Choose a private safari for a personalized and exclusive wildlife experience with your own guide and vehicle, offering flexibility and intimacy in exploring Africa’s incredible wildlife.
Choose from our range of private Safari packages that including options for couples, family safaris, and fly-in safaris.
Customize your adventure to match your preferences, whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, an exciting family experience, or a luxurious fly-in safari.
Experience a variety of safari options, complete with all the expected comforts and inclusive of conservation fees, making our Kruger Park safaris a cost-effective choice for your thrilling adventure.
Being a SATSA accredited company means we are committed to adhering to and governed by the regulations established by the South African Tourism Services Association.
From booking your accommodation to planning your day trips into the Kruger National Park in the company of one of our tour guides, Kurt Safari will do it all for you.
In order to guarantee the finest possible African experience during your stay, we make it a priority to offer our guests round-the-clock support.
We cherish the African wilderness we call home, and our entire team, including guides and consultants, are local residents living near Kruger National Park.
With over two decades of experience guiding guests through the magnificent Kruger National Park, Kurt Safari stands out as South Africa’s premier Kruger National Park safaris tour operator. Our range of Kruger National Park safari travel packages caters to clients seeking an authentic African safari experience, where rustic adventure meets modern comfort. Every aspect of our Kruger Park safaris and tours is meticulously tailored to accommodate various budgets, preferences, and tastes.
Our Kruger Park safaris offer options for both budget-conscious travelers and those looking for a touch of luxury. Guests not only have the opportunity to explore the best of Kruger National Park along its most wildlife-rich routes but also to discover some of the region’s most fascinating and beautiful attractions.
Guided by trained and passionate guides, guests can enjoy up to 9 hours of safari time in the Kruger National Park on our Full Day Safaris, a longer duration compared to most other companies. We use comfortable open-air safari vehicles, providing guests with a remarkable bird’s-eye view of the wildlife encounters.
The majority of our private Kruger Park safaris and tours take place in the wildlife-rich Southern Kruger region, home to the renowned Big 5 – Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, and Rhino, as well as herds of zebra, wildebeest, and a plethora of bird species, with over 148 mammal species residing in the Kruger National Park.
The magnificent Kruger National Park stands as one of South Africa’s most beloved and iconic landmarks. Every year, this conservation reserve warmly welcomes numerous visitors from around the globe. Many of these guests embark on various Kruger Park trips or opt for a self-driven adventure through the park, all seeking the serene solitude that can only be found in the wild. However, it’s not just the tranquility that draws visitors to the park; it’s the captivating wildlife.
Credit goes to Paul Kruger, the former president of the now-defunct Transvaal Republic, who dedicated himself to setting aside a portion of Transvaal for the preservation of animals. Without his tireless efforts, the park’s inhabitants would have long vanished from the landscape. In 1898, when the park was initially established, hunting was rampant, and trophies of big game like lions and elephants were highly coveted by foreign visitors. To safeguard the local wildlife from complete extinction, the park was designated as a no-hunting zone, and it remains one of the world’s oldest and largest conserved areas to this day.
Today, we enjoy the fruits of the wisdom and foresight of those who came before us. A Kruger Park safari is an unforgettable experience, and it’s more affordable than you might imagine. Initially, tourists didn’t enter the park; however, around 1927, the first paying visitors were permitted to explore it. In those early days, there were no accommodations inside the park, so visitors had to exit before sunset.
As time passed and transportation methods evolved, more tourists began arriving, and accommodations were developed to allow them to stay overnight. Entry fees were never excessively high, earning the park a reputation as the “People’s Park,” a place where anyone could experience the wonders of conservation. Today, even a 7-day safari is quite budget-friendly, and there’s always the option of a self-driven adventure through the park.
Booking a Kruger Park safari or a Kruger Day Tour has never been easier. A quick online search will yield a plethora of options, many of which are offered by reputable safari companies like ours. Why choose to book a safari instead of going for a self-drive? Well, in reality, it requires less planning and can save you a few bucks (pun intended).
