DOCSLIB.ORG

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – “MORE THAN FOOD for the SOUL” by Nadine Bolttler

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – “MORE THAN FOOD for the SOUL” by Nadine Bolttler Page 1 MEMORABLE WILDLIFE ADVENTURES: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – “MORE THAN FOOD FOR THE SOUL” By Nadine Bolttler When one mentions the Kruger National Park, images of Africa’s free roaming wildlife immediately pop into your mind and invariably those of the “Big 5”, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Lion and Buffalo. But this massive tract of magnificent land is not only home to these big creatures. With thanks to the visionary of great people such as Paul Kruger and James Stevenson-Hamilton, the rich diversity of animal, bird and plant species has been preserved for many years and the Kruger National Park is one of the largest sanctuaries on the African continent. There are rest camps, hides, picnic spots, wilderness and adventure trails, mountain bike trails, bush braais, guided walks, historical sites and even a golf course at Skukuza for the visitor to enjoy. The Park also has a unique cultural link with evidence of prehistoric man, stone age man and bushman like sites of the Albasini and Masorini ruins and Thulamela in the far Northern region, a stone walled site which dates back 450-500 years. Many historical tales have been told about settlers in the area and the “Jock of the Bushveld” route also traversed the Kruger in the 1800’s. Jock’s birthplace is marked along the Voortrekker Road which runs southeast of Pretoriuskop Camp. The bronze plaque commemorates the bravery and loyalty of this very special dog. The Park is a learning centre, educating people on how the bush operates and how the different cycles of the environment all play a role. This information and knowledge is vital in order to appreciate Kruger and the National Parks in general. Recordings of how the Park was in the old days can be found in the Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library in Skukuza. Harry Wolhuter, the first game ranger in the Kruger National Park, was attacked by a lion whilst on horseback in August 1903 and dragged from his horse. He managed to wrestle with the lion and eventually killed it and the knife which he used as well as the original skin of the lion can be found on display at the Library. Page 2 The Elephant Hall in Letaba rest camp is an elephant museum which covers the history, behaviour, biology and ecology of these incredible mammals and it showcases the ivory of the “magnificent seven”, a group of tuskers that roamed the Kruger from the 1920’s and 1930’s through to the 1980’s and were named from their physical features. Their legacy remains in some of the younger elephants in the Park. The museum offers fascinating information and displays. Kruger scientists continue to conduct research, do annual census and manage the soil, vegetation and animal life. The Kruger National Park and it’s infrastructure is currently looked after by the South African National Parks and this will hopefully continue for many more years to come in order to maintain it and protect the creatures big and small for future generations. Having been fortunate enough to visit most sections of this beautiful Park many times during my journey through life, from carefree childhood holidays and school tours to trips with my own children and family, these experiences never fail to enrich me. Nowhere else can one really “switch off” from routines and responsibilities of everyday life and “tune” into all of our senses like one can in the Kruger. One feels inferior as the power of your surroundings and sense of quietness engulfs you. The different colours, textures, light and sounds enhance these moments and with no guarantees of any particular sighting in the bush, each time you visit something new is on offer. Wherever you are in the Park, life moves at an unhurried pace so travelling slowly along the tarred or gravel roads is perfect for just taking it all in. Whether you are on an early morning or late afternoon drive, there is seldom a dull moment! Breath-taking scenery can be seen through every window of the car with distant views of koppies and Mountain ranges. When driving through Riverine areas, large Jackal-berry and Nyala trees line the roads and if you are in the Northern part of Kruger, ancient Baobabs dominate the horizon. Another highlight in the Northern section of the Park is the Pafuri forest with its giant sausage, leadwood and fever trees, herds of Nyala, prolific birdlife and of course the road bridge over the Luvuvhu River. “Crooks Corner” borders on three countries – South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe and it was here that those escaping the law in the early 1800’s would head to so they could easily cross one of the borders to safety! The open grasslands provide great viewing of large herds of plains game such as zebra, wildebeest and impala with a few warthog dotted here and there between Acacia “umbrella” thorn trees and termite mounds and very often a rhino or two can be spotted amongst the grazers. Passing through denser vegetation, tall giraffes with their beautiful brown eyes and long eyelashes flirt with the tops of Acacia trees as they browse peacefully. Page 3 Lilac breasted rollers perch on bushes next to the road or a sudden burst of turquoise is revealed as they ‘roll’ in the air in front of the vehicle to catch a small flying insect. Bateleur Eagles can also be seen soaring on the thermals above. If you see plenty of birds forming a circle in the sky above, these are usually vultures having spotted a