Kruger National Park

SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations






South Africa's most loved national park...
A popular destination for travellers across the globe, the Kruger National Park is home to the big 5. This area of the wild covers nearly 2 million hectares of vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife – this is real Africa.
The Kruger National Park was established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld. Kruger is referred to as the flagship of the South African national parks and boasts a diversity of species including 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.
Man’s interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries – from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela – is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park’s natural assets.
Come and explore the Kruger National Park, experience a South African safari, find out how it feels to be close to a pride of Lion, feel the excitement of spotting a an elephant in the wild and savour the moment when an leopard looks you in the eye!

SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations






South Africa's most loved national park...
A popular destination for travellers across the globe, the Kruger National Park is home to the big 5. This area of the wild covers nearly 2 million hectares of vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife – this is real Africa.
The Kruger National Park was established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld. Kruger is referred to as the flagship of the South African national parks and boasts a diversity of species including 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.
Man’s interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries – from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela – is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park’s natural assets.
Come and explore the Kruger National Park, experience a South African safari, find out how it feels to be close to a pride of Lion, feel the excitement of spotting a an elephant in the wild and savour the moment when an leopard looks you in the eye!

SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations
The Kruger National Park offers camp-run accommodation. Each camp has its own unique selection of accommodation types ranging from traditional camp sites, huts, bungalows, cottages and safari tents. Currently bedding is supplied in all accommodation (except camping). Cooking utensils and refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units. Exceptions will be indicated when booking.
As an overnight visitor to the Kruger Park, you have the option of staying at the following types of accommodation on offer:
- Main Rest Camps
- Bushveld Camps
- Overnight Hides
- Bush Lodges
- Luxury Lodges
A description of the Main Rest Camps closest to Nelspruit is provided below. For more information on the many other types of accommodation on offer, please visit the SANParks website.

Berg-en-dal: Situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds. Keep an eye out for Leopard, White Rhino, Klipspringer, a Scarlet-chested Sunbird and Heuglin’s Robin.
- Accommodation includes campsites, bungalows, family cottages, guesthouses and caravan sites.
- Activities on offer include safari drives, wilderness bush walk, wildlife videos, museum, bush breakfast and kids education programmes

Crocodile Bridge: A small and delightful camp situated on the South Eastern corner of Kruger, on the northern bank of the Crocodile River, from which it derives its name. The game viewing area is known as the Southern Circle and is renowned for its concentration of different prides of lion. It is also home to a larger percentage of the Kruger National Park’s total Rhino population.
- Accommodation includes camping sites, caravan sites, bungalows and safari tents.
- Activities on offer include morning, day and night drives, guided bush walk and 4×4 adventure trails

Pretoriuskop: The Kruger’s oldest rest camp, Pretoriuskop is not far from the impressive granite dome known as “Shabeni Hill”. Look out for the Sable Antelope and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest.
- Accommodation includes campsites, bungalows, huts, family cottages, guesthouses and caravan sites.
- Activities on offer include night, morning and sunset drives, swimming pool, 4×4 adventure trails, guided bush walk and wilderness 3 day bush walk

Skukuza: The Kruger National Park’s largest rest camp. It is situated on the southern banks of the Sabie River surrounded by many trees. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both around the camp and in the surrounding areas. Look out for Spotted Hyena, Fruit Bat and Thick-tailed Bush Baby.
- Accommodation includes camping and caravan sites, luxury riverside bungalows, family cottages and guest cottages, safari tents and guest houses
- Activities on offer include morning and night drives, guided bush walk, bush breakfast, swimming pool, museum, 9 hole golf course, wildlife videos and kids education programmes

Lower Sabie: Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River. Visitors cannot help but feel soothed by the view towards the river. In this rest camp, the bounty and plenitude of nature are very evident, eloquently symbolised by the most conspicuous of its numerous trees which provide generously for many birds and insects. Keep an eye out for lion and hippo.
- Accommodation includes camping, huts, bungalows, guest cottages, safari tents and guest house.
- Activities on offer include night and morning drives, guided bush walk and swimming pool
© SANParks.org 2004-2011

SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations
The Kruger National Park offers its visitors up close and personal nature experiences with a variety of activities. Whether it is driving, biking, hiking or walking that you want to do, Kruger has something for you.

Wilderness Trails
Overnight Wilderness Trails allow adventurous visitors a close, personal encounter with nature by traversing large areas of unspoiled wilderness on foot. Guests spend three nights in one of the 7 Wilderness Camps in the Park, under the guidance of armed and experienced trail rangers.

4X4 Adventure Trails
Get off the beaten track and traverse territories previously unknown. Anticipate an experience of unforgettable adventure as your skills with your 4×4 determine your success or failure. More than just seeing animals, it is a unique opportunity to access parts of the park that are rarely explored.
These adventure trails take place near Satara and Pretoriuskop. Please book in advance.

Malopeni Eco-Trail
The Malopeni Overnight Eco Trail is a guided one night motorised adventure trail which travels along management roads in the area to the north-east of Phalaborwa Gate up to the Letaba River. The route allows the adventure tourist exclusive access to remote areas which are not frequented by many vehicles and bring the true eco-tourist close to the realities of the African bush.
This trail starts at Phalaborwa Gate. The over night campsite is unfenced and has a fireplace, ashdrum and two enviro loo’s.

Bush Braais
An unforgettable experience – A game drive leads you to an open area filled with burning lanterns and fires where, whilst listening to the sounds of the bushveld and the distant animals calling, the food is grilled on open fires. A variety of game meat and sausage is on offer, together with delicious vegetables and a variety of salads. Freshly prepared desserts and coffee or tea complete a wonderful evening. A cash bar facility is also available.

