39 Fun Facts About Kruger National Park You Should Know!

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How many facts about Kruger National Park do you know?

Kruger National Park was my first self drive safari experience, and I spent an entire month moving from camp to camp. I got to experience an incredible variety of landscapes, and wildlife sightings that I could have only dreamt about.

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Kruger Park is one of the most popular traveller destinations in South Africa. It’s home to an incredible variety of plants and animals, as well as famously stunning scenery.

And Kruger made it effortless.

You might be a regular visitor or a first-time visitor. Either way these insights will give you a better understanding and appreciation of this iconic destination.

From its establishment in 1898 to its role in conservation and cultural heritage, Kruger Park offers an experience that goes beyond the typical safari.

Join us on a journey of discovery, where history, nature, and conservation meet in one of Africa’s favourite reserves.

Fun Facts About Kruger National Park

There are hundreds of fascinating things to know about Kruger Park. And the more you know, the more you’ll want to know!

Here are a few to get you started:

History of the Park and Camps

1. Kruger National Park was founded in 1898 by Paul Kruger, the president of the South African Republic. The park was established as a way to protect the wildlife of the Lowveld region.

Paul Kruger was concerned about the effect that hunting was having on the animal populations. He wanted to establish a degree of control over the hunting done in the area.

2. The park was originally named the Sabie Game Reserve, and it was renamed Kruger National Park in 1926. The name Sabie came from the river of that name that flowed through the area.

The size of the park is the result of combining the original Sabie Game Reserve and Shingwedzi Game Reserve next door. Added to these were adjoining. area farms. Today, Kruger is one of the biggest wildlife reserves in Africa.

3. The park is home to two bush lodges, 12 rest camps, 5 bushveld camps, and 4 satellite camps. It covers an area of 19,623 km² (7,576 miles²), and sits between two South African provinces, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

4. Kruger is also bordered by the country of Zimbabwe to the north and Mozambique to the East. It’s recently become a part of Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

This is a “peace park” that combines Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park with Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park.

A peace park is a protected area established to promote peace and understanding between nations. This is done by preserving natural resources, cultural heritage, and fostering environmental cooperation and conservation efforts.

Tourism and Touring in Kruger Park

5. The camps offer a variety of accommodation styles, from basic campsites to luxurious lodges. You’ll find budget huts, cottages, tented camps, and so much more. I’ve stayed in several of these options, and found some fantastic ones.

6. Kruger National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. Others include the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain in Cape Town.

7. The park receives around 1.5 million visitors per year. It’s considered one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

More than half of the park’s yearly visitors are from outside of South Africa.

8. The most popular time to visit the park is during the dry season, aka winter, from May to September. During this time, the number of waterholes are low due to the lack of rain.

This makes it much easier to spot the animals, as they tend to congregate around the ones that are left. It’s also easier to see the wildlife because there’s less foliage to get in the way.

It is also the coolest time of year, with average temperatures ranging from 25 to 35ºC (77 to 95ºF).

9. There are many different activities to take part in when you visit Kruger. You can go on game drives and bush walks, and explore mountain bike trails.

Night drives are available at some of the camps. This is a great way to see the animals that are most active during the cooler nights.

10. The park is also home to a number of educational facilities, including the Skukuza Museum and the Letaba Elephant Hall.

The Skukuza Museum was established in 1936 and houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits. They tell the story of the park’s history and wildlife.

The museum’s collection includes photographs, paintings, taxidermy specimens, and historical objects.

My own favourite is the Letaba Elephant Hall. Here you can learn about the behaviour of elephants. It also contains some great info on their evolution and biology, as well as current research.

And who doesn’t love elephants?

Kruger Wildlife

11. Kruger National Park is home to an incredible variety of animals, including the Big Five. These include lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes.

12. The park also supports a number of other animals, including giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs. There’s nothing more thrilling than seeing any of these in the wild.

13. The park is one of the best places to see elephants in South Africa. It’s estimated that there are currently over 13,000 elephants in the park.

14. Kruger is also home to a number of endangered species, such as the black rhinoceros and the African Wild Dogs.

Historic Tribal Sites of the Kruger Park

15. The park is home to some fascinating archeological sites. The Thulamela Settlement is a large one in the northern part of the park.

The settlement was inhabited by the Makahane people, a subtribe of the Vhalembeth branch of the Venda people. They lived here from 1250 to 1700 CE.

This is one of the most important archaeological sites in South Africa.

16. Another is the Ba-Phalaborwa site. It’s the location of a late Iron Age village that was inhabited by the Ba-Phalaborwa people from the 18th to the 19th centuries.

The site is known for its well-preserved iron smelting furnaces. These are the earliest known examples of iron smelting in Southern Africa.

17. Kruger National Park utilizes Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs). These are areas of parkland that are managed by indigenous communities for the conservation of nature and culture.

18. When Kruger Park was established, it included land that was traditionally inhabited by tribespeople. These people were forced to leave their homes and move to other areas, and they were not allowed to return to the park.

In the 1990s, the South African government began to negotiate with the tribespeople about their return to the park. These negotiations were successful.

In 1991, the Makuleke tribe was allowed to return to their traditional lands in the park.

They actually decided not to rebuild their lives there, but to use the land that was returned to them for tourism. Today there are several game lodges built on the Makuleke’s nearly 200 km².

How Kruger Compares to Other South African Parks

19. Kruger National Park is the of the largest national parks in South Africa and is one of the largest in Africa, covering an area of 19,485 km² (7,523 miles²).

