I visited Kruger National Park as a part of 21 days South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) overland tour in a purpose built 4×4 truck, visiting one national park to another, covering eight major national parks. We started our overland trip from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes. Hundreds of other mammals make their home here, as do diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles and storks. Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the landscape. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa’s first national park in 1926.
The Kruger to Canyon is recognized as a UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve; In addition to Kruger National Park, the Biosphere region includes God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Pilgrim’s Rest and the Blyde River Canyon.
Photos below are from my three days exploring the Kruger National Park.
On the way to Kruger National Park, we stopped at Alzu Petroport – Best Pitstop on the N4 near a private game reserve, for filling up gas and a coffee break.
We noticed many places in South Africa has this kind of Picture Frames.Many Buffalos and other animals in the game reserve.A Rhino and her Baby, our driver explained me that Game Reserve fols intentionally removed Rhino’s horns to save her from the poachers, who would kill the animal for their horn.This is one of my favorite picture on this trip; seems like the little baby is listening to what Mama has to say.
Arrived at our home for 3 nights. A beautiful lodge just outside the Numbi Gate of Kruger National Park.
Straight ahead is the Numbi Gate, entrance to Kruger National Park.Nkambeni Safari Camp: Our home for three days, pictures below are of my luxury tent.
There were some hippo families living in the river behind the lodge.Hippos in a river right behind the lodge we stayed.
Hundreds of elephants, including some little babies roaming the park.
Around 2 months young Baby elephant is hiding between her parents.A very cute baby elephant with her Mother A Baby elephant with her mother.An Adult is enjoying his breakfast.An elephant resting under a tree.A large family of Hyenas resting by roadside.Hyenas sibling, their behavior is very similar to dogs.An adult Hyenas.
Many giraffes including babies are in the park.
More than few times we saw Giraffe standing in middle of the road and looking straight at the oncoming vehicle.Mother feeding her baby.Mother and Baby.Feels like Zebras are performing on a stage and Giraffes are enjoying the show! Two white Rhinos grazing.. Lucky to see Rhinos in the wild.A white Rhino with a huge horn is watching our truck. A lioness resting under the shade, she was really far from the road.A lioness resting under the shade.There are many Zebras and Wildebeests in the park.A zebra family checking us out!Wildebeests crossing the road.A Zebra crossing the Road 🙂
There are many kinds of Antelopes in the park.
One of many water hole across the park where animals gather. A female Kudu is checking out our truck.Large number of Impalas are calling Kruger National Park their home.Cute and curious Suni antelopeA Male Kudu antelopeA Male Kudu antelope. Animals have right of way, all vehicles stop really far away and wait for them to cross.A warthog familyThis young adult was not happy that we entered into his territory, he was trying show his authority by destroying some tree branches and walking in front of our truck and not letting us pass.This teenage guy was not happy with us because we invaded his privacy.The elephant won’t allow our truck to pass.
Few Birds who call this national park a home.
A Helmeted Guineafowl A Helmeted Guineafowl Family crossing the roadA Swainson’s Spurfowl.A pair of white-backed vultures. A Brown Snake Eagle.A Yellow-Billed Hornbill.A Yellow-Billed Hornbill.An European roller.
A good place to take a break and have some local food inside the park.
Welcome to Bush Kitchen!A Beautiful day in the Kruger National Park!One of the lookout point in the park where you can come out of your vehicle.
A beautiful sunrise over the Kruger National Park.
Driving on the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga; Visiting God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Blyde River Canyon.
Welcome to God’s Window.God’s Window, a famous natural landmark, offers a magnificent viewpoint over a green canyon filled with trees, shrubs, and wildlife. Here, sheer cliffs plunge over 700 meters to the lowveld.Magnificent Blyde River Canyon, the world’s largest green canyon.At Blyde River Canyon.
Bourke’s Luck Potholes, thousands of years of water erosion have created huge cylindrical potholes in the sandstone bedrock, a unique geological feature.
Bourke’s Luck PotholesA pedestrian Bridge at Bourke’s Luck Potholes.A waterfall at Bourke’s Luck Potholes.A waterfall at Bourke’s Luck Potholes.Lisbon Fall on the Panorama RouteMariepskop flat geckoOn the Panorama Route, near the God’s WindowFew vendors near the God’s Window.Few vendors selling souvenirs near the God’s Window.Very refreshing South African Beer.
After spending three days in the Kruger National Park, our next stop was Mlilwane Wildlife sanctuary in eSwatini, and after that coming back to South Africa visiting St Lucia.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 