Kruger National Park
Kruger Park, the size of Israel, is the most popular park in southern Africa. It conserves 33 amphibian species, 49 fish species, 114 reptile, 500 bird, 20 000 plant species and supports 14 different eco-systems. It is excellent - away from other visitors.
Not so long ago, when vast tracts of unsuitable
bushveld were host to ranch-raised cattle down
the length of the western edge of Kruger,
enlightened South African environmentalists
persuaded ranchers to tear down their fences
and allow wild animals to roam free between
their properties and the park. They became
safari operators instead of ranchers. In doing so
they significantly enlarged the number and
enhanced the quality of lodges in the north east
of South Africa. This means you now have
much more choice when planning a bespoke
African safari with King & King in that part of
the world.
In the two million hectare park itself much of
the accommodation is based on self-catering
chalets. For that type of holiday a visitor to the
country should book a fully equipped chalet
rather than one without cooking utensils. A
range of shops sell food. These are popular
holidays with South Africans so take advice
about when to go as Kruger has been known
to get very crowded with visitors.
Restaurants and cafes cater for all needs.
Public camps remind the writer of UK holiday
camps but are well organised and under shade.
Private Kruger camps cater for up to 12 people
but are even more popular as they are excellent
value. Smaller bushveld camps with more sparse
facilities are as popular. For both you need to
book months ahead.
Luxury camps close to the park offer excellent
facilities and plenty of game viewing
opportunities.
As always, for a bespoke African safari
experience King & King recommends and will
organise walking safaris. In the Kruger seven
choices are available. Some may close at
different times of year. They are not arduous,
last either two or three days with overnight
stops in thatched huts. Food and equipment is
provided. Do it from March to end of August,
in the dry, cooler weather.
Wildlife is managed. Boreholes driven by
windmills provide water. Lions are culled to
ensure antelope and buffalo survive. White
and black rhino were re-introduced from
Rhodesia. Several larger antelope species
have been re-introduced.
Perhaps Kruger's greatest value lies in this
management programme; lessons learned there
are applied elsewhere in Africa. Research at
Kruger is unique: it has been going on, in one
form or another, since 1903 when the first
warden, Major Hamilton-Stevenson, was
appointed at the end of the Boer War.
He harried poachers, mostly on horesback, and
lobbied hard for Kruger's enlargement and
protection against encroachment by man.
Today, Kruger has more than 100 000 visitors
a year and contains 336 tree species, 49 fish
species, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds
and 147 mammals - and memorable bushman
rock paintings. |
