Best Ways to Combine Kruger and Cape Town in South Africa
Cape Town and Kruger Area are the most famous and visited places in South Africa, situated right at the bottom of the African Continent. These destinations are perfect destinations for any traveler wishing to visit Africa.
Cape Town also known as Mother City is a cosmopolitan city with rich history and culture, as well as some of the finest restaurants in the country. The city features modern and historic arts, with iconic landmarks like Table Mountain and the colorful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood drawing millions of visitors every year. Cape Town isn’t just a pretty face, it is also a foodie’s paradise, with a vibrant culinary scene that melds African, European, and Asian flavors.
Kruger Area is a Big Five (5) capital of safari, a sprawling wildlife reserve teeming with the legendary Big 5 – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos. A safari Kruger area is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gets you up close and personal with some of the world’s most awe-inspiring creatures.
While combing Kruger and Cape Town is a perfect pair for first-time visitors in Africa and those who have experience the beautiful continent, it can be a little daunting. In this guide, we answer travelers’ most frequently asked questions about visiting these two fascinating destinations in one South Africa Trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Ways to Combine Kruger and Cape Town in South Africa.
How Much Time Do You Need to Combine A Cape Town and Kruger Safari?
Though we think that the longer your vacation, the better! It is best to spend at least six nights in South Africa, equally divided between Cape Town and Kruger.
There is plenty to do in Cape Town, it is certainly not a city that can be seen in a single day. Summiting the iconic Table Mountain will take at least half a day, with visits to colorful Bo-Kaap and the vibrant V&A Waterfront filling out the other half. Aside from exploring the cosmopolitan city centre and the beautiful, world class beaches that surround it, you will need at least a full day in Winelands (foodies and wine lover may even want to stay a night or two), plus another to visit Cape Point, see the penguins at Boulder’s beach and visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens to smell the flowers.
Although situated far from the hustle and bustle of city of life, Kruger is as exciting. This park is famous for the Big 5 especially the elusive leopards, and you may be lucky enough to see all of them in a single game drive. But it’s the sheer unpredictability is what makes safari great, you never know what you are going to find and it is not guaranteed that you will have any sightings on any given day.
The more time you have, the better your chances of seeing the animals you have always wanted to see for example, lions on hunt every three days or so, if you want to see them getting ready to hunt.
While a well is great, 10 days is the ideal amount of time to spend South Africa, as this gives you more time to really take in all the sights. Remember that for every two nights you stay, you only get one full day in a place. Moving every second day can be pretty tiring and doesn’t give you much time to really relax, get to know the staff or even unpack.
Should You Visit Cape Town or Kruger First?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question, choose whichever direction works best with your logistics.
Cape Town has a world-class airport that welcomes direct international flight from a variety of European, Asian and African countries. If you fly directly into Cape Town, it makes sense to start your holiday there in a great hotel, then fly up to the Kruger area.
On the otherhand, if you land into Johannesburg (where most international long-haul flights will land), you would likely want to begin your trip with a safari. If you land in the afternoon or evening, you would lively overnight in the city and leave for Kruger first thing the next morning to arrive in time for brunch, high tea and an afternoon game drive.
Both destinations offer plenty of activities, but if you have a choice, we recommend starting in Kruger and heading to Cape Town to top off your South Africa trip. Safari is a thrilling but tiring experience, and it is great to follow your adventure with some time relaxing on the beach or poolside, or enjoying some of the country’s best food and wine.
How Do You Get to Kruger from Cape Town (or From Cape Town to Kruger)
South Africa is the most developed country on the continent with excellent infrastructure in place. This means you can fly direct from Cape Town to Kruger National Park or vice versa, making travel between two of the country’s most population destination easy.
Can You Fly Directly from Cape Town to Kruger National Park?
South Africa is the most developed country on the continent with excellent infrastructure in place. This means you can fly direct from Cape Town to Kruger National Park or vice versa, making travel between two of the country’s most population destination easy.
How Far Is the Kruger National Park from Cape Town?
Between Kruger and Cape Town, there is approximately 1,859 kilometers. A direct flight takes about two and a half hours, while a connecting flight in Johannesburg will take on an extra hour or two.
If you opt to hire a vehicle and take a scenic drive down then, depending on the route, it could take anywhere between 20 to 26 hours. Don’t worry, you won’t have to drive straight through night. You drive will be leisurely, spread out over two or more days (depending on where you would like to stop and how long you would like to stay in certain places)
Whichever option you choose, your safari expert will curate a seamless itinerary that maximizes your time on holiday and minimizes time spent in transit.
Can You Self-Drive from Cape Town to the Kruger (or Vice Versa)
For travelers with a lot of time, you could choose to do a scenic drive from Cape Town to Kruger National Park. Start by head up the coast from Cape Town, along the Garden Route and towards Durban in KwaZulu – Natal, an excellent chance to add more safari experiences to your itinerary, before heading inland to Johannesburg and on to Kruger. The trip from Durban to Johannesburg is best completed via a short domestic flight as the roads on this route are less well-maintained than those between Cape Town and Durban. It is highly suggested that you drive on the N1 the entire way instead of the N2 to avoid a few bumpy stretches of road.
Naturally, this trip can also be done in reverse, heading from Kruger National Park to Cape Town. The entire self-drive journey can be completed over 2 days (this provides ample time for overnights and rest stops to keep you fresh), but can be extended if you would like to spend time in Johannesburg or along the Garden Route.
Whichever option you go with, your Safari Expert will curate a seamless itinerary that maximizes your time on holiday and minimizes time spent in transit.
What are the Travel Logistics of A Cape Town & Kruger Safari
International, regional, and local flights jet directly into Cape Town and Johannesburg, making for easy logistics in whichever direction you are travelling in. flights between these destinations take two hours and are the best option if you are on a tight schedule. If you arrive in Cape Town and want to get to Kruger to start your safari (or vice versa), your safari experts will aim to get you there in one day so that you can relax and have dinner before starting your safari adventure
When is the Best Time to Go?
Generally the peak safari season in South Africa is from June to October, which is Africa’s winter and the northern hemisphere’s summer.
During this period of the year, there is lack of rain in the Greater Kruger which makes the vegetation cover in the area to thin out and game stays close at the few remaining water sources, making sightings much easier.
For an incredible experience, this is the best time visit Kruger National Park. At the same time, Cape Town is usually going through a wet and cool winter, temperatures generally range from about 10°C (50°F) to about 20°C (70°F). Days can be gloriously sunny and even wet days mean you can hit museums, galleries, shops and wineries with no problem. Think cozy cellars, roaring fireplaces, delicious food and great red wine.
Also, the peak safari season overlaps with the whale watching season. This is the best time to visit Cape Town if you want to see pods of giant southern right whales along on the Cape Coast. These majestic sea mammals usually start arriving in about late June, with numbers peaking n from and around August to September when places like Hermanus are a safe haven for hundreds of these beautiful mammals.
