Knowledge on the abiotic and biotic components of the Kruger National Park (KNP) system has increased to such an extent, that it was possible to zonate the KNP into landscapes. A landscape was defined as an area with a specific geomorphology, climate, soil and vegetation pattern together with the associated fauna. On this basis 35 landscapes were identified and described in terms of the components mentioned in the definition. The objective of classification is that future management should be based on these landscapes. Relevant management considerations may change, but the landscape a@ a basic functional unit should not be negotiable

The Parque Nacional do Limpopo (PNL) was proclaimed during 2002. It covers 1 000 000 ha in Moçambique on the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park (KNP) and forms one of the major components of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. A vegetation map was required as one of the essential building blocks for the drafting of its management plan (Grossman & Holden 2002).

The available rainfall data for all the recording stations in the Kruger National Park are presented. The average annual rainfall was calculated for each station and this served as basis for compiling a rainfall map for the region. The cyclic nature of the annual rainfall as well as the rainfall distribution within cycles were investigated and a prediction made of expected future rainfall

The main features of climate and vegetation of the Kruger National Park are discussed. The dry tropical climate induced lush deciduous savannas with a great variety of species and diverse vegetation structures. Variations in species composition and structural features are mainly regulated by soil type and fire regime