Blogs from Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga , South Africa, Africa - page 7

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Africa » South Africa » Mpumalanga » Kruger National Park September 14th 2014

"A white rhino butted head first into a land cruiser today," our on-site reporter told us. "The short-sighted male believed the vehicle was a rival blocking him from his two lady friends, so tried to tip it over by hooking his horn underneath the bonnet. The land cruiser remained upright, and the rhino moved around it and ambled peacefully away. Neither animal nor people were hurt." It was exciting, though. This was our first full day at Naledi Bushcamp in Balule Nature Reserve. For geography and logistics buffs, Balule is on the outer western edge of Greater Kruger National Park. The advantages of being in a nature reserve rather than in the national park proper are: fewer jeeps on the trails (5 at the most rather than 30 or more) fewer people: only those staying in ... read more
hippodr
ericandprem
giraffedr

Africa » South Africa » Mpumalanga » Kruger National Park September 13th 2014

I had prepared carefully for my first ever safari. I had my camera with its large lens for wildlife photography; a broad-brimmed hat to protect against the last of the day's rays; and sensible shoes in case we were to get off the vehicle and walk. Getting excited about possible wildlife sightings - lions hunting, elephants marauding, hippos wallowing - I climbed into the land cruiser in my khaki shirt and beige trousers. The vehicle was full. There were five other guests as well as Matt, my husband, and I. As the last people to arrive, Matt and I were separated. He sat in the back with a Canadian couple, and I was in the middle seat with two young Ukranians. We all said "Hello". Our guide, Eric, and tracker, Prem, introduced themselves. Eric was a ... read more
balule with giraffe
baby black rhino
lioness on the prowl


Geo: -23.926, 31.4209She-who-must-be-obeyed decided that we had gone far too long between safaris, and given that we hadn't yet visited the country (South Africa) that is home to one of the most famous national parks in the world (Kruger), it was time to figure out how to make that happen. At a size roughly the same as the entire country of Israel, Kruger is not to be taken lightly so we made arrangements for a guide to chauffeur the Princess and myself around for the days we were going to be there. Kruger is one of a number of parks in South Africa that allows, and almost encourages self-drives, but our past experience has been that the guides/trackers have an uncanny knack for spotting critters that we would have zipped right by (and after spotting a ... read more
Shoeless Simon
A Bust Of The Guy 'Kruger' Is Named For
Doesn't Look Happy To See Us


Two fantastic days in Kruger National Park staying at Tinga and Narina Lodge. Our group was split between the two lodges and we stayed at Narina. From the time we arrived it was fantastic. We were greeted with a refreshing towel and iced tea and shown our room. Each room is separated by a boardwalk and it is easy to feel that you are the only ones there. Each room has a balcony , splash pool and outdoor shower as well as an indoor bathroom, bed, lounge and all the usual facilities. No matter where you are, you can see the scenery outside. We were collected for the first game drive, six to a vehicle and introduced to our driver Alfred and spotter Lucas. Took a while to see our first animals, but as the drive ... read more
Giraffe
Baby elephant walk
Lioness and cubs


Geo: -23.926, 31.4209 Decided to finish off our trip at Berg n Dahl and spent most of the day driving to get there taking time to enjoy the wildlife as we went along. We got there and started looking for a place to camp. Found a spot along the fence but it was not real level and the trip during the night to the ablutions could have been problematic.Went back to our tried and true spot by the kitchen and ablutions where we usually camp. First night did an evening drive and the most exciting thing was the bushveld gerbil that hopped across our path as we were turning into the camp. Had dinner at the bar, watched soccer playoffs and visited with the workers.Up the next morning and took the road to the waterhole. It ... read more
Berg En Dal
Berg En Dal
Berg En Dal


Geo: -23.9561, 31.4416Back at Lower Sabie and our days our getting close to being over. This was our last day in Lower Sabie and where should we go? We decided to head down toward Crocodile Bridge taking one of the dirt roads to see what we could see. We had heard the lions at night but decided to try this road and see if some of the predators would be seen. The first thing we saw jumping across the road was a hare of some sort. Unfortunately it was not a spring hare but still was nice to see.We were not yet to the bridge where there is a nice waterhole for the animals when we saw animals on the road..........two lions walking down the road. The park service had burned the sides of the road ... read more
Early morning lions
Early morning lions
Early morning lions


Geo: -23.9561, 31.4416June 23Up the next morning and went over to join our friends at their campsite. Bob is not camping and so he also joined us there. Taking down the roof top tent did not seem as easy as it had when they were shown how to do this at Shoestrings. Hope things get better. They are off to other parts of the park today but we will stay behind to enjoy Lower Sabie.Finally, all was packed up and we headed to the spectacular Lower Sabie River deck for breakfast at the new Mugg and Bean. Margaret, the lady that had served us the first day was a waitperson again and gave us excellent service. We all got our order in and then were enjoying all the wildlife in the river area that we were ... read more
Lions in the Sand
Lions in the Sand
Lions in the Sand


Geo: -23.9561, 31.4416Walking SafariWe left the gate at 5:50. We had waited for some people who were no shows and so there were only fourof us plus the two guides. We headed down the first dirt road to the right and then cut over on one of those roads that we are not allowed to enter. We then connected back with the road to Crocodile Bridge and pulled over to the side.They gave quite a long introduction about rules of the walk. The most important things we learned was to walk single file so we would look like some very immense creature not to be bothered with. He also told us not to lag behind and if we needed to stop for something, slap your thigh, whistle, but not call out unless you saw a predator ... read more
Walking Safari Kruger NP
Walking Safari Kruger NP
Walking Safari Kruger NP


Geo: -23.9561, 31.4416Started our game drive this morning with a laugh as we watched a hyena with a Coke can in its mouth cross the road. We are not quite sure why it felt it needed this can but.......there it was. We were moving from Skukuza to Lower Sabie and so we were heading down that direction on this morning drive.We had to creep slowly past a massive elephant that was right up against the side of the road but we made it safely. Continuing down the road we saw two cars stopped one each direction and we asked what they had seen since we could not see anything. They said the people in the car facing the other direction had seen a leopard cross the road from the river side back into the bush. We ... read more
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Geo: -23.9561, 31.4416After such a great day seeing so much on Paul Kruger Gate road from Skukuza, we headed that way again out this morning. Saw some very nice herds of elephants along the road and near the Paul Kruger gate. We do not go all the way to the gate except for a restroom stop but turn around and head back.Got back to camp and decided to go on our exercise walk around the camp. Stopped at the sightings board to see what has been seen this morning. Of course, you cannot always be sure the magnets have actually been put at real sightings or just put on the board by small children or adults with a "bad a sense of humor." We always take them with a grain of salt but you also get ... read more
wild dog
very close to the car
sniffing around




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