Fun Facts about the Kruger National Park

The first iteration of the Kruger National Park was established in 1898 as the Sabi Game Reserve, as a way to protect the wildlife of the Lowveld area of South Africa from hunters. James Stevenson-Hamilton was the very first warden of the park, taking up the post in 1902. The park as we know it today officially became a reality when the National Parks Bill was passed in parliament on 11 June 1926. This move saw the Sabi Game Reserve, Shingwedzi Game Reserve, and neighbouring farms merged into one.

Another fun fact: The park is named after former South African President Paul Kruger.

The Kruger National Park is massive, like really, really big. It covers an area of 2 million hectares (20,000 square kilometres) and is larger than the country of Wales. Yes, a whole country! This means it is South Africa's largest game reserve (it even sits in two provinces - Mpumalanga and Limpopo), but it's not the biggest in Africa - that title belongs to Selous (Nyerere National Park) in Tanzania, which covers an area of roughly 50,000 square kilometres. Jeepers!

Another fun fact: The park is measured at 360km from north to south and 65km from east to west, meaning if you were to drive at the speed limit (50km/h on tar roads), it would take you over seven hours to go from top to bottom without stopping. It also borders both Zimbabwe and Mozambique, with Crooks Corner in the north providing a view of all three countries at once!

The Kruger is home to 336 different tree species, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals, including the Big 5 - lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo. Other mammals that visitors flock to see include cheetahs, hippos, African wild dogs, zebras, giraffes, and hyenas. It is also home to rare antelope such as Roan, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, and eland.

Another fun fact: While the Big 5 is what most people want to see, there is also the Ugly 5, which is made up of hyenas, vultures, warthogs, wildebeest, and marabou storks. Poor things - I wonder if they get invited to the bush dance?

For visitors looking to spend the night in the Kruger, the park offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from the main rest camps, such as Skukuza, Satara, and Shingwedzi, to bush camps like Biyamiti, Sirheni, and Talamati. There are also a number of private camps located within the borders of Kruger, such as Jock Safari Lodge and Hamiltons Tented Camp. In total, there are over 21 places for visitors to book into for the night. My personal favourite is Satara or Lower Sabie, as the game viewing in the area is really good.

Time Out Tip: For a real treat, visitors can stay the night in a refurbished train - Kruger Shalati (book now), which sits on the tracks of a bridge above the Sabie River at Skukuza. While not budget-friendly, the experience is something you will remember for the rest of your life.

In order to access the Kruger National Park, one needs to enter through one of the nine gates located on the southern and western borders. These gates are:

• Crocodile Bridge (book nearby accommodation)
• Malelane (book nearby accommodation)
• Numbi
• Phabeni
• Paul Kruger (book nearby accommodation)
• Orpen
• Phalaborwa
• Punda Maria
• Pafuri

You can access the Kruger through Mozambique, but that requires planning ahead and the use of 4x4 vehicles.

Time Out Tip: If you are planning on a day visit using the gates in the southern part of the park (Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Phabeni, Numbi, and Paul Kruger), it is advisable to book your slot ahead of time (this can be done on the SANPARKS website), especially during the busier holiday seasons and school holidays.

Every living being in the Kruger National Park requires water to survive, so the rivers that run through it are vital. The Crocodile River forms the southern border of the park, while the Limpopo River runs along the northern border. Between those two giant rivers, the Sabie River, Olifants River, Letaba River, and Luvuvhu River all provide life-sustaining water sources.

Time Out Tip: Book a stay at Olifants Rest Camp. The camp sits on a mountain overlooking the Olifants River and provides some of the most stunning views of the area from an aerial perspective. Booking one of the huts on the fence means you will have uninterrupted views, which seem to go on forever.

There are over 250 archaeological sites located within the Kruger, which showcase days gone by from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, while San rock art and ancient settlements are also featured. The Albasini Ruins, situated near Phabeni Gate, preserve the remains of the 19th-century trading post established by Portuguese trader Joao Albasini.

The Masorini Ruins, located near the Phalaborwa Gate, pay tribute to the Sotho-speaking BaPhalaborwa who inhabited the site in the 1800s. The Skukuza Library is also well worth a visit, as it serves as a portal to all things Kruger and the rich history contained within its borders.

Time Out Tip: You can get out of your vehicle at some of these historical sites. However, you do so at your own risk, but they are well worth exploring.

For the majority of visitors, the self-drive option is the only way to truly experience the Kruger National Park. Travelling at your own steam, the tar (50km/h speed limit) and gravel (40km/h speed limit) roads are yours to explore and the planning that goes into the day's route always brings excitement. However, there are other options for getting around. The park offers guided drives, both in the morning and in the evening, while private operators offer day trips from outside the park.

Time Out Tip: If opting for the self-drive option, try to stick to rivers and other water sources for the best chance of spotting game. As previously mentioned, water is life in the bush, and where the prey roam, the predators are not too far behind.