South Africa’s largest national park and home to the Big Five
Founded in 1898 and covering over 7,500 square miles (19,500 square kilometres) of land, Kruger National Park is both the oldest and largest national park in South Africa. The diversity of its landscapes and vast number of animals that call it home also make it one of the best places in the country to go on safari.
The Kruger has sixteen distinct habitats within its borders, ranging from dry open grassland to lush riverine forests. These support a huge variety of wildlife, including over 100 species of mammals. You can see all of the Big Five (leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos and buffalo) here, as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and impalas. There’s also the chance to track rare species like pangolins, aardvarks and African wild dogs.
And it’s not just mammals. There are over 500 species of resident and migratory birds you can spot in the park. You might catch sight of a martial eagle soaring overhead, a huge kori bustard striding across the grassland, or vibrant southern carmine bee-eaters nesting in the riverbanks.
We’ll recommend the best lodges and camps in the Kruger, including those situated in private concessions and reserves that are only accessible to guests. Staying within their borders enables you to take part in extra activities like walking safaris and night drives.
The park’s location makes it easy to combine a trip here with time in other parts of South Africa, such as Cape Town, the Winelands and Johannesburg. Get in touch with our expert travel designers to start planning your luxury Kruger National Park safari tour today.
Experiences picked by our Kruger specialists
A word from one of our experts
Seeing the Big Five in person is mesmerising, and every turn you take in the Kruger unveils new views and incredible wildlife.

Senior Travel Designer
Luxury safari lodges in Kruger National Park
There are many incredible places to stay in the Kruger. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?

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Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Kruger example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Discover more of South Africa

Cape Town
Cape Town can really take your breath away. The horizon is dominated by the iconic Table Mountain rising up in the background, whilst in the foreground are the crisp waters of the cape and the laid-back bustle of the city’s waterfront skirted by sandy beaches and picturesque suburbs.

Drakensberg Mountains
Now affectionately known as ‘the Berg’, Drakensberg, meaning ‘Dragon Mountains’, magically encapsulates the escarpment’s otherworldly feel. Tabletop peaks, wind-swept plains, mighty cliffs and glorious waterfalls make up just some of the spectacular grandeur.

Durban
A subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and laid back atmosphere makes Durban a great city to spend time in. It also holds plenty of cultural and political importance as the capital of the KwaZulu Natal region.

Eastern Cape Safaris
South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.

Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this sunny city is not only one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub, it’s also been branded the new capital of cool.

KwaZulu Natal
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all.

Limpopo Province
Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.

Luxury Rail Travel
Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.

Madikwe
Madikwe, in the northwest corner, boarding Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there’s no malaria-free area.

Northern Kruger National Park
The Makuleke is the northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. It is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and dramatic region that is perhaps the park’s most beautiful, yet kept wonderfully quiet thanks to its remoteness and community run concession status.

Phinda
Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.

Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets.

Sabi Sands
This is one of the best places in Africa to get up close and personal with Africa’s most famous predators.

The Garden Route
This exquisitely pretty, pleasant and popular strip of South Africa’s Western Cape and coastline is a nature lover’s paradise and a horticulturist’s dream.

The Kalahari
The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.

The Western Cape Mountains
Sweeping from the north of Cape Town and curving eastward underneath the southern limits of the Northern Cape, this arched expanse incorporates the Cederberg mountains, a good portion of the Karoo plateau spilling over into the Overburg interior.

The Whale Coast
As you might imagine, the marine life of the Whale Coast is the main draw of the area, but you can’t help but credit them for picking such a spectacular stretch of coastline around which to gather.

The Winelands
Just a short drive from Cape Town one enters the verdant, rolling hills of South Africa’s wine country. Home to fantastic wine and some of Africa’s best restaurants.
Meet your Africa team
When to visit the Kruger
The best time to take luxury Kruger National Park safari tours is during the dry season from May to October. Sparser vegetation makes it easier to spot wildlife, who often gather around rivers and waterholes. The weather is pleasant, with warm sunny days, cool evenings and very little rain.
During the wet season (November to April), the weather becomes hotter and more humid. Heavy rains turn the landscape lush and green. Many species give birth in November and December, giving you the chance to see baby animals. It’s also a fantastic season for birdwatching, as many migratory species arrive in the region.
Safari
May–September
Birdwatching
October–March
Green season
November–April
The Kruger travel guides
Plan your trip to
the Kruger
Whatever you want from your luxury Kruger safari, our team of safari experts are ready to help.
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Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.












































