Going on a Safari is definitely a once in a lifetime experience (for most of us)! Since this environment is out of most people’s comfort and experience zone, it is highly advisable to go as prepared as you can. Here are 11 tips for first time visitors at Kruger National Park , that I wish I would have known before going there myself!
1. Get in the park early
You will hear this everywhere, but animals are most active in the early morning and at sunset. Hence, if you want to see some movement you should be at the Gate as soon as it opens. Another benefit to going into the park early is that sometimes, especially during the peak months, the entrance can get really crowded. One day we got in a little later, and we had to wait 30 minutes in line to get our tickets…
2. Get a large car / SUV
When we were researching what kind of car we should rent, we read every forum entry about this topic to exist. The majority of the information I found online suggested that you don’t need a “large” car to explore Kruger. However, I would wholeheartedly disagree with this. Not only will your drive on sand roads be a lot smoother, but it is soooo important to be higher up. Many animals will be hiding behind grass or bushes, and you just have so much better chances of getting a glimpse if your car is larger, aka higher up. Personally, I would even splurge for a real jeep / safari vehicle next time we go, it’s worth it.
3. Plan your bathroom breaks
It might sound funny, but this topic needs to be thought about. Anywhere you go in the Kruger, the policy is “get out of your vehicle at your own risk”. Hence, we did not feel comfortable getting out of the vehicle by ourselves at all. If this sounds like you, then you will want to plan your route in a way that regularly passes some official toilets. Those can be found at rest camps or viewpoints, and there are more than you might think. They are all indicated on the Kruger Park maps.
4. Do at least one guided tour
Even though self-driving in the park is very easy, and a lot more affordable, I would highly recommend to do at least one sort of guided activity while you are there. You will learn a lot more this way, and it might help you for your self-drive Safaris later on as well. We personally did a Bush Walk, but you can also do a morning or full day tour. I’d recommend to enquire with your accommodation before your arrival about the available options.
5. Bring binoculars
This one is a non-negotiable!!! Some animals will walk right past your car, but some animals such as rhinos or lions will be spotted far off the road. In this case it is imperative to have binoculars with you, otherwise you’ll just see a blob. Hence, I can only stress once again, you must bring binoculars with you, otherwise you will be so disappointed!
6. Some roads may be closed, be flexible
Maybe this was just bad luck on our side, but during our visit several of the roads were closed. While this wasn’t the end of the world, I highly suggest you inform yourself before entering the park about any possible road closures. That way you can avoid getting stuck or being frustrated about needing to turn around later.
7. Check the sighting boards
This one is really important in my opinion! Every visitor center has a board, where visitors can put pins on the areas where they saw a specific animal. For example, a blue pin signifies a leopard, and if you saw one right by the gate you could put the blue pin right there. Animals don’t move around that quickly, so by having a general idea of where people have seen what you increase your own chances of sightings!
8. Don’t wear bright colours or white
This one mainly applies to those that are going on a Bush Walk, but I think it’s also generally good to know. You are in a park with wild animals. You are entering their home base, so you want to disturb them as little as possible. To blend into the environment, it is recommended to refrain from wearing bright colours, or even wight. These are not natural and will stand out to the animals. Better stay with the creams, greens, blacks, etc… On a walking tour it’s a must, in a vehicle it’s a recommend…
9. Buy a booklet to cross off what you saw
Even though this might sound childish, trust me, it’s so much fun! You can buy booklets with stickers or boxes to tick at any of the rest camps. It’ll also help you pin point exactly what you saw. While it might be clear that you saw an elephant, some birds or little, lesser known animals might not be identifiable to you off the bat. The booklet will help you, since it has all possible animals listed. You’ll love it!
10. Visit in July-oct
When I googled what the best time to visit Kruger National Park is, the internet suggested June-Oct. The reason is because that is the dry season of the park, which means the grass and bushes are drying out and not as lush. This makes sighting animals easier. However, climate change is also affecting Africa, and rains tend to be present nowadays until mid-June. We were there are the beginning of June and one day we had pouring rain. This turned the roads muddy and visibility was really poor.
Hence, to be really sure that you don’t experience this, you might want to rather visit in July/August.
11. Bring mosquito spray
The Kruger National Park is considered a Malaria risk area. Mosquitoes are especially present during the rainy months (aka the South Africa summer months), less so in their winter months. Nevertheless, you should always spray any exposed skin with appropriate mosquito spray to avoid getting bitten.
It is also recommended to always keep the aircon in your room on, so that the air is being circulated. A fan over the bed is also a great option, or having a mosquito net over the bed.
that’s all
By knowing these 11 tips you’ll already be a lot more prepared than I was! Now the only thing left to say is, ENJOY!! The park is really unique and you will be amazed, so time to get excited! If you’re looking for some info on how much such a trip costs, check out my budget breakdown here.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to chat <3