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cultural experience, Kruger National Park, self drive, South Africa, wildlife

Travel to the Kruger National Park -Top Tourist Attractions, Facts & Important Travel Information

May 7, 2020 FalconSafaris2020 2 Comments

**Elevation**: 200 M (660 ft) East and 840 M (2760 ft) South west.
**Location**: Limpopo & Mpumalanga Provinces (South Africa)
**Geology**: Basal and granite interspersed with gabbro.

**GENERAL TRAVEL INFO TO THE KRUGER PARK:**
**Currency**: ZAR (South African Rand)
**Time Zone**: GMT + 2
**Driving Side**: Left
**Calling Code**: + 27

INTRODUCTION

Kruger National Park and South Africa are synonymous with each other. You can’t think of the one without the other springing to mind. The Kruger National Park borders Mozambique to the east and Zimbabwe to the north. The Limpopo National Park from Mozambique and the Gonarezhou National Park from Zimbabwe are now linked to complete the Great Limpopo, Trans-Frontier Park.

A SHORT-COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TRAVEL TO THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (SOUTH AFRICA)

Where is the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK?

The KRUGER NATIONAL PARK is in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa, some 390 km (Numbi Gate) from the OR Tambo International Airport.

Some Interesting Facts of the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The Kruger National Park is the oldest national park in Southern Africa. (Established in 1895)
The Kruger National Park is home to one of Africa’s most successful hunters, the African wild dog. The wild dog’s success rate is estimated at some 80%.
Webcams are used to observe wildlife in the Kruger National Park.

Visa for Kruger National Park – South Africa

Below is a list of requirements when applying for a Visa to enter South Africa:

You will need to complete an ‘Application for a Visa’ form (BI-84).
Passport or travel documentation should be valid for a minimum of 30 days and have at least two blank pages.
Two color passport type photographs.
Documentation (Bookings and Reservations) confirming the purpose of your visit.
Minors and or children should in addition to above have documentation proving custody and consent.
A return or onward ticket.

Financial proof that you can support yourself with living expenses while staying in South Africa.

Visa for South Africa – Exempt Countries

Visitors who hold ordinary passports and originate from any of the below-listed countries can enter South Africa to visit the Kruger National Park without a visa.

Note: The red lines indicate current travel restrictions.

Visa for South Africa – Visa on Arrival

Validity: 30 Days

Cost: ZAR1,350.00

Citizens for the following countries will require a Visa when entering South Africa:

List – Courtesy of the Department of Home Affairs – South Africa (March 31^st, 2020)

http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa

Visa for South Africa – African Passport Holders

Most African countries, including the government of South Africa, is said to soon introduce Visa on Arrival for all African passport holders. African passports will be issued to citizens of most of the African countries on the African continent to out phase the need for Africans to obtain a visa for the 55-states in Africa. This initiative is like that of the European Union and was first launched on 17 July 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.

How To Travel To The Kruger National Park

Prospective tourists will be landing at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The choice then will be to reach Kruger Park by air or by road.

Connecting flights can be taken to:Skukuza Airport, located at Skukuza, the main administrative center for the Park.
Kruger Mpumalanga National Airport, some 40 km south of the Numbi Gate.
Hoedspruit Airport for entry to the central regions of the park.
Phalaborwa Airport for entry to the northern part of the park.

A trip by road in a rental car can be a rewarding experience, should you have the time. Allow between 4 to 6 hours for south and central entry to the park and up to 7 hours for the northern gates, traveling by road. Gates are open from 05H30 and 06H00 and close daily from 17H30 to 18H00. The opening and closing times of gates are seasonally linked.

The Kruger National Park has no less than ten entry points by road:

Numbi Entrance Gate – South of the Park, (closest from OR Tambo Airport), entry via R538 from White River.

Crocodile Bridge entrance Gate – South of the Park, entry R571 from Komatipoort.

Malelane Entrance Gate – South of the Park, entry N4 from Malelane.

Paul Kruger Entrance Gate – South of the Park, entry via R40 from Hazyview.

Phabeni Entrance Gate – via the R536 from Hazyview,

Orpen Entrance Gate – Central entry point via R540 from Belfast.

Phalaborwa Entrance gate – Central and northern entry point via R71 from Polokwane and Tzaneen to Phalaborwa.

Punda Maria Entrance Gate – This northern entry point is via the R524 from Makhado.

