Kruger safari tips

How the Kruger safari regions differ
Southern
This is the most tourist-crowded area of the Kruger safari areas. And vegetation is generally dense, reducing wildlife viewing. However, there are good cheetah and white rhino sightings in the more open areas.

Central
Its large portion of grassy plains makes it superior to the Southern and Northern areas in seeing grazing animals and therefore lions and other predators.

Northern
This is the least tourist-crowded area. Its upper part is hot, arid and remote. The lower part is good for elephant watching.

Private reserves
They have a much higher concentration of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) than exists in the other three regions. They also have most of the luxury lodges. Click the "Luxury lodges & camps" button for details.

When to go

Your wet or dry season decision will be mainly based on your priorities.

Wet season
occurs in the Southern Hemisphere summer
It can be hot, humid and rainy. But rains are normally short. And the vegetation is greener, days are longer, and birding is at its best.

Dry Season
occurs in the Southern Hemisphere winter
Nights are cold. However, days are warm. And with less foliage, more sunny days, and busier water holes, it's easier to see and photograph the wildlife. Moreover, reservations (except during holiday periods) are easier to obtain - and rates are typically lower. x

More Kruger safari tips & insights
Non-luxury accommodations
Many exist, from no-frill camping sites to comfortable lodges, satisfying all budgets and preferences. They are fenced in to keep dangerous animals out.

Driving
You can drive your car inside Kruger, but be aware you must stay on the tar and gravel roads. Off-road driving is prohibited. So is getting out of your vehicle except in designated safe areas.

Speed limits
It's 50 kph (30 mph) on tar roads, 40 kph (25 mph) on gravel ones - and they are strictly enforced for the sake of the wild animals that dart across the roads.

Traffic
Kruger is visited by nearly a million people per year. Most are South Africans who drive up with their families for long-weekend getaways. During school-holiday weekends, traffic jams occur on some main park roads.

Organized tours
Complete packages are available. Or, once you are in the park, you can book several-hour game drives. Those drives typically use converted trucks with large-seating capacities (it won't be an intimate experience, but at least they are topless, which enhances your view).

Key to understanding Kruger geography
Private reserves
Virtually all the finest Kruger lodges and camps are not in Kruger National Park proper, but in private reserves that hug the park's central-western border. Sabi Sand is the finest.

Sabi Sand Game Reserve
It boasts the highest concentration of major game in the Greater Kruger area. And it has nearly 90% of Kruger's luxury lodges and camps.

Sabi Sand geographical divisions
Sabi Sand is divided into over two dozen private game areas (such as the ones located with numerals on the map). Most have exclusive traversing rights (only the operator's vehicles are allowed).

The top 4 Sabi Sand multi-lodge venues
Listing is alphabetical
Londolozi
Londolozi is run by the Varty family, a name long synonymous with luxury Kruger safaris. It has four camps: Bateleur, Founders, Pioneer, and Varty.

Mala Mal
It covers the largest expanse of the various Sabi Sand sections and has a fine reputation. The Main Camp, Sable Camp, and Rattrays are its three accommodation venues.

Singita
Its Boulders Lodge rests on a high, rocky site with sweeping views while its Ebony Lodge kisses the river. The decor in both is stylish, a Singita signature.

Ulusaba
Owned by Virgin Airlines founder Richard Branson. Ulusaba has two venues: Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge. Each must be booked on an exclusive-use basis by, for instance, a family or small group.

The best single-lodge venue
Kirkman's Kamp
Unlike the four venues above, Kirkman's Kamp has a homespun (though sophisticated) ambiance with a South African Colonial flavor. It's low-keyed luxury that many safari-goers relish. Click Kirkman's Kamp to see photos and my description of this lodge.

Other worthy private reserves with lodges in Sabi Sand 
They include Exeter, Leopard Hills, and Sabi Sabi.

Beyond Sabi Sand
Timbavati
The best of other private game reserves in Greater Kruger is Timbavati, which lies north of Sabi Sand. Ngala is Timbavati's best luxury game reserve and its Ngala Tented Camp is special.

Inside Kruger Park proper
Most accommodations fall within the basic-campsite to comfortable-lodge range. Exceptions are rare. The luxury Lebombo and Sweni Lodges are two of them.

Kirkman's Kamp tips and insights
Sabi Sand
Kirkman's Kamp is one of the outstanding private reserves in the Sabi Sand (others include Londolozi, Singita and Mala Mala). Sabi Sand is celebrated for its high concentration of big game, including leopards and elephants.

Ambiance
Kirkman's Kamp is homespun, yet has a sophisticated 1920s farmhouse ambiance. This adds venue variety to your safari trip. You travel back to the century-ago Colonial days of South Africa.

There are 18 guest cottages with private verandas overlooking the Sabi Sand river. The rooms have a comfy, Colonial-farmhouse style.

Public spaces of Kirkman's Kamp include an infinity-rim pool, a bar & lounge popular for socializing, and a long, cozy sitting room.

Location
It is conveniently near (10 kilometers or 6 miles) from the Skukuza airstrip.

Next to Kruger
Kirkman's Kamp shares a long fenceless border with the Kruger National Park. Big-game wildlife from Kruger freely crosses the boundary.

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