FAQ

The best time of the year to visit the Kruger National Park largely depends on the type of experience you wish to have. For those who want the best wildlife viewing opportunities, the dry winter months from May to September are ideal times to travel to this iconic African safari destination.

During these months, the weather is cooler, and the lack of rain makes the vegetation die back, giving travellers the best chance to spot wildlife congregating around water sources as well as walking out in the open, unobstructed by leaves and grasses. Animals such as elephants, lions, rhinos, and leopards are more visible, and the risk of malaria is reduced due to the lower presence of mosquitoes. The lack of rain also means that the park’s dirt roads are easier to navigate.

That being said, if your preferences lean towards seeing a greener landscape, visiting during the summer months, particularly between November and February, will give you a more lively landscape, and the ideal conditions for bird watching. This is also the birthing season for many species, meaning the park comes alive with new born animals. The summer period, however, does bring higher temperatures, increased humidity, and occasional heavy rainfall, which can make animal sightings slightly more challenging.

Many people don’t see the point in driving through a bushveld looking for animals, but there’s so much more to it. Wild animals are seen as a nuisance in most inhabited areas, but if you’ve never seen the magic of animals in their natural habitat, untouched by humans, you’ve been missing out! Looking at Zoo animals in their enclosures might be considered nice, because you’re almost 100% guaranteed that you’ll see them, but that’s not how they behave in the wild. Nothing beats the thrill of finding a pride of lions laying in the shade, or walking across the road right in front of you, and once you’ve felt the reverberations of an elephant’s trumpet through your bones, you’ll be hooked! Our clients often come back for more, because you never know what you’re going to see next…

Every single one of our guides have a passion for the Kruger Park. We love waking up every morning and meeting new people, never mind sharing our love for the bushveld with them. We are highly experienced and have heaps of knowledge about the fauna and flora in the KNP at our clients’ disposal. One of our best characteristics must be that we focus on small groups to give each safari trip the best chance of seeing the best sights that the KNP has to offer. Our safaris depart any day of the week to suit our clients’ busy schedules and will accommodate all your needs as best we can. Visit our website for more information on our company…

Placing yourself in the middle of a nature reserve where there are numerous predators and dangerous animals could sound pretty intimidating, but rest assured, Kurt Safari guide all have in-depth knowledge about the behaviour of these animals and would never put your life in danger. Elephants can be aggressive if they have young ones to protect and even lone elephant bull have charged at cars who don’t know when to back away, but obtaining injuries from wild animals whilst on a safari is very rare and you need not be worried, just enjoy the ride.

Even though the Kruger Park is basically a giant protected bushveld and sparsely populated, there are many little “towns” and camps where you can find anything from grocery stores, souvenir stores, petrol stations and much more.

Two words; comfortable and practical. Seeing as you’re going to be driving around for the majority of the time on your safari experience, it is advisable that you wear clothes that are not too tight and not too hot. Winters can be cold, so check the forecast beforehand, but summers are the opposite, so just take a jacket with you, in case it gets chilly, and stay away from high heels ladies! We might stop on top of rocky mountains to give you an in-person taste of the spectacular views in the KNP. Trust me, it’s spine chilling raw beauty.

Mosquitoes in the Kruger National Park can be a big concern for travellers, particularly during the warmer, wetter months from October to about April. This is the park’s rainy season, and the mosquitoes are most active due to the increased humidity as well as standing water, which creates perfect breeding conditions, allowing them to reproduce in abundance.

The abundance of mosquitoes during the spring and summer months naturally raises the risk of malaria, as the Kruger Park lies within a malaria-endemic area. This risk is, however, manageable with the proper precautions. Visitors are always advised to take anti-malarial medication, use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing in the evenings, and sleep under mosquito nets, if available.

To avoid the risk of infection it is best to visit during the dry winter months from May to September when mosquito activity is significantly lower due to the cooler temperatures and the lack of rain.

While mosquito nets are not always an absolute necessity for every visitor, they can be a most welcomed and effective precaution, especially during the rainy season from November to April when mosquito activity is at its peak. As the Kruger is located in a high-risk malaria area, using a mosquito net at night is a simple but highly effective way to reduce the risk of being bitten while sleeping.

Many lodges within and around the park have both mosquito nets and air-conditioning in the rooms which can help keep mosquitoes away. It is always best to enquire about such features before booking your accommodation or safari package.

Yes, guests are generally advised to take anti-malaria tablets when visiting the Kruger National Park, particularly during the warmer, wetter months from November to April, when the presence of mosquitoes, and the possibility of getting malaria, is heightened.

Anti-malarial medication is an excellent effective preventive measure and, when combined with other precautions such as using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing in the evenings, and sleeping under mosquito nets, it can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the illness.

You should always consult with a healthcare professional or travel clinic before your trip to discuss the most suitable anti-malarial options, as recommendations may vary based on your personal health and travel itinerary.

Yes, South Africa does have a mosquito season, particularly in regions with warmer and more humid climates, like the Kruger Park. The mosquito season typically falls in line with the country’s rainy season, which is from November to April.

If you’re really worried and consider yourself or anyone joining you on the safari to be particularly susceptible to this rare disease, be sure to consult your GP. There are many places in the park where you can buy mosquito repellent containing DEET: this is the most vital ingredient in insect repellents as it has been proved to repel the malaria carrying mosquitoes effectively.

I cannot even begin to list the most amazing experiences we’ve had whilst on safaris in the KNP! There are too many to count, each encounter very different but equally remarkable. If you consider the size of the KNP and how many animals call it their home, you can only begin to imagine the things we’ve seen; from a ride of lionesses to the birth of a brand new baby giraffe. Each time our jaws drop at the splendour of mother nature. You will have to come and see it for yourself.

