Kruger National Park Opening Times
And Gate Hours

Wondering what the Kruger National Park opening times are and how they vary from month to month? We've put together a neat table below to give you the answers you need.

Also, did you know that the opening hours of entrance gates and rest camps aren't the same?

Entrance gates open from 5:30am to 6:00am depending on the season. The shortest operating hours are in winter.

At rest camps, opening hours vary from 4:30am to 6:00am.

Ouch! That's early (especially if you're not a morning person!), but that's when the wildlife gets up and when animals are out and about the most! It's worth making the effort to get up and be ready to leave around gate opening time.

The still of the morning is a great time to see animals. We took the photo below of a hyena at dawn. It was our best hyena sighting on one particular Kruger National Park safari. It ran along right next to our car for some distance!

Kruger National Park opening times: hyena


All gates close between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Don't be late getting back to your rest camp!

The Kruger National Park staff want to ensure that all visitors are back to their rest camps before it gets dark. If you come back after closing time, you'll get a warning. If you do it again, you'll be fined!


Kruger National Park Hours

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Entrance gates open (am) 5:30 5:30 5:30 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 5:30 5:30 5:30
Rest Camp gates open (am) 4:30 5:30 5:30 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 5:30 4:30 4:30
Gates close (pm) 6:30 6:30 6:00 6:00 5:30 5:30 5:30 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:30 6:30

Note that the entrance gates have different working hours to the rest camp gate times.

If you're out in the park at sunset, you'll be able to take magical photos. If you're driving around at this time, make sure you know when your rest camp or the park gate you plan to leave by closes.

Kruger National Park hours: Lakeside sunset


If you've just made it back to your rest camp before closing time, the camp's reception office will typically be open for a short while after that time.

Sometimes parts of the game reserve can flood, especially in the summer rainy season. In extreme circumstances, even some rest camps flood and are forced to close. During these watery times, some roads may be closed, but Kruger National Park will still be generally open.

We've told you about the opening hours, but we haven't mentioned on what days the park is open. This is something not to worry about at all! The park is open every single day of the year, including Christmas Day and over Easter.

Return from Kruger National Park Opening Times to Kruger National Park Information

Return from Kruger National Park Opening Times to Kruger National Park