Kruger National Park Wildlife Safari in South Africa
Kruger National Park, the oldest and most popular game park in South Africa, is undoubtedly the best place to observe African wildlife. Every year, about one million travelers visit this wildlife sanctuary, attesting to Kruger's claim to the top spot. Kruger's history dates back to 1898 when the Sabi Game Reserve was established to stem the destruction of the wildlife by hunters. Paul Kruger was at that time the President of the Transvaal Republic, which later became part of the Union of South Africa. The park was later named after him.
The national park straddles a vast area from Limpopo River in the north, 350km southwards along the South Africa-Mozambique border, to the Crocodile River in the south. Kruger has a great diversity of ecosystems, with six rivers feeding the about 16 vegetation zones. The park is generally low lying, and has an average altitude of 269 meters above sea level.
Though Kruger occupies 20,000 sq. km, it is the wooded and more lush Mpulanga region in Kruger's south that is most popular with visitors. You can get to this region using any of the five gates at Numbi, Phabeni, Malelane, Paul Kruger and Crocodile Bridge. The arid central and northern regions are shrouded in some mystery tales and appeal more to the adventurous travelers. With fewer visitors visiting this region, it can be accessed through the Phalaborwa and Orpen gates.
The great wildlife diversity is what makes Kruger the most celebrated national park in South Africa. The hundreds of species found here include 114 reptiles, 147 mammals, 49 fish, 507 birds, and 336 tree species. Kruger is without doubt the best place to view the African big five " Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo.
Other animals to see include cheetah, zebra, giraffe, baboon, hippo, impala, and warthog. The prolific mix of animals, including the presence of complete food chains, attracts scientists researching animal interaction.
Kruger has an extensive road network connecting the nine access gates in the national park. Pafuri gate in the north for example is a 414 km drive away from Malelane gate in the south. Within the national park, one activity you must engage in is a game drive. You can take a ranger guide to enhance your game watching experience, or you can also navigate yourself. Night game drives in Kruger give you the opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife like Leopards, owls, bushbabies, nightjars, and hyenas.
Most visitors take game drives aboard a vehicle on regular trails. But ranger guided walking safaris are available to more adventurous spirits. On any of the seven guided wilderness trails for walkers, you take in nature's aromas as you view game up close. The trails include three nights stay in a wilderness camp. This option is quite popular and early booking is advised.
There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport and the Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) as well as daily flights to KMIA from Durban and Cape Town. Charter planes and rental cars are available from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, Kruger Park Gateway airport, East Gate Airport. Accommodation is also available within the park to suit the tastes and pockets of most- ranging from camping and self-catering to luxury lodges.