Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

The joy of Kruger in July and August

The truth is, the Kruger National Park is sensational in any month of the year.

There’s really no ‘best time’ to visit. But there are seasonal differences, and this is what you can expect in July and August, the peak winter months:

It’s cooler, drier and very comfortable
There is virtually no rainfall in the Kruger in July and August, and the humidity is at its lowest for the year. Mornings can be chilly and the nights, cold, but the days are generally warm and sunny. Layered outfits work best with warm jackets for early morning games drives and outdoor dinners. Shorter sleeves, lighter outerwear, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are still necessary during the balmy days, and many guests bring their swimsuits to enjoy warm afternoons basking on the pool deck or around the family pool.

Guess what – there are fewer bugs about!
To survive the cooler and drier conditions, many insect species hibernate or are dormant in their life cycles from May to August. You can expect less fly and mosquito species around.

Big, clear skies and open landscapes
Many repeat visitors to Kruger regard July and August as the prime time for visibility. Long grasses wither and flatten, while the deciduous trees and shrubs shed their foliage, opening up exciting new vistas along the game viewing routes.

Photography is brilliant
In July and August, the Kruger colour palette is golden and brown, with flashes of ochre, amber and russet offset by an unending bright, blue sky. These are fantastic backdrops for both bird and mammal photography. The softer angle of the winter light gives you a few more peak hours for photography, and more dust during the dry season makes for unbelievably vivid sunsets.

Wildlife is concentrated around permanent water sources
For wildlife, the challenge of this season is all about accessing enough water – and that can make game spotting and watching much easier. By July and August, the perennial pans scattered throughout the bush have dried up, while rivers and waterholes are dwindling. Far greater concentrations of Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe and antelope are visiting fewer and fewer watering holes, with predators on their trails. This makes for a myriad of unexpected animal interactions, and spending time observing and photographing at a waterhole can be very rewarding.

Making heartwarming fireside memories
There’s nothing quite like ending a great winter safari day around a glowing fire, under a crisp, clear starlit sky.  As sparks from the crackling logs shoot into the night sky, the day’s safari stories are shared, and the aromas of a hearty African feast fill the air. This is the Kruger at its most atmospheric – where the day’s unique bushveld adventures become lifelong, cherished memories.

Plan your Kruger Gate Hotel stay
June to August offers one of the richest safari experiences of the year – for game viewing, personal comfort, photography, and the sheer joy of life in the wild. Free yourself from the winter blues and find the best value when you book your stay at Kruger gate Hotel.

For inspiration watch Unforgettable Journeys, your way 

Guest Reviews

Our experience was phenomenal..the stay was amazing from the security at the gate to the help desk and the management team were very friendly and helpful…ohh I can not forget Refiloe and Miguel and the team at large…they were exceptional…

Posted on 20/10/2025 by Google

(Translated by Google) Really friendly staff.

(Original)
Todella ystävällinen henkilökunta.

Posted on 13/10/2025 by Google

Sim

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Hotels.com

The room was amazing..food was great from breakfast and dinner and lunch..the staff was friendly ohhh Refiloe who has made our stay extraordinary and the team at large

Posted on 20/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

From the moment we stepped into Kruger Gate Hotel it was like stepping into paradise.
I cannot praise the staff enough, thoughtful cheerful very friendly, the catering staff presented a variety of beautiful dishes every day.
The facilities were brilliant, rooms were spacious with extremely comfortable beds. And the view from the pool area onto the safari park were amazing.
I would highly recommend Kruger Gate Hotel to anyone visiting South Africa, especially first time visitors wanting to experience the Safari Park.

Posted on 16/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

We had a great experience at Kruger Gate Hotel. Since we made the reservation we felt that they were very kind and welcoming answering all our questions and support us. When we got here, Dion, the driver who took us from the airport was very nice and helped us to find the animals in our way to the hotel. The hotel has an excellent location and the Safari was perfect! Prince was our tour guide for the Safari and we also loved it. Staff are very friendly and kind. Cleaning is very good . It is a beautiful and big hotel. For sure I will come back!

Posted on 14/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

Wonderful hotel with an excellent viewing terrace to watch the comings and goings of the local wildlife...1st day, we spotted an a bush elephant and nile crocodile, with so many different species of antelopes at the waters edge. Food excellent and rooms very spacious. The staff were so helpful.

Posted on 17/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

Breakfast buffet was excellent
Location of the facilities was excellent
Tea/coffee/water facilities at reception was a great touch
Staff all fantastic
Lunch menu was great

Posted on 21/10/2025 by Booking.com

The entire experience was dreamy, we had a wonderful time. Between game drives that were amazing, we enjoyed all the hotel’s amenities, and they all contributed to our amazing Safari experience. The room was great, and so was the spa and the gym. The food selection is very big and the pool has amazing view (we even had some elephants who visited!). The staff is amazing and very welcoming! Highly recommended.

Posted on 14/10/2025 by Booking.com

Wir haben das Hotel als Start in SA gewählt und es war absolut die richtige Entscheidung.
Für uns perfekt!!!

Posted on 22/10/2025 by Booking.com

Na porta do Paul Kruger Gate, staff cordial, quarto confortável, comida deliciosa, e vista para a savana que permite ver bem pertinho a vida selvagem do viewing deck do hotel (vimos girafas, elefantes, hipopótamos, impalas, macaquinhos, sem precisar sair do hotel).

Posted on 21/10/2025 by Booking.com

Staff were excellent, dinner in the Lapa was amazing with so many options. The pool overlooking the Sabi riverbed was especially great. We spotted a number of different wildlife including hippos and elephants whilst enjoying our morning coffee.

Posted on 19/10/2025 by Booking.com

Fantástico. A cordialidade da equipe, especialmente do gerente Miguel, é impressionante. A qualidade e variedade da alimentação, tanto no café como no jantar, é espetacular. A localização, a limpeza, a estrutura, tudo nota 10.

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com

Fantástico. A cordialidade da equipe, especialmente do gerente Miguel, é impressionante. A qualidade e variedade da alimentação, tanto no café como no jantar, é espetacular. A localização, a limpeza, a estrutura, tudo nota 10.

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com

I can\'t fault this place. Everything was amazing, from the rooms and facilities to the location, views and food. Seeing animals wander by whilst swimming in the infinity pool is just incredible.

Posted on 15/10/2025 by Booking.com

Everything was GREAT ❤️

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com

O lugar é perfeito não encontrei nenhum defeito

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com