Joan and I arrived at Crocodile Bridge Gate into Kruger National Park in the dark, after the gate was closed. So we spent the night sleeping in the back of the pickup truck, known as a bakkie, right outside the gate putting us first in line to enter in the morning.
First animals barely seen due to the tall grasses were a pair of lions. This got my heart to pumping and brought back memories of my last visit seeing lions. What an exciting welcome to the park.
Heavy January rains not only increased vegetative growth but caused for severe flooding in northern parts of the park. Some roads and rest camps were closed yet many roads were still open for wildlife viewing.
We camped six nights and saw quite a few animals during the days, both big and small.
A typical day included getting up very early—for me. Joan’s up about 4:30am and out of the bakkie making coffee so when I crawled out of the tent about 5 my cup of java was ready. She really spoiled me and knew how to get me motivated at the crack of dawn.
Camp gates open at 5:30am during February when I was there and close at 6:30pm. Times change in relation to sunrise and set. Fines can be levied for returning late. Rest camps are enclosed by high electrified fences for visitor protection. It was exciting to hear the lions after dark and feel safe in my tent.
This unfortunately doesn’t stop the monkeys and baboons from getting into camp with the potential for problems. Like camping anywhere, it is wise not to leave food laying about or in your tent.
We would often be first out the gate and drive around on the extensive road system at least five hours. Many of the roads are gravel and a few main roads are paved. It’s always a slow drive with eyes looking in all directions in the hope of seeing as much wildlife as possible.
And sometimes they would be easier than others.
During the heat of the day we’d return to camp and often go swimming to cool off, but not with the crocodiles. Most of the main Rest Camps offer a restaurant, food and souvenir shops, and a swimming pool. The ablutions, or restrooms, have toilets, showers and often bathtubs. Plus the communal kitchen area has sinks, stove top, on-demand hot water and sometimes a refrigerator and freezer. And almost all campsites have power. We could even get WIFI with Joan’s modem.
Later in the afternoon we’d head back out and drive more hours looking for wildlife. I was never disappointed. We watched these young hyenas for a while. They were curious about us but wouldn’t come too close and eventually hid in the tall grass and watched us watching them.
We saw so many different birds I’ll have to devote an entire post to them. So this is just a teaser. I was reminded of riding an ostrich, but not in Kruger, on my last visit to South Africa. They’re fast runners at 43 mph (70 kph). The female is the lighter color.
Clockwise: Tree Wisteria, Mimosa, Blue Commelina, Unidentified, Wild cotton, Roadside Pimpernell, Unidentified
Yet visiting a wildlife park is about more than animals. The plant life is spectacularly diverse and beautiful.
Most important when driving around in Kruger National Park is you DO NOT get out of your vehicle. There be predators.
One of the last animals we saw before leaving the park. She appeared to be guarding a den in the rocks.
Or maybe waiting for her pride to return with a meal of something like this little Steenbok. All part of survival in the bush.
One week at Kruger National Park provides time to see a lot of wildlife yet I could enjoy staying longer. I will be back.
Have you been on safari before? What was your favorite animal?
Ah, that’s the kind of Zebra crossing I too could enjoy, no flashing lights, no shopping trollies. I would so love to go to these places but it is too dangerous (health wise) for me to travel alone. A wonderful experience for you and I can tell it is an addictive one. I bet next you will be thinking of how you can be a park ranger there.
I’m already working on the idea of being a Park Ranger in South Africa.
You really had some absolutely stunning sightings. Always great to see animals doesn’t matter if they are big or small. If I could choose two of those to see it would be leopard and hyenas as I haven’t really seen them in the wild before..
I was totally excited about seeing the leopard and I just love the hyenas. These youngsters were so inquisitive.
Never been on safari and would love love love to. It is just amazing that you saw all these magnificent animals roaming freely and living their lives. Fabulous photos!!
Definitely put safari on your list. I’ll never tire of seeing these animals in their own environment.
Amazing photos, fantastic post:) Greetings
Just fabulous! The takes me back to a safari in Kenya we did many years ago. I never saw as much wildlife in all my travels as I did on that one trip. Africa is a pretty special place. Amazing shots you got!
Nina
Africa Is a very special place. I’m already planning for this winter’s visit.
A wonderful post Gaelyn. It sure was a great trip with all these sightings.
We did good! Thanks for being such a great guide.