Pafuri Entrance Gate – Northern entry point via R524 from Makhado and is an optional entry point to Punda Maria. (Most tourists enter via Punda Maria).

Giriyondo Entry Gate – Entry from the SA – Mozambique border

A Short History of the Kruger National Park

A motion for the establishment of a game reserve was introduced by one Louis van Wyk in the parliament of the old Transvaal Republic. A majority of one vote and the consent of President Paul Kruger resulted in the establishment of a government game reserve in March 1898. The final borders of the park were established in 1926 and include some 19400 square kilometers. It spans an area of 350 km from north to south and 60 km from east to west. The park was known as the Sabi Game Reserve from 1898 to 1926. A motion to formally establish and name the Kruger National Park was tabled in the South African parliament on May 31st, 1926. Although there was some political turmoil regarding the name, Act 46 of 1926 was unanimously accepted.

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The Best Time to Travel to the Kruger National Park

The best time to travel to the Kruger National Park is in the winter months from June to September. It’s also the best period for game viewing. Regular rain and dense vegetation make game viewing difficult in the summer months. Winters are mild with summer temperature rising above 40 Degrees.

Is the Kruger National Park Safe to Travel?

The Kruger National Park lies within a malaria zone, and it is advisable to take the necessary preventative medication. Wildlife viewing has some risk involved but you will normally be safe when accompanied by a ranger or guide. Poaching is alive and still occurring in the Park and any suspicious behavior should be reported to the park rangers. In general Kruger Park is safe to visit but don’t tempt fate, apply the normal safety rules like locking up your luggage and keeping copies of your documents! (See details listed below). The danger zones are Johannesburg and areas surrounding the OR Tambo airport. Beware of so-called citycentric crimes like mugging, pick pockets and hijackings.

How to Stay Safe While you travel In and around the Kruger National Park?

Useful travel tips and precautions:

Make sure that you have duplicate documents available and stash it separately.

Avoid travelling alone at night from OR Tambo. (Game viewing by night is allowed, but rather travel with a ranger or an experienced safari guide).

Only use transport approved by your tour operator.

Be vigilant around the airport and surrounding areas.

Take care to add the local Police and emergency numbers on your cellphone.

Don’t travel without travel insurance.

Always keep your valuables in a safe deposit box at your destinations.

Keep your luggage locked in your hotel or resort.

https://www.safaribookings.com/pilanesberg/safety#travelsafety

Map of the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The Top Tourist Attractions in the Kruger National Park (South Africa)

This is probably one of the best places to see and experience wildlife in southern Africa in style as it was and will hopefully stay. There is a long list of camps, picnic sites, and resorts listed on the internet. Let us explore some of the popular ones:

The Big Five

Everyone wants to see the big five, the elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and the leopards. Elephants and buffalos are the most likely to be spotted. But, with an experienced guide at your side, the chances are good to score five out of five. June to September is the best time for the self-drive enthusiast.

Explore A Large Amount of Wildlife

The are at least 145 mammal species to see in the Kruger National Park. Amongst them, you will find spotted hyenas, wild dogs, wildebeest, different antelopes, giraffes, Nyalas, zebras, crocodiles, hippos, and many others. If you are looking for some fun, be on the lookout for our close relatives the baboons. But don’t despair they will be on the lookout for you as well! Warthogs and meerkats are other fun animals to watch.

Birdwatching

*Birdwatching in The Kruger National Park*

The Kruger National Park is a paradise for any birdwatcher. There are some 500 recorded species, including some 50 migratory species to be found. Some of the most well-known species to have on your watch list will be the White-fronted bee-eaters, Tawney eagles, Whitehead vultures, Bateleurs, Lapped faced vultures, spurfowls, cuckoos, African Finfoots, parrots, Saddle-billed storks, and many others. The Lake Panic Bird Hike close to Skukuza is a popular watching spot.

Trees And Other Flora

Trees in the Kruger National Park Colophospermum-Mopane

Not many tourists pay any detailed attention to the surrounding flora, but the Kruger National Park has more than 330 different tree species. Landmark trees, like the famous Baobab, are found to the east of the Satara camp. The Zulu Milk Berry and Cape Chestnut trees can be found on the Wolhuter hiking trail.

