SOUTH AFRICA - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds and wildlife
habitats of Kruger National Park in South Africa
To
request a private safari tour of Kruger National Park in South Africa,
click here >>> |
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This
enormous and magnificent park is one of the
most popular public-entry game parks in the
world. Its density of permanent game is unrivalled
with hundreds of different species; 507 birds,
336 trees, 147 mammals, 114 reptiles, 49 fish
and 34 amphibians!
Few
visitors leave South Africa without visiting
Kruger Park or one of the
private reserves along its border (see section
on Private
Reserves near Kruger), but it is also
frequented by locals in their own vehicles,
as you can drive yourself around and stay
overnight in one of the many public restcamps.
There are also a few exclusive private lodges
that have taken been granted concessions within
Kruger.
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The
far north of the park is the wildest and most
difficult area to access and because of this,
it has alluring qualities for the real adventurer.
However, the central and southern parts of the
park have the best facilities for visitors,
with an excellent network of roads and game-viewing
waterholes.
With
greater ecological co-operation across African
borders, several countries bordering South Africa
have agreed to take down some fences, and those
between Kruger and Mozambique's Limpopo National
Park and Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou, have been demolished
to create the Greater Limpopo Transfronteir
Park. This unique political innovation is creating
a colossal wilderness area extending 15,000
miles (24,000km). |
ANIMALS
& BIRDS
Sighting the "Big
Five” has become something of a quest
for many people when on safari, and Kruger National
Park has more than its fare share of these,
with an estimated 1,800 lion, 9,125 elephant,
25,000 buffalo, unknown number of leopards and
2,300 black and white rhino. These animals became
the 'Big Five' because they are the five most
dangerous animals to hunt - when injured they
attack! It should certainly not be a pre-requisite
of a safari to see these or even a priority,
as there are plenty of other fascinating animals
and birds in the African bush. |
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With
approximately 500 bird species, some of them
unique to this area, there is enough on the
ground and in the air to keep anybody's binoculars
busy. Some of the biggest and most impressive
birds to be seen here are the ground hornbill,
martial eagle, lappet-faced vulture, kori bustard
and saddle-billed stork.
SEASONS
Rainy Season: The subtropical climate
has hot rainy summers starting in October and
ending around March. The summer rains transform
the arid park into a lush flowering paradise,
but the increased foliage does make animals
harder to see.
Dry Season: The winter months from
April to September are extremely pleasant with
warm dry days and cold nights. Traditionally,
the best game viewing is in winter as the vegetation
becomes sparse and water is restricted to rivers
and artificial waterholes.
KRUGER
NATIONAL PARK SPECIALITIES
· Animal density and
variety
· The " Big Five"
· Self drive safari
· Exclusive private
lodges
· Wonderful subtropical
climate
· Plenty of birds
· Very safe safari environment
FACTS
The Park was established in 1926
The surface area of Kruger National Park is
7,580 miles2 (19,633 km²)
There
are almost 254 known cultural heritage sites
in the Kruger National Park, including nearly
130 recorded rock art sites.
This is a malarial area
Off road driving is prohibited
Night drives can be booked in advance in a guided
vehicle
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Follow the links below to South Africa's premier wildlife
regions and game reserves.
PRIVATE
SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE KRUGER NP REGION |
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