kill on the ground below with their amazing eyesight and they’ll be waiting for their turn on the carcass along with the other scavengers once the predators have moved off. Keep a lookout for lazy leopards resting up in large, shady trees. Often they have dragged their prey up the tree as well. Whenever we have passed a “windmill” reservoir, very often a lone bull elephant has arrived to drink. If he is relaxed and we are quite a distance from him, we turn off the engine. You can hear slurping noises as he takes the water in through his trunk to quench his thirst or if it’s very hot, he sprays it over the top part of his head and back. You can also hear his ears flapping as they act as fans to cool him down. Whilst watching him, listen for other sounds and birds calling from nearby trees like the crested or black-collared barbets or the emerald spotted dove. I love that feeling of surprise and expectation when approaching a low level bridge….what will we see?.... hippos lying in the water, crocodiles basking in the sun on the dry river banks or a rare Saddlebilled stork standing in the shallow water in anticipation of a meal while a Pied Kingfisher flutters above. Switch off your engine, open the windows and just listen and observe. One may be surprised with the call of a Fish Eagle in the distance. The same applies when crossing a “spruit/sloot” or smaller bridge. On one occasion, we were looking at the fish in the water below when suddenly a female leopard and her cub darted out of the long grass. Hyenas also love to laze here during the hot, summer days or they make their dens in culverts under the road. Lion are on top of the checklist for any visitor to the Kruger Park and when they are spotted, a major traffic jam ensues even though they are fat, lazy and totally oblivious to all the attention they receive during the heat of the day. On occasion, however, you can be treated to a spectacular sighting of lion on the move, or as we did, a gigantic male (rather scarred) just walking along the tar road next to the car whilst the baboon and monkeys threw abuse from the tree tops (warning any potential prey below of his approach!) We have also been treated to two young lions practising how to bring down prey on a helpless scrub hare! This was something rare to see as they ‘played’ with it for a long time, trying to pin it down clumsily with large paws but eventually it outwitted them and escaped but not without them in hot pursuit! Page 4 Stopping at a waterhole and having it all to yourself at anytime of the day and anywhere in the Park is another of my favourite activities. With no other vehicles around, you can find the perfect place to park and settle down with binoculars in hand. There are usually a few male waterbuck grazing quietly on the sides next to a lone wildebeest and warthog have a great time wallowing in the moist, sludgy mud or kneel down to eat the bits of green grass along the edges. In the foreground, Plovers, Sandpipers and Hamerkops can be seen patrolling the shallows for tadpoles or frogs. An old, dead Leadwood tree sticks out in the middle of the dam or waterhole making an ideal perch for reed cormorants and African darters to dry their wings or perfect for a buffalo weavers nest if it has a generous fork in it. What can be seen in the distance through binoculars never ceases to amaze me. Smaller bird species like Blue waxbill hopping between the branches or even small flocks of Little bee-eaters with their beautiful turquoise eyebrows and green and yellow markings flitting about feeding on airborne insects. Kudu, zebra, wildebeest or even a herd of elephant can saunter along the animal paths to come for a drink.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SA National Parks Tariffs 01 November 2020
    SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS TARIFFS 1 NOVEMBER 2020 to 31 OCTOBER 2021 All Prices VAT inclusive and all tariffs in South African Rand Tariffs subject to alteration without advance notice Errors and omissions excepted ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL INFORMATION SANParks have implemented a Community Fund charge on all reservations (overnight and activity products) from 1 June 2012. This will be used to fund projects that support surrounding communities in bettering their livelihoods. For more information please view our website on www.sanparks.org All accommodation, ablution and kitchen facilities are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis unless specifically indicated otherwise. Several parks and rest-camps have retail facilities and restaurants. Tariffs do not include meals unless specifically indicated otherwise. Vehicle fuel is available in several parks (or is available on the park periphery) and in the main rest camps in Kruger and Kgalagadi. Bedding is supplied in all accommodation unless specifically indicated otherwise. Cooking utensils and refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units. Exceptions will be indicated while booking Additional Person Supplements are applicable to those units where number of beds exceeds the base occupancy, if these beds are occupied Adult rates apply to persons 12 years and older. Child rates apply to persons aged 2-11 years. Infants under 2 years gratis Nationals of SADC countries that are part of a transfrontier agreement or treaty will have the same benefits as South African residents for park-specific daily conservation fee charges. For example, a Mozambique and Zimbabwe national visiting Kruger or a Botswana national visiting Kgalagadi, will pay a daily conservation fee equal to what South African nationals pay (instead of the fee other SADC nationals pay).
