Published by Safaria_Admin at March 30, 2023

Which roads to use on a Kruger Safari

Kruger National Park has a network of roads that visitors can use to explore the park and observe wildlife. Some of the most utilized roads in Kruger National Park are:

H1-1 and H1-2: These are the main roads that run through the park from south to north, connecting the Paul Kruger Gate and Phalaborwa Gate. They are tarred and well-maintained, making them popular routes for game drives and accessing the rest of the park.
H4-1: This road runs along the Sabie River in the southern part of the park and is known for its scenic views and abundant wildlife. It is also one of the best places in the park to see hippos and crocodiles.
H3: This road runs through the central part of the park and is known for its large herds of elephants and other wildlife. It connects Skukuza and Satara camps and is a popular route for game drives.
S1: This road runs along the southern boundary of the park and is known for its excellent bird watching opportunities. It also passes through several different ecosystems, making it a great route for seeing a variety of wildlife.
S36: This is a gravel road that runs through the northwestern part of the park and is known for its scenic views and good chances of spotting lions and other predators.

It’s important to note that road usage can vary depending on factors such as time of year, weather conditions, and recent wildlife sightings.

The Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino) can be seen throughout Kruger National Park, but there are some roads that are considered to have higher concentrations of these animals. Here are some of the best roads in Kruger Park for spotting the Big 5:

H4-1: This road follows the Sabie River and is known for its abundance of hippos, crocodiles, and large herds of buffalo. It is also a good place to spot lions and leopards.
H1-3: This road runs from Skukuza to Malelane and is one of the best roads for spotting elephants. It also has a good chance of seeing lions and rhinos.
H1-4: This road runs from Skukuza to Lower Sabie and is another great road for spotting elephants. It is also a good place to see buffalo, lions, and leopards.
H7: This road runs from Orpen Gate to Satara and is a good place to see lions and rhinos. It is also known for its large herds of buffalo and good bird watching opportunities.
S114: This road runs from Lower Sabie to Skukuza and is known for its excellent leopard sightings. It is also a good place to spot elephants and buffalo.

It’s important to remember that wildlife sightings can be unpredictable, and it’s not always guaranteed that you’ll see the Big 5 on any particular road. However, these roads are known for their high concentrations of these animals and are therefore good options for game drives.

The S100 road is one of the most famous and popular roads in Kruger National Park. There are several reasons why this road is so well-known among visitors:

Predator sightings: The S100 road is known for its high concentration of predators, particularly lions. Visitors often report seeing multiple lion prides along this road, making it a prime location for game viewing.
Scenic beauty: The S100 road is a beautiful drive, with stunning views of the surrounding savanna landscape. The road runs along the N’wanetsi River, which provides a picturesque backdrop for wildlife sightings.
Remote location: The S100 road is located in the southeastern part of the park, which is more remote and less crowded than some other areas of the park. This makes it a quieter and more peaceful option for visitors looking to get away from the crowds.
Unique wildlife sightings: In addition to lions, the S100 road is also known for its sightings of other unique and rare wildlife, such as cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs. These animals are less commonly seen in other parts of the park, making the S100 road a special location for wildlife enthusiasts.

Overall, the S100 road offers visitors a unique and exciting game viewing experience, with a high chance of seeing predators and other rare wildlife, in a beautiful and remote setting.

Here is an example of a 6 Day Safari and the possible routes and itinerary to consider :

Kruger National Park is a vast and diverse park with many different routes and options for visitors to explore. The best route through the park will depend on your personal preferences, interests, and the time of year you are visiting. However, here is an example of a self-drive route that covers some of the park’s highlights:

Day 1:

Enter the park through the Paul Kruger Gate and drive along the H1-1 and H1-2 roads to Skukuza camp.
Stop for lunch and to explore the Skukuza area.
In the afternoon, take a drive along the H4-1 road, which follows the Sabie River and is known for its abundant wildlife.

Day 2:

Drive from Skukuza to Lower Sabie camp along the H4-1 road, stopping at viewpoints and waterholes along the way to observe wildlife.
Have lunch at Lower Sabie camp and explore the surrounding area.
In the afternoon, take a drive along the S28 road, which is known for its sightings of rhinos and other large mammals.

Day 3:

Drive from Lower Sabie to Satara camp along the H1-3 road, which is known for its large herds of elephants.
Have lunch at Satara camp and explore the surrounding area.
In the afternoon, take a drive along the H7 road, which is known for its sightings of lions and other predators.

Day 4:

Drive from Satara to Olifants camp along the H1-4 road, stopping at waterholes and viewpoints along the way.
Have lunch at Olifants camp and enjoy the panoramic views of the Olifants River from the camp’s lookout point.
In the afternoon, take a drive along the S92 road, which is a quieter road known for its sightings of elephants and other large mammals.

Day 5:

Drive from Olifants camp to Letaba camp along the H1-5 road, stopping at viewpoints and waterholes along the way.
Have lunch at Letaba camp and explore the surrounding area.
In the afternoon, take a drive along the S44 road, which is known for its bird watching opportunities.

Day 6:

Drive from Letaba camp to Phalaborwa Gate along the H9 road, stopping at viewpoints and waterholes along the way.
Exit the park through Phalaborwa Gate.

This is just one example of a route through Kruger National Park and there are many other routes and areas to explore depending on your interests and preferences. It’s important to always follow park rules and regulations, and to stay safe while observing wildlife.

Which roads to consider if you are Birding in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 500 bird species found within its boundaries. While birds can be spotted throughout the park, there are a few roads that are particularly known for their excellent birdwatching opportunities. Here are some of the best bird viewing roads in Kruger National Park:

S36: The S36 road, also known as the “Sweni Birding Loop,” is a 33-kilometer loop road that offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. This road runs through diverse habitats, including grassland, riverine forest, and wetlands, which attract a wide variety of bird species.
H1-2: The H1-2 road, which runs between Skukuza and Lower Sabie camps, is one of the busiest roads in Kruger National Park, but it is also a great birding spot. The road runs along the Sabie River and offers great views of waterbirds, including herons, egrets, and storks.
S100: The S100 road, which runs through the remote southeastern part of the park, is famous for its lion sightings, but it also offers excellent birding opportunities. This road passes through grassland and woodland habitats, which attract a variety of bird species, including vultures, eagles, and owls.
S52: The S52 road, also known as the “Nwaswitshaka Waterhole Road,” is a quiet road that runs along a riverine forest and offers great birding opportunities. The road passes several waterholes, which attract waterbirds, and also offers the chance to spot woodland birds.
S145: The S145 road, also known as the “Madlabantu Road,” is a quiet road that runs through a variety of habitats, including grassland, woodland, and thicket. This road is known for its sightings of raptors, including eagles and hawks, as well as other bird species such as bee-eaters and kingfishers.

These are just a few of the many birding roads in Kruger National Park. Birdwatchers should also consider exploring the park’s different habitats, such as the riverine forests, wetlands, and grasslands, to see a wide variety of bird species.