Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger Park

Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger Park

All, Family, Good to know, Wildlife

Below we unpack the main differences between the world-famous Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger Park, which although not as famous as its larger neighbour, offers in our opinion a superior safari experience.

Greater Kruger Park (GKP)

The term Greater Kruger Park is used to describe a number of private game reserves situated along the recently unfenced mid-western border of the Kruger National Park when private landowners saw the benefit of joining the iconic national park to allow game to flow freely through the area. One of the main advantages of a safari here is that there are limited amounts of persons as one has to be staying in one of the private lodges and for this reason, you will experience a less crowded safari with no more than two game vehicles per sighting. Also, in our opinion you will enjoy more exciting game drives as most properties allow real off-road game viewing in their 4×4 open safari vehicles, getting you right up close to the animals. Finally, the smaller lodges here are more up-market than the rest camps found in the Kruger National Park and thus offer a more exclusive safari experience.

Kruger National Park (KNP)

The Kruger National Park consists of a 20,000 km2 area in the north-east of South-Africa, run by government controlled Sanparks. Here you will be able to do a self-drive safari in your own vehicle, although along with everyone else which at times does lead to traffic jams around sightings with a general lack of game viewing etiquette. There is a good network of tar and gravel roads, keep to the speed limits and do not go off road anywhere in the Kruger National Park. You are also NOT allowed to get out of your vehicles (seriously some people have and are not around anymore!) unless in the safety of the ring fenced rest camps.

The park has several of these rest camps accessible to day or overnighting visitors, of which most have a shop and a restaurant to stock up on supplies or enjoy a nice meal and stretch the legs a little. There are well appointed signs leading you to the rest camps and several points of interest.

Which one to choose?

Because the border between the two parks in unfenced, the flora and fauna found in both areas is basically the same. But if you’re on safari for your very first time and don’t feel like driving in the Kruger National Park yourself, then a safari in the Greater Kruger Park might be the best option. In the all-inclusive lodges, the staff will take care of every aspect, while you can relax and enjoy your Big 5 African Safari experience. If you’re looking to enjoy a self-drive safari, then the Kruger National Park has a choice of well priced rest camps spread around the park which you can book direct with Sanparks here, or you can stay in one of the surrounding towns. You can also combine the two parks easily and explore the best of the two worlds!

Parting shot: When planning a South African itinerary with a safari element, we always suggest spoiling yourself with an upmarket private safari lodge experience and saving a little on the accommodations in places like Cape Town, as you will be outdoors exploring the city most of the time anyway.

To learn more about the Kruger Park in general and what to bring on a safari, please read our blog post here.

What to bring on Safari?

What to bring on Safari?

All, Good to know, Wildlife

It’s happening! After all this time you will finally go on a Safari: Game Drives, the Big Five and maybe even a Safari Walk are on the top of your list, but … what do you bring?

There are multiple things that are super convenient and that really contribute to the most amazing safari experience you can get. The following list provides you with the most important stuff you need before you start your new adventure:

  • Sunscreen: easily forgotten but very important. Imagine being out in an open safari vehicle with the sun in your face and the wind blowing through your hair. Sounds amazing, but looking in the mirror afterwards might be a bit of a rude awakening. You don’t want to miss out on all the animals because they’ve already spotted your red nose before you could even come close!
  • Insect repellent and long clothes to protect you (in the early mornings and early evenings). Make sure you’ve got socks that cover your ankles at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are around the most. During the day you are fine with shorts and a T-shirt.
  • Flashlight, binoculars and photographic equipment. Of course you have to bring some awesome photos back home with you.
  • Money for lunch and hydration on transfer days to your safari destination and  for those long days in the national parks and private game reserves.
  • Closed walking shoes, sunglasses and swimming gear to cool off from the midday heat in the swimming pool, not at the many watering holes!
  • Casual neutral-coloured clothes by day and a pullover for the sunset drive. It can get quite cold in the evenings so make sure you have something warm and comfortable to wear for activities that take place in the evening or at night.
  • Pair of flip flops in case your other shoes get wet.
  • Last but not least: a good pair of eyes to spot the magic of all of those hidden animals! Don’t worry on your first few game drives if you struggle to spot game, your eyes will soon adjust and become bush savvy.

If you make sure you have the above things with you on your trip, it could just give that little extra comfort to the Safari!

Malaria risk

In general, Kruger National Park and surrounding areas are low risk malaria areas. However, our rainy months from December to March bring a higher risk. Therefore, we recommend discussing preventative medication with your medical practitioner or travel clinic.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend to all our guests that they obtain comprehensive travel insurance. Please ensure that you have adequate travel insurance to cover cancellation penalties. Special insurance may be required if you undertake any extreme or potentially dangerous activities (e.g. adrenalin or endurance sports).