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