Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is home to an impressive number of species - 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Among the mammal species are the Big Five - lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and white and black rhino. Other wildlife populations include zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, hippo and wild dog. Bushmen rock paintings and archeological sites are some of the treasures conserved in the park along with the parks natural assets. The climate is sub-tropical with hot summers and warm, dry winters. Summer rain falls between October and March.

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, SAN Parks - 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.

Kruger Park Rest camps, private camps and bush camps

Kruger boasts some of the most diverse fauna and flora in South Africa. There are various types of camps to cater for your every taste. Accommodation covers the full spectrum from camping to luxury cottages. There are numerous camps in the Kruger National Park of different types in different areas. From the South of the Kruger Park, through Central Kruger Park to the North you'll find a wide selection of mammals, amphibians and birds. There are numerous wilderness/hiking trails which enable exploration of the Kruger National Park on foot.

Northern Kruger National Park

• The Outpost luxury game lodge in the Makuleke region
• Rest camps from North to South are Punda Maria, Shingwedzi , and Mopani .
• Bush camps from North to South are Sirheni , Bateleur, and Shimuwini.
• A bush lodge, Boulders, with accommodation for 12 is close to the Mopani restcamp.

Central Kruger National Park

• The entrance gates for the central Kruger National Park are at Phalaborwa and at Orpen.
• Singita Lebombo, a new luxury game lodge at Nwanetsi
• Rest camps from North to South are Letaba , Olifants and Satara.
• Bush camps from North to South are Balule, Maroela (camping only), and Talamati.
• Bush lodges in the area are Roodewal with accommodation for 19 people.

Southern Kruger National Park

• Rest camps are Skukuza, Pretoriuskop, Lower Sabie and Berg-en-Dal.
• Bush camps are Crocodile Bridge, and Mbyamiti.

Much international acclaim has been accorded the Kruger National Park, which is regarded as one of the world's finest examples of wildlife management. A major international tourist draw card unrivalled in its rich diversity, the park offers a wilderness experience which ranks with the best in Africa.

This vast area, stretching 350 km from north to south, is home to great numbers and varieties of amphibians, reptiles, birds and 147 mammal species, including the Big Five. The sight of elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo is always a thrill, especially at close range on a conducted wilderness trail. But many visitors get as big a kick out of spotting a kudu, a warthog or one of the eagle species.

Most people choose to explore in the comfort of their own cars, to stop and stare, to take the perfect photograph, and to follow at whim when the unexpected beckons. After an exciting day in the bush, sunset heralds the crackle of campfire, sundowners and shared anecdotes.

At night, you'll be lulled to sleep by a chorus of nocturnal birds or you may share in a never-to-be-forgotten bush experience on Kruger night drives. Powerful spotlights slice through the mystery of the African night, revealing the secret, the undiscovered - the comical porcupine, the wheeling nightjar, smartly turned out civets and genets as well as the sinister predators and scavengers of the night.

Whether you choose to rough it or join the jetset on safari, the Kruger National Park offers a range of accommodation to suit all preferences, from tents to rondavels and luxury guesthouses. The main camps have an excellent range of visitor facilities, including licensed restaurants, shops, swimming pools and conference venues.

All roads leading to the park's eight access gates are tarmac, while inside the park the roads are tarred or have good gravel surfaces. There are daily flights from Johannesburg to the main camp, Skukuza, where cars can be hired.

Kruger is one of the most famous parks in the world and the oldest one in Africa. It is 350 km long from north to south, at most 60km in width and covers a surface area of 1 948 528 hectares.

The park's genuine African atmosphere has an enchantment that entices the visitor to return. Those who wish to experience it have to relax, look and listen. Once one has learnt to appreciate every aspect of bush life, there is no end to the surprises it holds and it becomes possible to enjoy the park to its fullest extent.

One of the main objectives of the park management is to maintain the ecosystem in its natural state for the enjoyment and enrichment of the visitor.

Kruger Wilderness Trails

The Bushman , Wolhuter , Napi , Metsi-metsi , Sweni, Olifants and Nyalaland Wilderness Trails have been established to offer tourists the opportunity of experiencing nature at close range by traversing large areas of unspoilt wilderness on foot, under the guidance of armed and experienced trail rangers.