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Kruger National Park South Africa – Day 2

Cruising through Kruger National Park on the second day proved to be full of wildlife, both big and small.

Sunrise Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

If you’ll remember, Joan and I saw ALL the BIG 5 on our first day in Kruger National Park. You might think that would be hard to beat. No way. Joan had me up before sunrise every day. Of course she also had the coffee made, such a sweet woman.

Waterbuck Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

We would be out the gate at sunrise, the best time to catch some animals like this waterbuck in the golden light.

Wildebeast giraffe zebra marabostork kudos Kruger National Park South Africa

wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, marabou storks, kudus

Then spend the morning slowing cruising the roads, scanning back and forth. By noon we’d seen over a dozen species.

Gaelyn driving Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

Joan let me practice driving on the right side, seemingly wrong to me, of the vehicle and left side of the road.

Olifants Rest Camp Kruger National Park South Africa

And we had lunch at Oliphants Rest camp plus saw some Bug Lady wildlife.

Turtles Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

Continuing on safari we were attacked by these turtles…

Crocodile Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

…as this crocodile lay idly by…

Snake Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

…and this snake tried to ignore our plight.

Baobab Tree Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

But we were able to seek shelter, first under this ancient Baobab Tree,

Elephant skeleton Elephant Museum Letaba Rest Camp Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

and then at Letaba Rest Camp where we hid in visited the Elephant Museum. (See what happens when the turtles get to you.)

Lion Night ride Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

Back to camp for dinner and then a guided “Night Ride” with a very unfunny thought he was a comedian driver/guide.

Zebras Night ride Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

We did get to see a few animals.

Sunset Night ride Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa

But the best part of the night ride was the sunset.

Kruger National Park, South Africa , , 13 Comments

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.

Kruger National Park, South Africa , , , 12 Comments

Grand Canyon, Where the Beefalo Roam

There is no such thing as Buffalo in America.  You have to go to Asia or Africa to see true Buffalo.  There are Bison.  They can be seen at Custer State Park, Yellowstone and Wind Cave National Parks and privately owned ranches, but not at Grand Canyon.

Bison hybrid Hwy 67 S North Rim Grand Canyo National Park Arizona

Charles Jesse “Buffalo” Jones experimented with breeding cattle and bison around the end of the 19th century in Kansas to produce Cattalo or Beefalo, a misnomer for Bison hybrids.  Then in 1906 he convinced the federal government to donate land on the Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon and partnered with “Uncle” Jim Owens to continue his experimental cross breeding.  After several years, investors withdrew their funding of the project so Jones sold the cattle and gave Owens the bison.

Bison hybrids Hwy 67 S North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Also in 1906, Theodore Roosevelt appointed Owens as the game warden of the Grand Canyon Game Preserve and in 1926 he sold his “beefalo” to the State of Arizona.

Bison hybrids Hwy 67 S North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Their legacy still roams the Kaibab Plateau today.

 Sunset over Vermilion Cliffs & House Rock Valley

House Rock Valley & Vermilion Cliffs

Some of the herds stay in the House Rock Wildlife Area east of the plateau.  But many “beefalo” wander over the invisible, or partially fenced, border into the National Forest and Park.

Bison hybrid dung & foot

Beefalo patty

Hunting licenses are issued by Arizona Fish & Game and the hunt is described as “a world renowned opportunity and experience.”  These “Bison” are considered to be the hardest to hunt of the true free ranging herds.  Of course the limited issued license will cost you at least $1000 and there’s no guarantee or refund.

Bison hybrid track & foot

Beefalo hoof print

Plus they can’t be hunted in the National Park where they sometimes seem to run for safety.

 Bison hybrids along Hwy 67 S North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

And cause “Beefalo Jams” along the roadway.

People & bison hybrids in meadow Hwy 67 North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Where tourons visitors often get out of their vehicles to take photos and get perilously close to these humongous and fast moving creatures.

Crane Lake Hwy 67 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Crane Lake

Once in the park, the National Park Service is committed to protecting these non-native species.  Small lakes on the meadows have been fenced to keep the beefalo out and allow the wildlife in.

Crane Lake Interpretation sign Hwy 67 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

When these animals were DNA tested they show a higher amount of bovine than bison.  Uncle Jim’s strain was certainly not pure and they’ve been breeding every since.

Bison hybrids Hwy 67 S North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

There is ongoing discussion about what to do with the large herds.  Game & Fish estimates the current count is over 300 head, over twice the limit of sustainable management.  (2018 update: 600-800 head and the agencies are still talking about it.)  Students at Northern Arizona University conducted research. Four government agencies–Arizona Game & Fish, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and National Park Service–continue to discuss what to do while the population continues to increase.

Beefalo Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

So don’t be fooled when you drive into Grand Canyon’s North Rim and see these bison hybrids, much smaller than the real deal which you can see in Yellowstone National Park.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, National Parks and Monuments , , , , 23 Comments

Lijit

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