The first in our new series of great escapes. Each issue we'll be bringing you recommendations for that once in a lifetime holiday experience. This month, Kruger National Park

The world-famous Kruger National Park is vast; bigger than Ireland, it probably has the widest variety of wildlife of any park in Africa. Established in 1898, the last census counted 147 species of mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles and 336 different trees.

The best time to see the animals is either early in the morning or late afternoon. At these cooler times of day, the animals are more active, usually resting in the shade in the hot afternoon sunshine.

Elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, hyena and impala abound but it is not unusual to spot the more elusive rhino or leopard too. Walking safaris in the Kruger are conducted regularly, and give you the chance to experience the thrill of the African bush on foot. Night game drives give you the opportunity to see creatures in a different light as powerful torches pick out their eyes glowing in the dark. Camping facilities in Kruger are generally of a good standard with shower and loo blocks and sometimes even a swimming pool.

We picked out a walking safari offered by Exodus, revealing the immense variety on offer. There are several days to hike in the remarkable Drakensberg Mountains, the hilly country of the Kingdom of Swaziland and the less-visited areas of Mpumalanga. Perhaps the highlight of the trip is taking guided game walks in private reserves: learn how to track wildlife, observe at close hand the remarkable variety of bird and plant life and, of course, experience the thrill of a close encounter with animals on an equal footing.