Kruger National Park: Elephants in the Sabie River, in the morning, just past Hazyview.

As a self-driver you only pay the Conservation Fee: until 31 October 2026, 602 ZAR per international adult per day, from 1 November 2026, 692 ZAR, with children under 12 paying about half. A full-day open vehicle game drive from Hazyview costs, for example, 1,550 ZAR per adult at Legend Safaris, plus the Conservation Fee. Tours from Johannesburg cost more because of the long journey.

From 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026 the daily Conservation Fee for international visitors is 602 ZAR per adult and 300 ZAR per child under 12; SADC citizens pay 275 ZAR and South Africans 134 ZAR. From 1 November 2026 it rises to 692 / 345 ZAR international. A 1% community levy is added, plus a booking fee if you book in advance.

It is possible but not recommended. The Malelane Gate is 392 km and at least 4 hours 21 minutes away each way, more like five with stops. That leaves two to three hours in the park, mostly around midday. It is better to spend at least one night in Hazyview, White River or Malelane.

By hire car on the N4 to Mbombela and on to Hazyview or Malelane, around four and a half to five hours. Faster is a flight to Skukuza inside the park or to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport near Mbombela, about an hour each. From the airport you continue to the gate by hire car or transfer.

The usual route runs via the N12 and N4 and is driven by many travellers. However, the German Federal Foreign Office strongly advises against driving between towns at night and mentions violent protests around Emalahleni on this route. Drive in daylight, refuel at large service stations and do not leave valuables visible in the car.

The entrance gates open at 05:30 from October to March and at 06:00 from April to September. They close at 18:30 from November to February, at 18:00 in March, April and from August to October, and at 17:30 from May to July. Day visitors must have left the park before the gates close.

Outside the holidays usually not, but every gate has a daily quota. Pre-booked visitors can take up to 80% of it and have priority if they arrive within their time slot. During the school holidays and on long weekends, booking on sanparks.org is strongly recommended.

The park is a malaria area: the German Federal Foreign Office gives a high risk from September to May and a moderate one from June to August. For high-risk areas it considers chemoprophylaxis in addition to mosquito protection sensible. Get medical advice before you travel.

Summer from November to February is hot and humid, with 103 to 132 mm of rain a month in Mbombela, and temperatures above 45 °C have been recorded in Skukuza. Winter from May to September is dry and sunny with daytime temperatures of around 22 to 25 °C, while mornings can drop below 10 °C. The dry winter is considered the best time for game viewing.

Self-driving is cheaper and more flexible, and an ordinary hire car is enough. In an open safari vehicle you sit higher, see more and the guide knows the latest sightings; from Hazyview this costs around 1,200 to 1,550 ZAR on top of the Conservation Fee. A good-value mix is SANParks Park & Ride from Numbi, Phabeni or Paul Kruger Gate.