Kruger National Park Highlights
On our last trip to the Kruger National Park in South Africa, we got to experience some incredible moments. Moments that locals chase all their lives! We wanted to capture some of those memories here and share them with you. There were definitely more than five, but here are a few that had us holding our breath. Hopefully it will inspire your next adventure.
1. Rhino and lion stare off
On both days in the Kruger, we saw the big 5! That by itself is no small feat. There are South Africans who still come out to the park to try and get such good sightings.
But what’s better than seeing the big 5? Surely seeing two of the most dangerous big 5 stare each other down?
While sleeping in a dry riverbed, this male lion had no idea there was a huge black rhino making his way toward him. Suddenly woken by the thunderous rhino steps, the male lion sat up and made eye contact with its source. Everyone in our safari vehicle held their breath. Both animals, now within 50 meters of each other, were sizing the other up. “Will I end up on top if I make a quick decision here?” each animal seemed to think.
After what felt like a lifetime, the black rhino decided to move off slowly. The lion, aware of the danger too, decided to let it go.
My heart still races at the memory.
2. Chasing a leopard kill across the game reserve at sunset
On our first evening, we were out for a relaxed sunset game drive. Then a call came in: there had been a leopard kill nearby.
Leopards are the most elusive of the big 5. They are masters of stealth and make sure to go unseen. Often it’s only remains of a kill, left overs from their dinner, that is later found dangling from a tree.
Quickly, we raced off to the spot the other game drivers mentioned to us. We spent around 30 minutes watching and waiting – trying to catch a glimpse of it.
And then we saw it.
Movement at the base of a big tree about 150 meter away. A flash of spots and colour. Then suddenly a beautiful leopard hoisted a captured buck up into the tree to avoid scavengers. We had the perfect view.
We drove past the same tree the next day and got to see the leopard once more. A truly rare and amazing sighting.
3. Sleeping in the Kruger park
Visting the Kruger National Park is one thing, but sleeping in it is a whole other experience!
We spent 3 nights at Berg-en-dal rest camp, sleeping in large army tents for an extra sense of adventure. Our evenings were spent in this fenced off camp, braaing, laughing and even listening to hyhenas running around in the dark somewhere nearby. We even had some deer and bush babies join us in our camp itself!
4. Glimpsing the “days-old” baby elephant
While on a rainy game drive, we noticed a whole herd of elephants (around 50) walking purposefully towards us. We immediately stopped, turned the vehicle square to them and waited silently.
Having one elephant stand next to your car is scary enough. The size of the animal alone leaves you speechless. Having 50 walk past you, eyeying you out, warning you to not try anything, was completely other.
On its own this moment stands out as beautiful in our memory. These somewhat-gentle giants leave a lasting impression on you. But then we noticed something strange. The bigger elephants seemed to be guarding something. We saw flits of these much smaller feet behind the big elephants as they cross in front of us. Then to our luck, the smallest and cutest baby elephant fell behind slightly and was exposed to our view. It was just for just a second, but it was a second of pure joy.
The game driver with us explained the older elephants stand between potential threats and the babies to disguise them. This little elephant, he explained, was only a few days old and we were beyond lucky to see it.
5. That last African sunrise from Kruger’s gates
Finally, as we were leaving the rest camp we had been staying at, we got to have one last quintessential african experience: A red red sunrise.
We needed to leave the park really early to catch our flights to Cape Town to continue with our expedition through South Africa. We got special permission to leave the camp early and were treated to an incredible sunrise. An unblocked view at 5am of the giant African sun, rising over the Kruger high-veld. It’s ember-glow impressed in our minds forever. It was an amazing full stop to our safari.
Also want to travel to the Kruger National Park? We’ve got an opportunity for you.
Later this year, we will be traveling to the Kruger again! And you’re invited.
Here over to our upcoming adventures page and have a look at our two options there. Both Deep dive and Big 5 expeditions visit the park for a few days and we would love to have you join us. How knows what we might witness!
No posts