Walking the Kruger

How and where to legally and safely walk around in the Kruger Park

For real Kruger Park fans and die-hard nature lovers, there is hardly anything more exciting than walking in the Kruger National Park. In addition, sitting in the car for a long time is tiring and you long for some exercise.

At first this doesn’t seem like a good idea. From the car you can see hundreds of dangerous animals such as crocodiles, elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos, wilddogs, hyaenas and poisonous snakes in an unimaginable density. You might think that you can hardly get a few steps far. Of course, the animal inhabitants of Kruger Park also have to survive somehow. However, they are usually faster and/or can see, hear, smell better, have better reflexes and/or better camouflage or have natural protection like armoring or weapons.

However, our ancestors also had to walk, but paid a high price for it. Even today, some people want or need to walk through Kruger Park. There are the rangers for example, who do this day in and day out. But they are always in pairs, have a lot of experience, are armed and unfortunately also very endangered.

If you want to hike in the park as a tourist, you can only do so with a professional and armed escort on fixed routes. You can find a number of interesting offers on the Internet. Professional walking safaris should therefore not be considered further here. In fact, there are also other safe ways to get out of the car and move around freely. Be it for exploration, for relaxation and movement or simply for the feeling of freedom. We are concentrating more on the south because it is easy to reach from the Kruger Eden Lodge.

Observation hideouts
There are a few hides scattered throughout the park. For example the Gardenia Hide on the S119 or the hide at Lake Panic near the H11. These are positioned at strategically favorable locations such as rivers, reservoirs, mud pools, etc. Here there is always the possibility to get off, walk a few steps and observe or photograph animals directly and without a fence or car doors.

Picnic places
The public picnic areas such as Nkulu on the H4-1 or Afsal on the H3 are not fenced. You can move freely there and also walk a few hundred meters. Many animals visit these picnic areas because sometimes something falls off. There are often good opportunities for photos here.

Bridges
You can disembark on high bridges that are already within the park but before the entrance gates, such as Malelane Gate or Kruger Gate. But not on flat bridges, such as Crocodile Bridge. On bridges behind the gates, disembarking is generally not permitted. But there are a few exceptions, especially further north, where signs allow this. Yellow lines limit the safe area, but you should always stay close to the vehicle.

View points
At some view points, such as the Stevenson-Hamilton Monument on the S22 or Granokop on the H1-1, you can leave the vehicle and explore the area. Some signs indicate the boundaries of the areas. There are fantastic views here. Also ideal for some gymnastics.

Skukuza Golf Course
The golf course is located directly in the Kruger Park and is not fenced! Some photos then also show hyenas, leopards or wild dogs on the green. Another highlight is a tee across Lake Panic, where hippos and crocodiles lie. Balls that land in it are lost forever! Guests who do not play are also welcome, but are not allowed on the pitch.

Half marathon
Once a year a half marathon takes place in the Kruger Park. Running there is a dream for every long-distance runner. However, the places are limited. The entire route is well guarded, but the race often has to be interrupted because lions, wild dogs, elephants, etc. claim parts of the route for themselves.

Campsites
The campsites are an exception and do not really belong in this list because they are fenced. But because of their size, you don’t really notice it that way. There you can sometimes walk a few kilometers, often with magnificent views. There are also restaurants, pools, cinemas and shops. In Berg en Dal you can find a view on a reservoir and the Rhino Walking Trail.

Walking the fence
Walking along the fence in Marloth Park is particularly popular. The trail starts a few meters from our lodge. In principle, this trail is not in the park either, but it leads several kilometers along the Crocodile River and offers a constant view on the river and the Kruger Park with everything in it. On our side of the fence you already see a lot except the Big 5 which makes it a lot safer. However, you shouldn’t hike alone, as the fence isn’t really tight and even lions make it through sometimes. Please infrom yourself before you start walking.