South Africa

Kruger National Park

Region

At nearly 20,000 square kilometers, Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa is the country's largest wildlife sanctuary, roughly the size of Rhineland-Palatinate.

by Felix Gillen

At nearly 20,000 square kilometers, Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa is the country's largest wildlife sanctuary, roughly the size of Rhineland-Palatinate. It's home to the Big Five, plus giraffes, zebras, wild dogs, and over 500 bird species. The best part: You can explore the park on paved and gravel roads with your own rental car.

The park stretches about 350 kilometers from north to south along the border with Mozambique. Its core dates back to the Sabie Game Reserve, founded in 1898, becoming a National Park in 1926. The South, around Skukuza, Lower Sabie, and Crocodile Bridge, has the highest animal density and is reachable from Johannesburg in about five hours. The Center, around Satara and Olifants, is open savanna with many lions. The North, around Punda Maria, is quieter, with baobabs and abundant birdlife.At the state camps, you can stay in huts or on the campsite; bookings are made through SANParks, often months in advance for peak season. The gates open and close at fixed times; outside the camps, you may only exit your vehicle at marked spots. The best time for wildlife viewing is the dry season from May to September. The park is located in a malaria area; consult the travel and health advisories of the Federal Foreign Office (link on country page) and seek travel medical advice beforehand.

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Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp

Crocodile Bridge is a small camp directly at the eponymous gate in the southeast of Kruger National Park, on the north bank of the Crocodile River. The open savanna north of the camp is known for buffalo, rhinos, and lions.

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Place 2 of 4

Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Lower Sabie is located in the southeast of Kruger National Park directly on the Sabie River. From the camp's terrace, you look out onto the river, where elephants, buffalo, and hippos are on the move.

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Place 3 of 4

Olifants Rest Camp

Olifants is perched high on a rocky ridge above the Olifants River in the heart of Kruger National Park. From the observation deck, you can gaze far across the river valley, where elephants, hippos, and crocodiles can be seen.

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Place 4 of 4

Punda Maria Rest Camp

Punda Maria is the northernmost camp of Kruger National Park, small and quiet, nestled at the foot of a wooded hill. The far north has fewer animals than the south, but offers baobabs, fever trees, and one of the park's most diverse birdlife.

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More places in Kruger National Park

Satara Rest Camp

Satara is Kruger National Park's second largest camp, situated in the open grass savanna of the park's central region. The plains attract large herds of zebras, wildebeest, and buffalo, and thus lions, which is why Satara is considered one of the best camps for big cats.

Skukuza Rest Camp

Skukuza is the largest camp and administrative headquarters of Kruger National Park, on the south bank of the Sabie River. With restaurants, a shop, a petrol station, an ATM, and its own airfield, it is more like a small village than a camp.

Dining in Kruger

Braai in Camp

In the camps, a grill is standard equipment; most accommodations have their own fire pit. Camp shops stock meat, charcoal, and Boerewors. After sunset, with gates closed, the Braai is the gathering spot where self-drivers share their daily sightings.

Restaurants in the Camps

Skukuza has a restaurant in the old Selati railway station, plus a cafeteria. Larger camps like Letaba, Satara, and Olifants also have restaurants, while smaller ones often only have a shop. The menu usually features steaks, burgers, and South African classics.

Picnic spots on the way

Between the camps, there are picnic sites where you can get out, such as Tshokwane, Nkuhlu, or Afsaal. At many, you can rent gas grills. Because the drives between two camps can take half a day, you usually eat lunch on the way.

Self-catering

If you plan to cook, it's best to shop before arrival in Mbombela (Nelspruit), Hazyview or Phalaborwa. Camp shops stock the essentials, but the selection is smaller and more expensive.

Round trips through this region

Kruger & Panorama Route

The route connects the Panorama Route with waterfalls, the Blyde River Canyon and viewpoints like God's Window with safari days in Kruger National Park. Hoedspruit and Nelspruit are close to the park gates and have their own airports.

11 Days

4 stops

Nearby

Skukuza Rest Camp

Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp

Satara Rest Camp

Panorama Route

Immerse yourself in a world of breathtaking natural wonders along South Africa's legendary Panorama Route. This spectacular destination in the Mpumalanga province will enchant you with its dramatic gorges, majestic waterfalls, and unparalleled views that will take your breath away.