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Kruger National Park - Essential Information
Kruger National Park - where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa. 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 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. So why rush? Stay Longer, See More!
Sabi Sands Reviews:
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!
Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.
Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!
Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly
...read moreOur experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.
We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see
...read moreWe’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience
Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%
...read moreRecommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.
From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.
Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.
Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.
Kruger Rest Camps
Lower Sabi Rest Camp
Kruger Rest Camps
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger Rest Camps
Skukuza Rest Camp
Map of Greater Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park Image Gallery
Kruger National Park gates
Name | Road | From Town | Coordinates |
Crocodile Bridge Gate | on the extension of Rissikstreet | from Komatipoort | 25°21′30″S 31°53′37″E |
Malelane Gate | on the R570 off the N4 | near Malelane | 25°27′43″S 31°31′59″E |
Numbi Gate | on the R569 road | from Hazyview | 25°9′19″S 31°11′51″E |
Phabeni Gate | on the road off the R536 | from Hazyview | 25°01′30″S 31°14′29″E |
Paul Kruger Gate | on the R536 road | from Hazyview | 24°58′53″S 31°29′7″E |
Orpen Gate | on the R531 road | from Klaserie | 24°28′33″S 31°23′27″E |
Phalaborwa Gate | on the R71 road | from Phalaborwa | 23°56′44″S 31°9′54″E |
Punda Maria Gate | on the R524 road | from Thohoyandou | 22°44′18″S 31°0′33″E |
Pafuri Gate | on the R525 road | from Musina | 22°24′1″S 31°2′29″E |
Kruger National Park - Conservation Fees
International Visitors, daily conservation fee
1 November 2025 - 31 October 2026:
Adult: ZAR 602.00
Child under 12 years: ZAR 300.00
South African Citizens, daily conservation fee
1 November 2025 - 31 October 2026:
Adult: ZAR 134.00
Child under 12 years: ZAR 67.00
The daily cards for South African residents may only be purchased at the parks and you need your ID, driver's license or passport.
SADC Nationals (with passports), daily conservation fee
1 November 2025 - 31 October 2026:
Adult: ZAR 275.00
Child under 12 years: ZAR 137.00
The following countries qualify as SADC countries: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Passport is required.
Entrance Gates Telephone Numbers
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Entrance Gate | Telephone Number |
Crocodile Bridge Gate | +27 (0)13 735 6012 |
Kruger Gate | +27 (0)13 735 5107 |
Malelane Gate | +27 (0)13 735 6152 |
Numbi Gate | +27 (0)13 735 5133 |
Orpen Gate | +27 (0)13 735 0237/0238 |
Pafuri Gate | +27 (0)13 735 5574 |
Phabeni Gate | +27 (0)13 735 5890 |
Phalaborwa Gate | +27 (0)13 735 3547 |
Punda Maria Gate | +27 (0)13 735 6870 |
Late Arrivals : Late arrivals are only allowed in cases of emergency (proof and valid reason required) until 21:00 for guests with pre-booked accommodation at certain camps within 10km distance from the relevant gate. An extra late arrival fee will be charged which is payable at the gate. No late arrivals are allowed at Pafuri, Phalaborwa or Phabeni Gates or any other gates for camps more than 10km away.
- The Big Five – Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino.
- The Little Five – Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle.
- Birding Big Six– Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork.
- Five Trees – Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula, Mopane.
- Natural/Cultural Features – Letaba Elephant Museum, Jock of the Bushveld Route,Albasini Ruins, Masorini Ruins, Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library, Thulamela.
The park lies in the north-east of South Africa, in the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Phalaborwa, Limpopo is the only town in South Africa that borders the Kruger National Park. It is one of the largest national parks in the world, with an area of 19,485 square kilometres (7,523 sq mi). The park is approximately 360 kilometres (220 mi) long,[8]and has an average width of 65 kilometres (40 mi).[10] At its widest point, the park is 90 kilometres (56 mi) wide from east to west.
To the north and south of the park two rivers, the Limpopo and the Crocodile respectively, act as its natural boundaries. To the east the Lebombo Mountains separate it from Mozambique. Its western boundary runs parallel with this range, roughly 65 kilometers (40 mi) distant. The park varies in altitude between 200 meters (660 ft) in the east and 840 meters (2,760 ft) in the south-west near Berg-en-Dal. The highest point in the park is here, a hill called Khandzalive. Several rivers run through the park from west to east, including the Sabie, Olifants, Crocodile, Letaba, Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers.
The climate of the Kruger National Park and Lowveld is subtropical. Summer days are humid and hot with temperatures often soaring to above 38 °C (100 °F). The rainy season is from September until May. The Kruger National Park website lists September and October as the driest periods, culminating in rains late in October. The dry winter season is the ideal time to visit this region for various reasons. There is less chance of contracting malaria and the days are milder. Viewing wildlife is more rewarding as the vegetation is more sparse and animals are drawn to the waterholes to drink every morning and evening.
Distance Inside Kruger National Park
