1994 - Kruger National Game Reserve, S.A.
How to get there: The best way to experience this is first to do the Cape Town Tour and then fly to Johannesburg and another flight to Nelspruit, rent a car and drive to get to Kruger (buy groceries along the way if you are staying at a rondavel at the park),
If you plan to do Cape Town also - do that first, and then fly to Johannesburg & Kruger NP
Where to stay - at the Kruger N. Park (2 nights or more)
There is a good chance you will see the Big 5 (in 1994 there was a 70% chance at Kruger N.P., and we were lucky to see them all within 4 hours of arrival): Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, & both Rhinos.
Kruger National Park covers approx—20,000 km of eco-zones from wetlands to grasslands and tropical forests. We had a complete safari experience at a rondavel in the park (I purchased groceries before entering the NP because you have a kitchen to cook). You will also see flora, fauna birds, insects reptiles, plants, giraffes, cheetahs, impala, zebras, hyenas, etc. The park is located in the northeastern part of South Africa and is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Many mammals make their home there), and diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles, etc. We enjoyed the mountains, plains, and tropical forests which are part of the landscape. Things to do: Make sure to do early a.m. tour drives and night drives - during the day you can ride through the park to see the animals is a suggestion.
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Daniel in front of Kruger National Park Entrance
The Leopard - , it was sitting next to the safari jeep - early 5 a.m. drive, I was so excited; "it's a leopard " and it walked away
We followed the young lion on the left below on the night drive at Kruger; we were in a small vehicle due to someone who forgot to make my booking for the night drive and I found someone to drive us; we were sitting at the back of the vehicle, our young 9-year-old daughter was in the middle of my husband and I. I was sitting on the left side when we followed the lion; my husband coughed (we were supposed to be quiet and he accidentally coughed), I froze, I was an arm's length away from the lion; my camera was still rolling; the hair was standing up on my arms, the lion's eyesight is not good at night. The King of the jungle; walked ahead to the water trough and lapped up the water loudly and walked ahead looking for its KILL- close call - not a wonder they let you fill out those indemnity forms!
Stayed for 3 nights 4 days at a Rondavel at Kruger -
Pilanesberg National Park
1995 - The Big 5 - we did not see many animals at this game reserve:
The Mankwe Dam region is the largest body of water in the game reserve. This makes it the perfect place to spot a wide variety of animals. water-buck, wildebeest, zebra, and impala are among the animals that make a stopover on the grassland bordering the dam. We only saw a few animals, unfortunately.
​Pilanesberg National Park, or Pilanesberg Game Reserve is located in the Bojanala Region, within the North West Province and near Johannesburg. It is the fourth largest park in South Africa. The volcano crater in which the park is situated erupted 1300 million years ago. Pilanesberg was originally owned by 3 of the local tribes.
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Road to Pilanesberg NP
Hippos
Hogwarts in the front...