Kruger National Park

As we were enjoying the sunset, which made the sky turn amber, two giraffes emerged from the woods and made to the river to gulp down water. 500 metres to the right, two hippo’s were lying on the riverbank enjoying the last beams of sunlight in Kruger National Park.

Kruger National Park is one of South-Africa’s biggest game reserves and covers about 19,485 km2. It is situated in north-eastern South-Africa and is home to about 147 species. The park offers a wide variety of activities and even accommodation for the night. There are about ten main camps which give tourists the opportunity to enjoy the park to its fullest and to participate in activities, like morning drives, evening drives, river and morning walks. There is also the possibility to drive round the park with your own car. However, there is a curfew. At six thirty the darkness begins to fall and one should be back at the main camp by then. Furthermore, one is not allowed to leave the car at any circumstances due to the fact that wild animals are roaming around freely.

Single-roomed bungalows with thatched roof

We decided to spent six days and five nights in the Kruger Park. We spent our five nights at the Olifants Rest Camp which provided a perfect vantage point from which to spot wildlife. The camp is situated on top of a hill and towers several hundred metres over a huge riverbank which allow visitors to spot wildlife, such as elephants, hippo’s and crocodiles. We slept in a single-roomed bungalow with a thatched roof and the basic facilities one needs when ‘surviving in the wild’. During the day we joined some of the guided game walks which allowed us to learn more about the wildlife and bush from up close. During the guided walk we usually came across hippo’s and crocodiles who were relaxing on the riverbank at the other side of the river. Sometimes we found footprints from various animals and the guide would explain how he was able to determine to which animal they belonged.

Lookout platforms from which one is able to spot wildlife

In addition to the guided game walks we also joined two morning drives. These drives leave at five in the morning and return to the main camp at eight. When you leave the main camp it is pitch-dark and ice-cold but after perhaps an hour one is able to witness a beautiful sunrise and the temperature starts to rise.

Hippo's lying on the riverbank [view from the lookout platform]

A guided riverwalk

During our stay in Kruger National Park we have seen a tremendous amount of different animals and wildlife. Including leopards, cheetahs, lions, hippo’s, elephants, crocodiles, impalas and even some rhinos. Yet, poaching is a big problem in Kruger National Park. In the recent years, 631 rhinos have been killed by poachers and a shocking amount of 408 were killed in Kruger National Park. The Park is therefore considering a translocation of rhinos to safe havens to save the rhino from extinction. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to spot some black rhino’s but the question is whether we will still be so lucky in two years. 

The black-rhino