Anything to do with the word “game” whilst on a safari; like game drives or looking for game, all refers to wild animals in safari context. You might also encounter “game” on the menus of some traditional restaurants, which basically means that you’re ordering wild buck meat, or even warthog.

The Kruger National Park is home to one of the most extraordinary collections of wildlife on the African continent, making it the top destination for nature enthusiasts and safari-goers alike. Covering an area of nearly 20 000 square kilometres, this iconic reserve is most famous for its Big Five population (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes), which are often at the top of every visitor’s must-see list, and can be found throughout the park.

Other than the Big Five, visitors to the Kruger can also see large herbivores such as giraffes, zebras, and hippos, while antelope species like impalas, kudus, and waterbucks are also abundantly present throughout the park. Predators such as cheetahs, hyenas, and African wild dogs, can also be seen here, although they can be a lot more difficult to spot.

Birdwatchers will find the Kruger to be a paradise, as the park is home to over 500 species of birds, including the striking African fish eagle, saddle-billed stork, and the colourful lilac-breasted roller. Reptiles such as crocodiles, snakes, and numerous species of lizards can also be spotted, particularly near rivers and waterholes.

The Big Five in South Africa refers to five of the most iconic animals seen on a wildlife safari; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes.

Originally the term was coined by big-game hunters to describe the most challenging animals to hunt on foot. In the time since then, the name has changed into a symbol of conservation and is popularly used for wildlife tourism.

These majestic creatures can be found in a variety of African reserves such as the Kruger Park, where sightings of the Big Five have become a quintessential African safari experience.

We cannot guarantee that there will be sightings of all five animals in the Big 5, but we can guarantee that we will do our best to find them. Elephants are massive, this is true, but in the lush untouched bushveld of the Kruger, if they don’t want to be seen, they can easily disappear behind the trees mere meters away from you. They tend not to be too shy, unlike leopards. Rhinos are extremely scarce, but our guides know where their usual grazing spots are, and a pride of lions would attract so much attention, our radios would notify us if there’s a sighting nearby. Never the less, you are guaranteed to see a very diverse variety of animals in the Kruger National Park.

Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes are called the Big 5 (or the Big Five) originally because in the old world of big-game hunting it referred to the five most formidable and dangerous animals to hunt on foot.

But that was 100 years ago and now the name has been reclaimed and is used by wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists to put the spotlight on these iconic and somewhat endangered animals. Visitors who wish to have a safari experience in Africa will generally book their safari package based on how likely it will be for them to see the Big 5, and the Kruger Park remains one of the most popular destinations to spot the Big 5.

A 3 to 5-day stay in the Kruger National Park will generally be more than enough time to see the park and many of its most sought-after inhabitants.

A 3-day tour will give you an excellent introduction to the park, with time for multiple game drives, and plenty of opportunities to see the Big 5.

For a fuller experience, a 4 or 5-day tour gives you more time to see different regions of the park, go on guided bush walks, and enjoy a more relaxed pace, giving you the opportunity to form a deeper connection with the natural surroundings.

Yes, the Kruger National Park is well-known for being a great place for self-drive safaris, making it the ideal destination for visitors who want the freedom to explore the park’s huge landscapes at their own pace.

The park has numerous well-maintained roads with clear signage, making it a comfortable place to traverse.

The self-drive safari gives guests a unique and flexible way to see the abundant wildlife populations and the beautiful ecosystems within the Kruger. Maps are readily available at park gates, and there are plenty of free and easily accessible online resources to use as well.

Yes, while the park is huge, spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometres, a well-planned visit can give you a full experience.

To make the most of your day within the park, you can book a day safari, and be guided around the park by an experienced and knowledgeable guide, who can make the trip all the more memorable. When planning a day safari, it is best to plan an early morning departure and a late afternoon return, as this will improve your chances of seeing the park’s prolific flora and fauna, including the Big Five.

The cost to visit the Kruger Park will vary based on the experience you hope to have.

Budget-friendly tour packages typically start from as little as R2 000 to R4 000 per person per day and these packages generally include essential services such as guided game drives, park entry fees, and in some cases even basic accommodation.

For a more comprehensive or luxurious experience, including premium lodgings and additional activities, costs will escalate accordingly. It is important to always compare the various packages and if you are really looking to cut costs, plan your budget friendly tour for the off-peak seasons, when prices are generally cheaper.

You can visit our website to view the current prices for our safaris, make a booking online to receive an invoice, and then make an online payment before the safari takes place, or contact Kurt Safari for any enquiries you might have regarding other payment options.

Children under 8 are more than welcome on privately hired open vehicles, yes. This is purely out of consideration for our other clients who do not have children and might not have the patience for their unique outlook and excitement about each wild animal we encounter. All children under 12 have discounted safari rates, as well as half price conservation fees to enter the Kruger National Park.

We operate from Hazyview and will collect you from any of the lovely holiday resorts, lodges or nearby locations. Our vehicles depart at different times in different seasons… For full day or morning safaris, we leave at 5am in October to March and at 5h30am in April to September. For afternoon safaris, we leave at 13h00 pm in the afternoons. Most of the wildlife in the park prefers hiding in the shade during the hot afternoons, so we highly recommend joining us for the earlier safaris to get the most out of your trip.

As mentioned before, there are many places in the KNP where we can stop over for lunch where you can buy take-away food or choose to have a meal at the various restaurants. We usually have lunch at Skukuza, but this is not set in stone.