Central Kruger
The Central Kruger is the most varied region in the Park and its surroundings. The Blyde Canyon is an omnipresent sight to the west: spectacular to see, it is the third deepest Canyon in the world.
The waters from the Drakensberg mountains and the canyon flow down towards the Kruger, meeting the mighty Olifants River before entering the Park. There they swallow up the similarly large Letaba river in the Park, and flow down to meet the sea at Xai Xai on the Indian Ocean coast. These rich perennial rivers sustain a multiplicity of wildlife.
GAME RICH PLAINS
The Central Kruger stretching south from Giriyondo to the N’wanitsisonto river is characterised by scrubby plains across which all of the charismatic megafauna roam. The area of open Savannah around Satara is particularly good for cat sightings, with lions often seen.
To the east, the screnery becomes more dense with bush, with the N’wanetsi River coarsing through the foothills of the Lebombo hills.
PRIVATE CONCESSIONS
The Central Kruger has five decent Private Concession Lodges within the Park itself, notably Singita Kruger with its two Lodges, Lebombo and Sweni where the perennial N’wanetsi River guarantees exceptional game viewing.
EXPANSIVE AREA
The Private Reserves to the west which are unfenced with the Kruger to form the Greater Kruger. Your best chances of wild dog sightings are probably in these, including Timbavati, Manyeleti (“Place of the Stars”), Klaserie, and Balule. There is some excellent walking to be had in these.
FENCED RESERVES
There are extremely large tracts of wilderness that are adjacent to the Kruger but currently maintain fences, and can offer value with more managed sightings as a consequence. They share the same ecosystem and are populated largely with the same types of game. The main ones are Thornybush and Kapama which are adjacent to each other.
GOVERNMENT RESTCAMPS
There are four Government Restcamps here including the spectacularly-located Olifants from which you enjoy a spectacular vista. This Restcamp has pioneered a number of activities such as mountain biking and astronomy which remain unique in the public Park. In addition there are five satellite camps around the Restcamps aimed at those who want a more “wild” experience and are happy to look after themselves. This compares to only one in the south and four in the north.
