National park · South Africa
Kruger National Park
Self-drive the southern Sabie–Crocodile river loop from Skukuza or Berg-en-Dal for 3–4 nights in May–Sep (dry, thin bush; gates open 06:00, close 17:30 May–Jul and 18:00 Aug–Sep); skip the far north unless you have 5+ nights, and never plan to be outside a camp gate after closing time.Self-drive the southern Sabie–Crocodile river loop from Skukuza or Berg-en-Dal for 3–4 nights in May–Sep (dry, thin bush; gates open 6:00 AM, close 5:30 PM May–Jul and 6:00 PM Aug–Sep); skip the far north unless you have 5+ nights, and never plan to be outside a camp gate after closing time.
Map to the park
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Area
19,500 km²7,529 sq mi
approximate
Established
1898
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 19,500 km²7,529 sq mi
- About 19,500 km², roughly the size of Slovenia or the US state of New Jersey; the park is divided into 14 ecozones (check).
- Established
- 1898
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Kruger is South Africa's flagship park: about 19,500 km² along the Mozambique border, run by SANParks, with tar roads, 20+ rest camps and self-drive game viewing that needs no guide. The southern third around the Sabie and Crocodile rivers holds the densest game and the most traffic; the central and northern sections trade sightings-per-hour for space and birds. There are no long hiking trails for casual visitors — walking is done on short guided bush walks from the main camps, and the rest of the time you stay in the car.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1898.
Size and age
19,500 km²7,529 sq mi · national park since 1898
About 19,500 km², roughly the size of Slovenia or the US state of New Jersey; the park is divided into 14 ecozones (check).
Why go
- Self-drive Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo are all present, and impala, zebra and giraffe are near-certain in the south.
- You set the pace — no convoy, no fixed schedule, just a map, a car and gate times.
- Rest camps range from cheap self-catering bungalows to luxury private lodges, all inside or on the edge of the park.
- The far north (Pafuri, Punda Maria) is a birding area with mopane and fever-tree country and a fraction of the southern traffic.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot, wet, thick bush; roads can flood
- FebWettest month; game spread out
- MarRain easing; green and quiet
- AprDry season starting; grass still high
- MayDry, cool mornings, bush thinning
- JunCold nights, excellent visibility
- JulPeak dry season; book camps early
- AugDry, waterholes concentrate game
- SepHot and dry; best sightings odds
- OctHot; first rains, green flush
- NovHot and humid; afternoon storms
- DecHot, wet, school holidays busy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo)May–Sep · Dry season: thin bush and waterholes concentrate animals. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Impala, zebra, giraffe, wildebeestAll year · Near-certain on southern loops at any time of year. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Migratory and resident birds (northern Pafuri is the stronghold)Nov–Mar · Summer migrants arrive with the rains. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Wild dog and cheetahMay–Sep · Uncommon and unpredictable; ask at camp sightings boards. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Johannesburg
Self-drive on the N4 to Mbombela then the R536/R538 to Paul Kruger, Phabeni or Numbi gate; or fly to Skukuza or Kruger Mpumalanga airport and rent a car.
4.5–5.5 h by road
Open the page →
From Mbombela (Nelspruit)
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, then 40–80 km to Numbi, Malelane, Phabeni or Paul Kruger gate.Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, then 25–50 mi to Numbi, Malelane, Phabeni or Paul Kruger gate.
1–1.5 h
From Skukuza Airport
Flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town land inside the park; collect a car or a lodge transfer at the airstrip.
From Maputo, Mozambique
N4 to Komatipoort, then Crocodile Bridge gate; the shortest international approach.
1.75–2.5 h
From Cape Town
Fly to Skukuza or Kruger Mpumalanga rather than driving; the road trip is two long days.
2.5 h flight
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Southern section (Sabie and Crocodile rivers) | Densest game and the busiest roads; Skukuza, Berg-en-Dal, Pretoriuskop, Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge camps. | Open to all self-drive visitors with a ticket. |
| Central section (Satara, Olifants, Letaba) | Open plains, good lion and cheetah country, fewer cars than the south. | Open; 2–4 h drive between camps. |
| Northern section (Shingwedzi, Punda Maria, Pafuri) | Mopane woodland, baobabs and the best birding; very low traffic. | Open, but long distances between fuel and camps. |
| Private reserves on the western boundary | Sabi Sand and Timbavati, unfenced to the park, with guided drives and walks. | Lodge guests only; see the Sabi Sand page. |
Sketch map
- 1Skukuza rest camp · Headquarters≈-24.995, 31.592Main camp, fuel, shop, museum.Map ↗
- 2Paul Kruger Gate · Gate≈-24.981, 31.485Main western entrance, 15 min from Skukuza.Map ↗
- 3Numbi Gate · Gate≈-25.156, 31.198Closest gate to Pretoriuskop.Map ↗
- 4Malelane Gate · Gate≈-25.462, 31.532Southernmost entrance, near Berg-en-Dal.Map ↗
- 5Crocodile Bridge Gate · Gate≈-25.363, 31.896Closest to Komatipoort and Maputo.Map ↗
- 6Orpen Gate · Gate≈-24.481, 31.390Central entrance from the R531.Map ↗
- 7Phalaborwa Gate · Gate≈-23.946, 31.166Nearest gate to Letaba.Map ↗
- 8Punda Maria Gate · Gate≈-22.737, 31.010Northern entrance.Map ↗
- 9Pafuri Gate · Gate≈-22.400, 31.041Northernmost gate, in the Pafuri Triangle.Map ↗
- 10Satara rest camp · Sleep≈-24.394, 31.778Central camp on open plains.Map ↗
- 11Olifants rest camp · Sleep≈-24.014, 31.735River-view camp in the centre.Map ↗
- 12Skukuza Airport · Ranger station≈-24.961, 31.589Flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town.Map ↗
- 13Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport · Ranger station≈-25.383, 31.106Outside the park, near Mbombela.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation fee, South African residents and citizens | ZAR 120 | person per day | 2026 estimate; SANParks reviews fees each year — confirm the current rate before you travel (check). |
| Conservation fee, SADC nationals | ZAR 240 | person per day | 2026 estimate — confirm the current rate before you travel (check). |
| Conservation fee, international visitors | ZAR 480 | person per day | 2026 estimate, about US$25–30; children usually pay less — confirm the current rate before you travel (check). |
| Guided morning or sunset game drive | ZAR 400–800 | person | Booked at your rest camp; price varies by camp and duration (check). |
| Guided bush walk | ZAR 500–900 | person | Two to three hours, small group, armed ranger (check). |
| Rest camp bungalow | ZAR 1,200–3,000 (≈ US$70–180) | unit per night | 2026 estimate; safari tents and camping cost less, private lodges far more. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry and conservation fee permit or guide
Rest camp or lodge booking permit or guide
Guided walk or night drive permit or guide
Great Limpopo transfrontier crossing permit or guide
Park rules
- Gate times
- Entrance gates open around 05:30–06:00 and close 17:30–18:30 depending on the month; camp gates close at the same time. Being out after closing time carries a heavy fine.Entrance gates open around 5:30 AM–6:00 AM and close 5:30 PM–6:30 PM depending on the month; camp gates close at the same time. Being out after closing time carries a heavy fine.
