Kruger National Park Safaris
The Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest and finest safari regions – one of the very best parks on the continent.
When to go to Kruger National Park
Best Time to Go
One of Africa’s largest and finest safari regions
High quality lodges
Exclusive private concessions
Best combined with Sabi Sands
South Africa’s Flagship Safari Park
Located to the east of Johannesburg in northern South Africa, the Kruger is home to a network of tarmac roads that enable a unique self-drive market to explore the park. The roads are also used by camping safaris and overland group tours, altogether creating a high build-up of traffic and a style of safari experience we prefer to avoid. However, within the Kruger National Park, there are a number of private concessions; which only guests staying within the area can explore. The self-drive market and those staying in Kruger National Park accommodation cannot reach these areas, and the result is a wilderness experience that remains as exclusive as possible within the Kruger itself.
The activities available in the Kruger are very similar to those offered within the private reserves adjacent to the national park where, in addition to the usual game drives, you could opt for a selection of night drives, walking safaris and off-road driving, none of which is possible within the park.
Kruger National Park Trips
Established over a century ago, Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most iconic safari destinations, open to the public and offering incredible wildlife diversity, particularly good for seeing the Big Five. For an even more exclusive and immersive experience, staying in the private conservancies within and bordering the park provides intimate game drives, expert guides, and unparalleled wildlife encounters in some of Africa’s most luxurious camps and lodges.
Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
Good to Know
01.
Should I stay in the national park or Kruger’s private reserves and concessions?
The private reserves that run adjacent to the Kruger National Park – such as the Sabi Sands and Timbavati in particular – are home to some of Africa’s most luxurious safari properties and a number of ultra-exclusive game-viewing areas. We cannot recommend them highly enough, and we find that most of our clients choose to stay there rather than within the park itself.
Guests staying at the properties within the Kruger private concessions also have access to the national park and your guide might choose to take you into the park for special sightings. We do find, though, that there’s an incredible wealth of wildlife to see in the private areas, and most guests opt to stay within their concession to enjoy the more intimate encounters on offer.
02.
What is the difference between a private reserve and a private concession?
Both private reserves and private concessions are located adjacent to or within the national park, and share unfenced borders. Where the two differ, is in how they are owned and managed. Private reserves are privately owned areas adjacent to the national park. Private concessions are designated private areas just within or adjacent to the national park, that are leased out to private owners.
03.
Is it worth visiting the Singita Concession?
Yes! The Singita Concession is situated on the remote and mountainous border with Mozambique, at the confluence of two rivers. This over 16,000-hectare concession boasts possibly the highest concentration of wildlife in the park and is home to two of the finest lodges on the continent – Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni.
04.
Is it worth visiting the Makuleke Concession?
Further north, you will find the Makuleke Concession, named after the Makuleke people, to whom the land has been returned and who benefit from any profits from tourism. This remote and seldom-visited part of the park is over 24,000 hectares in extent and is home to almost 80 per-cent of its biodiversity. Big-game sightings are certainly good, but the main attraction of this area is its feeling of true wilderness. A recent flood has meant that there is now only one high-end option – The Outpost.
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