Kruger Park Safaris: Must Know Rules and Regulations

The Kruger National Park is no petting zoo. It’s not a zoo at all. But you already know this or you wouldn’t be on this page wanting to find out more about how to stay safe while on a Kruger Park safari.

Whether it is the ultimate self-drive safari that you are treating yourself and your loved ones to, or one of our Kruger Park safari packages, the same rules apply. The park rules have been a work in progress since the first visitors passed through the gates. Every one of the rules is put in place for your protection and for the protection of the animals. SANParks is very strict about the rules and if you are found guilty of breaking them, you could easily be facing a lifetime ban from the parks they govern, which is just about every national park in South Africa, or a permanent ban from the Kruger.

Either way, you need to always stick to the rules. In recent years, there has been an increase in guests breaking the rules and often unknowingly putting themselves in danger. Just take a look on YouTube and you will easily find videos of park guests doing the craziest things.

But you don’t have to be one of those fools. You just need to read this and obey the regulations.

Kruger National Park Rules and Regulations

This is not a guideline. This list is one that you have to stick to and the moment you pay your entrance fee, you have agreed to the law that has been set down by the park. When on a guided Kruger Park safari, your experienced guide will make sure that you don’t break the park law, but if you are on your own, you have to take responsibility for your actions.

In the pamphlet that you receive when entering the park, there is a list of park rules. We’ll sum them up here.

1. You must remain in your vehicle at all times unless you are in a designated area. Vehicle doors must be kept closed (in fact, it’s a good idea that you lock them) and no part of the body may be hanging out of the window.
2. There is a strict speed limit in the park. 50 km/h on the tar roads and 40 km/h on the gravel roads. This is not an urban area or a city, when speeding you have less control over your car and you might not only hit an animal but you will also be disturbing the wildlife.
3. Stick to the gate times. If you are on a day tour on your own, be sure you head to the gates on time. And the same goes for those staying overnight.
4. Any sign that shows that a road is off limits means that you should not use the road. Don’t take a chance, stay off these roads.
5. Feeding animals is prohibited. You are actually endangering the animals as they can become violent with other guests when they have been fed.
6. If you are an overnight guest, be sure to get to your camp on time and let reception know you have arrived before you go to your accommodation or campsite.
7. Again, if you are staying overnight, you will need to book into your accommodation by 14:00 on the day you arrive, and you’ll need to leave your accommodation by 10:00 on the day you depart.
8. Vehicles carrying more than 25 guests and weighing more than 4000kgs will have to stay on the tar roads.
9. The park has a noise restriction from 21:30 to 06:00. Cell phone use is limited to the camps, gates and can be used in emergency situations. Other than that, you should ignore your phone and take in the experience!
10. Skateboards, roller skates, motorbikes and bicycles are all prohibited.
11. As the Kruger is in a malaria area, you should visit your doctor and get the appropriate medication before entering the park.
12. To find out more or less where animals have been seen, you should visit the closest rest camp and have a look at the animal spotting board.

All of the above rules are regulated by the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act no. 57 of 2003). Should you be found guilty of breaking the rules, you could face a fine or worse.

The Kruger Park safari is one of the most amazing experiences you will ever have. Make the most of it by staying within the rules.