Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is a large reserve in northeastern South Africa, where all of the Big Five live in lowveld bush along rivers such as the Olifants and Sabie.

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Kruger National Park is a large national park in northeastern South Africa, in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. It is about 360 km from north to south and roughly 65 km wide on average from east to west. The park borders Mozambique to the east and Zimbabwe to the north, and it forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park with Gonarezhou and Limpopo national parks. It is named after President Paul Kruger and was South Africa's first national park, created under the National Parks Act passed in June 1926.

Visitors come for wildlife in lowveld bush. All of the Big Five can be seen here, and the park records 147 mammal species and about 507 bird species. Skukuza, the largest rest camp, is the administrative headquarters. Malaria is present, so ask a travel clinic about prophylaxis before you go. September and October are the driest months, and the rains usually begin late in October.

Kruger National Park in five

Pay the daily conservation feeSANParks charges a fee per person per day, higher for international visitors. A Wild Card annual pass can cover it on longer trips.
Be inside before the gates closeGate and camp times change by month. Arriving after closing can bring a fine, so plan drives to finish early.
Stay in your vehicleGet out only at marked picnic spots, rest camps and hides. Speed limits are low and enforced.
Book rest camps earlyRest camps and the most popular private lodges fill months ahead for the dry season and South African school holidays.
Ask about malariaKruger lies in a malaria area. See a travel clinic before you go, especially for the wet summer months.

Things to do in Kruger National Park

See all attractions in Kruger National Park

Landmark · Kruger National ParkGod's WindowGo early, around 8 in the morning, when it has been quiet, and avoid weekends when entry queues grow long.

Park · Kruger National ParkManyeleti Game Reserve

Landmark · Kruger National ParkBerlin Falls

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Kruger National ParkPut the places you like in Kruger National Park on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entrance: Daily conservation fee per person; higher for international visitors Read more
Permits: Entry permit at the gate; camps and drives booked with SANParks
Season: Year-round; best game viewing May–Sep
Nearest town: Hazyview, Malelane or Phalaborwa
Getting there: Flights to Skukuza or Nelspruit (MQP), or about 5 hours by car from Johannesburg

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Hot, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Hot, green
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Rains ease
AprilPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Drying out
MayClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Dry, mild
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Dry, cool
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low13°Dry, cool
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low15°Dry
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low17°Dry, hot
OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low18°Hot, first rains
NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Rains, babies
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Hot, wet

Average daily high and low in Skukuza, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kruger National Park

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 26°
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 10%

Kruger National Park

03:06 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+2

Today35°22°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 10%.
Wed35°23°4%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 4%.
Thu35°23°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 35°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri39°24°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat39°24°12%Saturday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 12%.
Sun32°19°25%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 25%.

Updated 10:43 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 ZAR

Amount

Converted to

ZAR · South African Rand

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Kruger National Park

Car hire for self-driveGate times shape each dayCompare car hire

Guided game drivesDawn and night drives with rangersCompare day trips

eSIM for KrugerOffline maps before the gateRead the guide

Insurance for safariMedical and evacuation coverRead the guide

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Rules for Kruger National Park, checked

Malaria is present in the park, and Anopheles arabiensis, the most common Anopheles mosquito there, carries it. Ask a travel clinic about prophylaxis before you travel.Source
Most snakes here are harmless, but the park has puff adders, black mambas, boomslangs and three cobra species. Keep your distance.
Bushveld camps are smaller and remote, with few facilities, and only overnight guests are allowed. Balule Satellite Camp has no electricity, restaurant or shop, so check in at Olifants or Satara before you arrive.Source
Check entry requirements for your nationality with the Department of Home Affairs before you travel.Source

Plan around Kruger National Park

All of South Africa

Safari, cities and the road routes

Read the guide Johannesburg travel guide

The usual gateway for Kruger trips

Read the guide Eswatini travel guide

A small kingdom next to the park

Read the guide Transport planning

Self-drive hire and domestic flights

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical and evacuation cover for safari

Read the guide

Kruger National Park FAQ

Can I self-drive in Kruger?

Yes. Tar and gravel roads link the gates and rest camps, and a normal car is fine on the main roads. Book camps and follow gate times.

When is the best time to visit Kruger?

May to September, when the bush thins and animals gather at water. Summer is green and hot, with babies and migrant birds.

Is a private reserve better than Kruger's rest camps?

Private reserves offer off-road drives, night drives and guided walks at a higher price. Rest camps are cheaper and let you drive yourself.

How many days do I need in Kruger?

Three to four nights, ideally in two different camps, to see different parts of the park.

Can I see the Big Five in Kruger?

All five live in the park, but sightings are never guaranteed. Early mornings, waterholes and a few days in two camps raise the odds; leopard and rhino are the hardest.