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We have the choice of visiting Kruger in either May or August next year and were wondering which month will be better for game viewing.We usually go in Aug/Sep and have experienced great game drives with the bush not too thick -after the summer rains is there still a lot of water around in May and what is the bush like?

We go in late May/June every year and find it a wonderful time of year to visit the park, weather is usually great.
It will depend on if the park has had late rains as to how much standing water there is, I recall 2 years ago they had had torrential late rains and there was more water lying around than in the Feb!
but normally the water is starting to dry up, certainly by late May, although this year most of the park had plenty of rain.

I have found August better than May, because the bush is thicker and there is still surface water around in May.

It is warming up and the gate open hours are longer in August.

If I have the choice... I'll go with Aug.
The grass not as long, bush not as thick etc.
But on my previous two trips in Aug I haven't been nearly as lucky with rare sightings & predator sightings as in June . All in the South.
Never went further up than Tshokwane.

Although we have been going to Kruger for the past 38 odd years, we have never been during winter time. June, July and August seem to be extremely popular.

We shall be staying at Letaba for 5 days.

What is the bird life like during June and weather-wise will it be nippy?

Many thanks.

Carole

Bird life in camps is great during the winter
can get nippy in the early mornings and evenings in june
So take along some warm clothing and a windproof jacket
And very cold during a sunset/night drive

just returned from Kruger and the evenings/mornings started to get nippy

We've had June vacations in the Park where everything was green, the streams full and the bird life exceptional.
We've had more June vacations where it was dry and dusty, with sparse undergrowth, streams have dwindled to a few puddles, and the birds life was less spectacular.

Climate-wise:
Evenings, nights and early mornings will generally be cool to chilly to cold, and if you're camping - quite cold <in the middle of the night>.
However, it warms up quickly and day time temperatures can easily reach 30 degrees by midday
(I've had one of the worst sunburns of my life on the roads around Satara in June - wasn't expecting the sun to be that hot).
Generally days are pleasantly warm rather than too hot though.
But mornings and evenings are chilly enough that a fleece jacket and hot cup of coffee are very welcome indeed.

Re birds again.
I usually miss the presence of some often-encountered summer visitors such as yellow billed kites, however it is not as if there are nothing to be seen... still lots of birdies around, and some that should migrate, does not necessarily do it.
I've encountered booted eagle and yellow billed stork in the middle of the winter near Lower Sabie.

I agree that the birding life is ok for all year round birds, but my favourites are mostly the summer visitors, so I was disappointed on our last visit not to see them!!!

June is very popular however, so I'm sure there are very good reasons for going then!!

Kruger is amazing whenever you visit.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

We always go to Kruger in July, weather is freezing at night and early mornings, but hot during the day.
We drive with the aircon on some days.
Sunset drives and night drives are freezing.
We love the Kruger in winter, let me put it in another way,
WE LOVE THE KRUGER ALL YEAR ROUND!!!!

Hi everyone.
I am planning a trip to Kruger during July (booked and ready to go to Punda).
Has anyone been to the North of the park recently and if so, what does the veld look like?
I heard from someone who's just returned that it is very dry up there with hardly any grazing left.
I desperately need to go and recharge my batteries, but the friends I'm going with are a bit sceptic if it is so dry up there. They reckon we should then stay outside (central area) and drive in everyday.
Feedback is extremely welcome!

Roan, as mentioned elsewhere on the forum, the dry season may be more rewarding in terms of sightings at water holes.
The fact that the veld seems dry, does not mean that there will be less wildlife.
Kruger is in essence a dry area with an average rainfall at some areas as little a 350mm per year, and yet, the animals still survive there.
You want to recharge your batteries? Go north my friend.

I agree July is a good month.
I don't think dry veld is a problem.
I have been many times and seen sometimes more than traditionally wetter or greener veld.
There is more chance of seeing game at water holes, whilst in the other months it is more difficult to spot because the grass is longer and the bush thicker.

Is it best to come to Kruger to see birds either October or March.
Thanks

Hi

My wife and I are avid birders and feel that late October/early November is a good time for birding, many of the migrants are returning at this time of year. Early March is OK, but by late March the migrants have packed their bags and are heading north.

Obviously December/January is great as all the migrants have arrived, but you asked specifically about March and October.

Jim

Last year we spent Sept Oct and November in Phalaborwa, and the summer migrants were no where to be seen until towards the end of November.

When we were there the previous March for the Cricket, they were all still there, so I would go for March, as far as summer migrants go.

However if you are not worried about the migrants, ANYTIME is wonderful of birding in Kruger.