In the north of Kruger there had been just enough rain to get the grass growing and the flowers blooming and this is one of my favourite months in Kruger – everything is wonderfully green but the grass is still only a few inches high and the bush looks positively park-like. The animals have already scattered far and wide as they don’t need to be close to the waterholes anymore, but the insects, birds and reptiles are everywhere, and of course all the babies – delicate, fragile little impala lambs teetering between curiosity and alarm, tiny warthoglets, their legs a blur, trotting behind their mothers, fluffy “rocking horse” zebra foals, bandy-legged lion cubs panting in the heat showing their spiky incisors.

The Parfuri area itself is a spectacular change from southern Kruger. The underlying geology is quite different and as a result one has stunning Mopani forests on the ridges, ghostly green fever tree forests of the Limpopo river flood plains and the lala palm thickets rattling in the breezes that blow across the river plains. Scattered over the stony ridges and inland plains are stately Baobabs now fully clothed in their summer green and glowing in the dark of the night with their beautiful creamy white flowers.

]]> http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/information-on-birding-in-the-kruger-park/safari-guides-birding-diary-parfuri-region/feed/ http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/kruger-park-news-and-facts/kruger-park-wildlife/ http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/kruger-park-news-and-facts/kruger-park-wildlife/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:50:12 +0000 Outlook http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/?p=155 The Kruger National Park has without a doubt one of the highest diversity of species for any park in the world. The  Kruger Park is home to approximately 147 mammal species, 114 reptile, 517 bird, 49 fish, 34 amphibian and 336 tree species.

The Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant & Buffalo) are probably the parks biggest attraction, however there are many more species to be on the look out for. Honey Badger, Serval, Side-striped Jackal, Wild Dogs and Cheetah are special sightings to have, and can in their own right be more appreciated than any of the Big 5.

Of the more rare antelope to be on the look out for are: Roan Antelope, Sable, Eland, Tssessebe, Mountain Reedbuck and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest.
With the southern Kruger Park having the biggest plant diversity, it also attracts more antelope species, which in return attracts predators. As one moves northwards through the park the vegetation and topography changes and this influences the wildlife, their preferences to the specific vegetation of the area as well as the abundance of other competing species.

All this doesn’t even consider the insect life underpinning the park’s ecosystem - about half of southern Africa’s known species of insects are thought to occur in Kruger, producing the slightly mind-boggling figure of some 20,000 insect species in the park. In Kruger’s burn plots alone, 169 species of ants have been found. The insect life of the park is sufficient to sustain 39 different species of insectivorous bats.

The area you visit will determine the species that you are most likely to see. See the camps for more on which species occur within the immediate region. ]]> http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/kruger-park-news-and-facts/kruger-park-wildlife/feed/ http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/kruger-park-news-and-facts/south-africa/ http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/kruger-park-news-and-facts/south-africa/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:20:18 +0000 Outlook http://blog.krugerwildlifesafaris.com/?p=151 The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa, with a 2,798 kilometers (1,739 mi) coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. To the north lie Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland, while Lesotho is an independent country surrounded by South Africa.

Modern humans have inhabited Southern Africa for more than 100,000 years. At the time of European contact, the indigenous peoples reflected migrations from other parts of Africa, where new tribes had become dominant. Two major groups were Xhosa and Zulu peoples.

In 1652, a century and a half after the discovery of the Cape Sea Route, the Dutch East India Company founded a refreshment station at what would become Cape Town   Cape Town became a British colony in 1806. European settlement expanded during the 1820s as the Boers (original Dutch, Flemish, and German and French settlers) and the British 1820 Settlers claimed land in the north and east of the country. Conflicts arose among the Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaner groups who competed for territory.

