Which African safari gives tourists the best experience? It’s difficult to compare locations given the rich diversity of Southern African fauna and flora. While South Africans are undoubtedly biased towards our own ecological hotzones, we also want to offer readers an unbiased opinion. What do people want from their travel experiences?

In this article we’ll explore the Kruger National Park in all its glory and compare it to natural tourist hotspots – both local and abroad. See five reasons why the Kruger National Park offers the best safari experience you can find!

1. Does the Kruger National Park offer a unique experience?

Claiming top honours as safari destination takes guts – after all, there are thousands of safari experiences across Africa as well as similar destinations the world over.

But one thing the Kruger Park can brag about is the long list of celebrities who frequent the park each year. Some even own their own private lodges or shares in camps.

International stars who frequent the park include:

1. Eugene Levy: Hollywood star famed for his roles in American Pie and Schitt’s Creek.
2. Gabrielle Union: Famed U.S. musician and actress celebrated her 50^th birthday in Africa, with a stopover in the Kruger Park (among other African venues)
3. Sir Elton John: The renowned british star claims Royal Malewane in the Kruger National Park as his favourite spot for an ‘annual pilgrimage’ to reconnect with nature.
4. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: he may have ceded his ‘royal highness’ epithet, but Harry is still royalty in SA given his love of Southern Africa.  
5. Sir Richard Branson: Branson was not only the person who former president Nelson Mandela contacted to save the gym industry, he’s a Kruger Park fan! Branson even has his own luxury game lodges located within the Kruger National Park and without.
6. Leonardo DiCaprio: another fan of Southern Africa, the academy award-winning star loves visiting the Kruger Park.
7. Tom Cruise: SA is a filming hotspot! With much of Tom Cruise’s last Mission Impossible shoot filmed in Hoedspruit, it’s no surprise the star made frequent visits to the Kruger National Park.

But the park isn’t merely popular among celebrities. In fact, it ranked 9th out of 51 Parks on TikTok in 2022 – with 7 of the other top 10 spots claimed by the USA.

Kruger Park’s biodiversity

The Kruger National Park truly offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Most local and foreign toursist claim each visit to offer a novel experience.

If it’s wildlife you want, you’ve got it! The Big Five can be seen within the park borders, including lions, elephants, rhino, leopards and buffalo.

What is the Big Five?

The Big Five refers to five species of animal who were thought to be most difficult to hunt among all African mammal species. Hunting them was considered most dangerous. While the name has negative roots, it’s stuck and is associated more with conservation than hunting nowadays.

But this is hardly the scope of their offering. Many tourists flock here to see other unique creatures not found at other safari destinations, such as: hippos, giraffes, cheetahs, warthogs, kudu, springboks, zebras, mongoose, crocodiles, blue cranes, hyenas, African wild dogs, meerkats, fish eagles and more.

Sure, some of these animals can be found in other regions of Africa or abroad, but they’re not found in quite the abundance in most places compared to their numbers in the Kruger Park.

Why is it called a ‘white rhino’ when it’s grey?

The white rhino’s name comes from Dutch ‘weit’, which means ‘wide’ – in reference to its wide muzzle. The term was accidentally introduced to English and assumed to refer to the colour.

What do tourists look for in a safari destination?

When shopping around for your next holiday, you’re likely asking yourself what to look for in a safari spot. SanParks take a look at the 5 most prominent criteria and why the Kruger National Park is the top choice.

1. Exclusivity: does the Kruger Park offer a unique experience?

No one wants to travel thousands of kilometres for an experience they can replicate in their own back yard. You want to know your visit is unique – something you won’t find anywhere else.

The Kruger National Park offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In fact, most visitors – both local and foreign tourists – experience something new each time they visit.

What makes the Kruger National Park different?

• The Kruger Park is enormous! It encompasses more than 19 833 km² (7 658 square miles) of unfenced terrestrial biodiversity. It measures 350 km (217,48 miles) from north to south and 60 km (37,28 miles) from east to west.
• There’s ample evidence of ancient human activity – from prehistoric man (500 000 to 100 000 years ago), Stone Age man (100 000 to 30 000 years ago), and Iron Age inhabitants (1 500 years ago).
• The park boasts approximately 254 cultural heritage sites – including 130 recorded rock art sites – and more than 300 archaeological sites.  
• The park is flanked by the Greater Kruger area to the west which spans 3 440 km2 (328,19 square miles). It includes private and public land offering wildlife a greater area to roam free.

