We went to hluhluwe and it was great. If I could do it again, I would go before the grass gets high though. We did a self guided tour and saw 4 of the big 5. Leopards are hard to find/see. We even saw a dead lion that we think was attacked by a water buffalo. It was sad, but unusual to see.

There are also lots of private game reserves that abut Kruger. We stayed at Kapama, and the experience was much more intimate, with guides. I think the biggest problem I've heard about Kruger is that if you are self-driving, you don't see as much because you don't know how to look. At Kapama, there were two guided drives each day plus options for other sightseeing during the day.

Kruger Park is better and bigger and the chance to see the big five, much better. Any camp is good really, the standard is really nice and comfortable to any type of accommodation

I think Kruger is better. Try to stay at Lower Sabie Camp. The camp manager, Ezrom Mathumbu, is awesome!

Different parks, different games. I like the vegetation in Kruger Park more because is the real Savannah while in Umfolozi/Hluluwe is more tropical. Both Parks are beautiful but for sure if you don't want to see many tourists you must run to the parks in KwaZulu. The game in Umfolozi/Hluluwe is also good for viewing Black Rhinos, rarely seen in Kruger. (I saw only one in Kruger being there more than 10 times!). Cheers

They're both wonderful, and it would be a shame to miss either one. At any rate, do try to see Hluhluwe- viewing wildlife in the hills of Zululand is unbeatable.

It depends. When are you planning to visit SA and how long are you staying? Krüger Nationalpark ca. 2.000.000 ha Hluhluwe Nationalpark ca. 100.000 ha The size doesn't matter (in this case). In fact most people who have visited Kruger have only seen the South. Either one you visit, you will not have the time to visit the whole park, as your average driving speed will be 20km / hrs. (Speed limit is between 40 - 50 km/ hrs, but generally you travel slower as you want to enjoy the game viewing.) If you have 2 weeks, I would visit both, travelling from Jo'burg towards KNP, spend a couple of days there, then head trough Swaziland to Hluhluwe and fly from Durban to CPT or back to JNB. Don't know how your budget / plans look like. You can't really compare those two parks. I like both, but prefer Kruger. It also depens what time of the year you visit SA. It is rainy season, school holiday? Whats your budget? Are you travelling alone? You can send me a PM if you want to have more information. I have spend 2 years in SA and worked in the travel industry. Let me know if you need help. Cheers, Lynn

Kruger is part of the National Parks Board, as others have said it is big. Best time to go is in southern hemisphere winter. Lot's of different terrain and animals to see. These days there are private lodges and the old fashioned huts. Some camps have restaurants or you can self cater. The national parks also offer bush walks and drives. Hluhluwe is run by KZN parks. The largest camp there is Hilltop. We just stayed there at there lodge which had 4 bedrooms, dining room, lounge patio and braai area(BBQ). This is top of the line. There is a restaurant at Hilltop but that is only camp that has one. Normal expectation here is self catering and shops have very limited supply of food. Game viewing is different to Kruger - More Rhino and they have Nyala. Both are great experiences, to see game you must drive slowly! On this trip we also spent some time in SsbiSabi - very upper end and terrific.

Kruger is the biggest and is the best but you need time to see the whole park as the speed limit inside is 40km/hour and the gates close at dusk. Make sure to plan your time accordingly, you will need your own vehicle but there are plenty of places to stay inside and outside the park. Depending on when you go watch for malaria.

Krueger I would say. It ain t too big with a jeep to cover some distance. It s also nice to go into Mozambique from there...Maputo, the capital is on the border...around are some stunning beaches and great wildlife

Hello Elisabeth, Krueger is definitely big, asfalt roads, big cars, tourists... not very 'wild' animals compared to other parks i have seen. I had the best time in Bongani National Reserve, but that's not really close to Krueger, but very worth it to check out. I would definitely choose for another one than Krueger, I saw lions though, but all with a ranger that knows where they sleep, so 100's of arranged tours see them sleep there every day, very predictable, very touristic. Would definitely go for Umfolozi/Hluhluwe. Krueger feels a bit fake...