| An African Safari is the vacation of a lifetime. | | | | experiences. You'll never be able to see the whole |
| Make sure you choose your tour company wisely | | | | park in just one tour. Safaris include everything |
| as there is a lot of difference between tour | | | | from tented walking safaris and self-driving safaris |
| operators. Looking for great value? Ask a travel | | | | to ultra-luxurious fly-in safaris. Kruger Park holds |
| agent to keep an eye out for African Safari | | | | hundreds of lodges for different tastes and |
| special offers to find exclusive tours at unbeatable | | | | budgets. |
| prices. Or if you have some extra time, surf the | | | | The Kruger Park is a year-round destination, but |
| internet for a few weeks before booking so that | | | | there is a seasonal difference in climate. The dry |
| you get a good idea of the tours being offered. | | | | season (winter) is usually between May and |
| Safaris, aside from the airfare, are not much | | | | August, although rainfall starts declining in April and |
| more expensive than other guided tours unless | | | | is still fairly low in September and October. This is |
| you take the luxury option, and it's bound to be | | | | the best season to see game, as permanent |
| an unforgettable vacation. | | | | waterholes attract animals, the vegetation |
| Safaris to the Kruger Park, which is roughly the | | | | becomes thinned out, and trees have fewer |
| size of a small country, are always popular. This | | | | leaves to obstruct the view. Winter has warm |
| area of Africa has seen human habitation for | | | | days and chilly nights. The average maximum |
| roughly 40,000 years. Indigenous populations | | | | temperatures is around 24 degrees in winter, and |
| coexisted in balance with the local game, but after | | | | the average minimum is about 8 or 9 degrees, |
| Europeans arrived and began to hunt for trophies, | | | | although it can drop as far as 5 degrees. It is |
| game populations declined drastically due to the | | | | important to bring along a warm jacket for early |
| uncontrolled slaughter despite hunting laws | | | | morning and evening game tours. |
| introduced to South Africa in 1858. | | | | The wet season (summer), is from November to |
| The area first became protected in 1989, just | | | | March. This is when the Kruger Park receives |
| before the Boer War, after a campaign by Paul | | | | most of its rainfall, usually in dramatic afternoon |
| Kruger to establish the Sabi game reserve | | | | thundershowers. The weather is hot and balmy, |
| between the Sabi and Crocodile rivers. After the | | | | with Average maximum temperatures of about |
| Boer War ended in 1902, the James | | | | 30 degrees Celcius, with an average minimum of |
| Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed warden of the | | | | 20 degrees. The summer grass and foliage |
| Sabi Game Reserve, and formal protection and | | | | becomes lush and green, and while this makes for |
| rebuilding of game stocks was instituted. | | | | beautiful scenery, it can also make game viewing |
| Stevenson-Hamilton became determined to | | | | difficult. Also, animals no longer concentrate |
| protect the area permanently by making it a | | | | around waterholes because there are now |
| national park. After much lobbying, he succeeded. | | | | widespread sources of water. |
| The national parks act was passed in 1926 and | | | | However, for birdwatchers, the wet season is the |
| the Sabi and Singwitsi reserves (by then the | | | | ideal time to visit the Kruger Park, as this is when |
| Transvaal Game Reserve) became the Kruger | | | | the migrating birds arrive, and when all the local |
| National Park. | | | | birds are at their most active. The Makuleke |
| It took a few years before visitors discovered | | | | region of the park is renowned for its many |
| the park. In 1927, a total of 3 tourist vehicles | | | | species of birds, and visitors may see exotic |
| ventured into the park, bringing in an income of 3 | | | | specimens such as Scarlet Chested Sunbirds, |
| pounds. By 1930, there were 900 vehicles | | | | Broadbilled Rollers, Redheaded Weavers, |
| roaming on the 500 kilometres of new roads in | | | | Wattle-eyed Flycatchers and owls, such as the |
| the park, and staying in the huts and tents that | | | | Pels Fishing Owl, the Scops, Whitefaced, |
| could accommodate up to 700 people. | | | | Pearl-Spotted and Giant Eagle Owls. |
| Stevenson-Hamilton was an outdoorsman who | | | | The wet season is also the best time to see |
| disapproved of luxurious facilities, and he | | | | baby animals, as most animals calve at the |
| attempted to maintain a rustic atmosphere. | | | | beginning of the rainy season to take advantage |
| However, when he left, accommodations were | | | | of the lush grazing grounds. |
| upgraded and the park became a reknowned | | | | Luxury resorts in and around the Kruger Park are |
| destination for tourists from all around the world. | | | | not cheap, but offer services such as massages, |
| By 1955, visitors flocked to the park in numbers | | | | reflexology and room service for guests who like |
| exceeded 10,000 a year, prompting extensive | | | | to remain within the bounds of civilization while still |
| development of roads and tourist services along | | | | having an opportunity to take day tours and see |
| with the fencing of the park boundaries. During | | | | game. |
| peak holiday season, such as Christmas, Easter | | | | Overland Safaris in a tour group are the most |
| and July, the park can be quite crowded. There is | | | | economical way to see Kruger Park. These group |
| now a daily limit to number of visitors, so if you | | | | tours are a great way to meet like-minded |
| must travel in peak season, reserve well ahead of | | | | eco-tourists and enjoy a genuine outdoor |
| time. | | | | experience. Both camping and hotel options are |
| Adjacent to the Kruger on its Western Boundary | | | | available. |
| are a number of private game reserves, including | | | | The bush of the Kruger Park can also be |
| the Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Manyeleti. Kruger | | | | experienced on hiking tours. These walks are |
| Park Safaris offer a huge variety and density of | | | | conducted in parts of the region not accessible to |
| wildlife, as well as a wide range of safari | | | | vehicles, including the spectacular Lanner Gorge. |