Kruger Travel Guide
For details of what to do and see in Kruger, South Africa check out our Kruger guide to car hire in Kruger.
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The largest and most famous of the many national parks in South Africa, The Kruger National Park in the northeast of the country has become synonymous with safari. Covering hundreds of square miles and taking in different habitats, the national park teems with wildlife, and is one of the best places in Africa to see animals such as lions and elephants.
Depending on your budget and preferences, there are a number of different ways to enjoy the Kruger magic, and hopefully to see the animals in the park.
By far the cheapest Kruger experience is to stay in one of the hotels just outside the gates of the national park and tour in your own hire car. The disadvantage of this is that you are not able to view certain parts of the park where private concessions have been given, and without a guide, you rely on luck to see the animals.
Marginally better is seeing the park on a coach tour. This is great value, but you must stay in your seat, and with up to 50 other people with you, it isn't the most natural way of seeing things.
If you choose to stay in one of the game lodges in Kruger, the staff will normally arrange a couple of drives each day - one early morning, and one in the evening. These tours go off road in 4WD vehicles and benefit from having trackers and guides on board to help you to see more.
If you are particularly daring, it is possible to arrange a camping trip in Kruger, although don't expect to sleep, as you will often hear animals snuffling at your tent in the night, and wake up thinking it is a lion!
Perhaps the best way of seeing the park is from above, and the opportunity to glide silently over the savannah in a hot air balloon at dawn or dusk is an experience that you will never forget.