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Kruger Camping Safaris

4.5/5  –  406 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

1. What are the pros and cons of a Kruger camping safari?
2. What facilities can I expect in the Kruger campsites?
3. How much do Kruger camping tours cost?
4. What is the best time for a camping safari in Kruger?
5. Is a camping holiday in Kruger safe?
6. Is a self-drive camping trip in Kruger recommended?
7. What are the best Kruger campsites?
 
 

7 Questions About Kruger Camping Safaris

Answered by Philip Briggs

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 accommodation, 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.”

1

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.”

2

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.”

3

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.”

4

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.”

5

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.”

6

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.”

7

Kruger Reviews

4.5/5 406 Reviews
Expert
Lizzie Williams  –  
South Africa ZA

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...

Full Review

Expert
Mike Unwin  –  
United Kingdom UK

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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Ryan Sanford  –  
United States US
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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Wanda M Stevens  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Nov 21, 2024
5/5

We did game drives in three different areas of the park. They all offered exciting drives and animal viewing. Our guides excelled at spotting both animals and birds. They also gave us information about the fern and fauna of the area.

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Sarah Doege  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Nov 9, 2024
5/5

Stayed at Green Fire and had a great time. The people were so nice. Got to interact with the owner daily and had some amazing experiences there! You can’t beat waking up from a nap to views of giraffes and elephants.

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Robin  –  
Netherlands NL
Reviewed: Sep 30, 2024
Another landscape around the corner with so many animals
5/5

It was our first experience in Kruger NP and we really wanted to see the Big Five, that was our main goal. We entered through Phabeni Gate on our way through Skukuza. We stayed in the Kruger Safari Lodge, where the staff was really friendly...

Full Review

All 406 Kruger Reviews