The largest, flagship Game Reserve in South Africa. The world renowned Kruger National Park lies in the heart of the low veld, straddling the north eastern borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This vast reserve covers nearly 2 million hectares, making it bigger than the size of Israel, ranks the best wildlife reserve in Africa. Kruger Park now forms part of the greater Limpopo Trans frontier Park in collaboration with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the aim being to extend the, once ancient migratory routes of elephant and other animals, allowing the old patterns to be expressed freely. When complete, the Greater Limpopo Trans frontier Park will extend across 35 000 square kilometers, 58% of it South African, 24% Mozambican and 18% Zimbabwean territory.
Known to be one of the most bio diverse parks on earth, Kruger Park boasts a variety of trees, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Man’s interaction with the Low veld 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, and are conserved along with the park’s natural assets.
At least 20 different eco-zones housing no fewer than six ecosystems – baobab sand veld, Lebombo knobthorn-marula bushveld, mixed acacia thicket, combretum-silver cluster leaf, woodland on granite, and riverine forest. These also support a great number of trees and plants like the little five (buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle). The birding Big Six (ground hornbill, kori bustard, lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, pel’s fishing owl and saddle-bill stork) thrive in this area. There are in fact more species of mammals living here than any other game reserve in Africa.
Kruger Park is mainly a self drive destination with an excellent infrastructure that includes picnic sites, rest camps, waterholes and hides. Highly informative maps are available in all the well appointed shops in the main camps, adjacent to restaurants which cater for all tastes. Besides driving through Kruger Park there are also guided tour operators with open game viewing vehicles offering their services. Guided walks are available, both short bush day walks from the camps and longer wilderness trails which last on average 2 nights and 3 days. A reasonable degree of fitness is required for these; daily distances can be up to 20 kilometers. Accommodation is rustic huts with flush toilets and reed enclosed showers.
For the adventurous 4×4 enthusiast there is four, one day, 4×4 trails to explore in Kruger Park. The Madlabantu Trail (Pretoriuskop area, south west) Mananga Trail (Satara area, central), Nonokani Trail (Phalaborwa gate, mid- north), and the Northern Plains Trail (Shingwedzi, Punda Maria, north). All of these traverse through eco-zones unique to that area, attracting a variety of different game and predators. For more information Click Here
The Lebombo Eco Trail traverses about 525 kilometres (310 miles) across the length of Kruger Park and takes 5 days (4 nights) to complete. This trail runs through the eastern section of the park through the foothills of the Lebombo Hills. It is usually travelled from South to North, passing through several eco zones, but is generally dry, and you will have a good chance of seeing White Rhino. Stops along the route are made at three camps: Lower Sabie, Olifants and Shingwedzi for re-fuelling, replenishment of supplies and water. And having a shower.
Accommodation
The Kruger National Park has 21 rest camps, (main and private bush camps), as well as 2 private lodge concessions, and 15 designated private safari lodges. The concessions are parcels of land operated by private companies in partnership with communities, who outsource the operation of private lodges. Camping in the park has become popular with tourists and backpackers because it is less expensive, and open to anyone, requiring no special permission to partake. Visitors thus have a wide range of accommodation options including intimate exclusivity of the highest degree. For more information Click Here
Tel: +27 21 468 7255