| An African safari vacation is by far for any | | | | is how the Kruger National Park came into |
| tourist, both to African and international | | | | existence. |
| alike, a great experience, but you can't say | | | | |
| you have experienced a safari truly until | | | | I was driving while Bronwyn enjoyed her first |
| you've been to the Kruger National Park. 18 | | | | day in the park, sitting back and being on |
| 989 square km (7 332 sq miles) of untamed | | | | the lookout for any wildlife. It was all |
| Kruger land offers some of the best game | | | | great fun, and every time we saw a group of |
| viewing, with the Big Five (buffalo, leopard, | | | | cars standing still, we tried to rush there |
| lion, buffalo and elephant) and many more of | | | | in the hope that it might be one of the Big |
| Africa's wildlife in their natural | | | | Five, like lions or maybe even a shy leopard, |
| environment. And this year, marking the | | | | but to our dismay, it turned out to be some |
| Kruger National Park's 110 year anniversary, | | | | kind of bird usually. Although birds are |
| it seemed like a good time to make a visit. | | | | great, we weren't really enthusiastic bird |
| | | | watchers. So when Bronwyn eventually did see |
| It's been awhile | | | | lions she made a shriek so loud that I almost |
| | | | did an emergency stop in the middle of the |
| My friend Bronwyn and I were booked to stay | | | | road! Her camera was out in an instant and |
| at the Kruger National Park during a seven | | | | she couldn't stop taking photos. We share a |
| day trip. We had flown up from Cape Town and | | | | love of animals and cats of all sizes in |
| hired a car at Johannesburg airport to drive | | | | particular, so it made perfect sense that |
| through to the National Park located in one | | | | seeing lions in their natural environment |
| of South Africa's most striking provinces: | | | | would have such an ecstatic effect on us, |
| Mpumalanga. For Bronwyn this was going to be | | | | especially from Bronwyn who had not been to |
| quite an adventure, since she had never | | | | the Kruger Park before. |
| before been to Mpumalanga, or the Kruger | | | | |
| National Park. This is not uncommon amongst | | | | Manyeleti Honeyguide Camp |
| South Africans, because for some sad reason, | | | | |
| not all South Africans get the opportunity to | | | | Our next stay was at the Manyeleti Honeyguide |
| travel as much around their own country as | | | | Camp. We were staying in the most luxurious |
| some international tourists do. | | | | tents, designed to mirror Ernest Hemingway's |
| | | | Africa. The one thing that Bronwyn and I |
| After our four hour drive to the town White | | | | appreciated the most was that when lazing |
| River, we booked in at the Jatinga Country | | | | around in the swimming pool, you overlook a |
| Lodge. Only 38km away from the Park, this | | | | watering hole that attracts a lot of wildlife |
| magnificent bed and breakfast had quite the | | | | throughout the day. So we were able to spend |
| superior array of rooms. We settled down | | | | a whole day just lazing about, swimming, |
| after our trip and decided to spend what was | | | | tanning and reading, all the while seeing a |
| left of the day enjoying a stroll through the | | | | number of wildlife at our pleasure. Manyeleti |
| picturesque little town of White River. The | | | | also had a wider range of South African wines |
| atmosphere was one of relaxation and rich | | | | than most accommodations which was more of a |
| culture. It seemed like type of place all | | | | treat since we Capetonians really do |
| artists would dream of and many call it their | | | | appreciate our fine wines. Manyeleti also |
| home, since we saw quite a few galleries and | | | | had divine cuisine so we were truly basking |
| little shops selling local art such as | | | | in the lap of luxury! |
| pottery and so forth. After our walkabout, we | | | | |
| soon found ourselves back at the lodge for | | | | Idube Private Game Reserve |
| supper, enjoying the beauty that comprised | | | | |
| this beautiful English Country styled lodge. | | | | The staff at Idube were all very friendly and |
| | | | we felt welcomed completely. At Idube, |
| 110 years of natural beauty | | | | Bronwyn and I spent some time in an Animal |
| | | | Hide. It was almost like a little house, |
| Bronwyn was beside herself when we entered | | | | hidden away so that we were able to watch the |
| the gates of the Kruger National Park. The | | | | wildlife undetected. Our second day joined in |
| Kruger National Park was established by one | | | | on a game drive where the rangers gave us a |
| of South Africa's first and most beloved | | | | thorough lesson on the wildlife of the |
| Presidents: Paul Kruger. One of his | | | | Kruger. |
| voortrekkers led an expedition out to what | | | | |
| was then the Eastern Transvaal. After | | | | All-in-all, both Bronwyn and myself had a |
| establishing that due to the gold rush, there | | | | really great time and almost felt privileged |
| was swift destruction of wildlife by hunters, | | | | that we could partake in the celebration of a |
| President Kruger persuaded the Transvaal | | | | South African legend. The Kruger Park always |
| parliament that they had to establish this | | | | has and always will be one of South Africa's |
| area as a protected wildlife area. And this | | | | greatest landmarks! |