2. What variety of activities does the Kruger National Park offer?

Given the enormous size of the Kruger National Park, there’s also an eclectic mix of experiences for one and all. SANParks offers the following activities:

• Birding
• Backpacking trails
• Bush braais & breakfast
• Game Drives
• Golfing (Skukuza)
• Great Limpopo park transfrontier trails
• Guided walks
• Hikes, walks and trails
• Mountain biking
• Park & ride
• Sable dam hide
• Swimming
• Wilderness trails

Whether you want an aerial view from mountain tops, travel along the scenic river ways, see the big five on an evening drive, dine in the open air, or have a relaxing massage at a spa – you’ll find it all at the park.

The Park frequently hosts local and international summits, sees film crews and researchers, musicians, cultural events, training courses and sporting competitions. Some venues and camps offer cinemas, conference facilities, spas, shops, concerts, craft markets, culinary and arts festivals and much more.

Whether you want a panoramic view from mountain tops, travel along the scenic river ways, see the big five on an evening drive, dine in the open air, or have a relaxing massage at a spa – you’ll find it all at the park.

The Park hosts local and international summits, sees film crews and researchers, musicians, cultural events, training courses and sporting competitions. Some venues/camps offer enclosed and open-air cinemas, conference facilities, spas, shops, concerts, craft markets, culinary and arts festivals and much more.

The Kruger National Park hosts some of the greatest congregations of:

• Fauna
• Flora
• Investors
• Politicians
• Wedding parties
• Social societies
• Scientists
• Researchers
• Laymen

3. Is it safe to visit the Kruger National Park?

The Kruger National Park offers optimal safety and security for one and all. Security at the park is holistic and encompasses different human and technological resources. Park security includes radar, number plate recognition systems, surveillance cameras, remote vehicle monitoring and night flight infrared cameras. Human security includes armed rangers and security service patrols, volunteer honorary rangers and dedicated dog tracking units.

The Park works hand-in-hand with South African and Mozambican law enforcement agencies to mitigate threats to human and natural life.

Deaths and injuries due to visitor negligence

There have been a few unfortunate mishaps and fatalities at the park, but most of it is due to human negligence. Some of these include:

• Famed supermodel Janice Dickinson yripped over electrical cables during the shooting of ‘I’m a celebrity’. SANParks and other crew tried to assist Ms. Dickinson as best they could given the circumstances.
• Kobus de Wet, a senior manager for Environmental Crime Investigations (ECI) was killed by a hippo while camping at the Kruger National Park.
• A Swiss tourist suffered devastating injuries in 2019 when a taxi knocked a giraffe over and sent it hurtling onto an oncoming camper. The 750 kg animal crushed the taxi’s roof before tipping onto the front of the Ford Ranger camper.

Why do hippos attack humans and other animals?

Hippos are herbivores, but are known to be extremely territorial and aggressive. While they eat mainly plant material, male hippos in particular have on occasion attacked and also eaten other animals. They mainly chomp down on the offspring of other males, or even their own offspring during mating season. At other times they’ll attack any animal or person who threaten their young. Their temperamental behaviour makes them highly dangerous.

How big do giraffes get?

Given the accident mentioned above, you may want to know how the giraffe in question compares. Well, most giraffes in the wild reach a maximum weight of 800kg. This means the giraffe in question was a fully-grown and remarkably large beast.

An fatality falsely attributed to the Kruger Park is the mauling of Game of Thrones’ visual effects editor, Katherine Chappell. The attack occurred at a lion park near Johannesburg. Ms. Chappell disregarded safety instructions and opened her window to take pictures of lions a mere metre from her vehicle.

How to avoid attacks by different animals

While nature is wild and unpredictable, there are easy ways to mitigate risks of attack.

Lions

Lions aren’t generally aggressive towards humans, provided they have sufficient food sources. Most lion attacks occur when humans disobey park rules. Other causes for lion attacks include sick or injured lions seeking prey that’s easier to catch, or people accidentally coming between lions and their offspring or mates during mating season.

Leopards

Leopards are mostly nocturnal and like to attack their prey from treetops or heights. Their favourite food sources are antelope and baboons, so humans are thought to be a case of misidentification. Most leopard attacks occur when people wander around under tree canopies without checking their surroundings.

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are cold-blooded, which means they need heat and cold to manage their body temperature. On land, crocodiles are quite lazy, but they’re in their element in water. Human attacks generally occur in water sources like dams, lakes or rivers. So best avoid these in the park.

Rhinos

Rhino attacks on humans are rare, but they have been known to charge vehicles. Rhinos have very poor eyesight and are easily startled by movement and noise. Given their size, their go-to reaction is to charge whatever it is they think is threatening them. If you’re near a rhino, just stay calm and still until the beast has moved on.

