The best time to visit Kruger

When to visit Kruger depends on the grass, not the weather. From May to September no rain falls, the grass is low and the animals gather at what water is left, so they are easy to find. From November to March it is green, full of birds and newborns, but the tall grass hides even the big animals.

No rain falls, the grass dies back, leaves drop and water is left only in a few rivers and pumped waterholes. Animals gather at them, so you wait at a waterhole instead of searching. Mornings are cold, so an open-vehicle drive means a jacket and a blanket.

Rain comes in the afternoon, in short heavy bursts. The grass grows and animals vanish in it right beside the road. In exchange: everything is green, the migrant birds are in, and almost all the impala drop their lambs within the same few weeks from late November, so the park is full of young. The day in the park is longer: from November to February the gates run from half past five to half past six in the evening.

Month by month

If you only get one — September

Malaria, and when to think about it

Kruger is a low but real malaria-risk area, and the risk is not constant: the transmission season runs from September to May, it is highest from November to April, and low in the dry winter. Prophylaxis is not bought at the airport but agreed with a doctor weeks ahead, because some regimes start before you travel. Repellent and long sleeves in the evening do work that tablets cannot.

Crowds and prices

South African school holidays — December, April and part of July — fill the camps inside the park. SANParks opens bookings eleven months ahead, on the first working day of each month, and for the holidays you book on that day. The entry fee is the same all year, so the season changes the crowds, not the price.