The Kruger National Park is one of Africa's largest and oldest game reserves, offering the opportunity to see wildlife normally only seen courtesy of David Attenborough. The park claims to contain the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, so promises a much greater chance of seeing the 'big five', or the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo and the rhino. Kruger National park is over 2.2 million hectares in size and is situated in the north-east of South Africa, stretching along the border with Mozambique.

Ecologically speaking, Kruger National Park is extremely diverse, with 16 vegetation zones, 1,980 plant types and over 300 species of tree. These are in addition to elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, warthogs and lions, among many others. Species less likely to be seen include leopards, wild dogs, cheetahs, roan antelope and rhinos.

Given the park's size it is fortunate it contains 2,000km of sealed roads and gravel tracks, making it the most accessible park in South Africa. Provided you have a car, there are several varieties of accommodation available at the park, so you by no means have to rely on an arranged tour. However, the absence of a gun in the presence of so many ferocious predators may make independent roaming a less than attractive prospect.

For those so inclined, it may be an idea to book one of the popular Wilderness Trails. These are tours led by a professional guide, lasting for two or three days. Fortunately, they are armed! For those looking to visit Kruger National Park, it is recommended to travel between May and August when temperatures are cooler and water is restricted to rivers and waterholes where the wildlife congregates.

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