Cape buffalo

The Cape buffalo’s appearance may make them look like chilled bovian cousins – but they’re far from it. These animals hare highly aggressive, territorial, and known for persisting in attacks even when their foe has conceded. Even lions steer clear of buffalo. You’re only safe from buffalo from a distance – so don’t venture into their territory or try to drive through/past a herd.

Hyenas

Hyenas don’t have the best PR planner so they have a pretty bad rap. While hyenas are ferocious and wield one of the greatest bite forces in nature, attacks on humans are rare. The best way to avoid an attack is not to venture near any kills. Hyenas are opportunistic and will fight anyone or thing that comes between them and their food.

Baboons

Just like buffalo, people are simply way too comfortable and casual around baboons. Although parks insist that tourists should not feed animals, many visitors find their behaviour too ‘quirky’ and ‘cute’ to resist. To avoid baboon attacks – don’t feed them, don’t open doors and windows, don’t grab things they’ve stolen, and don’t show your teeth.

Elephants

Elephant attacks are most always triggered by tourists venturing too close to these giant beasts. Most elephant attacks are perpetrated by young males in musth, old bulls protecting their territory, or elephant cows protecting their young. Tourists should not drive near elephant herds or past elephants. If an elephant starts flapping their ears it’s a sign of agitation, so try to keep still and avoid venturing closer to them if possible. Even a sudden retreat can trigger an attack, so just wait for the beasts to move along their way. This isn’t a fail-safe, but your best bet.

African wild dogs, cheetahs, meerkats & African honey badgers

It’s very rare to face a wild dog, cheetah, meerkat or honey badger attack.

• African wild dogs: these animals can outrun most prey and form tactical groups to chase down their targets. What makes them frightening is their tendency to eat prey alive by chomping their bellies. But these animals are also quite shy and not known to target humans.
• Cheetahs: cheetah attacks on humans are very rare. These animals are shy and tend to steer clear of anything that could threaten their young since they aren’t pack animals like other cats. Attacks on humans is generally accidental.
• Meerkats: meerkats are highly sociable and generally curious creatures. While they aren’t known for attacking humans, they are fierce about their young and will protect them at all costs. Meerkat bites won’t kill you, but they do carry rabies so their bites can be fatal.
• African honey badgers: honey badgers don’t like to venture into human territory, but their temperament is akin to the wolverine. If faced with danger, they have no qualms attacking predators far larger than themselves and they’ve a vicious bite force.

Cobras, adders, pythons, rinkhals, boomslang & mambas

South Africa boasts a variety of venomous snake species. While all snakes should be avoided, we cover the traits for the different culprits below. Some important notes about snakes:

• While there are many highly venomous snakes, it also takes a lot of energy to produce venom. Many snakes will reserve this energy by either giving warning ‘squirts’ aimed at perceived predators’ eyes (to blind them) or give ‘dry bites’ which contain little or no venom. Most snakes reserve venom for prey and use it against threats only if cornered.
• Snakes tend to venture to human habitual areas (homes/yards) when temperatures are very high or low. Since most cold-blooded animals can’t regulate their own body temperatures, they need heat or cold when it’s very hot or cold. Even if you find snakes in the vicinity, they are likely to get out of your way when the weather and environment allows.

Cobras

The most common cobras in Southern Africa are the Cape, Mozambican and Egyptian cobras. While cobras are extremely dangerous, it takes loads of energy to create venom. Most snakes will give warning ‘sprays’ which are highly accurate and aimed at the ‘eyes’ of perceived predators (to blind them).

Rinkhals

While its nickname may be ‘ring-necked spitting cobra’, the rinkhals is not a true cobra. Its moniker comes from its mimicry of cobras. What makes the rinkhals dangerous is their proliferation – they’re abundant throughout South Africa – and their propensity for ‘playing dead’. Most snakes attack when they are cornered or when people/pets move snakes who feign death. They tend to ‘shoot’ a warning by spraying venom from their fangs – aiming for the head. If faced by a rinkhals. Stay still and allow it to go its course.

Adders

The nagadder (night adder) is the most venomous of all adders, but the pufadder is responsible for most bites. The puffadder is a bit of an outlier in the snake worls. While most snakes try to avoid human interactions at all costs, the puffadder is like the ‘weed smoker’ among snakes. They’re lazy to move away from oncoming traffic, and their impeccable camouflage make them hard to spot for those on nature walks. To avoid a puff adder bite – pay careful attention to your suffoundings.

