| Today I am going to talk to you about South Africa's | | | | in the South. It offers a combination of bungalows |
| top safari destination: Kruger National Park! | | | | and tents, has a restaurant overlooking the river |
| About Kruger Park | | | | (which is a non-negligible advantage), and its own |
| Kruger National Park is South Africa's most notorious | | | | shop for curios and groceries. Be on the look out for |
| and largest reserve of the country. With an | | | | hyenas at night, and loud thick-tailed bush babies |
| estimated area of 18,989 square km, it is about half | | | | lurking by your tent! |
| the size of Switzerland (not bad huh...)! One of its | | | | My camp pick: Lower Sabie. The deck view along the |
| initial founders was Paul Kruger (President of the | | | | river bed is just astounding...and both hippo and |
| Transvaal state at the time), who in 1898 created | | | | crocodile sightings are highly probable! |
| the Sabie Game Reserve to control hunting and | | | | The park also offers a variety of different activities |
| protect the diminishing wildlife of the area. | | | | ranging from game drives, night drives, walks, etc. |
| Presently, it is home to an incredible number of | | | | Ask for the various possibilities at your hotel desk, or |
| species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 | | | | at any of the main park entrances. |
| reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals (according to | | | | Entrance Fees Fees may vary according to the |
| SANparks). | | | | season or whether you are a local or a foreigner. My |
| Flora and Fauna | | | | advice is that you buy a Wild Card, which enables |
| If you're looking for incredible game viewing | | | | you to visit most of South African National Parks |
| opportunities in a unique and pristine locality, then look | | | | (depending on the formula you choose) at a fairly |
| no further...Kruger National Park is the place to go! | | | | decent price. |
| Whether you're searching for Africa's famous Big | | | | 5 Things to Look For |
| five, unparalleled birding prospects or astonishing and | | | | |
| peaceful scenery; you can only be pleased! There is | | | | 1. The Big Five - Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and |
| so much to see, listen to or smell...an absolute treat | | | | Rhino. |
| for the eyes and senses! | | | | 2. The Little Five - Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, |
| You'll just be amazed by what mother nature has to | | | | Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle. |
| offer! | | | | 3. The Birding Big 6- Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, |
| In my own opinion, it is perhaps one of the best | | | | Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel's Fishing Owl |
| places to experience close encounters with white | | | | and Saddle-bill Stork. |
| rhinos and elephants. Especially with rhinoceros: they | | | | 4. Five Trees - Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, |
| are just everywhere! One peace of advice though: | | | | Marula, Mopane. |
| make sure the close encounter is not too close...you | | | | 5. Natural/Cultural Features - Letaba Elephant |
| might regret it! After all, they're just wild animals... | | | | Museum, Jock of the Bushveld Route, Albasini Ruins, |
| Accommodation and Activities | | | | Maserini Ruins, Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library, |
| In terms of facilities Kruger is extremely well | | | | Thulamela. |
| organized. It has over 20 camps and lodges suiting all | | | | For more information on Kruger National Park, visit |
| tastes and wallets! The largest main camp is Skukuza | | | | the SANParks website. |