Greaterkruger

GREATER KRUGER

The Greater Kruger region stretches from the Kruger National Park, in the east, up to the mountains of the Great Escarpment in the west. This area is dotted with game reserves and off course its crown jewel; the Kruger National Park. From all over the world, tourists are coming here to go on a safari and see the Big 5.

Travelers driving in from Johannesburg will notice a big change in landscape and vegetation. The elevation of the Highveld and the lush mountains of the Panorama Route abruptly drop down into the Lowveld landscape of the Greater Kruger. This is where you will find great herds of iconic safari wildlife.

Greater Kruger National Park Cheetah sitting in a tree Animal Mammal Cat

For many tourists, the Kruger National Park is THE safari destination in the world. With almost 2 million hectares, it is the size of a small country and boasts the highest flora and fauna diversity of any park or reserve in South Africa. The park can be divided into 4 different areas, where every region has its own unique selling points. The Far North Kruger is known for its pristine, untouched wilderness and birdlife. Northern Kruger is home to the ‘Big Fellows’. Almost 60% of all the Hippos in Kruger live in the Letaba and Olifants River and about 9.000 Elephants are located in this area. Central Kruger is known as the Big Cat Capitol of Kruger. Nearly half of the Lion population of Kruger lives in this area as well as large numbers of Leopard, Hyena and Cheetah. Southern Kruger gets the most annual rainfall of the park, the vegetation is lush and green and there is a large wildlife diversity here.

Greater Kruger National Park Landscape Green Termite Hill Hills

Located on the western border of the Kruger National Park are the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR). This association consists of the Balule Nature Reserve, Kapama Game Reserve, Klaserie Game Reserve, Timbavati Game Reserve, Thornybush Game Reserve and Umbabat Game Reserve. There are no fences between these reserves and the Kruger National Park (except for Kapama), which allows the wildlife to roam freely between the Kruger National Park and these reserves. In general, these reserves offer more luxurious accommodation and facilities, while still offering the same wildlife as Kruger. The limited number of visitors allowed in these reserves, making a much less crowded safari experience giving visitors the feeling of having a real African safari.

Greater Kruger National Park Landscape Bird Sunset Mountains Trees

Throughout the entire region, wildlife and going on safari are the main attractions. And this region delivers. Some 150 mammal species, 500 bird species, 115 reptile species and 2000 plant species live and grow here. Greater Kruger is not only rich in flora and fauna, but also offers a spectacular scenery of mountains, valleys, rivers and dams.

Balule Game Reserve

The Balule Game Reserve is located to the north of Hoedspruit. Being part of the APNR, there are no borders between the reserve, its members and the Kruger National Park. This creates a huge natural ecosystem where flora and fauna can thrive. For Balula this means the Big 5, over 30 mammal species, 250 bird species, 330 tree species and 2000 plant species live here. The reserve consists of a number of privately owned parks, each allowing a limited number of guests. This guarantees a more exclusive and luxurious safari experience.

Kapama Private Game Reserve

The Kapama Private Game Reserve is located south of Hoedspruit and is the largest, single owned, reserve in the region. Being part of the APNR, there are no borders between the reserve, the surrounding reserves and the Kruger National Park. There are 2 daily game drives, guided bush walks and Elephant interactions. This pristine piece of African bush is home to the Big 5, 40 mammal species and around 350 bird species.

Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is THE safari destination of South Africa and attracts tourists from all over the world. With almost 2 million hectares, it is the biggest national park in South African. This park has something for everyone: a vast pristine wilderness with a large bird population in the far north, the land of the ‘Big Fellows’ in the north, the ‘Big Cat Capitol’ in the center and the Big 5 safari in the south. The activities range from game drives to self-drives and 4x4 trails, and from hiking trails and guided walks.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is located to the southwest of the Kruger National Park and has a fenceless border with Kruger. This means that all the animals are free to roam from one side to the other. This game reserve is known for its luxury Big 5 and Leopard safari. The reserve is packed with many animal species, over 145 mammal species, 110 reptile species and more than 500 bird species call this area home.

Selati Game Reserve

The Selati Game Reserve lies east of Gravelotte. It has a landscape with undulating hills, sweeping grasslands and uninterrupted horizons. The purpose of Selati is to conserve the rich ecosystem and its biodiversity. Over 280 bird species and 50 mammal species, such as elephant, rhino, sable antelope, lion, and cheetah, can be seen here. Guided walks and game drives provide excellent opportunity to experience this reserve and you might get a glimpse of the rare species like Sharpe’s Grysbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Brown Hyaena, Pangolin, and the Cape Clawless Otter.

Thornybush Private Game Reserve

Thornybush Private Game Reserve is located to the east of Hoedspruit and is part of the APNR. This means that all the wildlife of Kruger has access to Thornybush and traverse this reserve. The mix of woodland, open savannah and patches of tangled thickets and thorny bush, create ideal habitat for over 300 bird species, the Big 5 and 140 mammal species. Being a private reserve, visitor numbers are low and game viewing feels intimate.

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is located tot the east of Hoedspruit and shares a 50km unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. Because there are no day-visitors allowed, the reserve is less crowded. The undulating terrain is characterized as Savannah Bushveld and home to 350 bird species, the Big 5, the birding Big 6, plenty of general game and the elusive white lion.

The Greater Kruger is a region of large numbers. Here you can find around 500 bird species, 150 mammal species, 115 reptile species, 50 fish species, 35 amphibian species and 2000 plant species, of which 330 tree species. This is where you go to see all the classic safari wildlife like the Big 5, giraffe, hippo, zebra, hyena, Greater Kudu, Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Common Warthog, etc. Keep an eye out for the lesser known, but equally beautiful animals like Tsessebe, Sable Antelope, Nyala, Roan Antelope and the endangered Temminck’s Ground Pangolin. Some of these beauties might be quite a challenge to find.

Greater Kruger National Park Lion Cub yawning Animal Mammal Cat

With some 500 different bird species, Greater Kruger is also the birders paradise in South Africa. There are many hornbills, starlings, kingfishers, bee-eaters, shrikes, storks, bustards and much more species. There is even a Big 6 of most desired birds many visitors want to see. This group consists of the Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Saddle-billed Stork and Southern Ground Hornbill. With this great diversity comes a great number of birds of prey. Some 60 different species of eagles, hawks, vultures, falcons and owls hunt these lands.

Greater Kruger National Park Bird Lilac Breasted Roller

If you are a fan of reptiles, you are in for a treat. Greater Kruger has some giants. The Nile Crocodile, the only crocodile species in South Africa, can grow up to a length of 5m and a weight of 750kg. This is by far the largest of the reptiles, but the Nile (2.2m) and Rock Monitor (1.5m) are also quite impressive.

Among the insects are also giants. One of these is the Long Horn Giant Stick Insect, which can grow up to 30cm in length. Fortunately, most insects are not this big (or creepy). There are far more, and often beautiful colored, butterflies, beetles, dragonflies and moths to behold.

Browse through some of the species you can find in this region:

VISIT the NATURAL WORLD

VISIT the NATURAL WORLD

GREATER KRUGER