Kruger National Park is a world-renowned wildlife destination located in South Africa. It is one of the largest national parks in the world. Kruger National Park is at the top of many visitors’ ‘must see’ lists.
Map showing the location of Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Size and Location
Kruger National Park (Afrikaans: [ˈkry.(j)ər]) covers an area of 19,623 km2 (7,576 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the country's northeast. It extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west.
The park lies in the northeast of South Africa, in the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Phalaborwa, Limpopo is the only town in South Africa that borders the Kruger National Park. It is one of the largest national parks in the world, with an area of 19,485 km2 (7,523 sq mi).
To the north and south of the park two rivers, the Limpopo River and the Crocodile respectively, act as their natural boundaries. To the east, the Lebombo Mountains separate it from Mozambique. Its western boundary runs parallel with this range, roughly 65 km (40 mi) distant.
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The park varies in altitude between 200 m (660 ft) in the east and 840 m (2,760 ft) in the south-west near Berg-en-Dal. The highest point in the park is here, a hill called Khandzalive.
Climate
The climate of the Kruger National Park and lowveld is subtropical/tropical, specifically a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh). Summer days are humid and hot. The rainy season is from September until May. Because the park spans 360 kilometres or 220 miles from north to south, climate can vary throughout the park.
History of Kruger National Park
Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa's first national park in 1926. A Game Commission was established in 1891 with J.M.
It must be noted that there were already individual farmers as far back as 1867 who published notices in the Staatscourant to prohibit hunting and so try to preserve the game on their own land. One of these farmers was pioneer Alexander Marsh Robertson who owned two adjacent farms, Rolfontein and Elandsberg, extending over 7600 morgen in the Wakkerstroom district.
Robertson was the first farmer to fence part of his property to create a game camp in the eastern Transvaal, some 500 morgen using leadwood and barbed wire. The creation of the game camp however was serendipity. Robertson initially erected the fence to restrain his horses, but the fence also provided the added benefit of protecting the ground game.
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President Paul Kruger regularly toured the rural areas to visit his people. Kruger was very impressed with Robertson's unexpected success and continued to show great interest in the Wakkerstroom farmer's efforts to preserve game over the next few years.
James Stevenson-Hamilton became the first warden of the reserve in 1902. Singwitsi Reserve, named after the Shingwedzi River and now in northern Kruger National Park, was proclaimed in 1903.
During the following decades all the native tribes were removed from the reserve and during the 1960s the last were removed at Makuleke in the Pafuri triangle. During 1923, the first large groups of tourists started visiting the Sabi Game Reserve, but only as part of the South African Railways' popular "Round in Nine" tours.
Plaque in Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park was proclaimed in 1918 and a commission established to pursue its planning and development. Warden James Stevenson-Hamilton retired on 30 April 1946, after 44 years as warden of the Kruger Park. He was replaced by Colonel J. A. B.
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In 1959, work commenced to completely fence the park's boundaries. Work started on the southern boundary along the Crocodile River and in 1960 the western and northern boundaries were fenced, followed by the eastern boundary with Mozambique.
In 1996 the Makuleke tribe submitted a land claim for 198.42 km2 (19,842 ha), namely the Pafuri or Makuleke region in the northernmost part of the park. The land was given back to the Makuleke people, however, they chose not to resettle on the land but to engage with the private sector to invest in tourism.
In the late 1990s, the fences between the Kruger Park and Klaserie Game Reserve, Olifants Game Reserve, and Balule Nature Reserve were dropped and incorporated into the Greater Kruger Park with 400,000 ha (4,000 km2) added to the Reserve.
In 2025 the government suggested that the name of the park should be changed to Skukuza National Park due to the negative legacy left by former president Paul Kruger.
Plant Life
Plant life consists of four main areas, which correspond roughly to the four quadrants of the park. This area lies in the park's western half, north of the Olifants River. This area lies between the western boundary and roughly the centre of the park south of the Olifants River.
Combretums, such as the red bush-willow (Combretum apiculatum), and Acacia species predominate while there are a great number of marula trees (Sclerocarya afra). South of the Olifants River in the park's eastern half, this area provides the most important grazing land.
Several smaller areas in the park carry distinctive vegetation. The Pretoriuskop sourveld and Malelane mountain bushveld receive relatively high rainfall. Here sickle bush and silver cluster-leaf (Terminalia sericea) are prominent.
The sandveld communities northeast of Punda Maria are equally distinctive, with a wide variety of unique plant species.
Wildlife
All the big five game animals are found at Kruger National Park, which has more species of large mammals than any other African game reserve (at 147 species).
Constituting the southern lowveld, the park's avifaunal affinities are mainly with the tropical north. Some representatives of this group are the African openbill, hooded vulture, Dickinson's kestrel, white-crowned lapwing, brown-necked parrot, Senegal coucal, broad-billed roller, trumpeter hornbill, Böhm's spinetail, tropical boubou, Meves's starling and scarlet-chested sunbird.
Some 30 waterbird and wader species are dependent on the rivers or associated dams, including the African finfoot, white-backed night heron, white-crowned lapwing and water thick-knee. Other species are limited to riparian thicket or forest, including African goshawk, crested guineafowl, Natal spurfowl, Narina trogon, Pel's fishing owl, bearded scrub robin, terrestrial brownbul and black-throated wattle-eye.
Some of the larger birds require large territories or are sensitive to habitat degradation. Six of these birds, which are by and large restricted to Kruger and other extensive conservation areas, have been assigned to a fanciful grouping called the "Big Six Birds". They are the lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, saddle-billed stork, kori bustard, ground hornbill and the reclusive Pel's fishing owl, which is localized and seldom seen.
