An African
Safari is the vacation of a lifetime. Make sure you choose your tour company
wisely as there is a lot of difference between tour operators. Looking for
great value? Ask a travel agent to keep an eye out for African Safari Vacations special
offers to find exclusive tours at unbeatable prices. Or if you have some extra
time, surf the internet for a few weeks before booking so that you get a good
idea of the tours being offered. Safaris, aside from the airfare, are not much
more expensive than other guided tours unless you take the luxury option, and
it's bound to be an unforgettable vacation.
The Kruger National Park
Safaris to
the Kruger Park, which is roughly the size of a small country, are always
popular. This area of Africa has seen human habitation for roughly 40,000
years. Indigenous populations coexisted in balance with the local game, but
after Europeans arrived and began to hunt for trophies, game populations
declined drastically due to the uncontrolled slaughter despite hunting laws
introduced to South Africa in 1858.
The area
first became protected in 1989, just before the Boer War, after a campaign by
Paul Kruger to establish the Sabi game reserve between the Sabi and Crocodile
rivers. After the Boer War ended in 1902, the James Stevenson-Hamilton was
appointed warden of the Sabi Game Reserve, and formal protection and rebuilding
of game stocks was instituted. Stevenson-Hamilton became determined to protect
the area permanently by making it a national park. After much lobbying, he
succeeded. The national parks act was passed in 1926 and the Sabi and Singwitsi
reserves (by then the Transvaal Game Reserve) became the Kruger National Park.
It took a
few years before visitors discovered the park. In 1927, a total of 3 tourist
vehicles ventured into the park, bringing in an income of 3 pounds. By 1930,
there were 900 vehicles roaming on the 500 kilometres of new roads in the park,
and staying in the huts and tents that could accommodate up to 700 people.
Stevenson-Hamilton was an outdoorsman who disapproved of luxurious facilities,
and he attempted to maintain a rustic atmosphere. However, when he left,
accommodations were upgraded and the park became a reknowned destination for
tourists from all around the world.
By 1955,
visitors flocked to the park in numbers exceeded 10,000 a year, prompting
extensive development of roads and tourist services along with the fencing of
the park boundaries. During peak holiday season, such as Christmas, Easter and
July, the park can be quite crowded. There is now a daily limit to number of
visitors, so if you must travel in peak season, reserve well ahead of time.
Adjacent to
the Kruger on its Western Boundary are a number of private game reserves,
including the Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Manyeleti. Kruger Park Safaris offer a
huge variety and density of wildlife, as well as a wide range of safari
experiences. You'll never be able to see the whole park in just one tour. Safaris
include everything from tented walking safaris and self-driving safaris to
ultra-luxurious fly-in safaris. Kruger Park holds hundreds of lodges for
different tastes and budgets.
The Kruger
Park is a year-round destination, but there is a seasonal difference in
climate. The dry season (winter) is usually between May and August, although
rainfall starts declining in April and is still fairly low in September and
October. This is the best season to see game, as permanent waterholes attract
animals, the vegetation becomes thinned out, and trees have fewer leaves to
obstruct the view. Winter has warm days and chilly nights. The average maximum
temperatures is around 24 degrees in winter, and the average minimum is about 8
or 9 degrees, although it can drop as far as 5 degrees. It is important to
bring along a warm jacket for early morning and evening game tours.
The wet
season (summer), is from November to March. This is when the Kruger Park
receives most of its rainfall, usually in dramatic afternoon thundershowers.
The weather is hot and balmy, with Average maximum temperatures of about 30
degrees Celcius, with an average minimum of 20 degrees. The summer grass and
foliage becomes lush and green, and while this makes for beautiful scenery, it
can also make game viewing difficult. Also, animals no longer concentrate
around waterholes because there are now widespread sources of water.
However,
for birdwatchers, the wet season is the ideal time to visit the Kruger Park, as
this is when the migrating birds arrive, and when all the local birds are at
their most active. The Makuleke region of the park is renowned for its many
species of birds, and visitors may see exotic specimens such as Scarlet Chested
Sunbirds, Broadbilled Rollers, Redheaded Weavers, Wattle-eyed Flycatchers and
owls, such as the Pels Fishing Owl, the Scops, Whitefaced, Pearl-Spotted and
Giant Eagle Owls.
The wet
season is also the best time to see baby animals, as most animals calve at the
beginning of the rainy season to take advantage of the lush grazing grounds.
Luxury
resorts in and around the Kruger Park are not cheap, but offer services such as
massages, reflexology and room service for guests who like to remain within the
bounds of civilization while still having an opportunity to take day tours and
see game.
Overland
Safaris in a tour group are the most economical way to see Kruger Park. These
group tours are a great way to meet like-minded eco-tourists and enjoy a
genuine outdoor experience. Both camping and hotel options are available.
The bush of
the Kruger Park can also be experienced on hiking tours. These walks are
conducted in parts of the region not accessible to vehicles, including the
spectacular Lanner Gorge.
