Highlights South Africa

Kruger National Park

When you think about some of Africa's most renowned safari destinations, the inimitable Kruger National Park is sure to come to mind. Sweeping across the eastern border of South Africa, Kruger is the perfect place to dip your toes into the wonderful world of game viewing, providing sightings of some of Africa's most iconic animals as well as breathtaking scenery.

At Bench Africa, we love bringing Australian travellers closer to Africa's most memorable experiences, which is why we are excited to offer a number of packages featuring Kruger National Park.

About Kruger National Park

Venture out from South Africa's buzzing cities and delve into the nation's wild heart at Kruger National Park. Covering nearly 2 million hectares of land, this expansive protected parkland is home to a vast number of species, including 147 different mammals, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 34 amphibians.

The Lowveld was first established as the Sabie Game Reserve back in 1898, thanks to the efforts of Paul Kruger, president of the old Transvaal Republic. The area merged with the Shingwedzi Game Reserve to form Kruger National Park in 1926. The first motorists were admitted to the park in 1927 - beginning the tradition of self-driving exploration in Kruger.

Gazing out across the open grasslands dotted with baobabs, marula and fever trees, it's easy to feel like you've stepped into another world. Days on safari are usually spent rising early, venturing out on game drives and relaxing at your lodge, complemented by dining under the stars and a warm welcome from the ground staff which makes it hard to head back home.

The Big 5 and beyond

South Africa's largest game reserve is also home to the African Big 5 - lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, wildebeest and rhino. As you head out for an early drive in your open game vehicle, keep your eyes open for sights of these, and many other incredible creatures such as giraffes, antelope and monkeys.

The central park is particularly popular for spotting lions, as well hyena and cheetah, with the rivers of the northern region particularly attractive to hippos, elephants, impala and kudu.

If you are an avian enthusiast, Kruger's Birding Big 6 will surely be a highlight, the list including the kori bustard, pel's fishing owl, lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, saddle-bill stork and southern ground hornbill.

Visiting Kruger National Park

There are a number of ways to visit Kruger National Park, but with Bench Africa you can be assured of an incredible trip, planned by our expert travel agents both in Australia and on the ground in Africa.

There are a range of options when it comes to finding your ideal accommodation in Kruger National Park, from family-friendly stays to luxury lodges with everything you could need for a five-star safari experience. As with a number of African countries, if you are travelling on an Australian passport, you will not need a visa to enter South Africa, however should this change, your travel specialist will be able to provide further information. You can discover our Kruger National Park experiences online, or talk to one of our Bench Africa travel specialists to start planning your trip today.

Check out our Trip Planner for more information on travelling to Africa.