Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

The ultimate way to appreciate a landscape this grand is from the air. Book a dawn hot-air–balloon ride or helicopter tour and watch the sun rise over the vastness of the plains. Particularly worth a gaze are Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondawels and God's Window (www.krugerpark.co.za).

Arts and culture

Kruger has 300 archaeological sites: make a pilgrimage to one of the 130 ancient rock art sites; the Bushman Trail, near the Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp, takes in several beautifully painted hill shelters. Also worth a visit is the restored village of Masorini, with its Stone and Iron Age artefacts.

Something for nothing

Everyone, everywhere loves a sunrise or sunset, but dawn and dusk at Kruger are particularly spectacular. At night, enjoy the lack of light pollution and stretch out under the star-filled sky.

Shopping

Pick up intricate stone carvings and clay-fired pottery at the bustling Marula market at the centre of Shangana Cultural Village, just west of the park’s southern tip. The market, which attracts craftspeople from across the region, is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Daytripper

With cliffs towering 800km above the water, Blyde River Canyon – just west of Kruger – is renowned as one of the most spectacular sights in Africa (and the third deepest canyon in the world). Take in the cliff tops’ jaw-dropping panoramic views, then head down to the water for a boat trip, canoeing or rock climbing. If you go down the river to the Hoedspruit end, you’ll find the postcard-ready Three Rondavels viewpoint.

Perfect picnic

This is the home of the braai, Akrikaans for ‘barbecue’. Kruger was made for dining alfresco (slather on the insect repellent to ward off unwanted dinner guests). At picnic sites throughout the park, skottels – frying pans on stands – can be rented, saving you the trouble of bringing (or cleaning) your own. Pick up your burgers, buns, salads and sandwiches at the Tshokwane picnic site, between the Skukuza and Satara camps.

Walks

Take a walk on the wild side: guided safari walks allow you to track big game on foot through the savannah and veldt grasslands.

Children

There’s not much that can beat the excitement of a safari: Little Smiths will love the world’s most exciting game of Eye Spy. Some of Kruger’s lodges have kids’ programmes to keep the tiniest Smiths busy while the adults are out on game drives, and older children can join their parents in closed-car drives. Babysitting is available at some of the park’s lodges, as are several family packages (www.krugerpark.co.za).

Activities

Get a different perspective on the park with an exhilarating mountain-bike trip or horseback safari, both of which are easily arranged at the park. After dark, call in an astronomer to guide your evening of stargazing (www.wild-wings.co.za/astronomy.html).