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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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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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