Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park, in north-eastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Hundreds of other mammals make their home here, as do diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles and storks. Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the landscape. The Kruger National Park is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest game parks. It has been praised for its endeavours in nature conservation, professional management of wildlife and the safeguarding of African cultural heritage. Over the last few years fences that separated the Kruger National Park from neighbouring parks have been removed allowing the wildlife greater access to natural resources as well as increasing the game viewing opportunities for tourists. Gilly and I have spent many holidays in the Kruger National Park, and on numerous trips we have traversed the entire length of the park either from Punda Maria rest camp in the north entering the park at the Pafuri gate. Moving from camp to camp travelling south and exiting the park either through the Malelane or Crocodile Bridge gates. Or travelling from south to north, sometimes we would spend more than one night at a particular rest camp to explore the surrounding area thoroughly. There are 3 rest camps that we have enjoyed exploring more thoroughly, Punda Maria, Shingwedzi and Satara. 

Throughout the Kruger National Park one can find picnic sites conveniently placed where gas cookers can be hired, we enjoyed getting up early in the morning, to have a cup of coffee or tea and a Rusk, a traditional South African biscuit, before setting off as the camp gates open. Often one can see lions or leopards sleeping on the tar roads first thing in the morning, they do this because the tar stays warm for longer than the surrounding sand. We would plan a brunch at a picnic spot where gas cookers are provided for hire. Gill would make bacon, eggs and toast with tea or coffee, the hour break gives one time to get out of the car and walk around to stretch ones legs. We would return the rest camp for an afternoon nap or swim in the pool. A late afternoon game drive usually offers good sightings, and is a magical time to sit at a waterhole and observe nature. We enjoyed camping in the designated campsite of the rest camps, for us camping is special; one can hear the sounds of the wild more easily. We always try to camp or if we stay in a chalet as close to the rest camp’s perimeter fence as possible, often we saw hyaena, lion or other animals like elephant and buffalo close to the fence.   Kruger Park