After collecting some of the operators at the Johannesburg OR Tambo airport who arrived from Cape Town, and would be joining us on the tour operator’s tour to the Kruger National Park, we proceeded to make our way to the Kruger.

Arriving at the Phalaborwa gate we were greeted by the San Parks staff as well as the other operators who where already waiting for us at the entrance gate to the Kruger Park.

A brief introduction and itinerary explanation, and we all entered into our vehicles and proceeded into the Kruger.

Our first stop was at Masorini ruins, which is one of Kruger Parks archeological sites situated near the Kruger Parks Phalaborwa gate. We were taken on a tour of the ruins and our guide was very knowledgeable of the history of the ruins and the culture surrounding the ruins.

After we all got back into the vehicles, we proceeded to Mopani rest camp, which would is the first stopover on the Kruger Park tours.

Arriving at Mopani rest camp we were greeted by the camps staff and welcomed with some refreshments. After refreshments it was time to get our Bungalow keys and freshen up before dinner would be served in the boma.

Dinner in the boma overlooking a dam was a wonderful experience and gave us a true feeling of being in the African bushveld. After a wonderful braai (barbeque) and a few drinks, it was time to head for bed, as it would be another early morning rise.

Today we would be heading to the far north of the Kruger Park. Our trip would take us through the mopani veld and into the fever tree forests of the Kruger. A brief stop at crooks corner situated in the furthest most north east part of the Kruger, and we were off to the Pafuri picnic site, where lunch would be waiting. After lunch we would head towards the Punda Maria camp via Thulamela ruins. Unfortunately time was against us as we still had a long drive ahead of us to our next stop over. The drive to Shingwedzi camp would be a wonderful game viewing trip, and we where able to see Nyala, Elephant, Leopard just to name a few of the species we saw.

Arriving at Shingwedzi camp, we checked in to our Bungalows and freshened up before dinner.

An early morning wake up call would see us go on a morning walk accompanied by our Rangers in the bushveld. To walk in the Kruger is an amazing experience and the closest we would get to nature.

Arriving back at Shingwedzi camp, we were treated to brunch. We had the opportunity to freshen up before we all headed out to one of the local soccer fields where we would play a 7 a side game of soccer. This was great fun and enjoyed by all.

After the game of soccer we again had a few moments to freshen up and at 5pm we where all taken on a night game drive to a dam. This turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Accompanied by our two rangers, we where allowed to all get out the vehicle and walk up on to the dam wall. With amazing views of the African sunset, hippos in the dam and elephants drinking in the area. Getting back too the vehicle proved to be some what of a challenge as elephants made their way to our vehicle and where grazing by the open vehicle. Fortunately with experienced rangers we were able to negotiate our way back to the vehicle and where on our way back to the rest camp.

Dinner was waiting for us when we got back to the camp, which was enjoyed by all, and then after a long day it was off to bed.

Another early rise would see us heading back towards Mopani rest camp via red rocks, which is an interesting look out point in the bushveld.

Arriving at Mopani rest camp we attended a conference in the new Mopani rest camp conference centre. This gave us all the opportunity to see what the Management of the Kruger National Park was planning in terms of upgrading the already excellent facilities the Park has to offer.

Lunch was served and we where off again for a visit to Letaba rest camp. On arrival at Letaba we where able to see the Bungalows and camping site which Letaba rest camp has to offer. In addition we visited the renowned Elephant museum.

It was not long and we where off again back to Mopani rest camp. On arrival we had some time to freshen up before meeting at the open vehicles for our game drive.

Our game drive would see us stop for a brief introduction to the stars and planets. We then proceeded deeper into the African bush, where we where treated to an amazing bush braai (barbeque). What a wonderful experience this would turn out to be. Eating your supper in the African bush under the stars.

Returning to our camp it was time for bed.

Sadly today would be the day we would leave the Kruger Park. After breakfast everyone greeted the friends they had made on the tour, and it was time to head towards the Phalaborwa gate to exit the Kruger.

The tour was an amazing opportunity to meet with the Kruger Park Management team as well as make new friends from within the tourism industry.

We look forward to the next tour operator’s tour.

Tags: africa, Kruger, kruger park, kruger rest camps, kruger safari, kruger tour

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 10:39 am and is filed under Kruger Park news and Facts. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.