Bushman Rock Art & Paintings

The Kruger National Park is home to some 120+ sites for this famous Khoi and San paintings, that were painted or sculptured between 1500 and 3000 years ago. Themes include wildlife, hunting, culture, ‘alien’ figures, 3-legged animals, figures with hollow bodies, and many others. Surveyor Con de Rosner revealed another 57 sites in 2007. The art is best appreciated with an experienced guide. Interested tourists will be advised to explore these on the above mentioned Wolhuter Hiking trail.

Hiking in the Kruger National Park

There is a long list of hiking trails offered in and out of the park. These include daily (5-hour trips) as well as up to three-night trails. Rangers take care to take the general fitness level of each group into account. Getaway magazine list the following as some of the best hiking trails: Nyalaland trail from Pafuri for birdwatchers, the Letaba elephant walk, the Satara Sweeney hike for birdlife like the Scopes Owl, Mozambican Nightjar, etc., and the Metsi-Metsi hike from Skukuza game viewing at its best.

Cultural Tours

For those tourists with an interest in archaeology, there are some remarkable sites to visit. The most interesting one is probably the Stone Age Masorini ruins that include a fully restored village found close to the Phalaborwa gate. Another famous one is the Albasini ruins close to the Phabeni Gate. The ruins of the trading post belonged to one Joao Albasini, a Portuguese trader and adventurer who explored and set up trading routes in the region in the nineteenth century.

The Iconic Letaba Elephant Hall Museum

Make sure that you include a visit to the museum on your tour. Take note that entrance is FREE! The museum has amongst its exhibits a life-size elephant skeleton, tusks of up to 50kg each belonging to the famous ‘Magnificent Seven Elephants’, elephant skulls, and many more.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Mountain bike safaris from the Olifants Rest Camp
Bush braais (BBQ’s) and Bush breakfasts
A round of golf on the 9-hole Kruger Park Golf Course at Skukuza
You can even pay a visit to the ‘Tropic of Capricorn’. It is located 12km north of Mopani Rest Camp. Wikipedia calls it “the circle of latitude that contains the subsolar point on the December (or southern) solstice.”

Top selling tour. 11 Day Johannesburg, kruger National Park, KwaZulu Natal and Cape Town Tour. **credit** Falcon Safaris

The best times to visit the Kruger National Park is probably the drier months from April to September, but whenever you decide to visit it will be a memorable experience that will stay with you for years to come.

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chobe and okavango, safari

ON TOUR WITH FALCON SAFARIS IN CHOBE AND THE OKAVANGO DELTA

February 7, 2020 FalconSafaris2020 Leave a comment

Just imagine a comfortable campfire with nightfall approaching. One by one, the evening sounds begin. In the distance, you can hear the roar of a wandering lion, then the laugh of a hyena. Hopefully, it is not laughing at you because the sound is normally an indication that it wants to be left alone. Then, close by, the howl of a jackal fills the night. The smell of food on a fire, the chat and laughter of friends and fellow tourists around you…

Suddenly, it is sunrise, and bird song awakens you. You hear the barking “aw” and “ih” of baboons and the gibber of apes. Our forebears (well, of some of us,) are waking up. In the distance, the bark of a zebra…

Then you realize that you are on safari with Falcon Safaris, the best tour operator in Southern Africa, and that you are in the Chobe National Park in Botswana.

WHY FALCON SAFARIS?

Well, that’s a very easy one to answer. Falcon is the prime full-service destination management company in Southern Africa. Fancy words, you muse? It applies to the best tour operator in the business, and you are on tour with them. Falcon Safaris offers choice packages that include traditional game viewing in open vehicles and comfortable overnight stops, as well the real thing: camping and campfires, the true way to experience Africa.

THE CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

A Chobe National Park safari is one of the packages offered by Falcon Safaris. The park is located in the northern part of Botswana and borders the famous Okavango Delta. Some of Falcon’s Victoria Falls tour packages include visits to the park as well. Located along the Chobe River, the park consists of vast grassy plains, with the bushier Savuti marsh areas to the south. The Chobe river camp is a favourite with tourists.

For more information visit: https://www.chobe-safari-lodges.com/ and http://www.chobe-national-park.net/

THE BIG FIVE

The big five are one of the reasons why most tourists want to visit a game reserve. You won’t be disappointed here. The park boasts one of the biggest elephant populations in Southern Africa. Led by a Falcon Safari guide, you will cross paths with buffalo herds, leopards and lions. The rhino, the fire fighter of the bush, is a bit on the shy side, and you may just miss it. With a bit of luck, you may see lions feeding on their kill or a leopard protecting its prey high up in a tree.

