Best Time to Visit Kruger And Worst Time (Month by Month)
For the most game watching and walking safari opportunities, the dry season (May–October) is the ideal time to visit Kruger National Park. In addition to the perennial water sources that provide an enjoyable safari experience in the Kruger, the sparse and low vegetation during this time of year makes animals easy to identify and track.
Kruger National Park is beautiful at any time of year, but when you travel will depend on your interests. There are two separate seasons in the Kruger: the dry winter (May–October) and the wet summer (November–April). Having said that, a safari in Kruger National Park is never boring.
Kruger National Park is a great place to visit any time of year because it has something special to offer in every season. You won’t be let down by a safari in Kruger National Park at any time!
While dry winters may be ideal for game viewing, the wet summers usher in lush bushveld, many baby animals, and the arrival of summer migrant birds, as well as full waterholes. Daytime highs in Kruger Park can reach or exceed 25 °C, a result of the park’s hot, subtropical climate.
Kruger National Park – When is the best time to visit the Kruger National Park
Month by Month Guide for Travelling to the Kruger National Park
Visiting the Kruger National Park from January to March
January: In Kruger Park, the rainiest month is January. Hot and muggy days are interspersed with spectacular thunderstorms that strike in the late afternoons. The landscape becomes more vibrant with the arrival of rain as the marula trees start to produce fruit. Birdwatchers will have a field day in the park at this time of year due to the high concentration of lesser spotted eagles.
February: In February, the weather is still warm and muggy, and the summer rains keep coming. Kruger National Park trips are most enjoyable during this time of year since waterbuck are mating. By February, the park is bustling with birdwatchers, thanks to the arrival of migrating species and the full plumage of breeding birds.
March: In Kruger Park, the summer season typically ends in March, which also happens to be the last month of substantial rainfall. Tracking wildlife is an integral part of a safari in the Kruger National Park, even though the dense foliage can make it a bit more difficult to see the animals at times. Fortunately, there are knowledgeable guides available to help with this. March is a really special month since that’s when buffalo and kudu breed.
Travelling to the Kruger National Park in April & May
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April: Kruger National Park is at its most beautiful in April and again just before or just after the region’s dry season ends. As a result of the change in seasons, the temperature in the park drops significantly. While it may be challenging to detect most animals in the park in April, you may be lucky to see impala, wildebeest, or warthogs during their mating season.
May: In May, the Kruger Park experiences the transition from fall to winter. The rain has stopped, but the formerly verdant fall landscape is beginning to lose its leaves. As the park’s animal inhabitants start to relocate to warmer climates, one of the first things that elephants do is travel north of the Kruger to their winter grazing grounds, passing through Mozambique and Zimbabwe on the route. You may see these majestic creatures migrate in perfect harmony at this time of year.
Visiting the Kruger National Park from June to August
June: The Kruger National Park experiences its coldest and driest month in June. Although the evenings can get rather chilly, the days are rather warm with minimal humidity. Seeing animals on safari in Kruger National Park becomes an unforgettable experience during this time of year when they frequently congregate around permanent water sources. When the weather turns cold, huge cats, like the elusive leopard, become more visible.
July: When visiting Kruger National Park in July, you may be lucky to see some wildlife. The weather is nice because it is cooler and less humid. At this time of year, safari fans like to congregate in the southern part of the park, where there is more wildlife activity, rather than the northern part. For a close encounter with Kruger’s predators, head to the Sabie River.
August: The dry season begins in earnest around August. Although the animals in Kruger have limited access to water, the southern parts of the park offer the best safari experiences due to the abundance of water there. August is an ideal month to visit the Kruger National Park since the weather is mild during the day and chilly at night, with fewer mosquitoes and almost no rain.
Travelling to the Kruger National Park in September & October
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September and October: Even though it can get hot and muggy in September and October, animal populations near water sources are at their peak. Many consider this season to be ideal for a safari in central and southern parts of Kruger National Park. Typically, the rainiest month in Kruger Park begins in October, while the start of spring is in September. The weather might be hot throughout the day and rainy in the evening. After the dry and dusty months, the grass starts to turn green and wildlife watching is still decent because the bush is not too thick.
Visiting the Kruger National Park during November & December
November: The summer rains start in earnest in November and continue through February and March before finally ending in April. The Kruger is turned into a stunning, verdant scene that is perfect for photography. The formally recognized beginning of the Green Season is November. Many young animals that are born in the summer are still around, so game viewing is still good. Additionally, if you are interested in birdwatching or planning a safari-beach vacation, this is the ideal time to visit the Kruger.
December: December is when summer is at its peak. As the sun sets on hot and muggy days, beautiful thunderstorms can light up the sky in the early evening. We advise anyone planning a summer trip to the Kruger to see a doctor for guidance on malaria prevention. The area is located within the malarial belt, thus although the danger of malaria is low, it is still present. We also recommend staying in a luxury resort in the Kruger National Park region rather than in the southern or central Kruger during the long December and January school holidays if you wish to avoid the crowds. Instead, head north of the park or explore the private reserves and concessions in the Kruger.
Ready to Start Planning Your Visit to the Kruger National Park
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