Kruger National Park for Beginners
As permanent residents in the friendliest town in the Limpopo, we thought we would share some of our best-kept secrets with you to take into account during your stay in the central Kruger area.
No visit to Hoedspruit would be complete without a little ramble in the Kruger, and believe us when we say that if this is your first visit, it won’t be your last. The Kruger National Park is like a virus, it infects your veins and you just cannot get enough of it. It is absolute love at first experience.
For many of us Hoedspruit residents, we value the quality of life over quantity and many of us agree that the reason that we moved here was to have access to our natural heritage areas, the ‘game reserve’ as it is affectionately known.
The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest safari tourist attraction, housing a massive variety of animal life, from the famous Big 5 down to the fish found in the rivers that pump life into this two million hectare conservation area. (Almost the size of Belgium, and one of Africa’s largest National Parks)
We think the reason that Kruger is so appealing (and has been for decades) is due to the fact that you can self-drive. That means you can move at your own pace, enjoy your sightings at leisure, discover your own routes and only stop when you feel like it.
In saying this though precaution does need to be taken. There are strict gate opening and closing times, and wildlife always needs to be given the right of way and respected. You may only alight from your vehicle at certain designated points, and of course, the camps and gates scattered around the park.
Important Information
Gate Opening and Closing Times:
- January | Open: 5:30 am | Close: 18:30 pm
- February | Open: 5:30 am | Close: 18:30 pm
- March | Open: 5:30 am | Close: 18:00 pm
- April | Open: 6:00 am | Close: 18:00 pm
- May | Open: 6:00 am | Close: 17:30 pm
- June | Open: 6:00 am | Close: 17:30 pm
- July | Open: 6:00 am | Close: 17:30pm
- August | Open: 6:00 am | Close: 18:00 pm
- September | Open: 6:00 am | Close: 18:00 pm
- October | Open: 5:30 am | Close: 18:00pm
- November | Open: 5:30 am | Close: 18:30 pm
- December | Open: 5:30 am | Close: 18:30 pm
Speed Limit:
Tar Roads – 50 km
Gravel Roads – 40 km
General Rules:
- Please travel with an acceptable form of identification. IE: ID card, driver’s licence, or passport.
- Conservation fees are charged on entry into the park and vary according to nationality.
- Wild Card offers visitors the option to purchase an annual entrance into parks. See more on their website – www.wildcard.co.za
- Stay in your vehicle and only alight in the designated spots. (Certain bridges, picnic spots, viewpoints, camps, and gates) Signage is well indicated.
- Alcohol – No drinking in public. Day visitors are not allowed to bring alcohol into the park. Vehicles are searched on arrival at the gates.
- Drive Safely – General rules of the road apply in the park.
- Driving Areas – Stay on the road at all times. Heavy fines are issued for off-road driving.
- Feeding of Animals – This is completely prohibited in the park.
- Flora and Fauna – No flora or fauna to be removed from the park.
- Pets – No pets are allowed.
- Drones – Using a drone in the park is strictly prohibited.
- Killing of Animals – Poaching, killing or injuring animals is strictly prohibited.
- Malaria – The Kruger National Park is in a malaria area. Please consult your local doctor for advice.
- Behavior – This is the most important rule for us for visitors to take note of. Disorderliness, acting out of turn, or general bad behavior in a wildlife sighting is a huge no-no. Everyone is there to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, as well as incredible sightings of wildlife. Remember your fellow humans and the fact that they have as much right to be there as you do.
- Keep your permit with you at all times. (You will receive this when entering the gate)
We hope you find this information helpful and be sure to peruse through our articles where we talk about landmarks to visit, roads to take, and places to picnic.
More on the quaint town of Hoedspruit | More on the Valley of the Olifants area |