these reserves is limited to guests staying at one of the few lodges.

Travellers destined for the Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger ecosystem usually land at O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Although the reserves can be reached by road from here our guests often connect to the area by a short domestic flight. Nelspruit Airport/Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport serves the south of the park, Hoedspruit the central and northern sectors and use Phalaborwa for the northern sector also. Alternatively, it is possible to access the southern sector by arriving at Skukuza Airport inside the park or directly to upmarket lodge airstrips if you elect to stay at one of those.

Best Time To Visit

The Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger Reserves are a year-round destination. However, seasons can be divided into the cool, dry winter and the hot and wet summer. Each season, and indeed the months within each season, offers you a different experience. There is no time of year that offers you the best of everything so we provide you with a balanced account throughout the year so you are able to make an informed decision on the best time to visit based on your preferences.

As South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere winter and summer months oppose those of our Northern Hemisphere. Down here summer is December to February with the winter months being June to August.

The dry season is characterised by minimal to no rainfall and cooler temperatures. June and July are the coolest months as the mercury can dip as low as 8 degrees Celsius overnight and in the early morning. It is recommended to bring warm clothes at this time of year to avoid the chill on early morning game drives. Temperatures recover to an average 24 degrees Celsius by midday which makes for a pleasant time out on safari.

The wet season is wet, hot and humid by comparison. However, temperatures rarely exceed 30 degrees Celsius so are not deemed overbearing like in the reserves to the north such as Zambia and Zimbabwe. Having said that you may be unlucky and occasionally experience temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius. The more luxurious lodges both inside the park boundary and in the private reserves are able to offset this by offering air-conditioning in their suites. Rainfall is usually in the form of afternoon thunderstorms so game viewing activities are rarely disrupted.

Wildlife viewing is exceptional year round thanks to the permanent water sources within the park and reserves supporting a large abundance of resident animal species. This assurance of water ensures wildlife is therefore not forced to immigrate and emigrate to and from the area as is the case at many other wildlife sanctuaries.

As is the case with almost all other wildlife reserves throughout East and Southern Africa, the abundance and variety of bird species is at its greatest during the wetter months. The reliable water sources and thicker vegetation at this time of year encourage herbivores to give birth to their young. These vulnerable newly-born animals encourage large congregations of carnivores looking for an easy meal.

Many safari specialists would advise the dry season from July to mid-October as being the best time to travel to any area within the Greater Kruger ecosystem. The reasons being the dry and cool days make safari more comfortable and the less dense foliage lends itself to slightly better game viewing as the animals are more conspicuous. Unusually for Africa this is deemed the low season around here when prices are significantly cheaper. Excellent value can be obtained during these months.

Tourist volume can be a problem in the national park and care has to be taken to avoid the quality of a safari quickly deteriorating as you find yourself in queues of traffic around sightings. The main high seasons to consider are December and January, especially around the festive period and July and August, as well as school holidays. This problem can be eradicated by staying in one of the private reserves to the west of the national park. Only guests staying within the reserve are allowed to safari here meaning there is significantly less congestion and your experience is more pure and authentic.

The Kruger safari area is often combined with Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route, all of which are located in the Western Cape. Frustratingly, these areas have opposite seasons to the Kruger and most of the northern game reserves. Summer here is hot and dry, whilst winter is cold, cloudy and rainy. This can cause a headache for those wanting to visit in winter.