There is no greater ‘African experience’ than going on an African safari, and no greater place to go on a safari trip than to the Kruger National Park. In 1898, national parks were established to protect and alleviate the declining numbers of game in South Africa. The parks grew larger and in 1926 merged to form the Kruger National Park.
The Kruger Park is home to a variety of mammal-, bird-, reptile-, fish-, and amphibian lifeforms, as well as many different kinds of plants. The most popular animals to see are the Big 5, namely lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard, and there is no better way to view them than by experiencing a Kruger Park Safari.
The Kruger Park offers guided safaris, or if you do not want to do a pre-booked tour there are many maps and guide books than can help you find your way around the park. However, a guided tour has much to offer – the guide is knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife and can point out things that the inexperienced safari traveler might miss. There are also a variety of guided tours through different areas of the Kruger Park and at different times of the year.
Summers bring heavy rains with dramatic thunder storms, resulting in lush, green vegetation that can make spotting wildlife difficult. Winters are mild and dry, so vegetation thins out. Also many animals will gather around major watering holes. So winter could be a better time to go on your safari as there could be far better wildlife viewing opportunities, even though the landscape will be somewhat sparse.
A night-time safari trip will expose you to nocturnal wildlife, which hides away during the day. A night guide can also offer you a lesson in astronomy – with few artificial lights in the Kruger the night-sky is ablaze with stars providing some astronomical sights.
Whether you choose a guided tour or to travel with a map, a Kruger Park Safari will be an experience that you will remember forever.
3 Jul
