Way back in 1898, the President of the Transvaal, Paul Kruger, realised that something had to be done to protect the wildlife that roamed the hills and plains of the Lowveld region. He declared the area between the Crocodile and Sabie Rivers as a restricted hunting region which, in his honour, later became known as the Kruger National Park.
The dedication with which the Kruger Park has been maintained over the years has resulted in its recognition as one of the top wildlife reserves in the world. A haven for hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles and birds, the game reserve attracts millions of visitors from all over the globe and is the home of the elusive Big Five.
Tracking down the Big Five
Seeing the Big Five face-to-face is a safari-lover’s ultimate dream and one which can become a reality when partnering with Kruger Park Travel. This tour operator has decades of first-hand experience organising safaris throughout the vast expanses of the park. In fact, Kruger Park Travel has built its enviable reputation by partnering with other service providers, such as professional guides and rangers, as well as owners of the many luxury lodges built at strategic points throughout the park. It is for these reasons that Kruger Travel’s guests are more than likely to see members of the Big Five in the wild, if not all of these majestic animals – the lion, the rhino, the leopard, the elephant and the Cape buffalo.
With the park sprawled across nearly 20 000 km², Kruger Travel’s guides have grown intimate with the nooks and crannies of the terrain. They are both knowledgeable and canny, managing to track down their prey, much to the delight of the visiting safari-goers.
High Season from May through September
The Kruger Park’s campsites and lodges are generally fully booked during the high season months from May through September. Those are the dry months in the Lowveld region and a time when the bush dies back, making animal viewing that much easier. The climate at that time of year also plays a major role as temperatures plunge to around 12°C in the morning, reaching a warm but comfortable lunchtime high of about 27°C. The mid-winter months are from June to August when it becomes decidedly cold at night and early in the morning. Visitors are advised to pack warm clothing for a high season visit but should prepare themselves for balmy daytime temperatures with bright blue skies and sunshine. Rain is almost unheard of during the winter months.
Safari packages to suit all budgets
The Kruger National Park is so vast that you could fit a country the size of Israel into its borders. It’s no wonder then that it takes many years of experience to gain the know-how and the expertise to streamline safari packages to suit all tastes and budgets. And, that’s exactly what Kruger travel has achieved. The beauty about their Kruger Park tours is that visitors can tailor-make a safari package to suit all their individual needs.
There are a number of safari options from which to choose. For the up-close-and-personal thrill of big game viewing visitors can select a walking safari. On these adrenalin-charged tours, visitors will follow in the footsteps of a highly skilled park ranger as he tracks down his prey. Visitors learn about staying downwind of animals to avoid scent-detection, about tracking and about close encounters without personal endangerment.
Another option is game drive safaris. With these, visitors are taken on early morning and late afternoon game drives in elevated open-air safari vehicles. The viewing of wildlife is always best at these times because the weather is cooler and water holes teem with wildlife just before sunset.
For a genuine bush experience, what about sleeping in tents under the stars? At these camp sites, fires burn throughout the night to keep predators and inquisitive wildlife at arm’s length. Zip up your sleeping bag and fall asleep to the sound of roaring lions and laughing hyenas. What a truly wonderful experience!
For those who want to view wildlife without sacrificing life’s small pleasures like steaming baths and linen sheets, there is always a luxury lodge in which to return at the end of the day. Here, sundowners are sipped on elevated decks built strategically above popular wildlife waterholes, waiters are on hand to keep glasses filled, and the cuisine is of international standards. So, whatever your choice, together with Kruger Park Travel you can build a safari package that will guarantee lifelong memories.
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