CHOBE WILDLIFE AND BIRD WATCHING

Wildlife is in abundance in the park, and it includes giraffe, zebra, kudu, springbok, impala and hartebeest. The river is well-populated with crocodiles, hippos and fish. For bird lovers, there is a kaleidoscope of birds to watch. Some 450 different species have been identified. Common species to see are the African darter, the saddle-billed stork and the squacco heron. The best time for bird watching with Falcon Safaris is from mid-November to April. This is the breeding season for the birds, and all migrant species are back “home”.

BABOONS

While everyone is on the lookout for the so-called big five, you may find yourself under observation by some close relatives. Big troops of African baboons are found all over Chobe. They like watching you as much as you like watching them. The biggest fun is to identify some of your family members amongst them. They live in close-knit family groups, with lots of children that need supervision and discipline, and you will find their almost-human behaviour great fun to watch. See if you are able to spot any of your uncles, aunts, neighbours or friends amongst them. Feeding them is a big no-no as it encourages them to raid tourists’ food supplies. Beware, they may try to steal your provisions if you allow them too close.

THE OKAVANGO DELTA

A Falcon Safari tour will include a visit to the Okavango Delta, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The delta borders Chobe and is basically a continuation of the nature reserve. It is subjected to seasonal flooding, with the main influx from the southern parts of Angola. The swampy flatland has its biggest inflow of water during the dry winter months and peaks around July. Scientists tend to regard the area as an oasis in a dry area rather than a natural wet-climate swamp. Receding water levels that follow the peak period attract large numbers of animals, which makes for excellent game viewing. Summer temperatures (November to early March) can reach 40 degrees, with a high humidity factor. The mid-year temperature pattern is mild by day with cooler nights.

OKAVANGO WILDLIFE

Falcon Safaris offers standard game viewing from open vehicles. Trips by motorboat or houseboat are also available. The delta attracts a wide variety of wildlife including the big five, the African bush elephant, blue wildebeest, springbok, sable antelope, impala, black and white rhinos, the Nile crocodile and yes, our cousins the baboons and some vervet monkeys.

Naturally, the delta supports a variety of fish species as well. Some seventy different species have been identified, including tiger fish and the well-known catfish. Fishing trips are available but need to be booked in advance. Tiger fish catches ranging between eight and ten kilograms have been recorded.

SNAKES

Most people don’t like snakes, and the feeling is somewhat mutual. That dates back to the time when the snake persuaded Eve to eat some of Eden’s export apples, with well-known consequences! Puff adders and cobras are amongst the snakes found in the area. Most snakes are likely to avoid humans. The exception is the puff adder, which, because it is slow-moving, prefers to lie still if there is danger. Puff adders bite when threatened and are responsible for up to 70% of all snakebites in Africa. Stay close to your Falcon guide and don’t try to entice or prod a snake with a stick or anything else, for that matter.

YOUR FALCON SAFARI GUIDE AND TRAVEL TIPS

As for all tourist destinations, there are some precautions you will have to take and some items that will make life easier for you:

Malaria – The Chobe and Okavango areas are high-risk malaria areas, and you will be wise to take precautions. The swamps are rife with insects, and insect repellents are a must-have.
Sunblock and sunglasses are essential, especially in the November to February summer season with accompanying high temperatures. Use practical sunglasses that can be replaced at low cost should you happen to lose or break them. If you use prescription glasses, a safe option is to have a spare set available.
Well-worn hiking boots are another good investment. Well-worn is the keyword. You don’t want to hobble around with blistered feet. Remember to shake a boot before putting it on! It’s a nice hideout for spiders and scorpions.
Binoculars are a sound investment, and a good camera is a must for recording your memories.
Don’t overburden yourself with luggage, but do pack long-sleeved shirts and a hat, as well as a jacket for cooler nights if your visit falls within the winter months.
It is also useful to have a small battery-powered torch and a supply of meds for headaches, indigestion, etc.
Pack comfortable clothing, but remember it is Africa. Don’t pack camouflage or similar clothing and appear in public in it. You may just draw the attention of the police, and you wouldn’t like them to spoil your safari.

Speak to Falcon Safaris, the top tour operator for Southern Africa, for your planned Africa visit. Their top-class destination management team will make your African encounter a memorable one.

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