Kruger National Park Inside Kruger Entrance Gates

Kruger National Park's 9 Entrance Gates, Ranked (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 9 picks

The best Kruger National Park entrance gates in 2026 are Paul Kruger Gate for Skukuza and the game-rich south, Phabeni and Numbi for Hazyview and White River, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge for the far south, and Orpen for central Kruger and Satara. Kruger has nine entrance gates; Numbi is the closest to Johannesburg at about 411 km.

Which gate you use decides how much of your first and last day you spend in the park. The southern gates (Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger) open onto Kruger's busiest and most game-rich section and are closest to Johannesburg and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Orpen and Phalaborwa serve the center, and Punda Maria and Pafuri the remote north.

Distances below are SANParks' driving distances from Johannesburg. Gate times change by month: from November to February gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:30; in the winter months of May to July they open at 06:00 and close at 17:30. Always check sanparks.org before you travel, because latecomers are refused entry.

1. Paul Kruger Gate — Southern Kruger, near Skukuza

The main gate for Skukuza and the Sabie River, about 460 km from Johannesburg.

Best for First-timers · Families

Paul Kruger Gate is the most direct way to Skukuza, the park's main camp, and the Sabie River roads that are among Kruger's most productive. SANParks gives the route from Johannesburg as the N4 to Mbombela and the R40 to Hazyview, then east to the gate: about 460 km.

Hotels and lodges sit right outside the gate on the Sabie River, and Skukuza Airport is close by. Late-entry escorts to Skukuza are available until 21:00 for a fee.

Good to know: Queues build at opening in school holidays; arrive 15 minutes early and have your form filled in.

Paul Kruger Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

2. Phabeni Gate — Southern Kruger, near Hazyview

The closest gate to Hazyview, about 430 km from Johannesburg.

Best for Day visitors

Phabeni is a few minutes from Hazyview, which makes it the natural gate for anyone staying in town. The road in passes Doispane and reaches the Sabie River and Skukuza in about an hour of game driving.

SANParks puts it about 430 km from Johannesburg. There is no late admission at Phabeni, so plan to be back out in good time.

Good to know: Use Phabeni for day trips from Hazyview; there is no camp at the gate and no late entry.

Phabeni Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. Numbi Gate — Southwestern Kruger, near Pretoriuskop

The closest gate to Johannesburg, about 411 km, near White River.

Best for Families

Numbi, about 411 km from Johannesburg via Mbombela and White River, is the shortest drive from Gauteng. It leads to Pretoriuskop Rest Camp, the park's oldest, and on toward Skukuza.

The bush around Numbi is taller and denser than further east, but it is good for rhino, and late-entry escorts to Pretoriuskop are available until 21:00.

Good to know: Fly into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Numbi is about an hour's drive.

Numbi Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. Malelane Gate — Southern Kruger, off the N4

Straight off the N4, about 428 km from Johannesburg, for Berg-en-Dal and the south.

Best for Families

Malelane Gate is just off the N4 toll road, about 428 km from Johannesburg, which makes it the easiest gate to reach without leaving the highway. It serves Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp and Malelane satellite camp, both with late-entry escorts until 21:00.

The southern section beyond it is known for rhino and lion and for the drive to Afsaal and Skukuza.

Good to know: Stop at Afsaal picnic site on the H3 for breakfast on your first morning.

Malelane Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

5. Crocodile Bridge Gate — South-east Kruger, near Komatipoort

The gate and camp in one, in the far south-east, about 475 km from Johannesburg.

Best for Wildlife lovers

Crocodile Bridge is a gate and a rest camp on the Crocodile River near Komatipoort and Marloth Park, about 475 km from Johannesburg. The surrounding 'Southern Circle' is known for lion prides and rhino.

It is the best gate for anyone staying in Marloth Park or combining Kruger with Mozambique.

Good to know: Drive the H4-2 to Lower Sabie early; it is one of the best morning drives in the park.

Crocodile Bridge Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

6. Orpen Gate — Central Kruger, near Hoedspruit

The gate to central Kruger and Satara, best reached from Hoedspruit.

