What to do in Kruger

Of all the Kruger's wild and woolly creatures, the Big Five induces the most gasps - and with good reason! At sunrise (or as sunset approaches), depart from camp on a game drive with your expert guide to track Africa's most famous quintet. Explore the rolling savannah, lush valleys and river banks where you may spy a languid leopard on a branch, elephant splashing in the water, rhino and buffalo snuffling in the grass and a pride of lion snoozing in the shade of a fever tree.

Armed with your camera and your creativity, depart from camp in the golden hour (sunrise or sunset). Your guide will lead you on a 4x4 drive to find the ultimate photo opportunities, whether it is herds gathered around waterholes, a leopard slinking into a tree after an evening of hunting or elephant marching across the savannah. Get tips on framing, angles and letting nature take the lead from photography experts, and return to camp with a reel of epic snaps! Some camps offer a specially adapted photographic vehicle to ensure you get the best shots, and a processing studio to make edits and get prints

A safari in South Africa isn't complete without a game drive in the Kruger, a stomping ground of the Big Five and a plethora of other wildlife. Depart from camp as dawn breaks or in the cooler afternoon, as your guide introduces you to the wonders of the Kruger. Keep your binoculars at the ready to spot the hordes of plains game (especially in the centre of the park), hippo yawning from the river and the endangered African painted dog. Our pick for the best time to go is in the quieter months of April - May and October - November. Stop for refreshments under the limbs of a baobab before returning to camp.

Perhaps the most elusive member of the Big Five, the leopard, ranks highly on most safari bucket lists and the private reserves on the western edge of Kruger are just the place to find them. Venture out on a game drive where your expert guide will take you to the known haunts of the local leopards. Although they are masters of camouflage, leopards spend their days draped over tree branches near the Kruger's coursing rivers. Keep your eyes peeled for its distinctive silhouette and swishing tail! We rate the October - November impala calving season to be the best time to do some leopard-spotting, and you may even watch in amazement as the big cat nabs their prey and drags it up a tree in a matter of seconds. Whether it's lazily snoozing under the leaves or in the heat of the hunt, seeing a leopard in the wild is unforgettable.

As South Africa's true safari darling, the Kruger is also chock-a-block with critters of the smaller variety. Chuck on your walking boots for a few hours of exploring the reserve on foot, with a seasoned guide to share the secrets of the bush with you. Spy on the plentiful birdlife in one of Africa's largest fever tree forests, examine the earthy trails for porcupine quills and honey badger tracks and spot the shiny shell of a rhino beetle. Adjust your focus to truly appreciate the finer details on this close-up walk through nature. If you're lucky, you may even see a rare and endangered pangolin! This makes a fantastic post-game drive or pre-lunch activity.

The Kruger may be famous for its big-named wildlife but the lesser visited north is home to a host of birdlife. Leave your lodge with a seasoned guide who will take you on a drive through forests of fever trees and beside flowing rivers, using their sharp eye and wealth of knowledge to introduce you to the Kruger's birding scene. The crown jewel of South African birdwatching, the diverse flora of northern Kruger attracts tropical and subtropical species. A feast for the eyes, there is plumage of every shade, from the racket-tailed roller with its powder blue feathers to the soaring Verreaux's Eagle. With over 450 species, the Kruger is enough to tempt any twitcher and if you time it just right, a late afternoon drive may reward you with a peek at the Pel's Fishing Owl.

Make it your mission to see the endangered rhino of the Kruger on a niche game drive that's sure to garner some fantastic sightings. Led by the expertise of your guide, journey into the plains of the south in search of the wide-lipped white rhino where they stoically graze and roam. To see the more elusive black rhino, you'll venture closer to the bush thickets where they browse on succulent leaves. Marvel at these jurassic creatures as your guide fills you in on the efforts to conserve rhinos for generations to come.

Under the cover of darkness, the Kruger comes alive with a whole new host of wildlife. After an early dinner, leave camp as your knowledgable guide leads the way with an infrared spotlight. Look out for the telltale glow of eyes (and rustle) from the trees and scrub, where a shy serval or darting scrub hare may appear. Nighttime is when the big cats truly come into their own and turn the Kruger into their personal hunting ground. Watch enthralled as leopard and lion prowl, with hyena following closely in the hopes of enjoying leftovers. As you trundle back to camp for a hot drink, listen out for the call of the fiery-necked nightjar as it pierces the quiet.