The 2011 aerial survey found 22 martial eagle nest sites, the 2015 survey an additional 17, while the 2020 survey found 70 nest locations in all, though the activity of these has yet to be determined.
Kruger is inhabited by 114 species of reptile, including black mambas, African rock pythons, and 3,000 Nile crocodiles. As yet, knowledge of the densities and distributions of the reptiles, especially on smaller spatial scales, is limited by sampling bias and a strong dependence on the park's public infrastructure is evident.
34 species of amphibians are found in the park, as well as 49 fish species. A Zambezi shark, Carcharhinus leucas, also known as the bull shark, was caught at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers in July 1950.
219 species of butterfly and skipper are native to the park. The fastest and most robust of these belong to the genus Charaxes, of which 12 species have been recorded. Genera Papilio and Acraea are also well-represented, with about 10 and 15 species respectively.
The total number of Lepidoptera species in the park is unknown but could be in the order of 7,000, many of which range widely in African savanna. The mopane moth in the northern half of the park is one of the best known, and communities outside the park have at times been given permits to harvest their caterpillars.
The park has a high diversity of termites and 22 genera are known to occur, including the mound-building genera Macrotermes, Cubitermes, Amitermes, Odontotermes and Trinervitermes. A new species of woodlouse, Ctenorillo meyeri, has been discovered inside termite nests, east of Phalaborwa and near Mopani Rest Camp. It is the first instance of a termitophilous species from the family Armadillidae.
Many species of mosquito occur in the park, including the Culex, Aedes and Anopheles genera which target mammals. A.
Mammal Species in Kruger National Park
The park is home to a diverse range of mammal species. Here are some notable examples:
- South-central black rhinoceros (D. b.)
- Blue wildebeest (C. t.)
- Chapman's zebra (E. q.)
- African buffalo (S. c.)
- South African giraffe (G. c.)
- Hippopotamus (H. a.)
- Lichtenstein's hartebeest (A. b.)
- Common warthog (P. a.)
- Southern white rhinoceros (C. s.)
- African wild dog (L. p.)
- Southeast African cheetah (A. j.)
- African leopard (P. p.)
- Lion (P. l.)
Where to find animals in the Kruger National Park | Top 10 game viewing tips
Environmental Threats
Light pollution produced by rest camps and nearby towns affects the biodiversity of Kruger National Park. Floods or raising of the walls of the Massingir and Corumana dams in Mozambique could potentially damage, by silting, the pristine gorges of the Olifants and Sabie rivers respectively.
The Olifants River Gorge has a deep, single thread, pool-rapid structure which is home to many crocodiles, besides hippos and fish. Other threats to poachers include the dangerous nature of the park itself.
Following approval by CITES, 47 tonnes of stockpiled ivory from Kruger were auctioned on 6 November 2008. The sale fetched approximately US$6.7 million which was allocated to increased anti-poaching measures. The intention was to flood the market, crash prices and make poaching less profitable.
The 2019 Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna summit voted down proposals for further one-off ivory sales from stockpiles for having led to increases in poaching across the continent. Across the continent the African elephant population decreased 30% in the period between 2007 and 2014.
Visiting Kruger National Park
The main thing to remember when visiting Kruger National Park is its sheer size. It covers 19,683 sq km (7,600 sq mi), so it’s important to be realistic about how much of the park you can see. How long to stay in Kruger National Park depends on your budget and desired level of wildlife encounters. While a two-day safari offers a taste of the park's highlights, a three- or four-day safari provides a more immersive experience, increasing your chances of spotting elusive animals.
Just like the best time to visit the rest of South Africa, Kruger National Park is a fantastic place to travel throughout the year. Many visitors come to Kruger during the dry winter months, from May to September.
Travellers have plenty of accommodation options both inside and nearby Kruger National Park to choose from. Whether you’re backpacking on a budget or living the life of luxury, Kruger's accommodations suit all tastes and bank balances.
Accommodation Options
- Campsites and Rest Camps: Offer a more affordable way to experience Kruger National Park.
- Safari Lodges: Offer a comfortable and affordable option for those seeking a balance between luxury and price.
- Luxury Safari Lodges: For those seeking a truly indulgent safari experience.
Different Areas of the Park
- Southern Kruger: The most popular section of the park. It has the highest concentration of animals and is the easiest area to access.
- Northern Kruger: The number of animals is lower, and fewer lodges are available. However, the bush setting is quieter and more rugged, and it feels more authentic, with its rare flora and fauna.
Getting to Kruger National Park
The easiest way to reach Kruger National Park by plane is to fly to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB). From there, you can take a domestic flight to Nelspruit, which is closer to Kruger. You can also complete the second leg of this trip via shuttle or rental car. Other options include a shuttle service that can drive you from the airport to your accommodations.
Safari Options
- Self-drive safari: Rent a vehicle and explore the park at your own pace.
- Guided safari: Joining a guided tour with a knowledgeable ranger is a great way to learn about the park's wildlife and ecosystems.
- Luxury safari lodge drives: Indulge in a luxurious safari experience with private safari drives, gourmet meals, cocktail sundowners, and stunning lodgings.
Wildlife Viewing Tips
- Sunrise and sunset are the prime times for wildlife viewing because animals are most active during these cooler times of day.
- Binoculars enhance your wildlife-viewing experience, allowing you to spot animals from a distance.
- A knowledgeable guide can help you spot wildlife and provide valuable insights into their behaviour.
- Wildlife viewing requires patience.
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