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Kruger National Park (KNP) is a massive game reserve covering 7,580 square miles (19,633 square kilometers) of the northeast region of South Africa. Surrounding the reserve are Zimbabwe to the north, Mpumalanga to the south, Mozambique to the east and Limpopo to the west. The national parks of Kruger, Gonarehou and Limpopo make up the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a protected area set aside to preserve the area's biodiversity.
South Africa has six biosphere regions and the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere is the largest of the six in SA, and ranks third worldwide. It was registered in October 2001, which UNESCO recognizes.
Conservation groups around the world consider the reserve a leader in creating, developing, and implementing environmental management policies and techniques. It is home to a diverse population of bird, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. More than 300 different tree species grow on its land. The archaeological sites at Thulamela and Masorini as well as the bushman rock paintings scattered throughout the park are evident of man's early and prolonged presence in this environment over a span of many centuries.
Africa's Big Five all live in the Kruger. The Big 5 being of course the African lion, the African leopard, the African rhino the African elephant and the Cape buffalo. Game hunters are responsible for the ranking, depending on the degree of difficulty and danger when hunting them. The most popular tours sold are the Big Five tours, where rangers take the tourists out into the wilderness in open Jeeps in the hopes of catching a glimpse of one of these majestic beasts.
While there are a lot of camps and lodges in the park offering safe, guided tours with armed rangers, it would be a very bad idea to go walking through the bush on foot, alone, even during the day.
The reserve's infrastructure is in excellent condition with good quality roads that can easily accommodate regular passenger vehicles as well as 4X4s. Small side roads are more suitable for a 4x4 vehicle. These offshoots allow closer inspection of the landscape and its inhabitants.
Speed limits ensure the safety of the animals and their human visitors. Various types of wildlife often wander onto the roads and the larger species, such as the elephants and rhinos, can do severe damage to a vehicle if spooked. Slower speeds are also more conducive to wildlife sightings.
As mentioned before, there are camps all over the park, thirteen in fact. You have a choice of sleeping in a tent to soaking in the luxury of a spa style lodge, complete with swimming pools and other amenities. In the Kruger you will also find a gas pump, a grocery store (for if you are camping and not staying in a hotel) and even a golf course, situated right along the Sabie River. This is a prime location to see animals as they come to the water's edge every day.
The restored village of Masorini dates back to the Iron Age. The BaPhalaborwa, a society of forgers and smelters, occupied this region during the 1800s. The reconstructed furnace and huts are as authentic as possible and the site features the remains of an original furnace. Masorini is easily accessible and is approximately 12 km away from the Phalaborwa gate, on the way to Letaba rest camp.
The royal citadel of Thulamela is in the northern region of the reserve and is just a few kilometres west of Pafuri. It is one of the most historical sites in the country and remained undiscovered until 1993. Archaeologists believe that excavating bombs found a couple who might have ruled in the 1500's. Because the bodies were decorated with gold, the archaeologists believed they were royalty.
The climate is hot and humid and the polar opposite to the EU countries. Between April and September it is the rainy season and is described as sub-tropical because of its location just south of the border. Visitors from Europe and America find the end of summer to be the best time to spot animals because of the low bush and grasses, and it's also a great time to sit and watch the animals as they all gather around the watering holes. But generally, the weather is very hot and dry in this area.
South Africa has six biosphere regions and the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere is the largest of the six in SA, and ranks third worldwide. It was registered in October 2001, which UNESCO recognizes.
Conservation groups around the world consider the reserve a leader in creating, developing, and implementing environmental management policies and techniques. It is home to a diverse population of bird, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. More than 300 different tree species grow on its land. The archaeological sites at Thulamela and Masorini as well as the bushman rock paintings scattered throughout the park are evident of man's early and prolonged presence in this environment over a span of many centuries.
Africa's Big Five all live in the Kruger. The Big 5 being of course the African lion, the African leopard, the African rhino the African elephant and the Cape buffalo. Game hunters are responsible for the ranking, depending on the degree of difficulty and danger when hunting them. The most popular tours sold are the Big Five tours, where rangers take the tourists out into the wilderness in open Jeeps in the hopes of catching a glimpse of one of these majestic beasts.
While there are a lot of camps and lodges in the park offering safe, guided tours with armed rangers, it would be a very bad idea to go walking through the bush on foot, alone, even during the day.
The reserve's infrastructure is in excellent condition with good quality roads that can easily accommodate regular passenger vehicles as well as 4X4s. Small side roads are more suitable for a 4x4 vehicle. These offshoots allow closer inspection of the landscape and its inhabitants.
Speed limits ensure the safety of the animals and their human visitors. Various types of wildlife often wander onto the roads and the larger species, such as the elephants and rhinos, can do severe damage to a vehicle if spooked. Slower speeds are also more conducive to wildlife sightings.
As mentioned before, there are camps all over the park, thirteen in fact. You have a choice of sleeping in a tent to soaking in the luxury of a spa style lodge, complete with swimming pools and other amenities. In the Kruger you will also find a gas pump, a grocery store (for if you are camping and not staying in a hotel) and even a golf course, situated right along the Sabie River. This is a prime location to see animals as they come to the water's edge every day.
The restored village of Masorini dates back to the Iron Age. The BaPhalaborwa, a society of forgers and smelters, occupied this region during the 1800s. The reconstructed furnace and huts are as authentic as possible and the site features the remains of an original furnace. Masorini is easily accessible and is approximately 12 km away from the Phalaborwa gate, on the way to Letaba rest camp.
The royal citadel of Thulamela is in the northern region of the reserve and is just a few kilometres west of Pafuri. It is one of the most historical sites in the country and remained undiscovered until 1993. Archaeologists believe that excavating bombs found a couple who might have ruled in the 1500's. Because the bodies were decorated with gold, the archaeologists believed they were royalty.
The climate is hot and humid and the polar opposite to the EU countries. Between April and September it is the rainy season and is described as sub-tropical because of its location just south of the border. Visitors from Europe and America find the end of summer to be the best time to spot animals because of the low bush and grasses, and it's also a great time to sit and watch the animals as they all gather around the watering holes. But generally, the weather is very hot and dry in this area.
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So now that you've discovered enough to ignite your curiosity, why then not give some thought to taking a break and pay a visit this impressive national park? Write to us on our web site http://www.capetours.co.uk to learn more and even vacation suggestions for an experience off a lifetime!