Kruger Camping Safaris

4.5/5 – 411 Kruger Reviews

Sprawling across 19,485km²/7,523mi² in the far northeast of South Africa, the legendary Kruger National Park is not only a wonderful place to go on safari but also a thrilling camping destination. Almost all of Africa’s most iconic safari mammals, including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, rhino and giraffe, are present here in large numbers. For campers, Kruger is also serviced by a network of well-equipped and affordable campsites catering to self-drivers and organized tours alike. Yes, Kruger’s wildlife is sensational, but spending your nights under canvas, listening to lions roar and hyenas whoop from the other side of a secure perimeter fence, will greatly enhance your safari experience.

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7 Questions About Kruger Camping Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Philip Briggs

Philip Briggs is an Africa-specialized travel writer who grew up and lives in South Africa. He first visited Kruger as a child in the 1970s, and has explored its every accessible corner on countless subsequent visits.
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What are the pros and cons of a Kruger camping safari?

“The most obvious advantage of a Kruger camping safari, as opposed to one based in lodges or hutted accommodations, is that it tends to be significantly cheaper. It also has more of a back-to-nature vibe, and you’ll be far more aware of nocturnal animal sounds. A disadvantage of camping is that it tends to be less comfortable than sleeping in a proper room, and rather inconvenient should you need to get up in the night. It can also be a bit nerve-racking for first-time visitors to Africa.”

What facilities can I expect in the Kruger campsites?

“Campsites in Kruger have excellent facilities. These include clean and well-lit ablution blocks with hot showers and flush toilets, as well as communal cooking areas, individual barbecues, mobile phone reception and charging facilities. Most campsites lie within larger rest camps that also have at least one restaurant or café, a well-stocked mini-supermarket, a swimming pool, a filling station and wifi. Some of these amenities are absent at certain smaller rest camps and campsites, but you can check exactly what’s available at any given camp on the South African national parks website.”

How much do Kruger camping tours cost?

“Organized camping packages to Kruger start at around US$170 per person per day inclusive of entrance and camping fees, transport, game drives, meals, camping equipment and the services of a registered driver-guide. Two people traveling together could cut that price by up to 50% if they opted for a self-drive camping safari, avoiding organized activities and preparing their own meals.”

What is the best time for a camping safari in Kruger?

“The best time for a Kruger trip is the Dry season (May to September), but it is perfectly possible to travel at any time of year. The main positive of the Dry season is that vegetation thins out and wildlife tends to gather around perennial water sources, making for superior wildlife viewing. In addition, the risk of contracting malaria in Kruger, though low throughout the year, is greatly reduced in the Dry season. However, the Dry season does coincide with winter, so while daytime temperatures are comfortable and there’s no real risk of nighttime storms, camping can be seriously chilly at night. Advantages of a Wet season camping safari are that the scenery is greener, the birdlife more abundant and the nights warmer, but there is a greater risk of rain spoiling things. Avoid Kruger during South African school holidays, when it tends to be most crowded.”

Is a camping holiday in Kruger safe?

“Camping in Kruger is very safe. All rest camps and campsites are fully fenced to keep out the likes of lion, elephant, hippo, buffalo and rhino. The only potentially dangerous large mammal that might occasionally stray into camp is the leopard, but these secretive cats very seldom attack people. Snakes, spiders and other creepy-crawlies are present, but do not pose a serious threat to the average tourist. Violent crime is not an issue within the national park.”

Is a self-drive camping trip in Kruger recommended?

“No other major African national park is quite so well suited to a self-drive safari as Kruger. Most internal roads are surfaced, and those that aren’t can still be traversed in an ordinary saloon car. In addition, good maps and other interpretive material are available at all entrance gates and rest camps. The rest camps also have shops, filling stations and restaurants where you can stock up on requirements as you go.”

What are the best Kruger campsites?

“There is no one right answer to this question, as it depends on what factors are most important to you. The rest camps with the most reliable locations for productive game drives are probably Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Satara and Letaba, all of which have campsites. Of these, however, Skukuza is by far the largest and most impersonal rest camp, while Satara’s location is not particularly scenic. By contrast, Lower Sabie and Letaba both have superb riverside locations, and are long-standing favorites with regular Kruger visitors. Further north, Shingwedzi and Punda Maria are wonderful low-key rest camps that are not well suited to short safaris, but well worth including on Kruger holidays of a week or longer. For a more off-grid experience, Balule and Maroela are both small, intimate campsites with a real bush feel.”

Kruger Reviews

4.5/5 411 Reviews

Expert

Lizzie Williams –

Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s flagship park with excellent facilities and unrivalled game-viewing

5/5

South Africa’s largest park most certainly fulfils most visitors’ expectations of seeing magnificent herds of game roaming across acacia-studded savannah. After countless visits at different times of the year, I have found it can get a...

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Expert

Mike Unwin –

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

Africa’s Best DIY Safari

5/5

South Africa’s premier wildlife reserve divides opinion. Some who’ve visited supposedly ‘wilder’ parks argue that the Kruger’s developed infrastructure, complete with paved roads and large public camps, undermines the wilderness...

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Alex –

Reviewed: Mar 20, 2025

5/5

Beautiful park, and it's massive! Much more open spaces and seemed to be a greater diversity of wildlife, although we spent the most time and covered the most distance in this park so that may impact the diversity of things we saw.

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Eva Carolina –

Reviewed: Mar 13, 2025

5/5

We could see Big 5 plus Cheetah! Amazing time! Some blogs had informed about February not being the best time to go in a Safari (it's batter in the winter) but I desagree! We could see ALL the wonderful animals and the weather was just...

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Matt Tighe –

Reviewed: Jan 26, 2025

5/5

So vast you barely cover a fraction of it. Plenty of amazing Giraffes, Buffalo etc. Preferred the private reserves as you could go off road within 2 metres of elephants and lions with a fresh kill. Still a great day. Bring binoculars! Wish...

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Ryan Sanford –

Reviewed: Dec 26, 2024

5/5

Kruger National Park has it all, the wildlife, the lodges and gift shops, the restaurants, it's the go-to National Park for anyone who wants to go on an African Safari, and it's not hard to see why. I'd love to go again someday.

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Kruger Camping Safaris

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7 Questions About Kruger Camping Safaris

Answered by

Philip Briggs

7 Questions About Kruger Camping Safaris

What are the pros and cons of a Kruger camping safari?

What facilities can I expect in the Kruger campsites?

How much do Kruger camping tours cost?

What is the best time for a camping safari in Kruger?

Is a camping holiday in Kruger safe?

Is a self-drive camping trip in Kruger recommended?

What are the best Kruger campsites?

Kruger Reviews

South Africa’s flagship park with excellent facilities and unrivalled game-viewing

Africa’s Best DIY Safari