
The Kruger National Park
The Southern African Kruger National Park in the north eastern corner of South Africa needs no introduction. The far sighted President Kruger proclaimed what was to later become Kruger Park when he declared the Sabi Park a protected area in 1998. Now the reserve spans 3 countries, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe-The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The Kruger Park has more species of mammals (at 147 species) that any other African Reserve. The Kruger Park makes up part of the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere Reserve- a UNESCO designated area.
The Kruger has been in the spotlight again recently with the problems they are having controlling elephant numbers. The park stopped culling elephants in 1989 and tried rather to move family units to other reserves in Africa that were looking for elephants. The Kruger can only sustain about 8000 elephants and now the population has grown to over 13 000- it remains to be seen what solution well respected research sector of Kruger will arrive at. Rhino poaching too has suddenly surged in recent years and Kruger has had it’s fair share of poached animals. The park has the dubious achievement of having lost 65 white rhino and 1 black rhino to poaching since January 2010. Understandably it is an enormus task to patrol such a large area. (new stats May 2011 total 150 rhino year to date)

However, to play on the positive, Kruger National Park is a wilderness unlike any other- it is a very large tract of land divided into six ecosystems and displaying incredible biodiversity. Kruger is home to nearly 2000 species of plants and 500 species of birds that either visit or live in Kruger. Accommodation and safaris in Kruger are as varied as its species. From the privately operated 5 star lodges to camping and wilderness safaris there is something for everyone. There are a few mapped out 4 x 4 trails that offer a self drive adventure. Mountain bike rides is a new addition to activities in the park. There are sleep out options in a hide at a dam and boma dinnersunder the stars. Once a year or so, there is even a symphony concert held out with the bush with armed guards watching over the audience.
Contact Wildlife Encounters and together we will plan your safari.




