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Kruger National Park Travel Guide

South Africa

#5 in Best Places to Visit in Africa and The Middle East

Best Things To Do in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park primarily caters to nature and animal lovers. At natural landmarks like the Kruger Tablets and Hippo Pool, visitors will likely see lions lounging and hippos swimming. Meanwhile, game drives and bush walks allow travelers to spot must-see animals like Nile crocodiles, elephants, giraffes and rhinos. More traditional vacation pursuits like guided mountain bike excursions and golfing are also available here. And for those who enjoy archaeology and history, do not pass up a chance to explore the Albasini Ruins.

How we rank Things to Do.
  1. All Things To Do
  2. Free

#1

#1 in Kruger National Park

If you don't have multiple days to spend at in-park trails like Wolhuter and Nyalaland but want to explore the area on foot, consider signing up for a river walk or a morning or afternoon bush walk. These two- to four-hour walks depart daily from main rest camps like Letaba, Lower Sabie, Olifants, Satara and Skukuza. However, river walks by the Olifants River are only offered at the Olifants rest camp. Each walk is led by two experienced guides.
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Hiking Type
2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend
River and Bush Walks
If you don't have multiple days to spend at in-park trails like Wolhuter and Nyalaland but want to explore the area on foot, consider signing up for a river walk or a morning or afternoon bush walk. These two- to four-hour walks depart daily from main rest camps like Letaba, Lower Sabie, Olifants, Satara and Skukuza. However, river walks by the Olifants River are only offered at the Olifants rest camp. Each walk is led by two experienced guides.
... more

#2

#2 in Kruger National Park

Free
Though Kruger boasts several locations where lions are known to linger, one of the best places to spot the park's big cats is atop the Kruger Tablets. Nestled along the southern edge of Nkayeni Region, the Kruger Tablets are dedicated to Paul Kruger, the founder of the Sabie Game Reserve, which later became Kruger National Park. A plaque on one of the site's rocks can still be seen from the adjacent road.
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Monuments and Memorials Type
Less than 1 hour Time to Spend
Kruger Tablets (Nkayeni Region)
Though Kruger boasts several locations where lions are known to linger, one of the best places to spot the park's big cats is atop the Kruger Tablets. Nestled along the southern edge of Nkayeni Region, the Kruger Tablets are dedicated to Paul Kruger, the founder of the Sabie Game Reserve, which later became Kruger National Park. A plaque on one of the site's rocks can still be seen from the adjacent road.
... more

#3

#3 in Kruger National Park

An easy way to search for animals in Kruger National Park is to sign up for a game drive. Departing from all bushveld and main rest camps throughout the day and night, the park's game drives offer visitors a chance to see wildlife from the comfort of an open-air vehicle while enjoying commentary from an experienced guide. Animals commonly spotted on game drives include elephants, giraffes, lions and impala.
... more
Sightseeing Type
2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend
Game Drives
An easy way to search for animals in Kruger National Park is to sign up for a game drive. Departing from all bushveld and main rest camps throughout the day and night, the park's game drives offer visitors a chance to see wildlife from the comfort of an open-air vehicle while enjoying commentary from an experienced guide. Animals commonly spotted on game drives include elephants, giraffes, lions and impala.
... more
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#4

#4 in Kruger National Park

Free
As its name implies, Hippo Pool – which sits near Kruger's southern border – acts as one of the park's premier locales for viewing hippos. In fact, hundreds of these giant, grunting creatures frequent this part of the Crocodile River, where they spend the majority of their time soaking in the water to stay cool. Crocodiles also reside here but are typically harder to spot.
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Natural Wonders Type
Less than 1 hour Time to Spend
Hippo Pool (Marula Region)
As its name implies, Hippo Pool – which sits near Kruger's southern border – acts as one of the park's premier locales for viewing hippos. In fact, hundreds of these giant, grunting creatures frequent this part of the Crocodile River, where they spend the majority of their time soaking in the water to stay cool. Crocodiles also reside here but are typically harder to spot.
... more

#5

#5 in Kruger National Park

Free
Situated near the Shingwedzi River in the park's Nxanatseni Region, the Red Rocks are beautiful to admire. Exposed after years of wear by the adjacent river, the Red Rocks offer a stark contrast to Kruger's trees and savanna grasslands. Plus, these sandstone slabs are regularly visited by must-see animals like elephants, giraffes and lions.
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Natural Wonders Type
Less than 1 hour Time to Spend
Red Rocks (Nxanatseni Region)
Situated near the Shingwedzi River in the park's Nxanatseni Region, the Red Rocks are beautiful to admire. Exposed after years of wear by the adjacent river, the Red Rocks offer a stark contrast to Kruger's trees and savanna grasslands. Plus, these sandstone slabs are regularly visited by must-see animals like elephants, giraffes and lions.
... more

#6

#6 in Kruger National Park

Located in Kruger's Marula Region, Wolhuter Trail features one of the park's more unique landscapes and some of the best opportunities to spot wildlife. The area's granite outcrops and deep valleys are regularly frequented by animals like elephants, zebras, giraffes and black and white rhinos. An array of birds are also seen here often. What's more, visitors can catch a glimpse of historic relics that date back to the Stone and Iron ages on many of the trail's rock formations.
... more
Hiking Type
More than Full Day Time to Spend
Wolhuter Trail (Marula Region)
Located in Kruger's Marula Region, Wolhuter Trail features one of the park's more unique landscapes and some of the best opportunities to spot wildlife. The area's granite outcrops and deep valleys are regularly frequented by animals like elephants, zebras, giraffes and black and white rhinos. An array of birds are also seen here often. What's more, visitors can catch a glimpse of historic relics that date back to the Stone and Iron ages on many of the trail's rock formations.
... more

#7

#7 in Kruger National Park

Free
One of two sites with ruins found inside Kruger's gates, the Albasini Ruins offer a look into the park's rich history. This locale houses the remains of a 19th-century trading post, where goods like beads, clothes and metal products were once traded between Portuguese colonists and the indigenous Ba-Phalaborwa. All that remains today are a few crumbled walls and some artifacts, but history buffs will likely enjoy snapping some photos and perusing the attraction's display cases.
... more
Sightseeing Type
Less than 1 hour Time to Spend
Albasini Ruins (Marula Region)
One of two sites with ruins found inside Kruger's gates, the Albasini Ruins offer a look into the park's rich history. This locale houses the remains of a 19th-century trading post, where goods like beads, clothes and metal products were once traded between Portuguese colonists and the indigenous Ba-Phalaborwa. All that remains today are a few crumbled walls and some artifacts, but history buffs will likely enjoy snapping some photos and perusing the attraction's display cases.
... more
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Kruger Tablets (Nkayeni Region)

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