Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Everything you need to know to plan your Kruger National Park trip

The Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most beloved destinations, for its tremendous wildlife, birdlife, and beautiful landscapes.

The Park is known as being a year-round destination for travellers, as the changing seasons bring different-coloured vegetation, different cycles in animal life, showcase the different birds of the Kruger National Park and highlight the different visual and experiential treasures that guests can enjoy no matter what time of the year they choose to visit.

For international visitors, there’s the added attractiveness of the favourable currency conversions, with the Rand being weaker than the US Dollar, British Pound and the Euro. This means that travelling to and staying at the Kruger National Park is incredibly affordable for visitors coming in from outside of South Africa – even luxury accommodation in and around the Kruger National Park has a pocket-friendly price-tag.

Choose your experience

Every season has its highlights and brings its own unique Kruger Park sightings. If you enjoy birdlife and snapping photographs of gorgeous, lush landscapes – as well as some incredibly beautiful sunsets and thunderstorms – then the Kruger’s summer months are the best time to visit. If game viewing is your experience of choice, then winter is the time to go.

Autumn brings cooler temperatures, along with sightings of impala, wildebeest and waterhog; while winter, with its sparse vegetation, makes it much easier to spot game – including the world-renowned migrations from the Park to the warmer climates of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Spring offers a different way to see the Kruger National Park’s animals, with high concentrations of animals around water sources before the rainy summer seasons kicks in again.

Summer season in the Kruger National Park

Great for: birdwatching, photographic safaris, summer babies

The summer season at the Park is known as the Green Season for good reason. Summer is SA’s rainy season for this part of the country, and the months of November through til March see the Park blooming with health and flush with game.

The challenge with game viewing when the Park is dense with growth is that it makes it more difficult to spot the wildlife. This is when you can ask your Kruger National Park accommodation about doing a guided safari in a dedicated safari vehicle. This can really add to your wildlife sightings as the added height allows you to see more. November and December are also when you’ll be able to see the summer-born babies. The lush landscape is also a big drawcard for birdlife that fly in for the warmer months. The Kruger National Park is home to over 500 species of birds, and in the summer months you may spot a Woodlands Kingfisher, Red-Chested Cuckoo, Wahlberg’s Eagle, or the Amur Falcon.

The rainy season peaks in February, making it warm and humid – and the breeding season for Waterbuck – starting to taper off in March. While the flourishing bush can make it tough to spot elusive game, experienced guides are excellent at tracking, which can be a fun and exciting part of your safari. March is also the breeding season for kudu and buffalo.

Note: the rainy season sees more mosquitoes in the area, increasing the potential for malaria. For this reason it’s recommended that you consult your doctor ahead of your visit to the area and remember to bring along mosquito repellents.

Keep your cool while getting up close and personal

Great for: elephant migration, Big Cat spotting

As May starts to paint the landscape with the golds and auburns of autumn, the elephants start making their way from Zimbabwe and Mozambique to the warmer climes of the northern Kruger National Park. This is one of the most incredible sights to see – herds of these gentle giants swaying their way slowly to their final destination.

From here we move into the coldest month in the Kruger Park – June. But very chilly nights make way for days that are still really warm, despite it being winter. So winter travel to the Park is really quite fantastic! This is when you’ll start to see the Big Cats emerge, including the very shy leopard.

With winter well set in at the Kruger National Park, and foliage significantly thinned out, animal sightings become much easier. Water also becomes more scarce, so animals converge at natural water sources and watering holes, which are prime opportunities to get some magnificent sightings and photographs. And, there are also fewer pesky mosquitoes!

Springtime safaris

Great for: wildlife viewing at watering holes, fewer people

Spring is a lovely season to visit the Kruger National Park and go on safari. September and early October still see wildlife clustered around watering holes, but the rains starting to fall in late October are a catalyst for growth, with everything in the bush seeming to come to life after sleeping the winter months away.

These months also fall in low season at the Park, so roads will be less busy and camps and lodges less full, increasing the levels of privacy.

Your Kruger Park quick guide

Here is some additional useful information:

  • Peak seasons: around South African school holidays – April, June and December
  • For wildlife spotting: travel in winter and spring
  • For birdwatching: go in the rainy months of November through until February
  • For all night safaris (especially in winter): pack something warm as the nights can get very chilly
  • Average seasonal temperatures:
    • January to March: 21°C – 32°C
    • April: 16°C – 29°C
    • May to June: 9°C – 27°C
    • July to September: 10°C – 27°C
    • October: 16°C – 30°C
    • November and December: 19°C – 31°C
  • Best weather: April to May and September to October – but weather is pleasant all year round

Guest Reviews

Wow! Just go.. such a beautiful location and wonderful service and food.

