Kruger National Park Photography Guide
South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in the world, famous for being home to the iconic “Big Five”.
The term Big Five originated during the South African hunting era to describe the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, namely the lion, leopard, black rhino (although the white rhino is now a commonly accepted substitute), elephant, and Cape buffalo.
Today, the term Big Five has become a popular term used by the tourism industry, and people from all over the world travel to the Kruger National Park to see these five remarkable animals on safari.
Although there are many other unique and significant animals, birds, and flora to be found in the park, the Big Five remains the most sought-after by visitors.
Covering an area of approximately 19,455 sq. km, the Kruger National Park is about 350km long (north to south) and around 60km wide on average (east to west).
This makes it one of the largest national parks in the world and roughly the same size as the entire country of Israel.
To put it simply, the park is a massive natural area that attracts over one million guests per year, making it a truly iconic destination for international tourism.
However, with such a vast area to explore, it can be daunting to plan a visit.
Firstly, it’s important to note that a safari experience in Kruger National Park differs greatly from what you may expect in other safari-rich countries across Africa or even other reserves within South Africa.
The word “safari” evokes a sense of excitement, and today it is used in many parts of the world. However, it’s worth remembering that the word originally comes from the Swahili language, which is widely spoken in southern and eastern Africa.
The word “safari” simply means “journey” or “expedition,” but a modern-day safari promises to be an unforgettable experience.
For most visitors to the Kruger National Park, it’s the freedom to explore the park via self-drive that makes it so appealing.
Although lodges and camps offer game drives, bushwalks, and other safari activities, most people come for the experience of true independence while also being at the mercy of Mother Nature.
Read more: Tips for Great Safari Photos in Africa
Where to go in Kruger National Park?
Kruger National Park can be divided into two regions, both different not only in topography but also in the animals most commonly present.
In the south, you can expect to see savanna-style plains dotted with acacia trees and yellow grass during the dry season.
In the north, however, the lush greenery, rare vehicle sightings, and tranquility appeal to those who want an undisturbed nature experience.
While the North does have its fair share of animals and can provide incredible sightings, the south is often touted as more reliable for predator-heavy sightings due to its larger number of animals.
The division is commonly seen as south of Olifants rest camp, but Satara rest camp (due to its ease of access) is also often used, sitting just below the middle of the park.
For anyone seeking a more action-packed and sighting-heavy experience, it’s worth considering spending as much time as possible in the southern area.
Satara rest camp is one of the most popular camps to visit or book accommodations with, partly due to its easy access to both northern and southern sections of the park.
It’s easily and quickly accessible to anyone entering from Orpen Gate, the closest town to which is the small town of Hoedspruit (approximately a 6-hour drive from Johannesburg or a 1-hour domestic flight).
Read more: How to Photograph Wildlife on Safari in Africa
Best time of year to visit Kruger National Park?
The best time to see the wildlife of Kruger National Park is from June to September when the vegetation is less dense.
Temperatures are higher than in mid-winter, and animals are concentrated around water sources, making for excellent wildlife viewing from August to September.
However, it needs to be noted that bird life is less abundant, and the general colors of the bush are less lush and vibrant compared to that of summer with frequent rains.
Personally, I love the winter season for the reasons above, and I have had many guests visit in the summer period who were quite shocked by how hot and humid the weather can be.
It’s worth keeping in mind how tolerant you are to the heat, as your enjoyment of the experience should always come first.
Read more: Taking Your Camera on Expedition? Here’s Some Crucial Advice
Kruger National Park tips
Once you find yourself in the lucky position of being able to spend some time in the Kruger National Park, you’ll quickly learn a whole new routine of life, and every day is a new day for learning.
But there are some fundamental tips worth knowing beforehand to make your trip all the more fortuitous.
1. Get a comfortable car
You will be spending a lot of time in your car, so it’s important to make it as comfortable as possible.
If you’re renting a car, I advise going for a larger vehicle if it’s within your budget. This not only provides more space but also more ground clearance for navigating dirt roads and spotting wildlife from a greater distance.
Make sure everything you need is easily accessible, including camera gear, bird books, coffee cups, cooler box, and snacks. This minimizes frustrations during your trip.
If there are two of you, consider utilizing the backseat and taking turns driving every day. The driver should position the car to allow the photographer in the backseat to get the best shots.
Work as a team, communicate, and be generous with each other.
Read more: Top Tips for Photographing Wildlife From a Car
2. Talk to other drivers
There’s an abhorrent ‘lone wolf’ mentality that curses a lot of photographers, but if you want the best results, you need to communicate with other people you come across.
There’s a common practice of waving to every vehicle you come across, and you’ll often find some cars waving at you or flagging you down to stop.
Don’t be concerned; this is nearly always to inform you of something interesting that is nearby that they don’t want you to miss out on.
I can’t tell you how many amazing sightings I’ve had due to this, that I probably would have completely missed otherwise.
Just make sure to repay the favor and inform other cars of interesting sightings or information you’ve also had recently.
