Kruger National Park Safaris & Game Drives Game Drives

The 9 Best Kruger Game Drives to Book (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 9 picks

The best Kruger game drives in 2026 are SANParks' own morning drives, which leave half an hour before the gates open, its sunset and night drives, private open-vehicle safaris from Hazyview with PK Safaris, Kurt Safari or Ama-Zing African Safaris, and drives run by Kruger Gate Hotel and Buhala Lodge near the southern gates.

Self-driving is part of Kruger's appeal, but a guided drive in a raised open vehicle shows you far more: guides know the territories, read tracks and share radio sightings, and SANParks' own drives go out when private cars cannot — before the gates open and after dark.

Prices are per person: $ under $150 · $$ $150–400. Kruger's daily conservation fee is usually charged separately by private operators.

1. SANParks morning drive — From most rest camps and gates

Leaves half an hour before the gates open, so you are the first in the park.

$ BudgetBest for First-timers · Photographers

SANParks' morning drives leave half an hour before official gate opening, so you are out before any self-drivers and watch the sunrise over the bush. They last three to three and a half hours with an experienced guide.

They run from your rest camp or from entrance gates, in open vehicles.

Good to know: Book at camp reception the day you arrive; morning drives fill first.

Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

2. SANParks sunset drive — From most rest camps

Out before dusk and back after dark with a spotlight.

$ BudgetBest for Families · First-timers

Sunset drives leave camp before dusk and return after sunset, about three hours in total. You search for grazers in the cool afternoon and for predators setting out to hunt, finishing with a spotlit drive in the dark.

It is the best single drive to book if you only do one.

Good to know: Bring a warm layer; temperatures drop fast after sunset in winter.

Satara Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. SANParks night drive — From most rest camps

The only way to see Kruger's nocturnal animals.

$ BudgetBest for Adventurers

Night drives leave at 19:30 or 20:00 depending on the season and are the only way for most visitors to see the park's night life: hyena, genets, owls and hunting predators.

Spotlights are used to find animals.

Good to know: Sit on the side of the vehicle with the spotlight for the best view.

Lower Sabie Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. PK Safaris (Private Kruger Safaris) — Hazyview and Skukuza

A private open vehicle and guide for one to nine guests.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Photographers

PK Safaris, founded by the Bekker brothers in Hazyview, runs only private drives: the open vehicle and guide are yours alone, from Hazyview or Skukuza.

Their sister company, B1 Photo Safaris, focuses on photography.

Good to know: Best value for families and groups of four or more.

PK Safaris, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

5. Kurt Safari — Hazyview

Morning, afternoon and full-day drives, shared or private.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers

Kurt Safari runs shared or private morning, afternoon and full-day Kruger drives from Hazyview, plus multi-day packages from Johannesburg.

Prices for private vehicles are published on its website.

Good to know: A full day is best in the cooler months.

Kurt Safari, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

6. Ama-Zing African Safaris — Hazyview

Half- and full-day drives, sunset drives and guided morning walks.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Adventurers

Ama-Zing African Safaris offers half-day and full-day Kruger drives, sunset drives and guided morning walks, privately or in a group.

It also packages multi-day safaris with accommodation.

Good to know: Pair a full-day drive with a guided walk.

Ama-Zing African Safaris, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

7. Kruger Gate Hotel safaris — Paul Kruger Gate

Morning, all-day and afternoon drives from beside Paul Kruger Gate.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

Kruger Gate Hotel runs morning, all-day and afternoon safaris into Kruger in open vehicles, plus private drives, from less than a minute's drive from Paul Kruger Gate.

It puts you on the Sabie River roads near Skukuza within minutes.

Good to know: Combine with a stay at the hotel for the shortest commute into the park.

Kruger Gate Hotel, Paul Kruger Gate, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

8. Buhala Lodge day safaris — Malelane

Privately guided day safaris from Malelane Gate.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Families

Buhala Lodge on the Crocodile River runs privately guided day safaris into Kruger through Malelane Gate and can arrange SANParks night drives and bush walks from the gate.

Southern Kruger's roads toward Afsaal and Skukuza are rich in rhino and lion.

Good to know: Book the night drive from Malelane Gate for after-dark sightings.

Buhala Lodge, Malelane, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

9. Foxy Crocodile game drives — Marloth Park

Drives into Kruger from Marloth Park, 13 minutes from Crocodile Bridge Gate.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples

Foxy Crocodile Bush Lodge in Marloth Park runs its own game drives into Kruger through Crocodile Bridge Gate, about 13 minutes away.

The south-eastern Kruger around Crocodile Bridge is known for lion and rhino.

Good to know: Ask about drives for non-residents when you book.

4400 Seekoei Rd, Marloth Park, 1321, South Africa

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What time do Kruger morning game drives leave?

SANParks morning drives leave half an hour before official gate opening, which varies through the year, and last three to three and a half hours.

Can you do a night drive in Kruger?

Yes, but only with SANParks or a private lodge inside the park. SANParks night drives leave at 19:30 or 20:00 depending on the time of year; sunset drives leave before dusk and return after dark with a spotlight.

Where do I book a SANParks game drive?

At the reservations office of the camp or gate you are staying at, or online when you book your accommodation. Popular camps sell out, so book early.

Is a private game drive better than a SANParks drive?

SANParks drives use larger open vehicles shared with other guests but go out at times no one else can. Private operators give smaller groups or your own vehicle, set your own pace and include hotel pickup.

1. SANParks morning drive — From most rest camps and gates

2. SANParks sunset drive — From most rest camps

3. SANParks night drive — From most rest camps

4. PK Safaris (Private Kruger Safaris) — Hazyview and Skukuza

5. Kurt Safari — Hazyview

6. Ama-Zing African Safaris — Hazyview

7. Kruger Gate Hotel safaris — Paul Kruger Gate

8. Buhala Lodge day safaris — Malelane

9. Foxy Crocodile game drives — Marloth Park

Frequently asked questions

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