Know the Kruger like a ranger.
AI wildlife identification, offline field guides, gate times, camp intel and a GPS logbook — one companion app for every kilometre of South Africa’s greatest park.
19,485km²
of protected wilderness
147species
of mammals, incl. the Big Five
507species
of birds recorded
1898est.
Africa’s oldest major reserve
The Park
Two million hectares of raw Africa
Stretching 360 kilometres along South Africa’s border with Mozambique, the Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most biodiverse game reserves on Earth. Proclaimed in 1898 as the Sabi Game Reserve, it protects 147 mammal species, over 500 kinds of birds, and landscapes that shift from granite koppies in the south to fever-tree forests on the Limpopo.
It is also one of the world’s great self-drive destinations. No guide is required: you set your own pace, choose your own roads, and earn your own sightings. That freedom is what KrugerHelp is built for — the knowledge of a seasoned ranger, packed into your pocket, working even where the signal dies.
Plan by region
Four parks in one
The Kruger changes character every hundred kilometres. Knowing the regions is the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one.
The South
Granite koppies, the Sabie and Crocodile rivers, and the highest game density in the park. The south is where most first-time visitors start — and where lion and leopard sightings are most frequent.
Skukuza · Berg-en-Dal · Lower Sabie
Central Grasslands
Sweeping open savanna east of Satara carries huge herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo — and the prides that follow them. The S100 near Satara is one of the most famous game-viewing roads in Africa.
Satara · Orpen · Olifants
The Mopane North
Endless mopane woodland along the Letaba and Shingwedzi rivers shelters some of the largest elephant herds on the continent. Quieter roads, bigger skies, and a slower, wilder rhythm.
Letaba · Mopani · Shingwedzi
Pafuri & Punda
Fever-tree forests, baobabs and the Luvuvhu River gorge. The tropical far north holds species found nowhere else in the park — from Pel’s fishing owl to crested guineafowl.
Punda Maria · Pafuri
The Toolkit
Everything a day in the park demands
Bush AI
Identify animals, birds, plants and tracks from a single photo — trained on Lowveld species.
Field Logbook
Log every sighting with GPS. Works fully offline and syncs when you find signal again.
Spoor Guide
Learn to read the sand — original track drawings and signatures for dozens of species.
Gate Times
Seasonal opening and closing times for every entrance and camp gate, always at hand.
Rest Camps
Maps, contacts and field notes for every camp — with gate strategies and accommodation picks for the 9 major camps.
Distance Planner
Realistic drive times between gates and camps — calculated at game-viewing pace.
Vital Info & Rules
Cashless payment protocols, park regulations and the safety buffers that keep a trip on track.
Safari Packing List
Expert-picked gear for every season, so you're not improvising at the gate.
Bird Hides
Every hide in the park, with the species and sightlines that make each one worth the stop.
Picnic Spots
Un-fenced rest stops for a proper break — with the wildlife etiquette that keeps them safe.
No signal? No problem.
Designed for the dead zones
Most of the Kruger has no reception — and that’s the point. Install KrugerHelp once, and your field guides, gate times, camp maps, spoor library and logbook live on your device. Sightings logged offline sync themselves when you’re back in range.
Field Questions
Before you pass the gate
When is the best time to visit the Kruger?
The dry winter months (May to September) offer the best game viewing: the bush thins out, animals gather at waterholes, and malaria risk is at its lowest. Summer (October to March) brings dramatic skies, newborn animals and superb birding, but thicker vegetation makes sightings harder-earned.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive the park?
No. All main routes between camps are tarred and the gravel loops are well maintained — an ordinary sedan handles the Kruger comfortably. A higher vehicle simply helps you see over the grass. Only a handful of designated eco-trails require 4x4.
Does KrugerHelp work without signal?
Yes — the app is built for the bush. Gate times, camp guides, your logbook, the spoor library and packing lists are stored on your device. Sightings you log in dead zones queue up and sync automatically the moment you get signal back.
What are the Big Five, and can I see them all?
Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — the five animals hunters historically found most dangerous to track on foot. The Kruger is one of the few places on Earth where all five can realistically be seen in a single day, especially in the southern section.
How do gate times work?
Entrance and camp gates open and close on a seasonal schedule — roughly 05:30 to 18:30 in summer and 06:00 to 17:30 in winter. Arriving at a camp gate after closing time incurs a fine, so plan your afternoon drive backwards from gate closure. Our Gate Times page keeps the current schedule offline.
Is KrugerHelp affiliated with SANParks?
No — KrugerHelp is an independent field companion built by long-time Kruger visitors. Bookings, permits and official park matters remain with SANParks. We focus on making your time inside the park richer, safer and better recorded.