The Seasons of Kruger Park
Discover how the changing seasons in Kruger park govern the movements of the wildlife in the Park.
August
Cool mornings and evenings, but temperatures and humidity rise during the day, more moisture; winds indicate
spring is on its way. Yellow hue dominates the bush as sjambok pod and knob thorns begin flowering; mopane is russet-coloured. Good game viewing at waterholes; particularly in the eastern sweetveld plains on top of basalt. Temperature 12-28.
September
The month of spring; occasional showers but water is still scarce.
Weeping boer-beans flower in red; new mopane leaves. First migrant birds appear from the north; weavers begin breeding; game still concentrated around waterholes. Temperature 12-28.
October
Usually the
beginning of the rainy season, but can be very hot if rains are late. Grass becomes greener; bulbous plants begin appearing; magic guarri and sickle bush flower. Good game viewing as bush is still not too thick; birds engaged in courtship rituals and displays; steppe eagles begin to arrive. Temperature 16-32.
November
Rainfall usually double that of October.Vegetation more lush.
Lots of young animals visible; woodland kingfishers make an appearance. Temperature 16-32.
December
Height of summer and the rainy season; days are hot and humid; often spectacular thunderstorms. Wild morning glory and
flame lilies in flower. Impala breeding season brings out lots of predators; lush vegetation starts making game viewing harder. Temperature 18-34.
January
Height of rainy season; days are hot and humid; good thunderstorms. Rain-dependent plants flowering, making landscape very colourful; marulas begin fruiting. Animals spread over wider areas because of water availability;
dung beetles prevalent; lesser spotted eagles arrive and generally good birding. Temperature 18-34.
February
Hot and humid; plants are at their most nutritious. Many summer
flowering plants in bloom. Waterbuck breeding; excellent birding; animals get fatter. Temperature 18-33.
March
End of summer, generally the last major rain. Vegetation dense.
Kudu and buffalo breeding peak, erratic game viewing. Temperature 18-33.
April
Seasonal shift towards autumn; noticeable drop in temperatures; occasional late summer rains.Vegetation dense, many trees are bearing fruit or seeds; red bushwillow is very striking. Most animals in peak condition, game spotting difficult;
impala, wildebeest and warthog rutting season. Temperature 13-28.
May
Autumn gives way to winter;
Rainfall drops off dramatically. White seringas in flower, wide range of autumn colours; kiaats begin seeding. Impala rut continues, internal migrations of animals towards warmer areas, whitebacked vultures breeding; wild dog breeding;
elephants from Zimbabwe and Mozambique migrate to winter grazing grounds in northern Kruger. Temperature 13-28.
June
Winter; cool evenings and warm days; temperate climate that is generally wind-free. Grass cover recedes and many trees lose leaves;
baobabs in flower, mopane begins yellowing. Game begins concentrating around waterholes; animals are much more visible as the bush thins out. Temperatures 9-26.
July
Wind begins picking up a little. Clear winter days with little chance of rain. Mopaneveld appears as dappled gold; potato bush begins flowering. Nights can be very cold.
Game viewing very good; many winter birds fly from highveld down to the Park (eg stonechat) Temp. 9-26.