Best for Wildlife lovers

Orpen Gate, with Orpen Rest Camp beside it, opens onto the central plains toward Satara. SANParks routes it from Johannesburg via Dullstroom, Ohrigstad and the JG Strijdom Tunnel, about 490 km, but most visitors arrive from Hoedspruit or the Timbavati.

Late-entry escorts to Orpen camp are available until 21:00.

Good to know: Fly into Hoedspruit (Eastgate) and hire a car; Orpen is about an hour's drive.

Orpen Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

7. Phalaborwa Gate — Central-north Kruger, at Phalaborwa

On the edge of Phalaborwa town, for Letaba, Olifants and Mopani.

Best for Returning visitors

Phalaborwa Gate is right on the edge of the mining town of Phalaborwa, about 490 km from Johannesburg via Polokwane and Tzaneen. It is the quickest way to Letaba and the elephant country of central-north Kruger.

Sable sleepover hide is about 10 km from the gate. There is no late admission at Phalaborwa.

Good to know: Phalaborwa has its own airport, so fly-and-drive trips to Letaba are easy.

Phalaborwa Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

8. Punda Maria Gate — Far northern Kruger

The gate to Kruger's sandveld north and Pafuri's birding, about 550 km from Johannesburg.

Best for Birders · Returning visitors

Punda Maria Gate is about 550 km from Johannesburg via Louis Trichardt, and 8 km from Punda Maria Rest Camp, which has late-entry escorts until 21:00.

It leads into the park's quietest region, with sandveld plants, sable and eland, and the Pafuri area's birding.

Good to know: Combine with a night at Shingwedzi or Mopani; the north rewards slow travel.

Punda Maria Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

9. Pafuri Gate — Far northern Kruger, Limpopo River

Kruger's most remote gate, about 600 km from Johannesburg, near the Limpopo.

Best for Birders

Pafuri Gate is the most northerly and most remote, about 600 km from Johannesburg via Musina and the R525. It opens onto the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers, fever-tree forest and some of South Africa's best birding.

There is no late admission at Pafuri.

Good to know: Allow a full day to drive from Pafuri to Shingwedzi with stops; the roads are slow and the birding is too good to rush.

Pafuri Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

How many entrance gates does Kruger National Park have?

Nine: Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni, Paul Kruger, Orpen, Phalaborwa, Punda Maria and Pafuri. Giriyondo is a separate border access point into Mozambique's Limpopo National Park.

Which Kruger gate is closest to Johannesburg?

Numbi Gate, about 411 km by road via Mbombela (Nelspruit) and White River, according to SANParks. Malelane (428 km) and Phabeni (430 km) are close behind.

What time do the Kruger gates open and close?

It depends on the month. SANParks lists entry from 05:30 and exit by 18:30 in November to February, 05:30 to 18:00 in March and October, 06:00 to 18:00 in April, August and September, and 06:00 to 17:30 in May to July. Times can change, so confirm with SANParks.

What happens if I arrive at a Kruger gate after it closes?

You will be refused entry unless it is an emergency. Paul Kruger, Numbi, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Punda Maria and Orpen gates offer paid late-entry escorts to specific nearby camps until 21:00 (SANParks lists the fee as R500 per vehicle). Phabeni, Phalaborwa and Pafuri have no late admission.

Which Kruger gate should I use for Skukuza?

Paul Kruger Gate, which leads straight to Skukuza Rest Camp. Phabeni Gate, closer to Hazyview, is a good alternative with a scenic drive in.

Do I need to fill in a form at the Kruger gate?

Yes. SANParks asks every visitor to complete a Gate Registration and Indemnity Form, which you can download and print before you arrive, and to show ID or a passport at the gate.

1. Paul Kruger Gate — Southern Kruger, near Skukuza

2. Phabeni Gate — Southern Kruger, near Hazyview

3. Numbi Gate — Southwestern Kruger, near Pretoriuskop

4. Malelane Gate — Southern Kruger, off the N4

5. Crocodile Bridge Gate — South-east Kruger, near Komatipoort

6. Orpen Gate — Central Kruger, near Hoedspruit

7. Phalaborwa Gate — Central-north Kruger, at Phalaborwa

8. Punda Maria Gate — Far northern Kruger

9. Pafuri Gate — Far northern Kruger, Limpopo River

Frequently asked questions

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