Mambas

Mamba’s don’t occur throughout Southern Africa, but boy are they feisty. These snakes are known to chase humans and animals by ‘surfing’ atop crops like sugarcane. They’re fast, aggressive and persistent. There’s little help for those facing a mamba attack, so rule of thumb is to avoid areas they frequent.

African rock python

Like most pythons, the African rock python can be an intimidating beast. Unlike boas, pythons continue growing until death so they can reach massive lengths and weights. But pythons are shy creatures. Attacks on humans are rare, and generally only occur when they’re starved after droughts or floods.

Boomslang

The boomslang boasts the most potent venoum of all African snakes but attacks usually occur when they’re frightened. The easiest way to avoid a boomslang bite is to check your surroundings and not go sticking your hand or face into foliage these snakes frequent. The problem with boomslang bites is that their venoum is slow-acting. People often mistake the snakes for other species – with symptoms only appearing after 24 hours.

Is the Kruger Park convenient and accessible?

You’re all game for watching big game in the bush, but you want to know if the Park caters to those creature comforts.

Visitors want to know where they can get petrol (or gas for those foreign tripsters), buy nappies, hail a cab or find a doctor.

Let’s see what you can expect:

• Numerous petrol stations (garages) throughout the park.
• Grocers, general dealers and tuck shops throughout.
• Doctors in the surrounding towns and one on call at the Skukuza main camp.
• Pharmacies and medical facilities in surrounding towns and cities.
• Airfields and airports, including Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Skukuza Airport, Hoedspruit Airport, Nelspruit Airport and Hendrik van Eck Airport.
• Shuttle, car hire and taxi services.
• Private and park tour guide services.
• Restaurants, restrooms and rest stops.
• Childcare services, babysitting and play areas for children.

English as lingua franca

Foreign travellers will be happy to know that English is the lingua franca in South Africa. As a multilingual nation, English is only the second language for most locals. Less than 10% of the nation speaks it as home language, but SA ranks no.9 in the world for English proficiency. This means you’ll have no trouble conversing, navigating or ordering from the menus.

Payment options

The Park and its amenitiets offer a range of payment options and the same goes for private facilities and providers. Please enquire with your service provider or venue about specific payment options.

Depending on the provider/venue, you can expect:

• Cash payments (ZAR) – forex to be arranged with authorised traders (Fin Select offers Forex for travel purposes)
• Credit card facilities.
• EFT/internet banking transfers.
• Snapscan/QR code payment.
• Cash send/mobile payments.
• Crypto currency at selected venues.
• Google pay/Apple wallet payments at selected venues.
• ATM cash withdrawal and cash withdrawal at certain grocery tills.

Summer all year!

If you want to dress down, Kruger park is the place to be. With the lowest average temperature of 9.5˚C (49.1 F) mid-winter, the Kruger Park offers 365 days of summer. Summer temperatures can be scorching, but most camps and rest areas have ample shade or air conditioning (central cooling).

Mean temperatures in the park are:

• Summer (Dec – Feb)
  • Average: 26.4˚C (79.52 F)
  • Average low: 20.4˚C (68.72 F)
  • Average high: 32.4˚C (90.32 F)
• Autumn/Fall (Mar – Apr)
  • Average: 22.8˚C (73.04 F)
  • Average low: 16.1˚C (60.98 F)
  • Average high: 29.6˚C (85.28 F)
• Winter (Jun – Aug)
  • Average: 17.8˚C (17.8 F)
  • Average low: 9.5˚C (49.1 F)
  • Average high: 26.1˚C (78.98 F)
• Spring (Sept – Nov)
  • Average: 23.2˚C (73.76 F)
  • Average low: 16.4˚C (61.52 F)
  • Average high: 30.1˚C (86.18 F)

Accessibility

Most public areas are wheelchair accessible or can be adapted for your needs. Visitors should enquire about accessiblity and arrange any special needs features in advance. Park vehicles and facilities take the abilities of differently abled persons into consideration and most venues are open to suggestions.

5. How affordable is the Kruger National Park?

The cost of visiting the Kruger Park will depend on your travel itinerary and earnings. Most Kruger Park trips come in on the higher scale compared to other travel venues – but those who earn in foreign currency will find it quite affordable. Foreign travellers will find luxury stays for the same price of low-end accommodation in other world regions.

There are numerous accomodation options available, whether at SANParks managed camps or private lodges within and just outside its borders. South African visitors get discounts on day rates and vehicle passes. Visitors from neighbouring states and children also enjoy discounted rates.