3. Stop at rest camps
Rest camps are dotted around the park and aren’t just an opportunity to refuel and buy snacks, but also to adjust your plans.
At every one, there’s a Sighting Board with people pinning recent sightings to a map – make sure to take note of this but don’t set your expectations to it.
Sometimes people are wrong, misinformed, or the map wasn’t reset in the morning, meaning you’re looking at the previous day’s sightings.
Rather, use it as an indicator of areas to check out but don’t rush to a certain road expecting a leopard to still be there.
Of course, like above, chat to other people at the camp – share information and don’t be afraid to adjust your plans a bit.
4. Visit the hides and waterholes/dams
Sometimes driving around doesn’t always bring the best results, and allowing nature to come to you instead can bring in significantly different experiences and photographic opportunities.
Throughout Kruger National Park are plenty of hides, often overlooking popular waterholes and dams that are definitely worth visiting.
Most people will see what’s currently there and then move on after a few minutes, but I’ve found plenty of success in being more patient and observant for an hour or so and seeing what turns up.
Lake Panic, near Skukuza Rest Camp, is a hugely popular sight worth checking out first thing in the morning and last thing around sunset.
It has an abundance of birds (kingfishers, storks, herons) and hippos, but you may be plenty surprised by thirsty predators or large mammals turning up for a drink.
Hide photography also lends itself to being a more immersive experience; as you’re suddenly much more aware of the different sounds of nature that you’d normally miss out on from inside an air-conditioned car.
Read more: 12 Ways to Evoke Emotion in Your Wildlife Photos
Roads to visit in Kruger National Park
Certain roads and routes within Kruger have become rather famous and synonymous with certain animals, and while this is true to a degree, it’s also important to stress that animals move.
Going to a certain road or area guarantees nothing, but animals enjoy certain terrains more than others.
The area surrounding Satara is always worth a drive in the hopes of seeing prides of lions that reside in the area.
The S-100, a gravel road just south of Satara, heading east, is heavily regarded as a great place to visit and one of the most popular routes in the region.
It is also commonly referred to as Cat Alley and is a great place to chance upon cheetahs and lions.
Cheetahs are also frequently seen along the main H1-3 road going south from Satara to Tshokwane picnic site, due mainly to the more open-plains like landscapes that surround that area.
Leopards are favored further south to the Skukuza rest camp area due to thick vegetation and plentiful riverbeds.
Just make sure to keep an eye on your tire pressure, as well as your petrol gauge.
It’s not uncommon to come across people who were ignorant of one or the other and found themselves awaiting help on the side of the road—not an ideal position to be in when on safari!
Read more: How to Photograph Animals in Their Habitat
Camera gear
Driving in Kruger National Park is always an adventure, and while you can see everything through binoculars, you can’t convey the story and emotion of that scene, and share it with others, without a camera.
Wildlife photography is all about capturing that unique moment and having that singular frame tell a story, and when doing so in Kruger, you’ll either be in your car or in a hide.
Gear is as varied as each of our personalities, and it’s important to consider your own creative style, budget, and weight limitations.
Ideally, having range is key – from wide-angle lenses to capture landscapes and close encounters, to large telephoto lenses for distant predators and small birds. The more range you have across your equipment, the better.
However, that’s not to say you can’t get fantastic photos without a lot of equipment. It’s more about knowing your kit and realizing how to get the best from it.
Most people tend to travel in Kruger with a 100-400mm or a 150-600mm lens for convenience, but it’s just as easy to carry larger 600mm and 800mm primes.
I would recommend hearty sandbags or a door mount to help with the weight!
Tripods and monopods also come in handy in cars and hides to help with weight and support, but if you find them restrictive, don’t hesitate to take them off to be more fluid and free in your movements.
Read more: What’s the Best Lens for Wildlife Photography?
Back-up your photos
The other notable thing, which is often overlooked when discussing camera gear, is backing up your images.
Make sure you have plenty of memory cards and batteries, but also a laptop with an external hard drive to properly back up and store your precious images and free up memory cards for future use.
There’s nothing quite like sitting down at the end of the day to the distant roars of lions, with a glass of wine in hand, and going over your day’s worth of photography.
Limited signal also means you may not be able to update social media with a recent picture, depending on where you are in the park, but nothing says a true African safari like being truly off the grid!
Read more: The Best Way to Back Up Your Photos – How to Store Images Safely
In conclusion
Kruger National Park is a place like no other and is the perfect getaway for everyone, from families who enjoy nature to professional photographers looking for that next award-winning shot.
What you get out of the trip will be akin to what you put into it, but it’s important to remember that despite all the weeks of planning, days of travel, and determination, we’re always at the mercy of what nature throws our way.
To get the most out of Kruger, like with any safari or nature experience, it’s essential to go in with an open heart and mind to everything you come across and not limit yourself to specific sights or species.
The more open you are, the richer the experience, and the more photographs you’ll end up with.
