All guests visiting Kruger National Park are required to pay conservation fees, which are vital for supporting sustainable tourism in the park. Guests can choose whether to pay a Daily Conservation Fee or purchase a “Wild Card” which exempts them from paying the conservation fee.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the two options and the benefits they offer.
Wild Card
A Wild Card membership provides one year of unlimited access to several national parks in South Africa, including Kruger.
You must purchase a Wild Card online before arriving at any KNP gate.
You’ll need to have your Wild Card Number ready when Filling In The SANParks Gate Registration and Indemnity Form.
→Please see SANP Wild Card Types & Pricing page for the most up to date information
As of writing this article, these were the rates based on the cheapest wild card that gets you access to Kruger:
| Nationality | Cluster | Individual | Couple | Family |
| South African Citizen + Residents OR SADC Nationals | SANParks Cluster | R805 | R1300 | R1560 |
| International | International All Parks Cluster | R3780 | R5905 | R7065 |
Currency Conversion Tool
Wild Card Rules
All membership is non-transferable for one year. You can not share or resell it with others.
- Individual: 1 adult over 18 years old.
- Couple: 2 people (either 2 adults or 1 adult + 1 child)
- Children must be under 18 and proof of ID for the child required
- Family: Up to 7 people (1 adult + 6 children or 2 adults + 5 children)
International guests must buy the International All Parks Cluster. By design, the cheaper membership options are for South African citizens, or citizens of the SADC.
Daily Conservation Fee
Paying a daily conservation fee grants you access to Kruger National Park for one day only.
You’ll pay the Daily Conservation Fee directly at the gate
You’ll need to use a Credit Card for this payment. Cash is no longer accepted at KNP gates.
→Please see SANP Rates & Entry Fees page for the most up to date information
As of writing this article, these were the rates:
| Nationality | Adults (12+ years) | Children (2 – 11 years) |
| South African Citizen + Residents | R122 | R60 |
| SADC Nationals | R243 | R122 |
| Internationals | R486 | R243 |
Currency Conversion Tool
Daily Conservation Fee Rules
- A “day” is based on the park’s operating hours, not a full 24-hour period.
- For example, if you enter in the late afternoon, you’ll pay the same fee as someone who enters in the morning.
- If you leave the park and plan to return the same day, inform the gate attendant so they can mark your Visitor Permit.
How Do I Decide Whether To Get a Wild Card or Pay Daily Conservation Fees
The answer boils down to a simple question: How many days will you actually spend in the park?
Step 1: Check Your Nationality / Category
Refer to the tables below to see which category you fall into and how many days of park visits make purchasing a Wild Card worthwhile.
Step 2: Consider Your Flexibility
If you’re not absolutely certain you’ll be going into the park every day or if your visit isn’t long, it might be better to pay the daily conservation fee. This way, you won’t feel pressured to enter the park just to justify the Wild Card purchase.
Individuals
| Nationality / Category | Days Visiting KNP |
|---|---|
| South African Citizen + Residents | 7 Days |
| SADC Nationals | 4 Days |
| Internationals | 8 Days |
Couple
| Nationality / Category | Days Visiting KNP |
|---|---|
| South African Citizen + Residents | 6 Days |
| SADC Nationals | 3 Days |
| Internationals | 7 Days |
Family (2 Adults + X Children)
| Nationality / Category | 2 Adult + 1 Child | 2 Adult + 2 Children | 2 Adult + 3 Children | 2 Adult + 4 Children | 2 Adult + 5 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South African Citizen + Residents | 6 Days | 5 Days | 4 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days |
| SADC Nationals | 3 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 2 Days | 2 Days |
| Internationals | 6 Days | 5 Days | 5 Days | 4 Days | 4 Days |
Family (1 Adult + X Children)
| Nationality / Category | 1 Adult + 2 Children | 1 Adult + 3 Children | 1 Adult + 4 Children | 1 Adult + 5 Children | 1 Adult + 6 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South African Citizen + Residents | 7 Days | 6 Days | 5 Days | 4 Days | 4 Days |
| SADC Nationals | 4 Days | 3 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 2 Days |
| Internationals | 8 Days | 6 Days | 5 Days | 5 Days | 4 Days |
Tip:
If you plan are planning multiple trips to KNP within a year, consider buying your Wild Card as late as possible—even on the day you arrive.
Why?
- Let’s say you visit Kruger in July during the winter holidays and plan to return next July.
- By purchasing your Wild Card at the start of your first trip, you’ll cover both holidays under the same annual membership, essentially getting two winter trips for the price of one.