KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The Kruger National Park is one of the oldest wildlife and in fact the first wildlife reserve established in southern Africa. Kruger was designated a protected area in 1926. Today, the Park spreads over 20,000 sq km and draws the largest number of safari enthusiasts in South Africa. The infrastructure within the Park is reputed to be the best in the African Continent, and it is considered to be one of the world’s finest examples of efficient wildlife management.

This Park is the best choice for a do-it-yourself and low-cost safari.  Stretching for 350 km from north to south, Kruger occupies most of what is known as the `Low veldt’- a fertile, low-lying coastal belt, which is drained by five rivers. It is home to the Big Five - the elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo and is teeming with other wild life too. Kruger offers enthusiasts a choice of more than 147 mammals, 500 species of birds and 114 reptiles within its premises. Once you go in, you just cannot come back disappointed. Because you can’t help but see wildlife, even if all may not be that exciting as warthog, zebra, wildebeest, cheetah and impala. The rivers of the Park are home to hippos and crocodiles, while birds such as ostrich, Goliath heron, steppe buzzard, secretary bird, paradise flycatcher and plenty of other interesting species nest within the Park.

Entry Permits
Visitors to Kruger pay R30 per adult and R15 per child at the entrance to the park. Additional charges are levied on vehicles, ranging from R9 for a trailer to R320 for a large bus. Safaris, guided walks and camping in wilderness parks cost extra.

Access
Most of the private parks have airstrips for chartered flights. Cars can be rented from Skukuza, Nelspruit and Phalaborwa airports. The Kruger Gate is approximately 500 km (5 hours) from Jo’burg and 520 km from Pretoria. Metalled roads connect the Kruger National Park and it will not be a bad idea to drive to the Park. The scenery enroot is breath taking. There are eight entrance gates to the Park. There is approximately 2000 km of roads within the park that are well maintained by the authorities. But it will make sense not to over speed, as the authorities down there are extremely strict with those who exceed the speed limits.

There are many options for wild life watching within the Park. You can laze around in the comfort of a camp verandah and look out for passing animals or hire a vehicle and go on a safari. You can also go along one of the special wilderness trails, which meander through the Park. But this is possible only if a very experienced guide accompanies you. There are seven of these trails, and all offer the opportunity to see wildlife at real close quarters. Hence the need of a guide.

Best time to visit
Even though the nights are cool at 20º C, mercury rises up to 40ºC during summer (December to March. There is a peculiarity with the summer. Rains too come down in summer. This provides the visitor a rare opportunity for the visitor to see the dramatic thundershowers peculiar to this region of the world. The rains mean a spurt in the growth of grass and plant life and it is often difficult to spot wildlife. Unlike in other resorts, in winter, many of the watering holes dry up, and animals head for the few those are full, making it easy to spot them. So Winter (June onwards) is the best time to visit the Park with dry, pleasantly warm days.

Accommodation
Caravan and camping sites, private camps for groups, safari tents, huts, Rest camps, Bushveld camps, cottages and bungalows, are some of the many accommodation facilities available in the Park. There are two private camps within Kruger called Mala Mala and Sabi Sabi, and a large number of private reserves such as Chitwa Chitwa Lodges, Honeyguide Tented Safaris, Makalali Private Game Reserve, Kaparna Private Game Reserve and Tangala Private Safari Camp- all on the outskirts of the park. Tariffs vary considerably. It depends upon what level of luxury you expect or the level of tolerance of the lack of it you can afford to.

You can get air-conditioned accommodation and international cuisine in these private reserves.  Treetop game viewing venues, covered verandahs, specially protected swimming pools, eco-safaris and open safari vehicles are some of their other specialties.

Apart from camping, all accommodation must be booked through the National Parks Board. Bank, gas stations, restaurants, and shops are the amenities within reach of camping sites.