Kruger Game Drives
The Kruger offers sunset drives, night drives and early morning drives from various camps. A sunset drive leaves before the sun sets and gets back once the sky is dark. Experienced guides drive the groups. It is best to inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on a game drive.
To view other activities on offer at the Kruger Park as well as get more information or book any of the above activities please visit the SANParks website.
All information © SANParks.org 2004-2011

SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations
There are so many creatures to see and sightings of rare species can be the highlight of your trip! Keep up to date with the movements of the wildlife in the Kruger National Park by consulting the sightings map at reception, it is updated daily.
The top 5 things to look for in the Kruger Park
- The Big Five – Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino.
- The Little Five – Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle.
- Birding Big Six– Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork.
- Five Trees – Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula, Mopane.
- Natural/Cultural Features – Letaba Elephant Museum, Jock of the Bushveld Route, Albasini Ruins, Masorini Ruins, Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library, Thulamela.
On a good day in the park you can see up to 30 different animal species. You may consider yourself lucky to spot Wild Dog, Cheetah and a pair of Ground Hornbills. As you drive, be aware of what you might see in the road. One can often spot a Tortoise or Dung Beetle.
It is a good idea to keep a pen and paper with you in the car and write down what you see. You will be amazed at how long your list will be by the end of the day. A fun way to keep track of what you see is by creating a game among family and friends in the vehicle. Here are some instructions for an easy spotters game:
- Divide passengers in the vehicle into two teams, the left side and the right side.
- Each team must concentrate on spotting animals on their side of the road. Each time a new animal species is spotted, the team receives 1 point.
- If the left team spots a new animal species on the right teams side before the right team, the right team should minus 1 point.
- Before starting the game, each team member is allowed to choose 2 specific animal species that they would like to see – when this animal is spotted, the team receives 2 bonus points.
At the end of the day, the team with the most points is the winner. Prizes can be allocated accordingly.




SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations

Getting there just got easier...

Getting to the Kruger Park
There are many different ways of getting to the Kruger Park and experiencing what it has to offer. Once can fly into the park, come on a shuttle or bus, hire a car or enjoy a packaged tour.
Flying into the Kruger Park
There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport and the new Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) located between Nelspruit and White River. KMIA also receives daily flights from Durban and Cape Town, while there is also a flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit.
Car Hire
There are car hire facilities available at KMIA, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa airports and at Skukuza Camp itself or from Nelspruit town itself.
Packaged Tours
Various Tour Operators offer packaged tours to the Kruger National Park. View tour operators on ShowMe Nelspruit.
Shuttle Bus
Private Connections (a private company) operates this shuttle service between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) to Kruger National Park. The trip takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. It is recommended that the shuttle should be booked in advance. For contact details, search “private connections” in the business directory on ShowMe Nelspruit.
© SANParks.org 2004-2011
During holiday times, it is best to get to the park as early as possible in the morning...
Directions to the Kruger Park
The two gates closest to Nelspruit are Numbi gate and Malelane gate. Driving directions to both are provided below:
Numbi Gate – Pretoriuskop Main Rest Campe
From Nelspruit then take the R40 to White River. Just outside White River take the R538 to the gate. Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the trip to the gate. Pretoriuskop Main Rest Camp is 9km away from the gate. Allow about 20 minutes for the drive to the camp.
Malelane Gate – Berg en Dal Rest Camp
From Nelspruit head through to Malelane. Then turn left at Kruger National Park sign just outside Malelane and head towards the gate. Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the trip to the gate. Berg-en-Dal Main Rest Camp is 12km away from the gate. Allow about 30 minutes for the drive to the camp.
For more information on distance and directions, visit the SANParks website.
© SANParks.org 2004-2011




SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations

Get your Wild Card today and enjoy the Kruger Park even more...
Park Entry Fees:
South African Citizens and Residents (with RSA ID) get discounted tariffs.
There is a standard conservation fee included in the tariff.
If you are a frequent visitor to the Kruger National Park, it might be worth your while to purchase a Wild Card. A Wild Card gives you unlimited access to any of the South African National Parks (depending on your choice of membership). As part of your Wild Club membership, you will also receive the quarterly Wild magazine and monthly e-newsletter. Prices for Wild Card are as follows:
Membership Categories
All parks cluster: Access to more than 80 Parks and Reserves around Southern Africa (SANParks, Msinsi, EKZNWildlife, Cape Nature, and Swazi Clusters)
SANParks cluster: Access to all 21 SANParks National Parks in South Africa
Swaziland’s big game parks cluster: Access to Big Game Parks of Swaziland’s 3 Parks in Swaziland
All Prices VAT inclusive and all tariffs in South African Rand – Tariffs subject to alteration without advance notice.
For more information on tariffs and to purchase your Wild Card online visit Sanparks © SANParks.org 2004-2011
Please visit their Online Booking site HERE

SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourist Destinations
Physical Address: South African National Parks, P O Box 787, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Postal Address: 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria
Postal Code: 0001
Telephone: +27(0)124289111
Fax: +27(0)124265500
Email: reservations@sanparks.org
Website: http://www.sanparks.org
Directions: Closest gate to Nelspruit is the Numbi Gate:
Take the N4 to Nelspruit then take the R40 to White River. Just out side White River take the R538 to the gate. Pretoriuskop Main Rest Camp is 9km away from the gate. Allow about 20 minutes for the drive to the camp.
Latitude: -25.13098756377236
Longitude: 31.157913208007812