What animals will you find in Kruger National Park?

Who doesn’t love animals? Silly people, that’s who, and you’re not a silly person. You’re a wonderfully curious traveller who just wants to see lions and elephants and gazelles roam in their natural habitat in all their glory. A total dream, and with plenty of safari trips on offer you totally can!

A perfect place to go on safari and spot a myriad of gorgeous beasts is Kruger National Park in South Africa. Visited by many from all over the world, Kruger is filled with sprawling natural beauty and plenty of wildlife. But what wildlife specifically? Well, we got in touch with Kyle Junkuhn, our Operations Manager in Africa and safari aficionado, to get all the details on the animals in Kruger National Park.

Hey Kyle! So, what kind of animals can I spot in Kruger National Park?

“There are 147 Mammal species in Kruger, everything from the Big 5 to cheetahs, wild dogs, countless antelope species, warthogs, giraffes, hippos, crocs and more… There are also over 500 species of birds recorded in the park, including many eagles, vultures and of course the largest bird in the world – the ostrich.”

Will I be able to see the Big 5?

“There is always a chance of seeing the Big 5 in Kruger – it’s actually one of the best National Parks in all of Africa to have this opportunity! Even better, if you travel with Contiki, our accommodation is located on the Sabie River which is rich in wildlife viewing opportunities. This gives you a very high chance of seeing most of the Big 5 on all our trips to Kruger, and crossing this off your bucket list.”

Will I see different animals depending on the seasons?

“You’ll be able to see all the animals throughout the year as there are no migratory animals or routes within the park. However, spotting wildlife is easier in the dry season (between April and October) when the vegetation is less dense and easier to see through.”

“Having said that, wildlife viewing is all about luck and timing, you can never predict what might decide to be around the next bend in the road…”

Are there any interesting birds or insects in Kruger National Park?

“For sure! It’s not all about the big things, sometimes the smaller ones might surprise you. Kruger is home to beautifully coloured bee-eaters, rollers and kingfishers. The martial eagle and fish eagle are highly sought after, as well as the highly endangered ground hornbill. But the most photographed must be the lilac breasted roller, so make sure to keep a look out!” 

“In terms of insects, the most fascinating are the dung beetles rolling their freshly made homes over the roads, the incredibly crafted termite mounds and the multi-coloured butterflies flying over the savannah are always a sight to behold.”

Are there any aquatic animals like hippos or crocodiles?

“Yes, along the beautiful rivers that flow through the Park and large dams that provide water to all the wildlife. hippos and crocs are plentiful. Our camp is right on the Sabie River and hearing the hippos grunt at each other through the night is honestly kind of mesmerising (though maybe you’ll want some ear plugs?).”

In what ways are safaris important and beneficial to the local communities? How do they help support the people and the animals?

“Every day you spend in the park means a conservation fee needs to be paid and this goes directly back towards the conservation of the wildlife. Whether it’s ensuring the fences are still intact, monitoring environmental impacts, or ensuring anti-poaching units are on the ground patrolling for poachers – ensuring the 20,000kmsq park is safe requires a lot of funds and just going on a safari gives back in this way.”

“Fence patrols also ensure wildlife doesn’t escape to the surrounding communities to cause human-wildlife conflicts. The park also supports and employs most of its employees from the communities surrounding it, creating plenty of economic opportunities.”

What should I wear for a safari in Kruger National Park?

“Neutral colours are important. Browns, beiges, etc., will not make you stand out. The point is to blend in and not be noticeable, otherwise animals might see you in bright colours in the vehicle and it could scare them away.” 

“Your best safari tool is a pair of binoculars in case a good sighting is far away from the road so you can see it better.”

What should I know about safaris before booking one?

“No animal sighting is guaranteed, but that’s the thrill of it – the massive game of hide and seek, seeing if the luck of the bush is on our side, what could be around the next bend, is that something sitting under that tree over there…” 

“A safari is completely unscripted. It’s not a city tour where the guide knows that the Eiffel Tower is for sure around the corner. Here, at any moment a new animal or different kind of sighting could happen. And every game drive, even if you are the guide who has done it 1000s of times, will be unique and different.”

“That’s why it’s important to experience as many game drives as you can to maximise your chance of sighting successes! On one drive you could see virtually nothing and on the next the Big 5 in 30 mins… You never know!”

When is the best time of day to go on safari to see the animals?

“Sunrise and sunset. When it is cooler the animals are more active rather than seeking shade or shelter. The predators are also more active with better chances of seeing them moving about during these crepuscular (big new word alert) times.”

Are there any endangered animals in Kruger National Park? What can I do to support them?

“There are unfortunately many endangered species that call Kruger their home. Black rhinos would be the most well known but the predatory African wild dogs (also called painted wolves), the majority of vulture species, and the most poached and least known animal in the world – the pangolin.”

“However many other species are vulnerable or threatened such as the cheetah, white rhino, giraffe as well as other mammals, insects and birds. Just going on a safari helps with the conservation fee paid, but you can also look at specific organisations that dedicate their time and funds to help these incredible wildlife species.”

Why is going on safari with Contiki so special?

“The Kruger National Park is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world, which means that the main “touristy” areas can get especially crowded because most group tours have to stay in accommodations outside the Park and have to drive in and out every day.”

“With Contiki we have our own exclusive camp area within the park in one of the most wildlife rich game-viewing areas of it! Pretty snazzy… Our camp is also located in the most sought-after main camp in the whole of Kruger – Lower Sabie, with its beautiful restaurant deck over the Sabie River, swimming pool and shop, it’s got everything you need.” 

“The other important essence we pride ourselves in, is that we don’t want to zoom around the park as fast as we can to tick off lists and zoom off again to the next big sighting. We want our travellers to appreciate just being out in nature, taking it slow, finding our own sightings at our own pace away from the crowds, and appreciating the small things that aren’t just the Big 5.” 

“It’s when you’re bumbling along a dirt road at sunset, lazily grazing through the savannah, already content with the amazing sightings you have seen, with your soul at peace – that’s when the magic happens and something incredible decides to step out into the road and show itself for the sighting of the trip…”