Kruger National Park

Stretching for 300 km along the Mozambican border, the Kruger National Park is one of Africa's largest and finest game reserves, home to around 150 mammal and 500 bird species, including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, wild dog, zebra and ostrich. Standard minibus tours from Gauteng focus on the Skukuza area, which offers great game viewing but can be densely touristed. Surfaced roads link the park's dozen restcamps, making it ideal for self-drive safaris, with the possibility of exploring the central Satara plains and the untrammeled north. Wildlife moves freely between Kruger and several private game reserves, ...

Stretching for 300 km along the Mozambican border, the Kruger National Park is one of Africa's largest and finest game reserves, home to around 150 mammal and 500 bird species, including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, wild dog, zebra and ostrich. Standard minibus tours from Gauteng focus on the Skukuza area, which offers great game viewing but can be densely touristed. Surfaced roads link the park's dozen restcamps, making it ideal for self-drive safaris, with the possibility of exploring the central Satara plains and the untrammeled north. Wildlife moves freely between Kruger and several private game reserves, including the peerless Mala Mala and adjacent Sabi Sands, where several exclusive bush lodges (including Sabi Sabi, Singita and Londolozi) form a pricey but worthwhile alternative to the park, inclusive of game drives with highly skilled guides. Kruger is often combined with the Panorama Route, whose highlights include the restored Victorian mining village of Pilgrim's Rest, the spectacular God's Window, and numerous pretty waterfalls. Blyde River Canyon is known for the scenic Three Rondawels Viewpoint and the Bourke's Luck Potholes at its confluence with the Treure River.

About the Expert

Philip Briggs has written or contributed to 50-plus editions of Bradt, Insight, AA and Berlitz guidebooks to African destinations.