The flagship of the South African National Parks, the Kruger National Park is so vast (20 000 square kilometers - approximately the size of Whales!) that dependant upon where you are, your wildlife experience can vary quite dramatically as far as type of vegetation and the wildlife it supports.  In a day's game drive a visitor can pass through three or four different eco-systems!  Every area in the park is equally fascinating, but those with limited time should visit the southern section of the Kruger Park as the terrain here is of open savannah grasslands which supports large herds of antelope and of course the cats and carnivores that follow suit.
Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African lowveld, the Kruger National Park is unrivalled in its diversity of life forms, including 507 recorded species of bird, and is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.   The planned Transfrontier Park between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique will bring the size of this wildlife park to spectacular proportions.  The Transfrontier Park is not yet a reality, but fences are slowly 'coming down'.

For tourists in the not to distant future, the Transfrontier Park will be an incredible wildlife haven, that will span three countries, with the combined goal of the preservation of wildlife.
 
The far North of the Kruger Park is remote and is renowned for its fabulous birding, 'different' plant life - including the 'upside-down' Boabab tree, and large herds of elephant and buffalo.  In the north of Kruger, it is more difficult to find the big cats, however the remoteness in itself has its own rewards - a far more private and intimate safari experience.  This area is great for second time visitors, who want to learn all of Kruger's secrets. 

The far northern National Park camp is Punda Maria, but more recently a private concession, namely Pafuri Camp, which is collaboration between the private sector and the Makuleki people, is another wonderful accommodation option, that combines understated luxury, wildlife and also for those who make it their business to ensure that their holiday travel contributes to the upliftment of local communities, this private concession with the Makuleki tribe of the area, certainly can lay claim to responsible tourism and a partnership in business for both parties.

The north is also rich in archaeological remains, with examples such as the Thulamela ruins at which mysterious golden artifacts have been found.

The Kruger National Park has a well established road network and many rest camps and bush camps throughout the park that one can choose from.  Travelling south the area surrounding Shingwedzi camp, (On the banks Shingwedzi river with its seasonal flooding) elephants and buffalo abound, and cat viewing is good. The bushveld is Mopane shrubveld and stunted Mopane trees.

The further south one travels, the more National Park rest camps you will find - this is due to the 'easier' game viewing opportunities that the savannah grasslands provide.  The central area includes Letaba and Oliphants with more broken terrain, characterised by the Oliphants and Letaba rivers, Mopane bushveld and small kopjes (granite outcrops). Riverine bush along the rivers attract hippos and crocodiles and the occasional black rhino. This area is also quite famous for leopard sightings.

Satara is known for some of the best game viewing - surrounded by vast open savannah grassland, and layers of Marula and Acacia trees, attracting browsing and grazing animals, the largest numbers of wildebeest and zebras occur here.  The result - lion country and great cheetah sightings. The black rhino also frequent this area - although they are notoriously hard to find as these giant animals are habitually secretive.

Thompsons Wolhuter Tented Safari
Thompsons Africa is the only tour operator to have a private camping concession just south of Satara camp (9km south). This is prime game viewing country and as it is a private concession, the experience for our guests is intimate and personal.  This is an intimate back to nature experience, with your own guide and chef and a limited number of clients.  Don't be fooled though - this is no basic camping tour - our guests do not participate in any form of camp duties, our fireside bush cuisine is exceptional, our tents are comfortable and our bush showers and ablutions are the very best.  After a great day game viewing, fireside stories with 'good night action' - hyena and lion often close by - the Wolhuter is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Our Wolhuter Safari is named after one of the first pioneering game wardens of the Kruger National Park, whose incredible wildlife tales are legendary - particularly when he was taken from his horse by a large male lion, unceremoniously dragged to a nearby bush by his shoulder and Harry Wolhuter calmly used his pocket dagger, after feeling the beast with his free hand to locate his heart, and downed the lion with a single thrust into the 'beasts' heart... and survived - a chilling story of survival almost a century ago!