GLOBAL GREY NOMADS
Spread the Word!

Are you going on a Self-Drive Safari?

Join us and get a Self-Drive Safari Checklist with your subscription to our Newsletter.

Which is the best time to visit Kruger National Park? Is the best place on earth for self drive and guided safaris rightly praised as year around destination?

Best Seasons Of The Year In South Africa ‘s Kruger National Park

We visited the Kruger National Park in different seasons of the year in South Africa and can emphasize that there is no explicit best season to do so. It depends on your personal preferences in which season you choose visiting the so-called ‘ best place on earth ‘ in the north-east of South Africa. Depending on what your main interest is, you will find some facts on the seasons of the biggest national park of South Africa in this article to make your choice when to travel to Kruger National Park easier.

Deutsche Version von THE WILD LIFE

Kruger National Park In Summer

December / January

Midsummer means high season for the Kruger National Park as it’s the time of South African’s major holidays when large crowds of citizens hook up their trailers and caravans to enjoy the spectacular wildlife in their backyard.

If you can avoid this season don't visit the Kruger National Park during the months of December and January! 

Anyway, you will struggle to find accommodation as most are booked one year in advance.

baby-baboon-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Chacma baboon baby cuddling with mother

If you have no other option than to go on holiday during high season, you may try your luck to find accommodation in the less popular far north of the national park or in the more pricey private reserves or concessions instead. As the temperatures rise above 40° C during the day camping in a tent is not enjoyable even for the toughest outdoor enthusiasts. It’s doable (we did it) but we stayed at the swimming pool during the day most of the time.

young-elephants-in-water-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Young elephants playing in the Shingwezi river

As for wildlife: the animals are generally spread out over wider areas because water is plentiful and the vegetation is dense. This means that the spotting of animals is most challenging in between the lush bushes and high grass. For birders, summer is the best time to visit Kruger, especially in the northern areas from Punda Maria to Pafuri which is famous for rare bird species.

February / March

Still being summer you might experience some exciting rains and thunderstorms. Rivers that are dry most of the year awaken the thirsty vegetation to life and the water of the dams will rise to a reassuring level for the rest of the year. As soon as this happens – as by an invisible command by nature – animals give birth, be it the numerous impalas or the scarcely spread wild dogs, babies everywhere.

baby-impala-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Young impala near Pretoriuskop

The elephants most loved fruit of the Marula tree makes not only for some drunk monkeys as they consume the fermented fruit but also for elephants behaving crazily. We saw quite a few of them!

lion-bride-kruger-southafrica-1

Big lion pride at Transport dam near Skukuza

Kruger National Park in Autumn

April / May

If there were good rains in the summertime which is not a given as the Kruger National Park and other regions of South Africa suffer periodically from severe drought, you may find lush green vegetation giving wildlife a good start going into the dry winter season.

kudu-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Male Kudu with beautiful horns near Pretoriuskop

Most animals are in peak condition and rutting season starts while migratory birds leave to head north into northern Africa or to Europe and eastern Asia. A good season to visit for budget-conscious people as these are considered shoulder months with the exception being Easter and fewer travelers are to be expected.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Zebras enjoying the still quite lush grass

Kruger National Park in Winter

June / July

The lack of rains transforms the green to yellow and water is getting scarce with the advantage that wildlife congregates to the waterholes and extraordinary sightings get more abundant. With trees losing their leafs even leopard sightings are more likely.

leopard-in-tree-kruger-southafrica-1

Leopard in a Marula tree

wildebeest-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Wildebeest in the dry winter vegetation

In the night it can get pretty chilly, sometimes down to 4° C, meanwhile in daytime t-shirt weather is announced. Yes, you are in Africa which in your mind is supposed to be hot, isn’t it? But take my word and pack your hoody and scarf for the early morning game drives!

August / September

In opposite to spring in the northern hemisphere, spring in the Kruger National Park is the height of the dry season. While hot and dusty winds blow over the brown, sparse landscape, wildlife has little to feed on. The scarce water attracts more game to fewer spots which make for excellent safari conditions as well.

wild-dog-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Easier spotting of wildlife in wintertime: wild dog near Pretoriuskop

Kruger National Park in Spring

October / November

The temperature rises leaving the cooler winter months behind, approaching the soaring summer heat at the end of the year. Humidity invites all kinds of bugs with which malaria risk increases. This being the unpleasant side, the spring season is great for the first rains encouraging tender green leaves to sprout and flowers to lend color dots into the dusty landscape.

storks-on-road-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Storks on the road near Letaba

Migratory birds return from their winter quarters in the northern hemisphere and add to an incredible abundance of species already to be found in this place. Dependent on the start of the summer rains young animals are born during this time, while predators will take their opportunity for easy prey.

Seasons Of The Year In South Africa

The Kruger National Park is a year around destination and you will see plenty of wildlife at any time of the year. This said there is no doubt that the dry winter season is the best time to see game even on walking safaris, as animals are much easier to spot.

Pretoriuskop, Kruger National Park

Rhinos near Satara

If you are more into birding, the opposite applies as you should opt for the summer months. You’ll have an incredible experience with the emphasis on traveling the northern half of the Kruger National Park.

european-roller-kruger-southafrica-1.jpg

Red and black-billed kingfishers

Read further and enjoy pictures of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa:

Our overview of all our Articles about Africa

 

Save

Leave a Comment:

Add Your Reply

Diese Seite kann kompensierte Links enthalten. Siehe unser Impressum. This page may contain compensated links. Read our disclaimer.