The largest game reserve in South Africa, Kruger National Park covers almost 2 million hectares and is located in two provinces, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, in northern South Africa, south of Zimbabwe and west of Mozambique. The reserve is currently part of the Limpopo Great Frontier Park. When the Great Limpopo Biosphere Reserve project is completed, the park will cover 35 000 square kilometres, with 58% of its area in South Africa, 24% in the Republic of Mozambique and 18% in Zimbabwe.
This is a land of baobabs, low-growing marula and mopane trees, in whose shade rhinos, elephants, leopards, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, buffalo, lions, turtles and anteaters like to hide. Kruger Park is one of the favourite places for birdwatchers. It is home to bustards, African long-eared vulture, barred owl and storks. The park is home to more mammal species than any other South African reserve. Its rivers are home to large numbers of hippos and crocodiles, while forest antelope, buffalo and Kudu antelope concentrate near their banks.
Kruger Park has a large number of recreation bases with picnic areas and specialised wildlife viewing points during the day and night. Visitors to the park can take part in a safari (guided off-road vehicle ride) or a bushwalk (a morning or afternoon walk tracking rhino, elephant and lion on foot accompanied by a guide). A bushwalk can last up to four hours. It is advisable to bring sunscreen.
Not long ago, the South African government allowed the leasing to private tourism operators of sections of parkland where holiday bases such as Sabi Sands and Timbavati have been established. They offer incredible luxury, superbly organised safari excursions and, if you wish, freedom of movement in much of the parkland. The most famous of these luxury private camps, Buhala Game Lodge, is located on the banks of the famous Crocodile River..
