Kruger National Park, Private game Lodges, Mpumalanga & Limpopo, Safari Packages
Kruger Park Safari Holidays
3 Days Kruger Park Safari Self Drive
5 Days Private Game Reserve Safari Holiday
7 Days Kruger Park Safari Tour
9 Days Kruger Park & Pilanesberg Safari
18 Days Kruger Park & Pilanesberg Safari
Big 5 safaris in South Africa are a must-do for anyone fascinated by wildlife. Big 5 refers to lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo – and the term comes from the animals considered most dangerous to hunt. Now the thrill comes from photographing them in their natural habitat.
Any first-timer looking for a Big 5 safari experience in South Africa would be well advised to head straight for Mpumalanga province in general, and the Kruger National Park in particular.
The Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo - are abundant in this area, and you see them by self-drive, guided drives or guided walks through the bushveld.
The Kruger National Park itself is tops when talking of Big 5 safaris in Mpumalanga - either at the park camps or private lodges. But these animals also abound on the private reserves in the Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Klaserie areas. Some lodges pride themselves on showing the Big 5 to guests in record time, and you'll even walk away with a certificate.
Be prepared to be awed. Seeing a leopard scant metres above your vehicle, dozing in the bough of a tree, one eye lazily scanning the road below, is an astounding sight.
Spotting a black rhino half-hidden in thick shrubs, or finding a pride of lions in the shade after a kill, interacting with cubs and resting up during the daylight hours, is pure undiluted Africa.
Watching a large herd of elephants move soundlessly across the road in search of food, or facing down a Cape buffalo in the same road - these are all priceless moments.
But know that you're dealing with wild animals, famed precisely because they are so dangerous and powerful. There are rules of engagement relating to Big 5 safaris in South Africa. Heed the words of your ranger at all times.
Learn bush etiquette, dress codes, silent times and, if possible, the basic habits of the Big 5. And once you've done Big 5 activities in Mpumalanga, it's time to ‘sweat the small stuff' and learn about wondrous creatures like the dung beetle...
South African Safaris
The Kruger National Park has an extensive accommodation infrastructure spread over a large number of rest camps. This accommodation ranges from basic campsites to serviced units, with many luxury lodges also operating in the park.
You can visit the park all year around, although many people prefer to travel in the cooler months of the year, from April to September, when wildlife is also more visible.
The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa. It covers 18,989 square km (7,332 sq mi) and extends 350 km (217 mi) from north to south and 60 km (37 mi) from east to west.
To the west and south of the Kruger National Park are the two South African provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. In the north is Zimbabwe, and to the east is Mozambique. It is now part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Kruger National Park with the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.
The park is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve (the "Biosphere").
The Kruger Park has 8 main gates that allow entrance to the different camps. The names of these gates are Paul Kruger, Numbi, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Punda Maria, Orpen, Phabeni, Phalaborwa and Pafuri.
In 2002, Kruger National Park, Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique were incorporated into the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
Numerous mammals are found in the bushveld habitats including lions, leopards, white rhinos, blue wildebeest, kudus, impalas, hyenas, hippopotamus and giraffes. A significant extent of the bushveld habitat exists in the north-east including Kruger National Park and the Mala Mala Reserve, as well as in the far north in the Waterberg Biosphere.
Safari Packages, Kruger National Park, Kruger Park, Safari Holidays, Private Game Reserve, Safari Tour, Pilanesberg Safari
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