Although the Kruger National Park was officially declared in 1898, it wasn’t until 1927 that it was officially named the Kruger National Park and opened its gates to tourists. Those early years were quite intriguing, as tourists would traverse the park on a train, providing limited visibility of the wildlife. The route was fixed and unchangeable, but it was considered the safest way for early visitors to experience the park. These were the days before the advent of the automobile, so it’s easy to imagine how the park’s accessibility changed after cars became commonplace.
By 1928, a board of directors was overseeing the Kruger Park, and it was determined that in order to make the park more accessible to visitors, overnight accommodations were needed. The park’s first rondavels, round-hut-style accommodations that have since become synonymous with the park, were constructed at Skukuza, Pretoriuskop, and Satara. As more and more guests flocked to the park, additional accommodations were added for their convenience, while the former ranger lodgings were also converted into unique guest accommodations.
For those who have researched South Africa and the Kruger Park in particular, it’s well-known that the summers in the region can be exceptionally hot and humid. One can sympathize with the park’s earliest overnight guests who grappled with the challenge of staying cool. In fact, staying overnight in one of the rondavels was not a popular choice in those days. While it was a novelty, the heat was often unbearable, and mosquitoes were a constant nuisance that couldn’t be kept out. These days, rondavels are equipped with fans, and some even have air conditioning. Additionally, in those early days, the accommodations did not provide complete isolation from the wilderness. As the park expanded and construction progressed, guests gained more protection from the wildlife and access to ablution blocks where they could bathe or shower.
While the park’s wildlife is the primary attraction for visitors, the plant life in the area is equally as captivating as the animals. The flora within the park is incredibly diverse, and the park is divided into four distinct regions, each characterized by its unique plant species.
It’s important to note that these regions host a wider variety of plants and trees than those mentioned above. The abundance of these trees and bushes contributes to the naming of the areas, and each region plays a crucial role in supporting the park’s diverse wildlife.
Kruger National Park is renowned for being home to the Big 5, which includes lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. While these iconic animals are a major draw for Kruger visitors, the park also houses a broader array of species than any other park on the African continent, totaling 147 species of animals. In addition to numerous predators and large animals like elephants, the park is home to a variety of antelope species such as kudu, impala, nyala, and eland. Furthermore, the park serves as a sanctuary for endangered and rare species, such as the wild dog, underscoring its importance in wildlife conservation.
Due to the presence of numerous endangered species within the park, extensive efforts have been in place for many years to combat poaching. Anti-poaching units are equipped with cutting-edge prevention tools, including night vision technology and advanced telescopes. Game rangers, law enforcement officers, and military personnel have all actively participated in the campaign to curtail poaching activities. While there has been a reduction in poaching incidents, animals, particularly rhinos, remain under constant threat.
While elephants are sporadically targeted by poachers, it is the rhinoceros that often makes headlines. Poachers enter the Kruger National Park during full moon nights, targeting both black and white rhinos for their valuable horns. These horns can fetch approximately $66,000 per kilogram on the black market. Despite bans on horn trade in most countries, these restrictions have had limited impact on deterring illegal activities.
Kruger National Park offers a multitude of reasons to visit, and among them is the rich history and warm hospitality found in each camp. The park is a laid-back haven, where even the bustling main camps exist in their own tranquil bubble, far removed from the modern world. Before delving into discussions about the park’s historical significance, its incredible wildlife, or the safari experiences it offers today, let’s take a closer look at each of the 12 main camps.
Each of these main camps provides a unique experience and a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Kruger National Park.
Exploring Kruger National Park from the comfort of an open safari vehicle remains a highly popular way to experience the park. It allows guests to get up close to nature while ensuring their safety. With the wind in your hair and the captivating sounds of Africa all around, a safari in an open vehicle will create lasting memories. Additionally, it provides excellent opportunities to capture stunning photographs.