Kruger Park is regarded internationally as one of the most favored game reserves for viewing the 'Big 5'.A park that is approximately the size of Wales visited by a million tourists every year and filled with 300,000 animals!! Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 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 The far north of the park is the wildest and most difficult area to access and because of this, it has alluring qualities for the real adventurer. However, the central and southern parts of the park have the best facilities for visitors, with an excellent network of roads and game-viewing waterholes.
With greater ecological co-operation across African borders, several countries bordering South Africa have agreed to take down some fences, and those between Kruger and Mozambique's Limpopo National Park and Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou, have been demolished to create the Greater Limpopo Transfronteir Park. This unique political innovation is creating a colossal wilderness area extending 15,000 miles (24,000km).

ANIMALS & BIRDS

Sighting the "Big Five” has become something of a quest for many people when on safari, and Kruger National Park has more than its fare share of these, with an estimated 1,800 lion, 9,125 elephant, 25,000 buffalo, unknown number of leopards and 2,300 black and white rhino. These animals became the 'Big Five' because they are the five most dangerous animals to hunt - when injured they attack! It should certainly not be a pre-requisite of a safari to see these or even a priority, as there are plenty of other fascinating animals and birds in the African bush.With approximately 500 bird species, some of them unique to this area, there is enough on the ground and in the air to keep anybody's binoculars busy. Some of the biggest and most impressive birds to be seen here are the ground hornbill, martial eagle, lappet-faced vulture, kori bustard and saddle-billed stork.

There are almost 254 known cultural heritage sites in the Kruger National Park, including nearly 130 recorded rock art sites.
• This is a malarial area
• Off road driving is prohibited

SEASONS

Rainy Season: The subtropical climate has hot rainy summers starting in October and ending around March. The summer rains transform the arid park into a lush flowering paradise, but the increased foliage does make animals harder to see.

Dry Season: The winter months from April to September are extremely pleasant with warm dry days and cold nights. Traditionally, the best game viewing is in winter as the vegetation becomes sparse and water is restricted to rivers and artificial waterholes.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK SPECIALITIES

• Animal density and variety
• The " Big Five"
• Self drive safari
• Exclusive private lodges
• Wonderful subtropical climate
• Plenty of birds
• Very safe safari environment

FACTS

•The Park was established in 1926
• The surface area of Kruger National Park is 7,580 miles2 (19,633 km²)
•There are almost 254 known cultural heritage sites in the Kruger National Park, including nearly 130 recorded rock art sites.
•This is a malarial area
•Off road driving is prohibited
• Night drives can be booked in advance in a guided vehicle