Please enquire about rates with your tour operator or SANParks. We offer a snapshot of Park rates below.

Money-saving tips for your Kruger trip

We’ve added some tips below to help your Kruger trip budgeting.

Get a local guide

• Tour guides may sound costly at first, but they can help you in more ways than one. While they know their way around the region, they’ll also ensure that grifters don’t take advantage of you and they can book prime spots or experiences for you with vetted providers.
• Plan your transport:
• It’s best to book your shuttle/transport service in advance. While there are certainly drivers/companies who’ll take you where you need to go, most transport/taxi services are focused on local services in a small area. You don’t need to fly all the way to the Park or hail a cab from OR Tambo to Kruger – plan in advance.
•  Contact Gilda Swanepoel on Eenblond Tours for more:
  • +27 82 472 6414
  • www.eenblondtours.co.za

Do you really need that thing?

Many visitors rock up in SA with full safari suits and gear imagining they’re gonna go full-on Livingston. South Africa is an industrious industrial nation with bustling cities and urban hubs. While the Kruger National Park offers an escape from the city life, we still cater to people of all walks. You’re not going to live off the grid in caves. We have cave art to admire,  but don’t splurge on equipment or outfits for the bush. These ARE great gadgets in general, but not necessary for the Kruger National Park experience.

Stick shift? Nah, it’s normal shift over here

• “Stick shift” (gear shift) is the norm in South Africa. Drivers who can only use automatic cars require a ‘downgraded’ driver’s license. Since this isn’t the norm, your rental agent or insurer may not ask you about this since they may assume you’re like most other drivers. Likewise – you also need a specialised driving permit if you want to transport a large group of people or use heavy-duty equipment/vehicles.  
• South Africa drives on the left side of the road, and while there is legislation that covers road use nationally, each province enforces their own local rules of the road.
• “Traffic lights” are called “robots” over here. Best get acquainted with the road talk.

Other considerations…

Some things are far cheaper in the park and other require carrying some ‘loose change’. Here are some pointers for saving and spending money on your trip.

Dining is a whole different ballgame

Dining out is an experience in SA – and you need to ask what you’re getting. Service Providers in the Kruger Park are generally held to a higher standard than other providers in South Africa, but we are what we are. You can find exceptional service from a street vendor cooking mealies over a drum as well as a high-end European-trained chef with Michelin-star experience at a 5-star restaurant.

Filling up is…different

South Africa is one of the few places in the world where you’ll find petrol attendants (joggies) who fill your vehicle’s tank up on your behalf. This is a requisite, not a nicety – you may not fill your tank up on your own. It may seem bizarre, but this is a leftover of Apartheid which has proven rather lucrative for job creation. If a ‘petrol attendant’ washes your windows, checks your tyres or provides any other service, give them a tip!

Tipping culture is big, but contextual

There’s an in-between which is hard to grasp as a non-saffa. Some venues pay staff basic salaries while other staff rely on their tips for income. Some venues split tips between all staff.

Rule of thumb is to tip your service provider or staff at least 10% unless their income is guaranteed (such as at luxury venues).

The law’s the law

• Some Western nations perpetuate the idea that everyone can be sued and prosecuted all willy-nilly. Some countries also allow the sharing of videos, photographs and live streams. South Africa is…different. POPIA (Protection of Private Information Act) is one of the strictest pieces of legislation enforced worldwide. In fact, the only legislation which trumps it in certain regards is the GDPR which manages the privacies of EU nationals.
• The South African high court has permanently expelled visitors who sought to challenge our legislation due to their own ignorance. Persons who don’t comply with our rules around conservation, privacy, use and carrying of arms/weapons, the dignity of their fellow visitors and/or freedom of speech/religion/culture will not have a great time.  The greatest rule in SA is personal freedom – practicing personal religions, beliefs, ideals, and ownership rights is subsequent to the individual rights and freedoms of each person. Each human is precious – and each human’s rights to food, security, shelter and belief trumps groups freedoms. We are all about our people…and their groups.

Fin Select is your go-to for all things South African

While Fin Select specialises in cross-border finance, we’ve a deep appreciation for all things South African. We love the way South African expats interact and assimmilate to their new homes just as much as we foster a wholesome nostalgia for ‘home’. We celebrate the mother country just as much as we encourage saffas to explore new societies and cultures. We would LOVE for you to share your South African Travel experiences publicly and tag us – but this is all in your hands.

We are here to assist you with your financial needs, but we’re also just here to give you news and views that speak to your interests.

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