Kruger National Park Essential Information

1. INDEMNITY: Guests entering national parks will be required to sign document indemnifying SANParks against any claim, action, judgment, costs and/or expenses which may be made against SANParks.
2. IDENTIFICATION: Please ensure that acceptable means of identification are taken along when visiting parks. This does not only apply to the drivers of vehicles but could be requested of all adults that enter or visit parks.
3. CONSERVATION FEES: Daily conservation fees are payable for every day/ night stayed in national parks. The acquisition of a Wild Card is available as an alternative to paying daily conservation fees.
4. COMMUNITY FUND: SANParks have implementing a 1% Community Levy on all reservations (overnight and activity products) arriving on or after 1 June 2012. This is used to fund projects that support surrounding communities in bettering their livelihoods. For more information please view our website on www.sanparks.org
5. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE – In most of the national parks there is a possible threat from dangerous animals. In such parks guests may only alight from vehicles in designated areas. No part of your body may protrude from a window or sunroof and doors should remain closed at all times;
6. THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT – Please take careful note of the speed limits applicable in the various areas of the parks. Note that not all roads are accessible to caravans and/ or vehicles exceeding a certain mass, type or size.
7. ALCOHOL: The consumption of alcohol in public areas is prohibited. Day visitors are prohibited from entering Kruger National park with any alcohol in their vehicles.
8. DRIVE SAFELY – General rules of the road apply within the parks. It is an offence to drive on South African roads without a recognized driver’s license or under the influence of alcohol. Driving or operating any vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner or in a deliberate disregard for the safety of a person, animal or property is a serious offence and can result in a summons being issued Driving a vehicle in a manner that constitutes a nuisance, disturbance, inconvenience or danger to any other
person may also be subject to a summons being issued.
9. ADHERE TO GATE TIMES – Gate times must be strictly adhered to. Please take note of the different times that apply at gates and also camps and lodges within the parks. Guests must plan their travelling thoroughly and make adequate provision for contingencies. After hours driving is not allowed and could result in a summons being issued.
10. OVERNIGHT VISITORS – Guests are only allowed to stay at a booked and recognized overnight facilities and must report to the relevant reception before occupying accommodation or camping.
11. CAMPSITES – Camping base rates include one motorized vehicle per campsite. Additional motorized vehicles per campsite are charged at a rate equivalent to the campsite base rate per night.
12. AGE RESTRICTIONS: For safety reasons some activities conducted in parks have age restrictions. Please take cognizance of these in order to prevent disappointments.
13. DEPARTURE TIMES – All accommodation and camping sites may be occupied from 14:00 on day of arrival and must be vacated by 10:00 on the day of departure;
14. DRIVING AREAS – Vehicles must remain on the designated roads at all times and off-road driving or driving on closed or no-entry roads is a serious offence. In many areas, overnight facilities are to be accessed only by booked overnight guests.
15. FEEDING OF WILDLIFE IS PROHIBITED – The feeding or intentional disturbance of wildlife is a serious offence. By feeding any wildlife you are potentially SIGNING THEIR DEATH WARRANT, AS THEY MAY BECOME DEPENDENT AND OFTEN BECOME AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS, AND THUS
HAVE TO BE EXTERMINATED;
16. FLORA & FAUNA – No plant, animal, wildlife or any natural or cultural items may be removed from the park without permission. To cut, damage, destroy or be in possession of any plant or part thereof, including dry wood or firewood is a serious offence. Importing of any specimen of an alien or listed invasive species into a national park is prohibited.
17. VEHICLE RESTRICTION – There are restrictions to the type of vehicle that may enter national parks. Please take careful note of vehicle restrictions applicable to the different roads and areas of the parks.
18. PETS– No pets (dogs, cats, birds or any other) may be brought into a Park. Transgressors will be dealt with firmly, issued with a summons and the pets will be destroyed. Guide dogs for visually impaired guests are one exception, but only in consultation with park management and if the owner has the necessary inoculations and permits as ordained by the state veterinary department.
19. LITTER-FREE ZONE – Littering is prohibited. Deposit or leaving of any litter except in receptacles for that purpose will result in a fine.
20. DECLARE FIREARMS AT GATE – All firearms/dangerous weapons of any sort, any explosive, trap or poison must be declared upon entry, and firearms will be sealed;
21. NO KILLING OF ANIMALS – Poaching and killing or injuring of animals is strictly prohibited;
22. FIRE HAZARD– Starting or causing of any fire, whether it be intentional or unintentional other thanin a fireplace or container purposely made available is strictly prohibited and will result in a summons being issued.
23. SMOKING– Please take note of the smoking regulations applicable in the parks.
24. BEHAVIOUR – Behaving in an offensive, improper, indecent or disorderly manner including the playing of any radio, compact disc player, music system, musical system or instrument, or in any way cause of any noise in any manner likely to disturb any species or specimen or other person is strictly prohibited and will be fined if not adhered to. The hindering, intimidating or obstructing of an authorized official in the execution if his/her duties or the performance of his/her functions will
not be tolerated and is subject to a penalty. Violation, refusal or failure to obey or comply with any prohibition, request or instruction imposed by these regulations or by the management authority or authorized official will result in prosecution;
25. BICYCLES: Please enlighten yourself with the rules and regulations applicable to the use of roller skates, skateboards, bicycles and motorbikes for the park/s that you will be visiting as there are restrictions in some of the parks;
26. DRONES: The use of drones inside (and over) national parks is strictly prohibited.
27. BEWARE MALARIA – Kruger and Mapungubwe National Parks fall within a malaria zone. A 24hour malaria hotline is available on 0822341800 and where relevant, please consult your medical practitioner.
28. PARK SPECIFIC INFORMATION – Kindly familiarize yourself with the general conditions prevalent in the park you are going to visit by visiting the website at www.sanparks.org and link onto Parks A-Z as there may be vital information contained therein to assist with your visit.

The Big Five – Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino.

The Little Five – Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle.

Birding Big Six– Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork.

Five Trees – Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula, Mopane.

Natural/Cultural Features – Letaba Elephant Museum, Jock of the Bushveld Route,Albasini Ruins, Masorini Ruins, Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library, Thulamela.

The park lies in the north-east of South Africa, in the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Phalaborwa, Limpopo is the only town in South Africa that borders the Kruger National Park. It is one of the largest national parks in the world, with an area of 19,485 square kilometres (7,523 sq mi). The park is approximately 360 kilometres (220 mi) long,[8]and has an average width of 65 kilometres (40 mi).[10] At its widest point, the park is 90 kilometres (56 mi) wide from east to west.

To the north and south of the park two rivers, the Limpopo and the Crocodile respectively, act as its natural boundaries. To the east the Lebombo Mountains separate it from Mozambique. Its western boundary runs parallel with this range, roughly 65 kilometers (40 mi) distant. The park varies in altitude between 200 meters (660 ft) in the east and 840 meters (2,760 ft) in the south-west near Berg-en-Dal. The highest point in the park is here, a hill called Khandzalive. Several rivers run through the park from west to east, including the Sabie, Olifants, Crocodile, Letaba, Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers.

The climate of the Kruger National Park and Lowveld is subtropical. Summer days are humid and hot with temperatures often soaring to above 38 °C (100 °F). The rainy season is from September until May. The Kruger National Park website lists September and October as the driest periods, culminating in rains late in October. The dry winter season is the ideal time to visit this region for various reasons. There is less chance of contracting malaria and the days are milder. Viewing wildlife is more rewarding as the vegetation is more sparse and animals are drawn to the waterholes to drink every morning and evening.