SANParks.org Forums

I have seen migrants like carmine bee-eater even in April. When the rains are late, October is hot and dry and not many migrants, so I would reckon March is best, although the bush is thick and the animals are dispersed.

My vote would go to March, all the Summer migrants still around and the weather is usually settling down nicely and a wonderful time of year.

Hi!

I'm planning to be in Kruger Park in the middle of October at the end of my trip.
How is the weather at this period? Is it better to travel there in the middle of
September?

Where do I have the best odds to see more animals, in the north or in the south?

If I'm coming from the south, in which camp should I stay at the first night?

How can I know if the distance between 2 camps is reasonable to drive in one day?

Do you suggest staying in the same camp more than 1 night (not camping)?

Thank you very much!!

Welcome to the forums!
Most of your questions have already been answered in other topics like these, but:

The south is known for the huge amount of animals. It is a bit busier due to that, so if you want peace and quiet, but see less animals, head middle or north.

That depends on what time you pass through the gate. But if you have the time to travel a bit Skukuza is a good place to start. From there you can head into 3 points of the compass, so it is a good base.

That is an easy calculation. Kruger normal speed is 25 km/h, which gives you time to stop, and it is not too fast to spot the animals. So 100 km between camps is 4 hours, ex stopping at poicnicspots and such.
Always plan with a margin, even just 1 lone bull elephant can cause havoc on your planning if it is playful and won't let you pass.

Yep! That is way less hassle.

Have a look around the various topics here, and the tripreports. Than you will get a good idea of what is possible, and what not.

Hi Neta welcome to the Forum

September and October are both very good months to travel to the Park. The weather is not unbearably hot although it is the start of the rainy season.

It really depends which animals you would like most to see. There is more general game in the South but the rarer antelopes are to be found in the North. Predators are all over.

Since check-in time is only at 2pm, you could drive right up to Skukuza if you enter from Malelane.

if you check your map book you will find a trip planning table.

First, find the distance you will be travelling in kilometres in the Table.
Then taking an average speed of 30 kmh, divide that distance by 10 and then by 3.
( eg. distance from Lower Sabie to Shingwedzi 269km divided by 10 equals 26.9 divided by 3 = 9 hours.)
Always allow extra time for game viewing and pit stops as well.


For me 2 days at a camp is ideal to enjoy the camp and the surrounding game area.

See that DuQues has answered all your queries too

Neta, a very warm welcome to you

For the uninnitiated, I would suggest the south, unless you are a keen birder, or specificaly want vast wilderness. The dry Mopani land of the north can be very stark for those starting out as a novice.

Other than the heat, it is a good month. It does offer very good sighting opportunities. I remember being very shocked by the dryness the first time I travelled in October though.

Waterholes and dams offer good opportunities. Animals flock for water and if you take the heat, it is a good place to sit and watch.

The three perimeter camps for the first night would be a choice between Malelane, Pretorius Kop, or Croc Bridge. I like them all. Malelane for its intimacy, Croc Bridge for its density of sightings and Pretorius Kop for that old Kruger feel.

Hi
ונראה לי שגם היי יכול להתאים כאן

Q: I'm planning to be in Kruger Park in the middle of October at the end of my trip.
How is the weather at this period? Is it better to travel there in the middle of
September?

A: Both Sep and Oct are good months to travel in the park - it will be relatively hot - so get a car and accommodation with air condition and you’ll be fine.

Q: Where do I have the best odds to see more animals, in the north or in the south?

A: if you are coming only for a few days - than you’ll have greater chance of seeing more animals in southern part of the park.

Q: If I'm coming from the south, in which camp should I stay at the first night?

A:It depends on what time are you arriving at the park - the parks gates close in Oct at 18:00 if i remember correctly. - so if you arrive near the closing time - you’ll have to stay the first night at a rest camp near the gate ( like if you arrive through the Malelane gate after 17:00 its probably a good idea to stay at Malelane camp or Berg en Dal Camp. note that if you arrive late (after 18:00 and before 21:00) you may enter the park with escort but only to camp that are close to the entry gates and with escort that costs about 200R).
but if you arrive earlier like the morning noon hours you can also book the first night in other southern camp like Skukuza (about 1 1.5 hour drive from the Malelane gate) Pretoriuskop (about 1.5- 2 hours drive from the Malelane gate or other - check minimum driving time table in this site).

Q: How can I know if the distance between 2 camps is reasonable to drive in one day?

A: check this link:
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/ge ... tances.php
you have travel time between gates and camps and other useful information.

Q:Do you suggest staying in the same camp more than 1 night (not camping)?

A depends on how many days you are planning on.
if you have only 2 nights - than 1 camp. if you have 3 night its optional to do two camps.
if you have 4 nights or more - I would consider doing at least two camp and at least 2-3 nights in each camp - its less hassle in moving every morning.

have fun!!

תביאו מצלמה טובה וכמובן תהנו!!!!

Sleeping close to the Park and starting early is a good idea.

The Park entry gates and camp gates open at 6am in September and the times change to 5.30am in October. Though entry gates and camp gates still close at 6pm both months.

If you ask at reception they will be able to help you find accomadation in other camps.

Could anyone tell me what to expect in the Kruger mid April? Have never stayed there at that time of year. Camps booked are Orpen, L.Sabie and C.bridge. Weather, game viewing etc.
Thanks.

Hi granny!

Mid-April is towards the end of the rainy season - so expect long grasses! Temperatures are not as hectic as mid-summer, but still a nice comfortable hot during the days, and evenings becoming pleasant. We've had good sightings in that area that time of the year - but in KNP it is as always - being at the right place at the right time!

100% agree with Bushbuddies.

Many of the migrant birds have flown, but you might still see birds congregating ready to leave.

Weather wise it can be very pleasant. I have never had really great sightings, due to the long grass, but it is an extremely pretty time of the year. There is a touch of early Autumn mellowness.

Thank you Bushbuddies and MM.....as long as it doesn't rain I will be happy, rained October and January when I was there. Children are taking me up for my birthday, don't mind not seeing much,good enough to be there. As long as the weather is good.

Hi Granny,
We have found it still quite summery, maybe a little bit cooler, in April.
Everything still showed the benefit of a good rainy season.
The vegetation was lush, the trees were magnificent and the animals well fed, with youngsters still maturing.
Enjoy! Kite

Hi Granny,
we were last year in April in kruger, Satara and Skukuza. The weather was very good, just a little rain. The high grass was only around Pretoriuskop a problem. Otherwise it was not problem. We had some fantastic sightings, if you want to try the link to see more ....

http://www.deifuss.dk/59724869

Ive been to KNP a lot in April. Although the vegetation is lush in places (most notably in the Pretoriuskop section) the weather is wonderful - usually nice and sunny but not unbearably hot and you can still see a lot of game. Last year we went for 5 days and saw wild dogs twice.