Posted on 23/04/2025 by Google

Amazing time here and my friends also loved it. We’ll definitely be coming back

Posted on 23/04/2025 by Google

(Translated by Google) Incredible hotel, with great facilities and exceptional service. In addition to the wonderful safaris, the dinner with a traditional show ends the night in the best way.

The service is a highlight, everyone is very friendly and helpful.

(Original)
Hotel incrível, com ótima estrutura e um serviço excepcional. Além dos safáris que são maravilhosos, o jantar com show típico encerra a noite da melhor forma.
Destaque para o serviço, todos são muito simpáticos e solicitos.

Posted on 21/04/2025 by Google

I've spent two nights and I'm definitely gonna visit again. Perfect location, beautiful rooms, delicious food as well as friendly staff. I really enjoyed my stay

Posted on 16/04/2025 by Google

Great experience

Posted on 21/04/2025 by Google

Muito boa. Recomendo

Posted on 19/04/2025 by Hotels.com

My family and I stayed for 3 nights here, and it was great! We stayed in the Kruger Luxury Rooms, and they were spacious, clean, and very comfortable. The breakfast and dinners (that were included) were delicious, which were buffet-style and had many options on each day. Even on the days we did full-day safaris (which started at 5:30am, thus before breakfast time), the hotel packed to-go breakfast boxes for us to take on the safaris, which came with a sandwich, juice, apple, and a plethora of snacks. We also enjoyed massage treatments at the spa, which were reasonably priced and very relaxing. They were able to accommodate same-day reservations for us. The staff were all very polite and accommodating. We wished we had the time to extend our stay! Before booking Kruger Gate Hotel, we were considering whether we wanted to stay at various sites within the actual park, but we were very glad we chose Kruger Gate hotel. We would definitely stay here again.

For the safari:
My family and I did 2 full day safaris with Enock as our guide on both days. He was great! He was very knowledgeable about the animals and could answer all our questions. What really stood out about Enock was his enthusiasm - he seemed to genuinely enjoy his job, and sometimes even seemed more excited than we were to spot the animals. When we passed by other safari drivers or people in their own vehicles doing self-drives, he would stop them and let them know where the nearby animals were (we noticed that not all other safari drivers did this). We saw the Big Five, in addition to many other animals including cheetahs (which are super rare). Towards the end of our second day, we still hadn\'t seen a leopard and had almost given up hope, but Enock was relentless and drove around asking his colleagues until we indeed spotted one! He always listened to what we wanted to see and do and accommodated our requests. When we seemed tired, he would slow down and let us rest. Before our trip, we were debating doing a self-drive or a guided safari, and we\'re so glad we chose the guided safari! We will be recommending Enock to any of our friends who are interested in doing a Kruger safari.

Practical tip: bring layers! It was very hot on the days we did our safaris, but because of the wind, it still felt pretty chilly at times, especially the mornings.

Posted on 22/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

tshepo served us both nights,he was so attentive and provided amazing service. So kind and such a pleasure to talk to. Thank you!

Posted on 22/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

Perfect service from luggage and transport through guest relations to organize a golf trip to Skukuza GC, to the Safari guide Abraham (just perfect) and for the marvellous top breakfast buffet and dinner buffet. Perfect 3 night stay, strongly recommended!

Posted on 20/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

What a special place the Kruger Gate Hotel is. Right on the edge of the Kruger National Park so no time at all to go on game drives. We were fortunate enough to spend 7 days here in April 25 and it was magical. The staff are wonderfully friendly and welcoming, the rooms are spacious and the food is magnificent. This is one of the nicest places we’ve stayed.

Posted on 20/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

We had the best time at Kruger Gate Hotel. The space is beautiful and could not be closer to the park entrance. The staff was so lovely, and the spa and food were particular highlights. The safaris were absolutely spectacular — the guides were so knowledgeable and we learned so much about the animals and environment.

Posted on 17/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

We stayed here for 2 days this month and all I can say is..we will definitely come back. Beautiful hotel, great food, lovely entertainment during dinner, helpful staff, pool with a view (elephants came to visit us) and a fabulous game drive...what more can one ask for. Most importantly we found out...many guests keep coming back...that says it all. Thank you for everything

Posted on 19/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

The hotel is very good, I recommend it. We were two adults and two children in a room with two queen size beds and were very comfortable. Great breakfast and dinner buffet with lots of gluten-free options (the breakfast muffins great), and the friendly and very pending service.
The pool area is very nice and overlooks the river so you can see animals going there to drink.
The first night we had a problem as in the middle of the night there was a leak in the room just above the bed (by a bad pipe) and we had to change rooms, with the aggravation that the next day we had hired the sunrise safari at 4.45, so we did not sleep barely. As soon as they heard about it from the hotel management they offered us the refund that night, a sign that it is a good hotel concerned about providing good service.

