Over the past months the Kruger Park has once again transformed from the bone dry, grey and colourless bush to a lush green paradise. Vegetation has grown well with the abundant and good rains yielded during the latter part of 2008, which has been good for most animals, but not so good for those wishing to go on safari. 

Animals have spread out in the bush and finding them does not mean you can just sit at a local waterhole and wait. The wait may be very long and without success. 

 During a good rainy season as the Kruger Park is currently experiencing it may be best to keep moving, but keep it slow and be patient. The animals are still around and have not disappeared from the park as some may like to inform you. A few tips may be to drive with your windows open, listen for any unusual sounds, which may draw your attention to distress calls and the possibility of seeing a predator on the move. Smell the air, a rotting carcass is sure to attract attention as well. 

Francolins, guineafowl and other terrestrial birds may suddenly take to flight or sit perched in a tree if a predator is near by. The usual and most well known sign is of course vultures that are circling. Be careful though as vultures normally circle as they glide on heat thermals relying on these to gain altitude and ultimately to connect to high speed lateral winds to take them where they may wish to go. Vultures that are circling does not necessarily mean there is a kill nearby. In fact it very seldom does indicate the presence of a kill.

When vultures have spotted a kill there will be birds constantly dropping into trees near the kill, or even to the ground if the predators aren’t around. They will normally also be accompanied by Bateleurs and Tawny Eagles which are also birds which will scavenge.

The Kruger Park normally has better rains during the new year summer season than during the latter part of the previous year, and if this is the case again this year then the herbivores especially are up for a good year. The southern parts of the Kruger Park are normally lusher than other areas and also has a bigger plant diversity, attracting a myriad of mammal, bird and insect life.

 As a whole safaris to the Kruger Park have been successful with many safaris seeing all of the big 5, or at least 4 of the 5. The leopard usually proving to be the most elusive. There have also been good sightings of cheetah, wild dogs and even black rhino which is a lot less common than white rhino. 

 This is of course a good season and arguably the best time of year to visit the Kruger Park if you are an avid birder. Most migratory birds have arrived from the Pale arctic regions and with the good rains birds have been very busy breeding, displaying and calling. They are also all exhibiting full breeding plumages which ensures a wonderful array of colours as you drive through the park.

While temperatures generally don’t drop below 20 degrees Celsius at night and soar to 40 degrees and above during the day, it is wise to do all game drives early in the morning and late in the afternoon. There will be very little movement during the heat of the day, and this may be a good time to catch up on some sleep, or to enjoy the coolness of the camp swimming pool.

This is without a doubt the most scenic time of year to visit the Kruger Park and with the birth of most antelope young, you only receive a bonus by visiting the park during the rain season.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pm and is filed under Kruger Park news and Facts. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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