Greater Kruger vs Kruger National Park Safari – which is better?
Both Kruger National Park and the Great Kruger are world-class safari destination, situated in the Lowveld region of South Africa. When planning a South African Safari, the often asked question is Greater Kruger vs Kruger National Park Safari – which is better?. In this blog we compare safaris in Greater Kruger Vs Kruger National Park and find the best safari destination for you.
Greater Kruger Vs Kruger National Park: Location
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is located in the far north-eastern region of South Africa in Mpumalanga Province, also known as the Lowveld. On Kruger’s eastern border lies Mozambique and on its northernmost boundary lies Zimbabwe.
In the middle of the dry riverbed at Crook’s Corner at the very top of Kruger National Park where the luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers merge. Here you will find yourself standing on the three-way junction of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The closest towns to the main entrances of Kruger National Park are Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview and Malelane. It is possible to fly from Johannesburg to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit and take a shuttle transfer to Kruger Park, or fly direct to Skukuza Airport (in the Kruger Park). The drive from Johannesburg to the most access entrances in the southern section takes between 5-6 hours, with a stop along the way for refreshment.
Greater Kruger
The Greater Kruger lies alongside the Kruger National Park, on its western boundary adjacent to the central section of the park. The closest access point that links the Greater Kruger with Kruger National Park is Orpen Gate.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve shares a 50-kilometer unfenced boundary with the national park, and acts as wild buffer between the national park and the unfenced private reserves of Greater Kruger.
The closest large town to Greater Kruger is Hoedspruit. It is the c tourism hub of the region and you can fly there directly from Johannesburg to East gate Airport. Most travelers drive to Greater Kruger; it is a 5-7 hour drive depending on where you are staying with a stop along the way for refreshment.
Size
Kruger National Park covers an area of 19,485 square kilometers (7,523 square miles), stretching over the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It is about 360 kilometers (220 miles) from north to south, and 65 kilometers (40 miles) from East to West.
Greater Kruger on the other hand is collective, the unfenced private reserves covering an area of 1,800 square kilometers ((180 000 hectares/695 square miles) of land dedicated to conservation. In 1993, the fences that prevented free movement of animals between the private reserves of Greater Kruger and Kruger Park were removed.
Hoedspruit and a number of popular private game reserves in the area are often marketed as Great Kruger destinations but they aren’t formally part of the protected APNR Conservation Area,
Greater Kruger Vs Kruger National Park: Similarities
Outstanding biodiversity
Greater Kruger and Kruger National Park are located in a protected wilderness region that is undoubtedly one of the most biologically diverse in the world. The region is core of the Kruger2Canyons (K2C) and Vhembe UNESCO Man and Biospheres.
K2C forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which is a peace park that links the Kruger Park with Goarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and with Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.
Incredible wildlife sightings
Greater Kruger’s private reserves are unfenced and open to the Kruger Park. Game roams freely between the two protected wilderness areas. Visitors to both are guaranteed incredible wildlife and bird sightings.
The most exciting sightings are the famous Big 5 including elephants, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopards.
Dedication to conservation
In South Africa conservation of the valuable resources is at the heart of the very existence of these two entities. A priority is to curb rampant wildlife poaching but there is as much emphasis on protected the rich ecosystems of the region.
Malaria Area
The far north-eastern region is a medium to high risk malaria area. It is highly recommended that visitors take anti-malaria tablets and other precautions to prevent being bitten by the malaria-carrying mosquito. It is a life-threatening disease that can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early.
Greater Kruger Vs Kruger National Park: Differences
Unrestricted Vs restricted access
Kruger National Park welcomes everyone including day visitors. The private reserves of Greater Kruger on the other hand are restricted to paying guests and the general public are not allowed traverse the unfenced properties.
Greater Kruger safari operators have unfenced access to the public roads of Kruger Park (pay an entry fee). Your ranger has to drive you to one of the Kruger Park Entrance gates, from there you head south or north to explore the national park.