This also makes it the sixth-largest national park in Africa.

20. Kruger Park is home to over 147 species of mammals and 500 species of birds. There are also 114 species of reptiles and 51 species of amphibians living here.

This makes it the most diverse national park in South Africa, and one of the most diverse in all of Africa.

The park’s diverse ecosystem is a result of its location. Kruger National Park is located at the crossroads of three different vegetation zones.

These are savannah, or grassy plains with few trees; the forest; and bushveld, meaning ‘thornbush field’. Bushveld is known for its tall grasses and its trees like baobab, acacia, and thornbushes.

This diversity of vegetation provides homes for the wide variety of animals that can be seen in Kruger.

21. Kruger Park is also one of the most popular parks in all of South Africa. There are a few reasons why this is the case.

The park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife. The park is also well-managed and has a good reputation for conservation.

Kruger also offers a variety of activities and accommodation options for you. Plus its selection of small food shops, as well as restaurants and cafes, make Kruger an carefree way to experience African wildlife.

Amenities Throughout the Park

22. There are a number of amenities available throughout the park, including restaurants, shops, fuel stations, and ATMs.

23. There is also a great choice of rest camps and lodges located throughout the park, offering a variety of accommodation options.

You can find something to suit every budget, and nearly any preference. There is even the choice between more ‘civilized’ stays in the south park, and more ‘wild’ experiences in the north.

Activities Available in the Park

24. Game drives: These are the most popular activity in the park. You can go on a game drive in an open safari vehicle, or in a closed vehicle if you prefer.

You can choose to self-drive in your own vehicle, too. Fly into the park and rent right a car from the airport.

Night drives are available through some of the park’s camps, and let you observe the nocturnal animals. You’ll also get to see the ones who prefer to save the action for the cooler hours.

Night drives are not an option for self-drive safaris, though.

25. Bush walks: Bush walks are a fantastic way to see the area and wildlife from a new perspective. Guided bush walks are led by experts on the park who can teach you about animals track, local flora, and park history. They’ll also make sure you stay safe.

26. 4×4 Adventure Drives: They allow you to get off the beaten track and see animals that you might not see on a regular game drive. You also get the chance to see the true wilderness areas of the park.

27. Bird watching: Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, making it a great place for birding. You can take a guided bird-watching tour, or you can venture out on your own.

How the Park Differs from North to South:

28. In Kruger Park South you’ll find that the area is more developed, and tends to have more people. There is a higher density of facilities and accommodations in the southern area.

This region is known for its well-maintained roads, guided Kruger park safari options, and a variety of amenities. South Kruger is often preferred by first-time visitors due to its accessibility and abundance of wildlife sightings.

29. North Kruger presents a wilder and more remote environment. This area offers a quieter and more off-the-beaten-path experience.

With fewer tourists and less infrastructure, the North allows for a more immersive and intimate connection with nature. It’s ideal for travellers seeking solitude and a sense of adventure.

The northern parts of the park are where I’ve had my most memorable wildlife encounters. I see plenty of wildlife when I visit, and I find the accommodations to be better for spotting animals right outside!

Kruger Park Gates:

30. The main park gates leading into the park are:

31. The hours of operation for rest camp gates vary with the month and time of sunset. Be sure to make note of the gate times of your camp when you check-in.

32. If you arrive at a camp gate after hours, you will be fined. The amount of the fine depends on the time of day and the camp.

The Location of Kruger National Park in South Africa

33. Kruger is located in the northeastern part of South Africa. It is bordered by Zimbabwe to the north and by Mozambique to the east.

34. The park is about 400 km, or 249 miles, from Johannesburg, to the nearest main gate, Malelane Gate.

More Facts About Kruger Park

35. Kruger National Park forms an important component of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. This expansive region is recognized by UNESCO as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve.

This is a prestigious designation. It acknowledges the area’s efforts in promoting sustainable development while conserving its unique ecological and cultural heritage.

36. The large park is home to nine different biomes, or types of plants and animals. Kruger’s include the Tropical Rainforest Biome, the Baobab Sandveld Biome, and the Savannah Biome.

37. The park is home to more than 2000 different plant species, including over 336 species of trees. The baobab tree is nicknamed the upside-down tree, and can live to be 3000 years old!

There are also several rare and endangered plant species that can be found growing in the park. Just outside of Skukuza Camp is an indigenous plant nursery where plants like Wild Ginger, and the Swazi Lily are cultivated.

38. The park is home to an impressive number of bird species, including over 500 species. One of these is the Kori Bustard. The Kori is the largest flying bird and can weigh up to 20 kg (44lbs)

39. The northern regions of the park are home to several ancient rock art sites, primarily created by San tribespeople. The San inhabited the area thousands of years ago and left these scenes depicting daily life, spiritual rituals, and wildlife.

Summing It Up: Facts About Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is a place that people love to visit and return to again and again. Once you’ve been to the park yourself you’ll be hooked.

The more you delve into the fascinatingKruger Park facts, the more you’ll be caught up in it, and the more you’ll want to know.

Each discovery about its wildlife, landscapes, and history will only fuel your curiosity further. Kruger Park has a way of drawing you back time and again.

It’ll entice you to keep exploring until you’ve uncovered every hidden gem and absorbed every bit of knowledge about this remarkable reserve.

So, embrace the thrill of discovery and keep learning about Kruger National Park until you’ve unravelled its every secret. There’s always more to learn, and the park is always awaiting your return.

Happy travels!

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