Kruger National Park

by: Jerry Wanga


In our imaginations the wild places of Africa are timeless and unchanging. That is the reason why Africans and non-Africans seek them out, to restore calm and proportion to their lives.

In reality of course, this isn't true because Africa's landscapes change just like any other as they respond to shifts in their environment and human activity.

For the past million years or so, humans and their ancestors have been the main agents of change in Africa's savannah. Kruger National Park is not an Island, but an integral part of a continent, alive with people, their needs and dreams and hopes for the future.

As part of Africa's greatest safari parks, Kruger National Park is part of the great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Elephants can easily be seen in this park and their are 145 mammal species to look out for including lions, cheetah, giraffe, hippos, rhino, and buffalo.

Kruger National Park Accommodation styles range from standard bungalow, to luxury safari lodge, to basic camp site, with prices to suit just about every budget. Whether you are looking for a family vacation, Africa travel or a budget African safari, there's bound to be something for you.

Here are some Restcamps at Kruger National Park.

Berg-en-Dal (with satellite Malelane)

Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the northern and southern sides dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp. There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp. Berg-en-Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment and is built on the site of a prehistoric settlements.

Crocodile Bridge

This small and delightful camp is situated in the south-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park, on the northern bank of the Crocodile River, from which it derives its name. After an early morning game drive, one can retire from the Lowveld heat to a lunch of prawns before coming back for late afternoon game viewing. The game viewing area is known as the ‘Southern Circle’ and is renowned for its concentration of different prides of lion with different hunting techniques and behavior. It has an abundance of prides, herds, troops, packs and swarms. It is home to a larger percentage of the Kruger National Park‘s total rhino population.

Letaba

The idyllic Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a sweeping bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The name means “river of sand”, and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Letaba is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a firm favorite with visitors.

Lower Sabie

Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. Visitors cannot but feel soothed by the view towards the river and the Lebombo Mountains beyond. In this rest camp, the bounty and plenitude of nature are very evident, eloquently symbolized by the most conspicuous of its numerous trees, the mighty sycamore fig, which provides generously for the livelihood of many birds and insects. Not only do these giants produce fruit at least twice a year, but different trees produce fruit at different times, extending the gifts of life over many months.

Olifants

The camp is situated a top a hill which towers several hundred feet over the Olifants river. Views from the lookout platforms allow one to see the river below, just as a soaring eagle would survey it, as it hunts from the skies.

Pretoriuskop

When the world was still young, some 3 500 million years ago, molten rock forced its way through the earth's crust and solidified to form the spectacular granite outcrops where Pretoriuskop Rest Camp is now nestled. The impressive granite dome known as “Shabeni Hill” is not far from the camp, which is found in the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. It is immediately apparent to any visitor that Pretoriuskop is unique as brilliant red trees adorn the camp, pre-dating the decision to make exclusive use of indigenous plants in laying out rest camp gardens. Nostalgia prompted an exception to the rule for Pretoriuskop, the Kruger National Park's oldest rest camp, and exotic flowering plants were allowed to stay, enhancing the strong sense of the past that is so pervasive.

Punda Maria

Punda Maria lies in the northern most part of the Kruger National Park, 8 km from Punda Maria Gate. The camp is situated in the Sandveld region that is often described as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park. There are numerous plant species which occur that are unique to the area. Game species most likely to be sighted include impala, zebra, buffalo, elephant, eland and sable and the area is a bird paradise.


About The Author
Jerry Wanga is editor of Naady. You can find more information about Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya safaris, as well as hotels and lodge bookings, on the website: http://naady.com