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Kruger National Park South Africa – Day 1

Orpen Gate Kruger National Park H7 East Mpumalanga South Africa

After five days touring in South Africa Joan and I finally made it to Kruger National Park where I hoped to see abundant wildlife.

Orpen Gate Reception area Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

We checked in at Orpen Gate,

Map showing general route Kruger National Park South Africa

one of several entrances to the park.

Wild Card South African National Parks

I bought my Wild Card which came in handy when visiting other National Parks throughout South Africa.

Guinea fowl Kruger Natioal Park Mpumalanga South Africa

First we spotted a few birds. We saw Guinea Fowl many times and referred to them as breakfast as they aren’t very smart or fast about moving off the road.

Impala Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

Then saw an Impala.

Impalas Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

And several more.

Impalas Kruger Natinal Park Mpumalanga South Africa

And then herds. The bloody Impalas were everywhere.

Rabelais Ranger Hut Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

Stopped to see how the Rangers used to live at the Rabelais Hut.

Windmill & water tank Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

Where are all the animals? Eyes constantly scanning back and forth, along the ground and in the trees as we slowly cruised along the roads for many hours.

Hippo Sunset Lake Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

At Sunset Lake a hippo drank.

Fish eagle Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

While overhead a fish eagle soared.

Wildebeasts Kruger Nationa Park Mpumalanga South Africa

Saw wildebeests playing.

Zebra Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

The zebras looked so friendly, I really wanted to ride one. But we had to stay in our Toyota cage.

Rock leguan monitor lizard Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

This 3 foot Rock leguan monitor lizard ambled across the road in front of us.

Giraffe & White Rhinos Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

The white rhinos roamed with the giraffe.

Ant hill Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

I’m not sure how big the termites are, but the mounds were over my head.

Grasshopper Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

At least the grasshoppers were small. I was with the Bug Lady after all.

Sunset from Satara camp Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

We camped at Satara Rest Camp watching the sunset and enjoying a sundowner while the hyenas paced back and forth on the other side of the fence about 20 feet away.

After I went into the tent I just had to record the night sounds. Yes, that’s the hyenas serenading me to sleep.

South Africa's Big 5

And I dreamed about seeing all the Big 5 on my first of five days in Kruger National Park wondering what I’d see the next day. All thanks to Joan’s excellent guiding skills.

Click to see more elephant and lion photos.

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First day and I saw the Big 5 at Kruger National Park

Dung Beetle Kruger National Park South Africa

Dung Beetles find where elephants have been

It is almost unheard of to see all the Big 5 at Kruger National Park in one day, but that’s what happened on my first day.

African Elephant Kruger National Park South Africa

OMG but these African elephants are Huge weighing in at about 5 ton.  Although they eat about 60 pounds of vegetation a day they only digest about 40 percent of what they eat leaving behind plenty for the dung beetles to enjoy.

Giraffe and White Rhinos Kruger National Park South Africa

White Rhinos aren’t white yet are seen more often than Black Rhinos.  They weigh about 1 ton.  Unlike the blacks, the whites herd their young in front.  Because they’re color blind, contrary to popular belief, they do not charge red cars or trucks.  But then we’re driving a white truck anyway so we’re safe.

Leopard Kruger National Park South Africa

The leopard is very difficult to see as it hides either in the tall grass or lounges on a tree branch.  Because they can only run short distances they usually drop or pounce on their prey.  We were lucky that a guide driving along the road directed us to this leopard taking a cat nap.

Female lion Kruger National Park South Africa

On the way back to camp we became part of a Lion jam along the road.  First two females came out of the bush pausing to call cubs, of which there were five.

Lion cubs Kruger National Park South Africa

Then along came two young males.  They like to sleep on the warm road overnight.

Lions Kruger National Park South Africa

I thought my heart would pound out of my chest as I held my breath watching these lions walk no more than 5 feet from the truck.

Buffalo Kruger National Park South Africa

Figuring we were damn lucky to have seen 4 out of the Big 5 we pulled up to the campground gate and saw the buffalo.

Sterling Silver Big 5 necklace Kruger National Park South Africa

Sterling Silver necklace of the Big 5

So why are they called the Big 5?  Not because they are the biggest animals.  The Big 5 are the hardest to shoot while on a hunting safari.  But of course we’re only shooting them with cameras.

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Lijit

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