Kruger park was established in 1898 to protect wildlife and covers an area of 2 million hectares truly the flagship of the south african national parks kruger is home to an impressive number of species 336 trees 49 fish 34 amphibians 114 reptiles 507 birds and 147 mammals apart from the irresistible magnet of this wildlife mecca some spectacular scenery can be viewed in the mountainous area known as the panorama route en route to the kruger park