Inclusive Vs Exclusive
Kruger National Park is affectionately known as the “People’s Park”. The national park caters for everyone’s budget and everyone is welcome (apart from the luxury safari lodges on private concessions); you pick the area you like and the accommodation you can afford.
Greater Kruger is an exclusive area with a number of luxury safari lodges offering an intimate safari experience that is tailored to discerning wildlife travelers. Many of them are award-winning establishments, all offer luxury accommodation and superb facilities in secluded bushveld surrounds.
Budget Vs Luxury Accommodation
SANParks accommodation ranges from camping to traditional bungalows and family guesthouses. Rates are priced to be as affordable as possible for general public and are geared for self-catering holidays. Only the safari lodges in the Kruger Park Private concessions offer an exclusive luxury safari experience
To stay at a safari lodge in the Greater Kruger guests pay a premium. The bulk of their guests are international tourists who benefit from the current exchange rate.
Self-drive Vs Open safari vehicles
Majority of the visitors to the Kruger Park drive their own vehicles on daily gam drives, a part from those that book private SANParks game drives in open safari vehicles with a professional ranger and tracker.
Public Roads Versus Off-road driving
Visitors to Kruger National Park are restricted to the public roads of the national park, unless they are staying at a luxury lodge in a private concession.
In Greater Kruger, the game rangers are allowed to take the game vehicles off-road to get up close to wildlife sightings.
Day drives Vs Night Drives
Kruger National Park has stricter open and closing times for the main gates and rest camp gates. Visitors are not allowed to drive around after sunset. Strict fines are imposed on visitors who don’t make it back in time to their rest camps in the evening.
The private reserves of Greater Kruger don’t impose strict times on game drives. Guests are taken out for late-afternoon game drives and often return well after dark.
Self-catering Vs Fine – dining
Restaurants in Kruger National Park typically offer more affordable meals to cater for families, overlanders and travelers on a tighter budget. Most local Kruger Park visitors book the self-catering units and prefer to braai (barbeque). You can stock up on provisions at the shops at the large rest camps.
The private game reserves of Greater Kruger are unashameably marketed to the high-end traveler and as one would expect, offer their guests meals that area a cut above what you generally find in the Kruger Park. There are no shops in the private reserves, only boutique outlets selling gifts and convenience items.
Greater Kruger vs Kruger National Park Safari – which is better?
For scenery and wildlife sightings, both are great. For accommodation and the safari experience, it all depends on what you prefer and your travel budget.
Choose Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is an iconic safari destination, world-renowned for its incredible biodiversity. Kruger is the oldest and largest national park in Southern Africa and one of the country’s most popular tourism destinations.
The park has no fewer than 6 distinct ecosystems so your South Africa safari experience in the southern section is vastly different to the central and northern region. Where you go depends on your fauna and flora interest.
Kruger National Park offers something for everyone, from budget-friendly self-catering accommodation to luxury safari lodges in private concessions, and from the game – rich southern ecosystem to the vast savannah plains in the central region with strong lion populations and the remote far-north which is a birder’s paradise.
To avoid the crowds in Kruger National Park, choose the time of year you visit carefully (avoid the bush local holiday season) and where you stay. You have the choice of remote bush camps for a more authentic safari experience. For a more exclusive and intimate safari experience, book a luxury safari lodge in one of the private concessions.
Choose the Greater Kruger
The private reserves of Greater Kruger offer an exclusive safari experience with luxury accommodation that rivals the best of Okavango Delta and the famous Serengeti. Guests pay a premium for this premier experience.
Number of visitors and safari vehicles are strictly limited in Greater Kruger. The private lodges are quieter and more intimate, and wildlife sightings are restricted to three vehicles at a time. It is perfect of wildlife enthusiasts to who don’t like crowds but it comes at a high price.
Staying in Greater Kruger doesn’t mean you miss out on all that Kruger Park has to offer. Guests can book a full-day excursion to the national park. Also, you have easy access to the popular tourist attraction in and around Hoedspruit, which is the Safari Capital of South Africa.
