LOCAL TRAVEL
BY BYRON LUKAS
Winter is safari season in the Kruger, and you don’ t need a luxury lodge budget to enjoy worldclass wildlife encounters.
Think a Kruger safari is only for honeymooners, influencers, and people who casually say things like,“ Let’ s fly the helicopter to the lodge”? Think again.
Winter is one of the best times to visit South Africa’ s iconic Kruger National Park, and it’ s surprisingly affordable if you know where to save.
From June to August, the bush transforms into a wildlife lover’ s dream. The vegetation thins out, animals gather around waterholes, and game viewing becomes much easier. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean you can spend longer exploring without melting into your safari hat.
VISIT DURING THE WEEK One of the easiest ways to save money is to avoid weekends and school holidays. Midweek accommodation rates are often lower, camps are quieter, and you’ ll spend less time queuing at gates or viewpoints.
Many of the park’ s rest camps offer budget-friendly
14 INBOUND SA / JULY 2026