​User Reviews – Kruger NP

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S.LAM Photography   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2015 Reviewed: Jan 6, 2016

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A Park Everyone Should Visit At Least Once In Their Lifetime
Overall rating
5/5

I visited Kruger National Park in September 2015. As this was a lifelong dream, I can honestly say I was not disappointed with my experience. I booked with Themba Lodge Tours (who were absolutely excellent) and they were more than accommodating. Their guides were very knowledgable and we were able to see 4 out of the big 5 safari animals.

I was disappointed that we did not get to see lions, but the abundance of other wildlife in which we saw most definitely made up for that. Some of the animals I remember seeing are: water buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, baboon, zebra, giraffe, antelope, monkeys, many different bird species, plus more.

As for scenery, I took it for what it was: the African bush. A lot of flatlands as far as the eye can stretch. It was a bit baron as I expected a few more high up viewpoints for it being a National Park, but I guess I didn't know what to expect really.

All in all, I would highly recommend going to Kruger National Park at least once in a lifetime. An absolute destination.

Michael Tasseron   –  
Japan JP
Visited: September 2015 Reviewed: Jan 2, 2016

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A magical experience
Overall rating
5/5

The Kruger National Park is a modern remnant of the Africa of old. Wild animals continue to roam and live freely in the area, and the entire cycle of life is on display for the visitor to see. The diversity of the scenery, fauna and flora is incredible. One can experience dramatic changes when travelling from the northern, arid mopane landscapes to the greener south. The roads are well maintained as are the rest camps. Key to maintaining places such as Kruger are the people working there, and as a South African used to mediocre service levels, I was very impressed by the friendliness and professionalism displayed by all the staff I had dealings with. Every time I return to Kruger I am reminded just how special this place is, and what an asset it is to not only the country, but to every person who has a love for the great outdoors.

Ian_in_Melbourne   –  
Australia AU
Visited: August 2015 Reviewed: Dec 30, 2015

Email Ian_in_Melbourne  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

The reality far outweighed the expectation.
Overall rating
5/5

Self guided is the way to go in my opinion. You can go where you choose for as long as you choose (within park rules). Guided tours tend to attract other tours and can limit viewing possibilities.
Kruger National Park landscape changes frequently which in effect changes the wildlife you are likely to encounter. Be patient, the wildlife is there. Sometimes it can be hard to see, other times it will be right in front of you.
The accomamodations were basic but comfortable to suit everyone. People always helpful.
Overall an experience I want again.

Michael Jansen   –  
Germany DE
Visited: November 2012 Reviewed: Dec 29, 2015

Email Michael Jansen  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

The "Big Five" within 4 hours
Overall rating
5/5

Crossing the Crocodile River and starting at the Malelena Gate on a cloudy afternoon, we saw our first african leopard after just 10 minutes of driving. It was a big male, slightly underfed. We could enjoy the sight of the majestic predator for approximately one minute until he disappeared in the bush.
We kept on driving and encountered a big male elephant wearing a radio collar. The bull was in the musth and he discharged temporin from the temporal ducts on the sides of the head. After he left the scenery we drove on towards Voortrekker Road towards Numbi Gate. Within the next 30 minutes we saw a male and a few female lions as well as a single black rhino and a group of white rhinos. Moreover a huge buffalo herd appeared, joining the white rhinos for grazing.
Our guide told us that other people will need to return three times to Kruger Park to accomplish the "Big 5" mission, and we just reached that goal on a single afternoon game drive. We were so lucky.
This was approved by the next full day game drive. It was considerably hotter than the day before, so the animals stayed in the shadows most of the day. Nevertheless we encountered a few sleeping lions, some elephants, several antelopes, hippos and lots of baboons.
On our sundowner game drive we had the rare opportunity to spot a male cheetah. It began to rain and the cheetah climbed on a big tree to observe the surrounding area. I was aware of tree climbing leopards, but a cheetah? This was new to me and a truly unique experience.

Sue   –  
Switzerland CH
Visited: December 2015 Reviewed: Dec 29, 2015

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Great park experience
Overall rating
5/5

Amazing park, many animals, excellent facilities, especially Skukuza. Different landscapes.

Michael Potts   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: October 2015 Reviewed: Dec 29, 2015

Email Michael Potts  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Overall rating
4/5

Great, but often has too many people, and there can be too many cars at good sightings.

Will Sweet   –  
United States US
Visited: November 2015 Reviewed: Dec 18, 2015

Email Will Sweet  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Visting Kruger National Park was the best experience of my life
Overall rating
5/5

Staying in both Punda Maria and Skukuza, I was able to get a huge diversity of landscape and wildlife. Although I was on a private research program, I was able to see more wildlife than I could have imagined. I saw over 200 species of birds in the Kruger and numerous other animals. I saw 8 leopards, elephants every day, numerous rhinos, giraffe every day, multiple lion prides, and many other incredible sightings. The food and acomodations were equally wonderful. Punda Maria was great as was Skukuza.

ianh3000   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: November 2015 Reviewed: Dec 13, 2015

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The review below is the personal opinion of ianh3000 and not that of SafariBookings.
A bit lacking in atmosphere.
Overall rating
3/5

Staying in one of the larger lodges with lots of other people around & driving on tarmac roads a fair amount of the time with a number of private vehicles on the roads then I did think the actual safari experience was a bit lacking. (Private concessions & smaller lodges would be completely different). You do get close to the animals - closer than in a lot of places as they are used to the vehicles so it really depends what you go for. Having only spent a couple of days in one area then again it would make sense to go to different areas for slightly different experiences (although obviously if you drive down the same road an hour later you might see different things). Guides & vehicles are good. Weather wasn't particularly good when I was there - so this probably tempers the review !

annabelle500   –  
Australia AU
Visited: November 2015 Reviewed: Dec 13, 2015

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We were captivated by the pulse of the bush and variety of wildlife encountered.
Overall rating
4/5

We were very fortunate to see plenty of wildlife & had the awesome experience of coming across a pride of lions with their zebra kill at 4.30am very near our camp. The recent drought had taken its toll on the vegetation but the scenery was still interesting. We stayed at Satara & Lower Sabie Camps which were both very adequate & allowed us to self-cater breakfast & lunch & to either bbq or eat in the restaurant for dinners. I would recommend taking your own groceries as the choices at the camps we somewhat limited. We self-drove which was fantastic because it gave us flexibility in gaming times & when we could stop. We were on the road each day at 4.30, back at camp for lunch, swim & rest then out again late afternoon. I am a keen photographer and was like a kid in a candy store with all the photo opportunities that Kruger National Park presented but I am now keen to visit Sabi Sands and/or Okavango Delta where I understand the sightings are more frequent per kilometre travelled. This trip has certainly put the unique African bush & wildlife in our hearts & we can't wait to return in the near future.

piazzi1969   –  
Germany DE
Visited: November 2015 Reviewed: Dec 5, 2015

Email piazzi1969  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

Good views of Leopard, lion, elephants, many white rhino, honey badgers, wild dogs and the highlight was a cheetah and a fair number of birds although less than in Sabi Sands.
We stayed at Lukimbi in South Krüger. To sum things up: Friendly, good guide, good food, nice lodge with a nice room (number 9, without a nice view though), many mammals seen and some nice bird species such as Ground Hornbill and Secretary Bird.

Average User Rating

  • 4.7/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 279
  • 4 star 70
  • 3 star 12
  • 2 star 1
  • 1 star 1
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