The discovery of diamonds and later gold triggered the conflict known as the Anglo-Boer War, as the Boers and the British fought for the control of the South African mineral wealth. Although the Boers were defeated, the British gave limited independence to South Africa in 1910 as a British dominion. Within the country, anti-British policies among white South Africans focused on independence. During the Dutch and British colonial years, racial segregation was mostly informal, though some legislation were enacted to control the settlement and movement of native people, including the Native Location Act of 1879 and the system of pass laws Power was held by the colonists. In the Boer republics, from as early as the Pretoria Convention (chapter XXVI),and subsequent South African governments, the system became legally institutionalized segregation, later known as apartheid, which established three classes of racial stratification. South Africa achieved its political independence in 1961 when it was declared a republic. The government legislated for a continuation of apartheid, despite opposition both in and outside of the country. In 1990, South African government began negotiations that led to dismantling of discriminative laws, and democratic elections in 1994. The country then rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations.

South Africa is known for its diversity in cultures, languages, and religious beliefs. Eleven official languages are recognized in the constitution. English is the most commonly spoken language in official and commercial public life; however, it is only the fifth most-spoken home language. South Africa is ethnically diverse, with the largest Caucasian, Indian, and racially mixed communities in Africa. Although 79.5% of the South African population is Black, this represents a variety of ethnic groups and different Bantu languages, nine of which have official status.

3 day Kruger classic safari
2 nights Johannesburg
Soweto or JHB city tour

R6920 - 00 per person sharing

4 day Kruger classic safari
2 nights Johannesburg
Soweto and Apartheids Museum Tour

R8925 - 00 per person sharing

5 day Kruger classic safari
3 nights Johannesburg
Soweto and Apartheids Museum tour
Lion Park tour

R11885 - 00 per person sharing

Enquire NOW! safaris@outlook.co.za

Included:

• Transport for the duration of your safari
• Pick up and drop off in Johannesburg/Pretoria
• Professional guides
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• All day drives in the Kruger National Park
• All entry fees and daily conservation levies
• Accommodation with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning (accommodation is also mosquito proofed)
• Sunset/ night drive
• Bottled mineral water during the day
• Wine with evening meals
• Panorama route on the last day

Safari tours offer exceptional game viewing opportunities in the early mornings or in the late afternoon, when one can catch glimpses of wild animals in their natural habitat.

A South African safari tour normally starts from Johannesburg.

The National Parks of South Africa provide ample opportunities for bird and wild life viewing, and the Kruger Park is the pick of South Africa’s National Parks.

The private safari parks boast luxurious accommodations, and are home to quite a number of endangered species of animals and birds. These private lodges arrange vehicles for guided safari tours, or provide the option of walking tour guides. If one wants to combine the pleasures of sightseeing and the safari tour, ten to eleven days must be kept in hand to get a comprehensive experience.

Conducted by a professional guide who has excellent knowledge of the Kruger National Park, with all its history, cultural heritage wildlife and fauna, your guide will share all his or her knowledge with you during your safari tour.

In addition to driving the vehicle on game drives your guide will prepare excellent meals for you in true South African style, and would include meals such as barbecue’s, traditional South African stews or vegetarian stir fry, depending upon dietary requirements.

Your guide will assist you in checking in to your accommodation, and makes sure you are comfortable and satisfied with the facilities.

A Kruger Park safari tour is conducted in two types of vehicles, namely an air-conditioned mini bus or an open game viewing safari vehicle. Both are excellent for game viewing, and the choice of vehicle is entirely your choice, but is subject to availability.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both vehicle options, and a description of the vehicles including pictures can be found on our vehicle options page.

Your accommodation on a guided safari tour will be in an air-conditioned, en-suite bungalow, and you will stay in the main rest camps of the Kruger Park, but is also subject to availability. Should there be no available space in the Kruger Park for your desired dates, alternate arrangements can be made to still conduct your safari; however accommodation will be outside the Kruger Park. All game drives will still be conducted inside the Kruger Park, and you will not miss out on any game viewing opportunities.

A Kruger Park guided safari tour is all about game drives to see as many wildlife species, beautiful landscapes, birds and reptiles the Kruger Park has to offer.

Early mornings are a must, so your guide will wake you up around 5:30am every morning. Before embarking on your game drive you will normally have time for a cup of tea or coffee and then you will depart in search of the wildlife you have not yet seen on your safari tour.