Posted on 17/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

The hotel is located right in the Kruger park. It has a beautiful, modern African style. A rich breakfast buffet was provided with fine service. The terrace is surrounded by the beautiful garden. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
The bathroom could use an update.
Massages with a view of the wild animals if there are any. We enjoyed an African dinner with spectacle.

Posted on 17/04/2025 by TripAdvisor

We we're a family of five with three grown up kids and stayed in the chalet ...maybe a little modest for the family for size two beds are in the attic over the kitchen ...a pool beside the chalets was brilliant...the entertainment and dinner every night amazing ...safari drive was brilliant very cold at 5.30 but heated up after about two hours ...everything seemed to be no problem to make you more comfortable thank you

Posted on 22/04/2025 by Booking.com

Loved Everything / location , staff , & food were amazing - spa was gorgeous / lots of animals to be seen daily by pool - Fabulous!!!

Posted on 22/04/2025 by Booking.com

Fantastic property, fantastic location.
Excellent friendly staff.
Our third time here and we will be back again for sure.

Posted on 19/04/2025 by Booking.com

Atendimento desse hotel é incrível, a comida do café da manhã e do jantar são excelentes, com MUITA variedade. Staff mega educado, amigável e prestativo. Atendimento para os Safaris muito bom, muito organizado. Piscina, quadra de tenis e academia são todos excelentes. Não tem do que reclamar.

Posted on 17/04/2025 by Booking.com

Geweldig uitzicht vanuit het zwembad. Olifanten die door de rivier heen gaan, impala's, nijlpaarden(lopen savonds vaak echt op 15 meter afstand langs het zwembad. Het eten is echt top,

Posted on 23/04/2025 by Booking.com

Beautiful location and pool. Attention to detail and very spacious and comfortable room.

Posted on 22/04/2025 by Booking.com

Location is amazing and staff very friendly and helpfull

Posted on 22/04/2025 by Booking.com

It was a gorgeous place to stay with amenities galore. We upgraded to a premium room which was so worth the money. Our room was spacious with plenty of room to roam. The spa was fantastic with separate cabanas for most of the treatments facing the Kruger national park so you got to view some while life while being pampered. The food was spectacular and definitely pampered by the waiters. Very attentive to details.!

Posted on 21/04/2025 by Booking.com

The property was so unique and beautiful and worth every dime and more. The staff were so respectful and friendly and genuine in their interactions with visitors.

Posted on 19/04/2025 by Booking.com

The property is stunning and with a lot of activities. Our room was very spacious, clean and comfortable. The view from the pool is wonderful. We could swim while watching elephants and giraffes.
The location is perfect, very close to Paul Kruger Gate and we had a wonderful 3 days safari experience!
The food was excellent and the staff are very friendly, always with a welcoming smile. For my birthday we had a private dinner at the viewing deck and we could see the hippos. The dinner was delicious, the chef Zandre and his colleague Tshepo presented it beautifully. It was a memorable evening.
On our next trip to the Kruger, we will definitely stay here again.

Posted on 18/04/2025 by Booking.com

Locația este foarte bună, lângă poarta de intrare în parc, personalul extrem de amabil, mâncare bună, camerele foarte noi și mari

Posted on 17/04/2025 by Booking.com

Incredible hotel, amazing food and exceptional staff.

Perfect for couples and families.

10/10

To repeat for sure.

Posted on 17/04/2025 by Booking.com

Maravilhoso! Otimo custo beneficio
Cafe da manha espetacular

Posted on 16/04/2025 by Booking.com

We went to the older version of this hotel as kids with family many years ago. It’s sad that South Africans are no longer the target market given the price range. However my mom and her friend thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

Posted on 16/04/2025 by Booking.com

Un lugar único! En la entrada del parque kruger, personal muy amable, preocupado de los requerimientos, buffet muy surtido; mi hija estaba de cumpleaños y se portaron maravillosamente bien con ella… muchos detalles! Buena comida, habitaciones amplias, desde la piscina vimos elefantes, hipopótamos, monos, pumba, jabalí, entre otras maravillas de la naturaleza… un destino para repetir!

Posted on 16/04/2025 by Booking.com

Café da manhã e janta excelentes. Cardápio variado.
Funcionários muito simpáticos e atenciosos.
Quarto excelente, muito confortável e espaçoso.
Deck da piscina muito legal, vimos até elefantes de lá.

Posted on 19/04/2025 by Booking.com

Perfect stay to enjoy kruger Park ! We Will come back

Posted on 19/04/2025 by Booking.com

Poolbar & Ausblick

Posted on 18/04/2025 by Booking.com

Modernes Zimmer, tolles Abendessen, schöner Ausblick von einer der beiden Bars, direkt am Eingang des National Parks gelegen. Top Organisation!

Posted on 18/04/2025 by Booking.com