Kruger National Park, in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, is among the worlds greatest nature reserves. It is one of the few places on earth where wildlife can be seen in such great variety and at such close quarters.
The park is densely populated by some 520 bird, 114 reptile and 146 mammal species, including the fabled Big Five - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. Although in nature there are no guarantees, in Kruger Park you stand the best chance of thrilling sightings of game. From some of Africa’s largest prides of lion, to birds found nowhere else within the country’s borders.
The present Kruger Park is immense, covering 19,685 km2, an area almost the size of Wales or two thirds of Belgium. There are more than 3000 km of roads on which to explore the Park. Obviously in a limited time, one can do only so much, however our experience shows us which are the best roads to take at certain times of the year, ensuring you get the most of your visit to the Park. Our tour focuses mainly on the Southern areas of the park, as it has the largest concentration of game. CLIMATE
In winter (April to September) the days are mild (average about 23º C, with cool nights on occasion (down to 6º C). In the summer, the days average 30º C, but sometimes exceed 40º C, with the welcome cooling effect of afternoon thunderstorms. Rain in the summer months (October - March i.e. “rainy season”) varies from about 800mm in the south, to 500mm in the northern areas. HEALTH
Kruger National Park is a malaria area. It is strongly recommended clients take anti-malaria medication, particularly in the rainy season. Please consult your doctor or local pharmacist for the appropriate medication.
VISA’S
Visiters entering South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passports to enable the entry visa to be issued. If there is insufficient space in the passport entry will be denied and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. FOOD & MEALS
Included in the tour cost are the following meals: | | Days | Meals | 1
| D | | 2, 3 | B,L,D | | 4 | B |
As the best time to view game is early in the morning we enter the Park as soon as the gates open. Prior to this we have coffee / tea, rusks etc and breakfast is more of a brunch served a few hours later. Dinners are camp meals prepared by your guide with your assistance. Lunches on days 1 and 4 are your own expense and we stop at rest camps where these can be purchased. The water is safe to drink inside the rest camps.
PARTICIPATION
Our tours are based on client participation and as an active member of the group, everyone helps out with the running of the tour, eg. Making campfires, cooking, setting up camp, dishes etc. Its all part of the African experience.
Remember the more you put in, the more you get out! CAMPSITES
In the Kruger Park, we usually camp inside the rest camps in the Park. These have excellent facilities including showers and a shop. Most also have swimming pools. Day 1, we sleep at the Shangaan Cultural Village in huts (no electricity and limited running water). SPENDING MONEY
You will need money for souvenirs, refreshments, lunches etc. Although one or two of the rest camps have banking facilities, please ensure you organize spending money prior to departure, to avoid lengthy delays or inconvenience. VEHICLES & GROUP SIZE
We offer budget tours, whilst trying to keep group sizes small and personal. For this reason we travel in a microbus with a trailer for luggage. The vehicles have either 2 rows of seats (seating up to 4 across) or 3 rows of seats (seating max 3 across). This varies according to group size. The vehicles do not have air conditioning, but do have opening windows. The night drive is done in an open vehicle. DEPARTURE POINT
As per your tour confirmation. MONEY TO BE COLLECTED
Your money will collected by your driver at the point of departure. EQUIPMENT
You are provided with the following equipment:
2 - person dome tent. These tents are very easy to put up and down.
The tents have mosquito netting over the entrances. You may choose to bring your own mosquito netting if you wish. At the cultural village there is no mosquito netting provided.
If travelling on your own you may share with another single person of the same sex.
Thin sleeping mat.
All cooking equipment for the group and utensils etc.
Camping stools.
Sleeping Bags may be hired for R50 per tour. Please notify us in advance if you will require one. WHAT TO BRING
For comfort reasons luggage is limited on each trip to 1 small bag, sleeping bag and camera per person. Soft bags only may used (i.e.: no suitcases). Please note there are luggage storage facilities available at Backpacker Ritz. | Binoculars | Torch & Batteries | | Sun Screen & Hat | Insect Repellent | | Rain Coat (if travelling in rainy season) | Camera and films | | Anti malaria Medication | Warm jacket for evenings | | Sunglasses | Swimming Gear | | Sleeping Bag | Personal First Aid Kit |
INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS - Panoramic Route
- Cultural village
- Entrance to Kruger Park & game drives
- Night drive in Kruger Park
- Cheetah Research Project
| OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES | | Activity | Price USD | | Game walk in Kruger park | $ 30 (min 4 people) |
Please note that these prices are meant only as a guideline as they change seasonally, although we do make every effort to keep up to date with the changes. ONWARD TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Due to unforeseen problems we recommend onward travel arrangements be made only for the day after the tour ends. If arrangements are made for the same day the tour ends, we cannot be held responsible for any delays, and the clients must take the risk for themselves. If you are making further bookings for busses/trains/flights the day the tour ends we strongly recommend you make them the latest time possible and that you inform our reservation staff and the tour guide at the beginning of the tour. | 
Day 1 Kruger Park (South Africa)
Departing Johannesburg early we make our way along the panoramic route. Our first stop is at God’s Window, one of the most famous of the viewpoints with the sheer drop giving views onto the Lowveld. Bourke’s Luck Potholes, our next stop on route, lends us an insight into the workings of the geographical world, where strange, smoothly scooped formations are carved into the rocks at the confluence of the Treur and Blyde rivers by water-driven pebbles. To appreciate the true beauty of this vast and magical land we pause at the 3 Rondavels. Three cylinders in the shape of ships with the meandering Blyde River twisting its way hundreds of meters below make a view hard to capture. Our final stop is at the 750m Blyde River Canyon. Here the edge of the escarpment drops away into the Lowveld , and is weathered out strata of red rock and colossal formations. Surrounded by the Blyde River Canyon Nature reserve the views from the Canyon are wonderful. From here we journey on the to the Shangaan Tribal Village where we spend the night in tribal huts. This tribal initiative gives you a rare insight into the age old traditions and the modern day problems that make up cultural life in 21st century South Africa. A guided tour explains the traditions and history of the Shangaan people. We eat a traditional meal and watch tribal dancing. (D) 
Day 3 Kruger Park (South Africa)
