Kruger National Park is the oldest park in Africa and the largest in South Africa, situated in the northern region between Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. It encompasses nearly two million hectares (five million acres). Kruger National Park is home to over 147 mammal species, 500 bird species, 114 reptile species, 49 recorded fish species and 2000 different plant species among others.
Animals in the Kruger National Park are habituated to vehicles so, often, sightings occur very close to vehicles where animals continue with their daily lives, apparently completely undisturbed by your presence.
No trip to South Africa would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Kruger National Park, where the true beauty of South Africa's topography shines without interruption.
The Kruger National Park is characterised by two regions, both entirely different in not only topography, but in the animals most commonly present. In the south, visitors can expect to see savanna-style plains dotted with acacia trees and flowing yellow grass during the dry season. In the north however, the lush greenery, rare vehicle sightings and quietness is a call to those who want an unhindered Kruger experience.
In terms of the best time to go to the Kruger National Park, we'd recommend after the hot summers and the autumn rains - between June and September is your best bet!
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The key is, drive slow, keep your eyes open and keep noise to a minimum. Early morning and late afternoon is better than midday due to the heat.
Here are some of the animals you can expect to see in Kruger National Park:
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1. Elephants
Kruger National Park is home to the highest number of large land mammals in Africa. As part of the Big Five, there are over 12,000 Elephants trampling on the soils of Kruger. These gentle giants are a wonder to see.
African elephants happen to be the largest land mammals in Africa and the world at large. They embrace communal living and can easily be seen in groups. Elephants love to snack on the leaves of the mopane tree, which is most commonly found in the southern Kruger region. That being said, they're definitely partial to the occasional acacia snack and aren't too picky! As long as they have a ton of food and access to watering holes, they're happy ellies.
Elephants are found throughout the Kruger National Park. Approaching an elephant requires visitors to give them space and respect. Did you know that elephants have a really long gestation period of almost 2 years?
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2. Lions
As we all know, the lion is referred to as the king of the jungle and it also happens to be part of the Big Five crew. Kruger National Park has over 1500 lions, you will come across several prides where you will see cubs nursing or just playing with each other.
Lions prefer to frequent wide, open spaces where they can easily access their prey. They do however, always remain close to a source of water and shade. The area around Satara Restcamp and in fact the entire drive from Skukuza to Satara is a good route for seeing lions.
3. Rhinos
The park harbors over 5,000 African Rhinos some of which are black and others are white (this is about their species not visible colors because their color is uniform). These majestic creatures are always a magnificent sighting, given that you rarely expect to stumble upon them!
While white rhinos are indeed more common than the endangered black rhino, both creatures face their own adversity. Given that both black and white rhinos' food of choice is leaves and lush grass, they are more commonly seen in dense bush and thorny thickets. Like most animals in the Kruger, they stay near watering holes for easy access to refreshment.
However the great news is that there is a very large team of armed and trained rangers whose sole duty is to protect these animals against poachers.
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Black rhino are difficult to see in the Kruger - they prefer thick bush and are also not found in large numbers. Generally, the south of the Kruger National Park is better for black rhino, but not guaranteed. White rhino are more common and also more prolific in the south, than central and northern Kruger. Generally, they are relaxed animals and allow you to get really close before moving off into the bush.
4. Buffaloes
The park has over 2,500 buffalos (part of the Big Five). These aggressive animals are quite communal. Stumbling upon a herd of buffalo is a rather common occurrence in the Kruger, given that they're often found spread throughout the entirety of the park - however, most of them remain in the south.
You will definitely witness their communal side. This is why they are feared and would rather be seen from a distance. One must be extra cautious around lone male buffalo, named “Dagga (referring either to mud or as a slang term for crazy) Boys” by the locals, as they are considered to be extremely hostile.
5. Leopards
These are the last bunch in the Big Five which I have been mentioning. Kruger National Park is home to over 1,000 leopards, this is so amazing and they are such a delight to spot. Stumbling upon one of these elusive big cats is a dream many have when going on safari.
Leopards love wooded areas with an abundance of tall trees where they can rest and hide their prey, as well as rivers to refresh and stalk. Because they are so rare to spot (there are only 1,000 of these animals in the Kruger Park!), they prefer to remain in areas where onlookers and the sound of cars are far less.
6. Spotted Hyenas
This mischievous bunch is a regular sighting at Kruger National Park. No safari is complete without falling asleep to the laugh-like whoops of the hyena.
With their slightly light brown far filled with dark brown spots, this is how spotted hyenas earned their name. If you're on the hunt for a hyena, you're most likely guaranteed to get a dual sighting of a larger predator in tow - given that hyenas are never far from a kill. They are complete opportunists, and will remain on the move throughout the evening until they find a carcass to call their own. With their strong teeth and jaws, spotted hyenas can also do their own hunting where need be.
7. Cheetahs
Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals in the whole world. The fastest mammal on the planet, the cheetah is undoubtedly a sight many hope to see while on safari.
It is to no surprise that they have long legs that take long strides and appear to be stream lined for speed. Wide, open plains with lots of room to run and hunt are the cheetahs primary playground. Often camouflaged by the tall savanna-style grass where they choose to frequent, these beautiful big cats are easy to miss if you're not keeping a watchful eye. Clearings where they can remain concealed below the grass while still watching for prey, are where these big cats are likely to be.
