Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is a icon of South Africa

The Kruger National Park offers nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa.

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks as the best in Africa. The Kruger National Park was established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.

The Kruger National Park is truly the flagship of the South African national parks. Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Mans interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the parks natural assets.

San Parks Rest Camps within Kruger National Park

• Berg-en-Dal Restcamp
• Crocodile Bridge Restcamp
• Letaba Restcamp
• Lower Sabie Restcamp
• Mopani Restcamp
• Olifants Restcamp
• Orpen Restcamp
• Pretoriuskop Restcamp
• Punda Maria Restcamp
• Satara Restcamp
• Shingwedzi Restcamp

Kruger National Park Bush Lodges & Camps

• Bateleur Bushveld Camp
• Biyamiti Bushveld Camp
• Boulders Bush Lodge
• Roodewal Bush Lodge
• Shimuwini Bushveld Camp
• Sirheni Bushveld Camp
• Talamati Bushveld Camp

Wilderness Trails in the Kruger National Park

Established in the world-famous Kruger National Park, wilderness trails allow adventurous visitors a close personal encounter with nature by traversing large areas of unspoiled wilderness on foot, under the guidance of armed and experienced trail rangers.

In keeping with the wilderness atmosphere, sites for the trails camps are carefully selected for their scenic beauty and diverse plant and animal life. Groups spend three nights in four rustic two-bed huts. Ablution facilities comprise reed-walled showers and flush toilets. A covered lapa serves as a dining/socialising area where the campfire’s flickering shadows encourage stories of adventures in the African bush.

Simple, wholesome meals are provided. The day commences with coffee and rusks in the crisp morning hours. A light meal is enjoyed in the bush and brunch awaits the group when they return at noon. Evening meals comprise either a hunters’ stew or barbecues, supplemented with salads and vegetables.

Kruger National Park Bushman Trail

The Bushman Trail lies in the south western section of the Kruger National Park, near Berg-en-Dal rest camp. The trail camp is situated in a secluded valley. The landscape is characterised by awe-inspiring granite hills, reminiscent of the Zimbabwean Motopos, which provides splendid vantage points in the surrounding bush. White rhino, elephant and buffalo are some of the animals encountered on this trail. Bushman paintings can be viewed in many of the hill shelters an are a feature on this trail.

Persons doing the Bushman Trail are advised to book accommodation in Berg-en-Dal Camp the night prior to commencing the trail unless they can guarantee they will get to Berg-en-Dal by 15:30 on the day of departure.

Kruger National Park Metsi-Metsi trail

The Metsi-Metsi Trail runs through the area east of the Mwarmuriwa Mountain near Tshokwane. The trail camp nestles at the foot of the mountain and overlooks a small waterhole. A hide provides the ideal place to view many species of birds and mammals at close range. The landscape varies from undulating savannah to rocky gorges and ravines. The Nwaswitsontso River, being one of the few permanent sources of water during the dry winter months, attracts an abundance of game – especially elephant. A great variety of wildlife, including black rhino and large predators, can be found here.

Persons doing the Metsi-Metsi Trail are advised to book accommodation in Skukuza Camp the night prior to commencing the trail unless they can guarantee they will get to Skukuza by 15:30 on the day of departure.

Kruger National Park Napi trail

Situated midway between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop in picturesque woodland bushveld, the trail camp of the Napi Trail lies nestled in luxuriant riverine bush at the confluence of the Napi and Biyamiti streams. Replaced with tents after fire destroyed the original camp, the new Napi tents are equipped with en-suite. The Napi wilderness is characterised by undulating terrain, granite hills and a high resident population of white rhino. Black rhino, elephant, lion and buffalo also frequent the area. Birdlife is prolific.

Persons doing the Napi Trail are advised to book accommodation in Pretoriuskop Camp the night prior to commencing the trail unless they can guarantee they will get to Pretoriuskop by 15:30 on the day of departure.

Kruger National Park Nyalaland trail

The Nyalaland Trail winds through one of the prime wilderness areas of southern Africa. The trail camp is situated on the bank of the Madzaringwe Stream north of Punda Maria, near the Luvuvhu River. The magnificent Lanner Gorge and other vantage points offer splendid views of the South African bushveld. The area is known for its fever tree and baobab forests, prolific birdlife and spectacular views. The beauty of this wild area more than makes up for its lack of big game. Another interesting feature of the trail is the recently discovered fossil sites.

Persons doing the Nyalaland Trail are advised to book accommodation in Punda Maria Camp the night prior to commencing the trail unless they can guarantee they will get to Punda Maria by 15:30 on the day of departure.

Kruger National Park Olifants trail

The trail camp for the Olifants Trail is situated on the southern bank of the Olifants River, west of the Olifants/Letaba confluence. It offers a magnificent view of a beautiful stretch of this perennial river, which ultimately flows through Mozambique and into the sea. The landscape varies from riverine bush and gorges to the foothills of the Lebombos. It supports a variety of wildlife, including large predators, elephant and buffalo. The Olifants River is home to crocodile, hippo and many bird species. The call of the African Fish Eagle is almost synonymous with this trail and the rare Pels Fishing Owl can sometimes be seen along the riverine vegetation.

Persons doing the Olifants Trail are advised to book accommodation in Letaba Camp the night prior to commencing the trail unless they can guarantee they will get to Letaba by 15:30 on the day of departure.

Kruger National Park Sweni trail

Conjure up a picture of Africa at its wildest: herds of zebra and wildebeest and tall, stately giraffe scattered across sun-drenched grass plains; the pungent smell of buffalo in one’s nostrils, the heart-stopping sight of an enormous elephant bull feeding in a thick stand of lala palms only metres away…

The trail camp of the Sweni Trail, which overlooks the Sweni Stream in the wilderness area near Nwanetsi provides a view of the surrounding marula and knobthorn savannah. The Sweni area is unique, in that, there is a very high density of both predator and prey, and a trail experience here afford trailists the opportunity to observe these relationships intimately.

Persons doing the Sweni Trail are advised to book accommodation in Satara Camp the night prior to commencing the trail unless they can guarantee they will get to Satara by 15:30 on the day of departure.

Kruger National Park Wolhuter trail

As the name implies, the Wolhuter Trail commemorates the legendary father and son rangers, Harry and Henry Wolhuter, who, for many years, patrolled the southern section of the park. The trail camp is situated midway between the Berg-en-Dal and Pretoriuskop restcamps in the southern section of the park – the heart of white rhino country.

Persons doing the Wolhuter Trail are advised to book accommodation in Berg-en-Dal Camp the night prior to commencing the trail unless they can guarantee they will get to Berg-en-Dal by 15:30 on the day of departure.

Accommodation in and around Kruger National Park