Kruger's Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros - draw most visitors, and the park delivers. An estimated 1,500 lions roam in prides throughout the park, most visible in the central grasslands around Satara. Leopards, though more elusive, frequent the areas around Lower Sabie and along the Sabie River. Elephants number over 17,000 and appear everywhere, especially around water sources during dry months. Buffalo herds sometimes exceed a thousand animals. Rhinos, both black and white, remain present despite poaching pressure that has made them increasingly scarce. But limiting attention to the Big Five misses much of Kruger's richness: wild dogs (one of Africa's most endangered predators), cheetahs racing across plains, hippos wallowing in rivers, crocodiles basking on banks, giraffes browsing acacias, and more antelopes than most visitors can identify.

Kruger's self-drive option transforms the safari experience. Rather than following a guide's agenda, visitors explore at their own rhythm - lingering at a waterhole where elephants drink, reversing slowly past a leopard in a tree, stopping to photograph a lilac-breasted roller. The paved roads through central Kruger permit standard vehicles, though gravel roads provide access to more remote areas. Speed limits (50 km/h on tar, 40 km/h on gravel) encourage slow exploration; rushing misses the point. Game drives work best in early morning and late afternoon when animals are active and temperatures bearable. Gates open at dawn and close at sunset, with camp gates enforcing strict curfews - being caught outside after hours earns significant fines. Maps available at each rest camp highlight recent sightings, creating an informal network of shared wildlife intelligence.

Kruger's rest camps form the backbone of any visit. The major camps - Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Satara, Olifants - offer restaurants, shops, fuel stations, and accommodation ranging from campsites to air-conditioned chalets with kitchens. Smaller camps like Tamboti, Talamati, and Sirheni provide more intimate experiences with limited facilities. The bushveld camps and bush lodges offer seclusion for those willing to self-cater. For luxury, private concessions within Kruger and adjacent private reserves like Sabi Sand provide guided game drives in open vehicles, allowing off-road tracking and night drives prohibited in the main park. Booking accommodation, especially during South African school holidays (December-January, April, July), requires months of advance planning. The reservation system through SANParks can be competitive, but persistence pays off.

Kruger's seasons dramatically affect wildlife viewing. The dry winter months (May through September) concentrate animals around shrinking water sources, making them easier to spot in thinning vegetation. The Dry season peaks in September and October, when desperate animals gather at remaining waterholes in sometimes extraordinary numbers. The wet summer (November through April) brings lush vegetation, newborn animals, and spectacular bird life including migrants from Europe, but dense foliage makes spotting more challenging. Temperature considerations matter too: winter nights drop near freezing while summer days regularly exceed 40°C. Most experienced visitors recommend the shoulder months of May or September, balancing game viewing with comfort. Regardless of season, patience and early starts yield the best sightings.

Kruger lies roughly 450 kilometers northeast of Johannesburg, accessible by rental car in about five hours via well-maintained highways. The southern gates (Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Phabeni) access the popular lower section; Phalaborwa and Orpen gates serve the central region; Punda Maria accesses the remote north. Malaria risk exists throughout the park, requiring prophylaxis and mosquito precautions particularly during wet summer months. Day visitors can enter and exit through any gate during operating hours, but overnight visitors must book accommodation in advance. Fuel is available at major camps, though prices exceed those outside the park. Binoculars are essential; bird and mammal identification guides greatly enhance the experience. Though self-drive safaris offer independence, guided night drives and bush walks available at most camps reveal aspects of Kruger impossible to experience from a vehicle.