You may be able to spot a mum and her cubs once in a while or a group of not more than 5 but normally, cheetahs hang out alone. Among the big cats we have in Africa, cheetahs are the smallest in the Big cat family. Cheetahs are great hunters who enjoy preying on smaller animals like antelopes. However when the hunt involves more than one cheetah, they can go for larger prey as well.
8. Giraffes
Giraffes are not only lovely to look at with their beautiful patterns and long necks, they are also the tallest animals on earth. Nature's (somewhat awkward) supermodel, the long-legged giraffe is a truly fantastical creature.
The tallest animals in the world, giraffes are characterised by their long purple tongues, brown patches and antler-like horns. Although primarily slow movers, giraffes can gallop at rather impressive speeds (mostly away from danger!). When fully grown, their necks can reach a whooping 19 foot! Yes you heard that right.
These gentle giants are common all over Kruger National Park so you will definitely spot several at the park. Giraffes are communal but stay in small groups. Giraffes defend themselves by running, striking with their long necks and kicking at their attackers.
Giraffes are quite common Kruger animals throughout the entirety of the national park and its private game reserves, so spotting one shouldn't be difficult - unless of course you mistake them for a tree! That being said, they primarily frequent locations near watering holes with lush fauna that's suited to their height.
9. Wild Dogs
The wild dogs (also known as painted wolves) are a delight to see at Kruger National Park. These utterly elusive canines are a mere dream sighting for most, given that they're notoriously rare and much prefer to keep to themselves.
The African wild dogs in the park are one of the four remaining endangered population in Africa. There are only 150 to 200 wild dogs spread throughout the entirety of the park, so it's no wonder not many people see them while on safari. In addition to their small numbers, wild dogs remain on the move and never stay in one spot for too long. They live in packs and are a very strong unit which works like a well oiled machine. Their joint efforts make hunting easy and quick.
These wild dogs have multi-colored fur made up of white, brown, tan and black patches, you will enjoy looking at them. They are very fast and not big bodied. They actually look like ordinary dogs when you see them playing among themselves.
10. Hippos
Hippos (short for hippopotamuses) are fun to watch as they lazily float in the shallow waters at the park. Don't let their cute faces and round bodies fool you, because hippos are considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Regardless, watching them gracefully move through the water or waddle out to the shores for a sunbathe is a magical sight worth seeing.
During day time hippos love swimming and relaxing in the water and only step out to graze after nightfall. Oftentimes, you may miss them as only their eyes stick out of the surface. Naturally, hippos always stay next to watering holes, dams and lakes, so where there is a large enough body of water for them to submerge, there they will be! Hippos love hanging out with each other. They are communal in nature.
Other Animals to See
Besides the Big Five, Kruger National Park offers a plethora of other animals to see. Here are some additional species you might encounter:
- Zebras: Quintessential to the local safari experience, zebras are almost always found in large herds often featuring a wildebeest or two.
- Black-Backed Jackals: These opportunistic canines are swift movers and fast thinkers.
- Kudu: A species of large woodland antelope native to southern and eastern Africa, who frequent the vegetation-rich regions of the Kruger.
- Vervet Monkeys: Characterised by their grey bodies and black faces, vervet monkeys are notorious for causing a bit of havoc wherever they go, given their gregarious nature.
- Warthogs: Warthogs are big mud lovers, and remain in nearby marshy areas and watering holes.
Best Time for Game Viewing
The best time to see wildlife in Kruger Park is from June to September, when the vegetation is less dense. Temperatures are higher than in mid-winter, and animals are concentrated around water sources, making for excellent wildlife viewing from August to September.
The best times to see game are at first light and around dusk.
Where to Find Them
The Big 5 is distributed throughout the Kruger National Park. The southern region from Satara Restcamp south to Crocodile Bridge Restcamp is generally better for sightings as there is more water in the southern regions of Kruger Park. Simply put, more water means more food for grazing animals.
North of Satara Restcamp, the Kruger gets drier, vegetation changes to more open savannah and the Big 5 gets a little more difficult to spot. They are however most definitely present and you can often find yourself sitting with a pride of lions on a lonely dirt road, all to yourself.
The region around Pretoriuskop Restcamp seems to be particularly active when it comes to the rare antelope species as it is possible, although unlikely, to see antelope such as the Lichtensteins hartebeest and sable antelope.
We here at Outlook Travel, will on occasion come across particularly rare sightings of animals that are literally once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Here is a table summarizing the common animals and where to find them:
| Animal | Common Location |
|---|---|
| Elephants | Throughout the park, especially in the southern Kruger region near mopane trees. |
| Lions | Wide, open spaces near water sources, especially around Satara Restcamp. |
| Rhinos | Dense bush and thorny thickets, more common in the southern part of Kruger. |
| Buffaloes | Spread throughout the park, with higher concentrations in the south. |
| Leopards | Wooded areas with tall trees and rivers. |
| Giraffes | Throughout the park, near watering holes with lush fauna. |
| Hippos | Watering holes, dams, and lakes. |
| Zebras | Wide plains and vast grasslands of the southern regions. |
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