- Stay in your vehicle
- Outside rest camps and fenced picnic spots you may not leave your car except at signed viewpoints and toilets.
- Speed limits
- 50 km/h on tar, 40 km/h on gravel, 20 km/h in camps; driving off-road is not allowed.
- No night driving
- Self-driving after gate closing is prohibited; only guided night drives may be out after dark.
- Sightings and social media
- Sharing precise wildlife locations online is strongly discouraged because of poaching; use camp sightings boards instead.
- Drones
- Not allowed in the park without written permission from SANParks (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Skukuza
The largest rest camp: bungalows, safari tents, camping, fuel, shop, restaurant and the airport nearby.
In the park
Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge
Smaller southern camps on the Sabie and Crocodile rivers; good value and strong game country.
In the park
Satara and Olifants
Central camps on open plains; Olifants has the river view.
In the park
Shingwedzi and Punda Maria
Northern camps for birding and space; long drives between them.
Near the park
Sabi Sand private lodges
Guided drives and walks on the western boundary, unfenced to Kruger.
Safety
Malaria medium
Elephant and buffalo near the car high
Heat and dehydration medium
Long distances between fuel stops medium
Flooded gravel roads in summer medium
Accessibility
- Main camps, shops, restaurants and some bungalows have step-free access; ask SANParks for the specific unit when booking.
- Game viewing from a car suits limited mobility well; guided drives use open vehicles with high steps, so request a standard vehicle.
- Guided bush walks are not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Do not share live wildlife locations on social media; poaching networks use them.
- Stay on the roads and take all rubbish out; litter bags are issued at the gate.
- Buy from camp shops and use SANParks camps where you can — the fees fund anti-poaching and conservation.
- Keep a respectful distance at sightings so animals are not pushed off a kill or away from water.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kruger National Park?
The daily conservation fee is roughly R120 for South African residents, R240 for SADC nationals and R480 for other international visitors per person per day (2026 estimate — confirm current rates with SANParks before you travel). Children usually pay less. A 3-night stay for two international visitors is therefore about R2,900 in fees alone, before accommodation.
What are the best hikes in Kruger National Park?
Kruger is a self-drive park rather than a hiking park: outside rest camps and fenced picnic spots you normally have to stay in your car, and walking is done on guided bush walks of 2–3 hours from the main rest camps, led by an armed ranger and booked at camp reception. Whether any longer self-guided or multi-day trail options currently run needs checking with SANParks. For multi-day walking, look at the private reserves on the western boundary instead.
When is the best time to visit Kruger National Park?
May to September is the dry season: cool mornings, thin bush, animals concentrated at water, and the best odds for the Big Five. July and August are the busiest, so book camps months ahead. October to April is hot and green with afternoon storms, thick vegetation and fewer visitors; it is also the wetter season for mosquitoes and the best time for birds.
Can I self-drive Kruger without a guide?
Yes. Most visitors self-drive on the tar and gravel roads. You must stay in the car outside camps and fenced picnic spots, obey the 50 km/h tar and 40 km/h gravel limits, and be back inside a camp gate before closing time. Guided drives and walks are optional extras booked at your camp.
How many days do I need in Kruger?
Three nights minimum for the southern loop around Skukuza, Lower Sabie and Berg-en-Dal. Add two more nights if you want the central plains, and five or more if you plan to reach Pafuri in the north. Distances between camps are 1–2 hours in the south and longer in the north, so do not over-schedule.
Is Kruger a malaria area?
Kruger is generally described as a low-risk malaria area, with risk higher in the wetter summer months, but this needs checking against current health advice for your dates and route. Speak to a travel clinic about prophylaxis, use repellent from dusk, and sleep under a net where one is provided.
Where should I stay near Kruger National Park?
Inside the park, SANParks rest camps run from camping and safari tents to self-catering bungalows, and Skukuza is the biggest. On the western boundary, private reserves such as Sabi Sand offer guided drives and walks at lodge prices. Towns outside the gates — Hazyview, Malelane, Komatipoort and Hoedspruit — have guesthouses for day-visitor trips.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go