South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park – one of Africa’s largest game reserves – celebrates 100 years this year.
In its centenary year, Kruger National Park is inviting travellers to celebrate 100 years of conservation, storytelling and unforgettable safari moments.
Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger form one vast wilderness, where private reserves are completely unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam freely across millions of hectares. While borders exist for people, animals move without restriction – creating one of Africa’s most extraordinary natural ecosystems. This milestone year is a perfect invitation to slow down, explore deeper, and experience the park in ways that go far beyond a single game drive. Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate the natural beauty of Kruger:
Go on Iconic Safari Experiences:
Guided Game Drives
Experience Kruger with expert rangers who know the bus intimately. Guided drives depart from rest camps or private lodges like Jock Safari Lodge and Singita, offering the best chance to spot the Big Five and learn about animal behaviour, conservation, and the park’s 100-year legacy.
Self-Drive Safaris
For independent travellers or families on a budget, self-drive safaris let you explore Kruger at your own pace. Navigate the park’s network of roads, stop at waterholes, scenic viewpoints, and picnic spots, and watch wildlife come to life around you. Rest camps like Skukuza, Lower Sabie, and Satara provide easy access, accommodations, and amenities for a flexible, hands-on adventure.
Night Drives
Experience the bush after dark on a night safari, where nocturnal wildlife emerges. Game reserves like Sabi Sabi offer exclusive night drives, giving you the rare chance to see leopards, hyenas, civets, and other elusive creators up close. These drives combine expert guides, intimate group sizes and a magical safari atmosphere, perfect for marking Kruger’s centenary in style.
Walk the Wilderness
For a truly immersive safari experience, step out of the vehicle and into the bush on a guided walking safari. Led by expert guides, these walks reveal the finer details of Kruger’s ecosystem – from animal tracks and indigenous plants to birdlife and smaller creatures often missed on game drives. Lukimbi Safari Lodge offers a range of guided walks across varying difficulty levels, making this one of the most meaningful ways to connect with the land and appreciate Kruger’s enduring conservation legacy.
Discover Kruger’s Cultural & Historical Roots
Celebrate 100 years by uncovering the human stories behind the park. Visit Masorini Ruins and Thulamela archaeological sites, which reveal ancient civilisations that once thrived there. Stop by museums and interpretation centres to learn about Kruger’s founding, the vision of conservation pioneers, and the communities connected to the land.
Few places in the world offer such variety within a single destination – where iconic wildlife encounters sit alongside rich history, expert guiding, and experiences tailored to every type of traveller. From dawn drives and night safaris to walking trails and cultural discoveries, Kruger delivers depth, authenticity and world-class safari at every turn. It’s this rare balance that cements South Africa’s position as the number one safari destination – and makes now the perfect time to experience it for yourself.
