Kruger or Botswana: How to choose

Kruger and Botswana are two of the most famous safari destinations in the world. Although both are in Southern Africa, they offer very different experiences. We have travelled to both many times – here is our list of major differences, how they impact your vacation and how we would recommend making a choice.

This is a general overview and there might be unusual exceptions here and there. Both are well worth visiting and will give you a safari experience to remember. Budget, of course, plays a role (but does not necessarily determine the quality of your sightings: a national park and a concession can easily rival each other for wildlife interaction).

Explore the highlights of this post with ease by using the table of contents below to navigate to sections of interest.

The Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger are two different areas of South Africa. Greater Kruger is all the private reserves that have collectively dropped their fences so that game can move freely between them and the national park. While any member of the public is allowed in the park, only guests staying at lodges in Greater Kruger reserves are allowed to utilise these areas, making it more private and exclusive.

These are some of the key points about Kruger and Greater Kruger lodges:

DISTANCES AND ROADS

Transfer times and distances are, overall, shorter. This is because the majority of roads are paved and there are many airports to fly into. In Botswana, roads are generally dirt and safaris areas are served by only two major airports (Maun for Delta and Kasane for Chobe National Park).

RHINOS

The Kruger area does a phenomenal job of protecting its remaining rhinos and it is not uncommon to see them roaming free. Rhinos are generally only found in the Seretse Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana, which is not normally included on classic itineraries as it is quite a distance from Maun. Please note that some rhino in Kruger are dehorned (their horns do not have nerve endings as they are made of keratin – the same substance as our hair and nails – and do grow back).

SELF-DRIVING

Kruger is a very popular self-driving destination because of the shorter distances, paved roads, excellent signage and the better available infrastructure. You may only self-drive in the national park. If you drive to a private reserve, you will leave your vehicle at the lodge and join game drives with a guide as normal.

FENCES

Many lodges and camps are fenced to prevent animals from wandering through the grounds. In general, some accommodation options in Kruger are more akin to a boutique hotel with elements like manicured lawns, piped music, physical menus, QR codes for check-in or tipping and even telephone systems in rooms.

OPEN VEHICLES

As a general rule, game-drive vehicles do not have roofs or windows. While this is a boon for birders and photographers, it is a factor in determining how long you will be out on a game drive especially on sunny, hot, windy or rainy days.

Many lodges in Kruger have completely open vehicles without roofs

The most visited areas in Botswana are the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park (which encompasses the Savuti area. Experienced safari goers may also venture to the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the Linyanti and permanent deep-water of the Panhandle.

Botswana offers unparalleled water activities in remote areas like the Okavango Delta.

REMOTENESS

Because distances are longer many lodges and camps are extremely far from towns. Most remote wildlife areas require a flight in a light aircraft to a bush airstrip for access. Some of the most beautiful areas in the Okavango Delta are best accessed by boat.

SIZE OF HERDS

While Kruger can boast sizable herds of elephant and buffalo, it also has multiple rivers for them to drink from, meaning the area tends to have a good dispersal of game. Towards the end of dry season, Botswana sometimes sees herds of buffalo hundreds strong amassing on the Chobe River while elephants do the same because it is one the last-remaining water sources until the rains come in about November.

STAFF GREETINGS AND CHOIRS

Because of the long distances, almost all Motswana staff stay on the premises while on shift. Many form choirs and guests are often moved by the beautiful singing on their arrival or departure.

VEHICLES WITH ROOFS

Game-drive vehicles across Botswana have roofs. While this may impact birding and photographing some sightings (although specialist photo vehicles can be hired), it does allow you to stay out longer.

Almost all game-drive vehicles in Botswana have open sides and roofs.

