Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is one of the largest parks in Africa, covering an astonishing 19,485 square kilometres, almost the size of Israel! It is located in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga regions of north-eastern South Africa. The park is accessible either by a short flight from Johannesburg (OR Tambo) or a longish but beautiful drive. Entry is permitted via nine gates that allow access to a variety of camps and lodges. Kruger is noticeably different from other parks in Africa due to the presence of tarred roads which makes it very simple for self-drivers to explore the park. It is immensely popular with first-time visitors to Africa thanks to its prolific wildlife, including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo, rhino). If you are looking for creature comforts including wifi, electricity, air-conditioning while on safari, you cannot go wrong with Kruger National Park. This is another reason why Kruger is popular with families including young children.

For those looking for comfort but a more rugged experience, the adjacent private reserves of Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Thornybush and Manyeleti are excellent options. The park offers both walking safaris and game viewing by safari vehicles. This park is hugely popular with birders and photographers, with more than 520 bird species having been recorded.