Breakfasts are normally prepared around 9 – 10 am, and depending if you are moving camps, you will have breakfast at one of the Kruger picnic sites or back at your camp.

Normally there are a few hours free between mid day and about 2pm, as this is in the heat of the day, and wildlife viewing opportunities are limited. Should you be moving camps, you will possibly be traveling to your new camp.

At around 2:30pm your guide will give you a call to signal the departure of your afternoon game drive.

You game drive will end at around 5:30pm, subject to gate closing times as well as unscheduled stops.

Most guided safari tours offer guests the opportunity to conduct a sunset or night game drive, making use of the Kruger Park’s open game viewing vehicles.

The duration of the sunset or night game drive is normally 3 hours long.

Should guests be participating on a sunset or night game drive, it is recommended that they do not attend the afternoon game drive with their guide, as they may not be able to make it back in time for the sunset or night drive departure.

On returning from your game drive, your guide would have a prepared meal ready for you to enjoy. The meal will be served outside of your bungalow, weather permitting. In some instances depending upon unforeseen circumstances your guide may recommend that dinner will be available in one of the Kruger Parks restaurants.

After dinner, the rest of the evening will be spent at your discretion, but after a long day’s activities, and the prospect of another early morning, most guests retire to their bungalows for the evening.

Safari adventures such as camping safaris have always been the favorite of tourists having a wild side to them. All those people who love the adrenaline rush can satisfy their desire for adventure by embarking on adventure safari tours. Although every country offers some or the other adventure, the most preferred destinations so far are the countries located in the African continent.

The scenic beauty of the African land, the abundance of wildlife and the presence of diverse cultures, sets it apart from the rest. The natural beauty of Africa has stolen the hearts of millions of visitors and left them with memories to cherish for their lifetime. Adventure safaris are perhaps the best way of exploring the adventurous side of your personality while enjoying the best of hospitality and food.

Kruger safari holidays are best enjoyed when traveling in small groups, either with your friends or family around.

One of the most extensively visited African destinations for adventure safaris is Kruger National Park. and Cape Town. The Kruger National Park is a world renowned for preserving an incredible species of birds, mammals and reptiles. The park was established back in 1898 and is one of the most popular locations for safari holidays.

However, before planning your safari, one must consider a few points. Firstly, you should check out the various safaris offered at the place you are planning to visit. You can see such safaris here: http://www.outlook.co.za/safaris.html Secondly, the weather should be checked and you should also find out the best time for visiting the Kruger National Park.. Thirdly and most importantly, is your budget because this will help determine what kind of safari to look out for. This will also help you select the best possible safari package.

It is true that smaller villages and towns do suffer from poverty and are not developed enough, although still the conditions are not as bad as in other African countries. Poverty is becoming less of a problem in South Africa, simply because the improvements in the country and the gravity shown in tourism have created a great source of income for many places. This is a part of the beauty of South Africa. Travelers who wish to meet places that are still unique and untouched by the western type of tourist development will find South Africa an amazing place to be.

What you can expect when visiting South Africa is clean and large cities, well appointed towns and villages, hotels offering the latest amenities and technology, expected in a western country and of course local and international cuisine. South Africa is a patchwork of civilizations and cultures, and this is something reflected to the cuisine as well. Restaurants offering local specialties and unusual dishes – for the westerners – or nice flavors of the international cuisine are all over the big cities. The more you distance from the big centers, the more traditional and local dishes and cultural events you will meet.

Music, fashion, food and habits are things that change dramatically outside the big cities. In fact you can enjoy amazing local customs and celebrations in the middle of the Savannah, amidst plain nature and untouched sceneries. South Africa is the perfect place to visit if you have always wanted to go on to a safari. There are spectacular safari packages for South Africa and travelers enjoy the wild beauty and warm climate of this beautiful African country, while experiencing memorable moments. Just imagine waking up in the morning, under the warm South African sun and gazing the horizon while a small heard of wild animals run somewhere far. Can you think of something more spectacular?