What a beautiful experience. I would love to do this one day and if I do I hope I see as many animals as you did. It would be comfortable to be inside the enclosure at night 🙂
I highly recommend Safari and Africa. Together is good. I’d like to camping in the bush with no fence next time.
you cannot be serious about no fence. – – lol?
Berta – –
I’ve so enjoyed your safari; photos and details like camping facilities, make for a vivid sharing experience. Especially love the elephant, zebras, and giraffes…Lynda
Thanks Lynda. I can hardly wait to return and safari in more areas.
How lucky to see leopard. my favourite of all the animals. Were you lucky enough to see wild dog while you were there? There are less and less of them around so I was delighted we saw them on our last visit. Some great photos here,. Well done. Take care Diane
I didn’t get to see the wild dogs. However, Joan has seen them a couple of times. Maybe next visit for me.
Now that’s the way to view wildlife; up close and personal….and still from a safe distance. I saw lots of musk oxen and those black-faced monkeys in India, but the others, not!
Different place, different animals.
Musk Ox in India? I would think they were Water Buffalo. Musk Ox are an Arctic animal.
What a great variety of animals there. I’d be glad for the electrified fence and I would stay in my car.
I’d really like to go on safari with no fences and walk in the bush, with an armed guard.
Hi Gaelyn .. wonderful photos you’ve taken here – and lucky you seeing lion and leopard … let alone all the other wonderful creatures … love it …
I’ve visited a few of the Parks in SA when I lived there, as well as gone to Rhodesia/Zimbabwe sadly after the best days … and Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland … very fortunate to have had an opportunity to live in SA for a while ..
Gorgeous shots .. cheers Hilary
Thanks Hilary. I hope to explore more of Africa on my next visit.
I would so love to travel with you. We’d have a blast with lots of laughing. Maybe someday down the road we’ll be able to do it. Awesome critters!!!
I’m heading back to Africa in November want to come along?
Slow and easy is the only way to drive and enjoy the animals. We went to Botswana on safari in 2004 … loved our two weeks there. Somehow, I fell in love with the elephants … especially when we were watching them swimming in the river. I don’t know if I could say they were my favorite, since it is so hard to pick one animal over the other. Even as I am writing this next pops up the memory of the four lion cubs following mom and aunt on the road in front of our safari vehicle … now how can I not say they were my favorite. Then I remember watching the wild dogs after a hunt, sharing their loot with a cheeky hyena. Better stop with this comment here or I am going to list each and every animal as my favorite. Oh OK … the puff adder would be an exception … could have done without seeing that one.
I know what you mean. The elephants are only one of my favorites. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the lions. Love the hyenas. Haven’t seen the wild dogs, yet. And thank goodness, no snakes.
I’m astounded at the wildlife you saw. The photos are incredible! Love the juxtaposition of the elephant and snail!
Thanks Barb. I saw so much and took 1000s of photos.
Fabulous photos!!
Wow, Gaelyn, I loved the Wildebeest dance and hearing your voice [whisper] on the video! Since living in East Africa, we seem to be on safari most days as we work! My favorite animal is the giraffe and the wild dog. I simply LOVE Africa and I love you for always promoting my beautiful country. Oh, seeing your comment on wanting to stay in camps without fencing: well, Botswana is good but we LOVED the Kgalaghadi at the top end where we stayed in sandbagged tents and had to sign an indemnity form in case wild animals ate us! Have a great weekend. (((Hugs))) Jo
It’s easy to promote SA as I LOVE the place. Joan and I are already talking about Kgalaghadi for the next visit.
Wow you saw some beautiful animals and sights not to be seen elsewhere. Great. MB
A great posting Gaelyn, and wonderful photos. A great plus of being in the bush during summer is all the flowers, insects and reptiles. So there is always so much to see even if the grass is so long and bushes so thick:)
PS. your unidentified flowers are :- Pride de Kaap (the red/orange one) and one of the Ipomoea’s – perhaps Morning Glory….
It is nice to see the summer flora & fauna but someday I’d like to experience winter. Thanks for ID, I should have known those two.
Just amazing to me! Wonderful animals. Isn’t it scary that you were sleeping in a pickup camper that close to lions etc.?
Everywhere we camped where there were lions we were inside fences. Nice to fall asleep listening to them.
Heading to Kruger in December and your photos are making me really excited. Love the hippo shot! You seem to have had so many wonderful sightings. I hope I’ll have the same sort of luck!
You’ll love Kruger and see so many animals. I’m heading back in January. Enjoy!