Kruger National Park - South Africa's crowning glory in terms of wildlife. You might think that any visit here is quite like another, but you can transform your holiday from a great one to something truly unforgettable by staying within the park itself.Many people decide to stay in accommodation outside the park, or even visit for just the day. If you want to make the most of your trip the best thing you can do is to snap up somewhere to stay in the reserve itself and spend at the very least a few days here. To find out more about why, read on. (Photo "Peek a Boo" by cmiaow)
The Thrill of Staying Inside the Park
Kruger National Park is a place like no other, so if you're planning a break in South Africa in 2013, it makes sense to incorporate it into your itinerary. Of course, if the entire focus of your holiday is going on safari, then that box will already be ticked. If you're planning on taking a tour of South Africa, now's the time to make sure you add it.
Whichever route you go down, you should stay in the reserve itself. First of all, sleeping in this kind of wilderness environment (don't worry, there are some pretty luxurious accommodation options, so you won't be stuck in a tent!) is a once in a lifetime experience.
Secondly, it'll give you the best opportunity to maximize your time. Waking up in the park, you'll be able to go on early morning game drives, explore cultural sites during the day (yes, the park is home to these as well) and go on evening game drives too. Just as a quick tip, it's definitely worth heading out at different times of the day, since different creatures emerge at dawn and dusk.
More Time = Seeing and Experiencing More
As well as staying in the park itself, you should try to spend as much time here as you can - though if you're coming as part of a wider itinerary, you might only have a few days to spare. The reason for this is pretty obvious - it simply gives you more time to take advantage of the various experiences on offer, not to mention see more animals. (Photo "Velvet Monkey" by Sjanet)
The attractions of the park are really diverse, which is one of the main reasons for its appeal. For instance, there are 336 types of tree, as well as 507 varieties of bird and 147 kinds of mammal. And as if that isn't impressive enough, there are several archaeological sites and other cultural attractions waiting to be explored too.
It is also recommend checking out the various ways to explore the park. Alongside the standard game drives, for instance, there are guided walks that'll give you the chance to step out into the wilderness and learn more about spotting animals, recognizing tracks and suchlike.
Tips on What to Do and See
Finally, with any trip to Kruger National Park, there are a few pointers on what to see and do during your trip.
• Seek out the Big Five (elephant, lion, buffalo, rhinoceros, leopard)
• Visit archaeological sites like Thulamela and Masorini
• Keep your eyes peeled for the Little Five (antlion, rhino beetle, leopard tortoise, buffalo weaver and elephant shrew)
• Try to spot amazing flora, especially trees like the fever tree and baobab
