No two trips to Kruger are ever the same. You can drive for hours without seeing a single thing, or you can see the Big Five in a matter of minutes; there’s no telling what you may come across when you enter the park’s gates. With exquisite birds, mesmerising wildlife and abundant flora, the Kruger National Park is a holiday destination unlike any other. Here are 10 reasons, in no particular order, why we love the Kruger National Park.
1. The views
Whether you’re at Lower Sabie enjoying a hot cup of coffee on a deck overlooking the river or on top of Nkumbe Lookout cooking up a storm, your view is sure to be magnificent. You are bound to spot all manners of park residents passing by or napping under the trees. The viewpoints around Kruger will captivate you and leave you humbled by Mother Nature’s beauty.
2. The rest camps
With 13 rest camps to choose from, visitors can immerse themselves in the Kruger experience from various perspectives. From an entrance time which is an hour earlier for overnight visitors (4:30am) to a night of falling asleep to the sounds of nearby animals, rest camps give holiday-makers an authentic experience. If you need help deciding which camp to choose from, read about them here.
3. Afsaal
Afsaal is an institution in itself. Located between Skukuza and Malelane in the Marula region, it’s a picnic spot that holds a special place in many visitors’ hearts. Sip on the delicious coffee and enjoy a hearty breakfast after your morning game drive, all while take in the never-ending song of the woodland kingfisher. There’s friendly service at Afsaal, and spending a morning here is definitely worth it.
4. The Little Five
The leopard tortoise, rhino beetle, elephant shrew, ant lion, and the red-billed buffalo weaver make up the Little Five. Keep your eyes peeled to spot these small creatures in between your search for the Big Five.
5. The baobabs
A baobab tree is a sight to behold. The canopy looks like the tree’s root system, giving the tree an upside-down appearance, and the enormous trunk coupled with its towering height makes the baobab an absolute wonder. Baobabs occur naturally in central and northern Kruger, however, if you’re visiting or staying at Satara, taking a 25km trip to the southernmost naturally-occurring baobab tree in Africa is a must.
6. Breakfast in the bush
Breakfast in the wild is one of the most satisfying experiences in Kruger. Will a vervet monkey try steal your toast, or are you going to have to defend your designated chef from one of them using a rubber snake? The possibilities with the monkeys around are both endless and entertaining. Seasoned bush-breakfasters are well aware of these little tricksters, but regardless of their presence, no breakfast tastes as good as one cooked on a skottle in the bush. The Kruger is dotted with picnic sites, with 14 spots in the south, 16 in central Kruger and 9 in the north.
7. The sunrises
There is little in the world that compares to the beauty of an African sunrise. The sky erupts with oranges, yellows, pinks, and reds that welcome the new day as well as early game-viewers. This can be prime hunting time for big cats, such as those from the Verhami lion pride. Getting into the park early therefore comes with the benefit of seeing a sunrise but also of quiet roads and the potential to see the last of the nocturnal animals before they turn in for the day. No two sunrises are ever the same and you should wake up for one of them at least once on your next trip.
8. The sunsets
For those who aren’t too keen on a 4am wake up, experiencing a sunset is also spectacular. Animals generally become more active as night begins to fall, seeking out shelter or prey. The colours of the African sky will enrich your soul.
9. The birdlife
The Kruger National Park is home to 490 bird species. From glorious waterbirds to incredible raptors, there is always an interesting bird to see on your daily game drive. The contrasting colours of the woodland kingfisher to the enormous wing span of Africa’s biggest eagle, the martial eagle (1.93m) makes Kruger a birder’s paradise. There are so many shapes, sizes and colours that one has to see it to believe in this bird haven. If you’ve spotted a Southern ground hornbill, you are among some of the lucky few as these remarkable birds are on the endangered list.
10. The animals
One can only hope to see the Big Five when visiting the Kruger. Timing, patience and luck all come into play on your game drive to determine what you see. You could be the only car to spot a leopard crossing the road, or you could wait in a queue to see a lazy lion napping in a shady spot. You might spy a solitary elephant on the side of the road, only to realise you’re in fact surrounded by an entire heard. Having the opportunity to marvel at the animal kingdom in their natural habitat is truly an experience unlike any other.
Featured image: Pixaby
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