Travellers planning a holiday to South Africa in the near future are being urged to head to the spectacular Kruger National Park which is one of the most famous places to spot wild animals in the world. Located around 400km from Johannesburg, the nature reserve is the perfect destination for holidaymakers of all kinds – from families to gap year students and honeymooners. The site is the largest of its kind in the country, covering a massive 18,989 sq km of land and is home to an abundant variety of plant and animal life. More than 147 species of mammals make their home at the park – the largest number in any nature reserve in the whole of Africa – making it a great location for wildlife enthusiasts. Around 25,000 African Buffalo reside in Kruger National Park, living alongside thousands of zebras, giraffes and hippos. Around 350 Black Rhinoceros are also living within the park's borders.

Travellers have a range of accommodation to choose from at Kruger which contains 21 rest camps and 11 private safari lodges. As well as luxury accommodation, holidaymakers can also opt for self-catering, economy family cottages and guesthouses, bungalows, chalets and huts which are all based within the park. It is one of the best places to experience a true adventure into the African bush with few set trails to follow. Most groups on safari create their own tracks in areas of land which remain virtually untouched by human beings.

Earlier this year, the park announced that it was to begin research on whether too many visitors were entering the park annually and if this was affecting the animals' natural habitat. It is believed officials are considering introducing a new entry system whereby wardens will have more control over how many are inside the park at any one time. "The previous system was abused by visitors who would book and not arrive and this caused problems because waiting guests could not gain entry to the park," Joep Stevens, the general manager of tourism operations at South African National Parks told the Sunday Independent. "Knowing the high volumes of visitors we experience at the park during the busy times, many guests would like some kind of guarantee that they will be able to access Kruger." In 2003, the park hit its one million visitor milestone for the first time and since then, an average of 1.3 million local and international tourists have visited the park every year.

Once travellers have experienced the beautiful park itself there is plenty more on offer nearby to entice wildlife enthusiasts. The surrounding area has numerous activities and attractions from elephant back safaris and hot air balloon trips to the nearby Endangered Species Centre and Cheetah Breeding Project. Cultural villages which welcome foreign visitors are also located within the vicinity while horse back riding, spa treatments and even golf are also on offer.

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