Choose the Kruger area if:

• If you are travelling with a medical condition that may need urgent treatment
• If you have very young children or much older people with significant mobility issues in your party
• If safari isn’t your only interest: the area has top golf courses, plenty of restaurants and lots of soft adventures like quad biking (ATVs), tree-top canopy tours and hiking
• If you want to drive yourself as much as possible
• If you are on a more limited budget: Kruger lodges bill in South African rands, which is weaker against the US and AUS dollar, euro and pounds sterling
• If you have a significant fear of flying or claustrophobia (light aircraft may exacerbate both and are sometimes necessary in Botswana)
• If you really want to see rhino
• If you prefer brick-and-mortar buildings and need electrical items like CPAP machines or hairdryers
• If you are very nervous about encountering wildlife in camp

Some Kruger lodges are brick and mortar, and are like boutique hotels or guesthouses.

Choose Botswana if:

• If you really want to get away from it all in very remote places
• Safari is your only interest for this vacation
• You do not mind slightly more extreme temperatures as Botswana can be cold at night and hot during the day (only very high-end lodges have air conditioning)
• You do not mind the occasional cute frog in your bathroom or curious lizard on your deck
• You enjoy staying in tented accommodation (Botswana has strict regulations against permanent structures in wildlife areas)
• You have seen rhino before elsewhere, or this is not a ‘must-see’.

By law, lodges in Botswana have to be built so they can be removed without leaving a trace.

• Where will we get better sightings?

  Sightings are literally impossible to predict – that’s a big part of the fun! The animals move around and everything from the wind to the presence of an unseen predator affects their behaviour. Both Kruger and Botswana are famous for wonderful sightings, and several internationally renowned documentary filmmakers and wildlife photographers are based in these areas because of the abundance of game.

  Where will we see more leopard, cheetah and wild dog?

  Again, this is hard to predict. Kruger and Moremi in Botswana are leopard strongholds because of the abundance of suitable habitat. Wild dogs are often spotted in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve but are resurging everywhere thanks to conservation efforts especially in Linyanti and Savuti in Botswana. Lion are seen fairly often in both areas – Botswana is famous for powerful prides around the Savute Marsh area. Cheetah are harder to see but are around (if cheetah top your wish list, we suggest visiting the Masai Mara in Kenya or Serengeti in Tanzania as the wide-open plains and plentiful prey suit their hunting style).

  Which is more affordable?

  Broadly speaking, if you are travelling on a strong foreign currency, then Kruger may offer you more options for smaller budget. If you choose Botswana, factor in the costs (in US dollars) of elements like connecting flights in fixed-wing aircraft.

  Which is safer?

  Safari is one the safest holidays you can undertake because highly trained guides, rangers and pilots are constantly on the lookout for your safety. Incidents are extremely rare. If you follow instructions, both options are very safe.

  Outside safari areas, the global rule of big cities applies and you should be aware of your surroundings if staying in Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit or White River en route to Kruger.

  It is important to note that the Kruger area employs high-tech security to protect rhino, and your vehicle will be searched, and you may have to hand over identity documents to obtain entry.

  Which doesn’t have malaria?

  Your chances of contracting malaria are extremely low. Malaria depends on sufficient water for a specific type of female mosquito to breed, who must then bite someone with malaria and then bite you. Outside of very remote villages in green season, the likelihood of this happening is negligible. Neither are high risk areas but please consult with your doctor or travel clinic.

  Which is best for kids?

  While very much depends on the children themselves, overall Kruger is a popular option with parents because many lodges are securely fenced. Kids can thus walk freely. Kruger is also closer to child-friendly attractions to enjoy before or after your safari. Please bear in mind that many lodges in both Kruger and Botswana have age restrictions for game drives unless you hire a private vehicle and guide. Kruger tends to have more family rooms, playgrounds and nanny services than Botswana, which may be more suited to pre-teens and older children.

Many Kruger lodges have dedicated kids’ clubs, nannies and play areas.

PHOTO CREDITS: Lion Sands Game Reserve, Dulini, Sanctuary Retreats and Wilderness Safaris