Day Trip to the Kruger National Park

Andrea
2 days ago
3 min read

Although staying in the Kruger National Park is a wonderful experience, we love taking day trips to the Park.

It's always an early start, ready to be at the gates as they open at 6 am. An early start is good as during Summer it's not too hot yet and chances of seeing more animals is greater.

When it's too hot, animals like hiding in the shade which can make it more difficult to spot them.

WHAT AND WHERE IS THE KRUGER PARK

The Kruger National Park is South Africa's largest wildlife sanctuary. It was established in 1898 to protect the animals in the area. It covers nearly 2 million hectares and stretches about 360km. It's known for it's safaris and viewing the Big 5.

The closest city is Phalaborwa, which is located on the northern edge of the park. Mbombela is the closest to the central and southern parts of the park. The park is about 4 hours from Johannesburg.

ANIMALS YOU WILL MOST LIKELY SEE (IF YOU ARE LUCKY)

If luck is on your side you might spot the Big 5: Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino. Other animals are Zebras, Impala, Waterbuck, Giraffe, Kudu, Baboons, Nyala, Bushbuck, Warthog, African Wild dogs, Spotted Hyena, Velvet Monkey, Blue Wildebeest, Steenbok, Duiker, Side-stripe jackal, Mongoose and many more.

It's also popular for birders, with a list of over 500 species.

BEST SPOTS FOR BRUNCH / LUNCH

There are multiple rest stops in the Kruger Park. Most if them have restrooms and places to sit to enjoy your packed lunch/ picnic. Most of the larger rest stops have restaurants, braai areas and curio shops.

We love finding a spot with a view.

Depending on the area you are, here are some rest stops with restaurants/ Cafeterias:

Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Mopani, Punda Maria, Satara, Pretoriuskop, Letaba, Olifants and Berg en Dal.

ENTRANCE FEE

The entrance fee for International travellers is around R540 (price in 2025) for adults and R270 for children (2 - 11 years). We recommend an early start to avoid the rush.

ENTRANCE GATE(S) TO AVOID

The Numbi gate is to be avoided as the rural area outside the gates is considered unsafe.

THINGS TO KNOW

Most of the smaller roads are dirt roads, bear that in mind when renting a car.
The speed limit is 50km/h on the tarred roads and anything between 20 - 40km/h on the dirt roads. There is a reason for this, so stick to the limit.
Do not feed the animals. It is a serious offence and you will be fined. If you feed the animals they can loose their natural fear of humans and can become aggressive.
Do not get out of your vehicle on the roads. As soon as you leave your vehicle you step into the territory of the wild animals. It is a serious offence and you will be fined.
Alcohol is not permitted in the Kruger Park.
Wood and charcoal fires are strictly prohibited due to generally dry weather conditions and intermittent high winds.
Beware of elephants and rhinos, especially when they have little ones with them. They are very protective and even though they are very big they are faster than you might think.
Hippos are one of the fastest animals in the park, they might look lazy and slow but don't let that fool you. Stay away from them.
Do not agitate the animals as they might become aggressive.
No pets are allowed in the Kruger Park.
Bring binoculars, whether you are a birder or not, they will always come in handy.
At most camps they have interactive maps that show where and what animals have been spotted on that day and the day before. This is very helpful if you are looking for specific animals in your area.
Most camps have shops, restaurants and facilities.
There are picnic and lunch spots along the ways, often with views. Perfect to enjoy a packed lunch.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT, WEATHER-WISE

December to February are hot and humid.

April to May and September to November are the best time to visit.

We recommend an early start, especially in summer. It's more likely you will see more animals when the weather is still cooler. When it's too hot, they prefer staying in the shade and might be less visible to see from your vehicle.