    [Show full text]
  • Kruger Big 5 Geology Safari*
    KRUGER BIG 5 GEOLOGY SAFARI* Wes Gibbons 2019 This guide describes a self-drive tour of Kruger National Park that provides the opportunity not only for abundant wildlife viewing but also to learn about the geology underlying the scenery of the savanna. Many people seem to visit Kruger obsessed with the intention of photographing the “Big 5” (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhinoceros), completely unaware that there is another Big 5 waiting to be enjoyed in the rocks. So here it is: a Holiday Geology Guide to Kruger National Park. It is something of an adventure. If you have never visited Kruger before, then you are in for a treat. The route has been carefully chosen to maximise wildlife and scenic geology viewing, although note that this is mostly car seat geology as you can only leave your vehicle in a very few designated areas, and then at your own risk. Kruger is a zoo in which the humans are restricted to confined spaces, not the other animals. Rock exposure is generally poor across the deeply weathered and magnificently ancient African land surface, although there are notable exceptions in some parts of the park. The varied and beautiful landscapes found in the park however are a direct expression of the underlying geology which impacts on the scenery, soils, ecology and therefore wildlife distribution. The rocks range from some of the oldest found on planet Earth to relatively young sediments and volcanic lavas produced when Africa split from Antarctica during Jurassic supercontinental break-up and the world’s oceans as we know them began to form.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Perceptions of a Mine Recruitment Centre in Pafuri and the Development of a Cultural Heritage Site in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Wits Institutional Repository on DSPACE Community Perceptions of a mine recruitment centre in Pafuri and the development of a cultural heritage site in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park Heidi Suzanne Hansen A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Johannesburg 2008 Declaration I declare that this Dissertation is my own, unaided work. It is being submitted for the Degree of Master of Science in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other University. _______________________________ Heidi Suzanne Hansen ________________ day of __________________ 2008 ii Abstract The TEBA recruitment centre in Pafuri has come under discussion and debate with the developments of the GLTP. The site has played a signficant role in the social and economic history of this dynamic permeable borderzone. Through documenting the experienced memory and meaning of the site on either side of the border, developments of the site as a heritage site in a Transboundary protected area have been considered. Ethnographic interviews were used to document these meanings. TEBA is a reminder of a prosperous past amidst the current desperate poverty and unemployment and with little faith in the government, the Kruger and Limpopo Parks, TEBA is looked to for the provision of employment. This lack of faith in the parks and their insensitivity towards the historical significance reflects the lack of real transformation in conservation philosophy that the Transfrontier Initiative claims to have achieved.
    [Show full text]
  • Senior Citizen Discounts 2021 Policy on Concessions for South African National Social Pensioners and All Permanent Residents of South Africa of 60 Years and Older
    SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS P O Box 787 Pretoria 0001 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria Tel: +27 12 428 9111 E-mail: [email protected] Senior Citizen Discounts 2021 Policy on concessions for South African National Social Pensioners and all Permanent Residents of South Africa of 60 years and older. SANParks offers discounts on normal tariffs to the above persons provided the reservation is made in the name of the qualifying person. Social pensioners are those receiving old age, family and disability allowances as well as blind persons. Concessions are not available on Friday and Saturday nights, nor any long weekends (if a weekend is preceded by a public holiday falling on a Thursday or Friday, or followed by a public holiday falling on a Monday or Tuesday it will be recognised as a long weekend and not qualify for discount. This also includes the Sunday of that particular weekend). This applies for all National Parks. Tariffs and concessions are subject to alteration without advance notice. TERMS & CONDITIONS 1. Proof of identification or proof of pension category must be given on arrival. 2. If an individual can prove that they have one of the following disabilities; blindness, deafness or are wheelchair bound and receive some sort of welfare pension, they will be considered for the concession and may apply in advance. 3. NO claims resulting from failure to produce the necessary documentation will be paid out at a later stage 4. No discount is offered on conservation fees or meals. 5. Couples are entitled to one discounted accommodation unit per night.
    [Show full text]
  • Free Accomodation Guide
    Kruger National Park Accommodation Guide List of Content Kruger National Park Anti-poaching measures in the Accommodation Guide Kruger National Park Historical Landmarks to visit in the Trees that are found in the Kruger National Park Kruger National Park FAQ’s about safety in the The Big Five ? Kruger National Park Page 2 List of Content MAIN CAMPS OVERNIGHT CAMPS SATELLITE CAMPS BUSH LODGES BUSHVELD CAMPS CAMP SITES Page 3 List of Content LUXURY LODGES Rhino Walking Safaris Page 4 Kruger National Park Accommodation Guide •When to visit the Kruger National Park •The night sky in the Kruger National Park •How it all began Page 5 The Greater Kruger National Park consists of over twenty private game reserves including the Kruger National Park (KNP) situated in the eastern part of South Africa. The private reserves and the KNP are next to each other and there are no fences between them, so the animals and birds roam freely. This is a vast area of land so the fauna and flora changes in different areas and the wildlife reside in parts which best suits their needs. In the Greater Kruger area, one can experience wildlife in isolated areas on open vehicle safaris. There are tours arranged which almost guarantee that you will see the “Big 5”in these areas and afterwards you can stay in some of the world’s top luxurious hotels and lodges. Page 6 The accommodation provided in the private reserves which are part of the Greater Kruger offer some of the best African experiences for international tourists. Alternatively, you can make reservations to stay in one of the chalets in the KNP and then make bookings to fly from Cape Town or drive from Johannesburg to visit a game reserve run by Sanparks.
    [Show full text]
  • South African National Parks
    SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS TARIFFS: 1 NOVEMBER 2014 TO 31 OCTOBER 2015 All Prices VAT inclusive and all tariffs in South African Rand Tariffs subject to alteration without advance notice South African National Parks offers a variety of accommodation types and standards. Prices are dependent on location, size of unit and quality of experience. Each park has its own unique selection of accommodation types: General Information: . SANParks have implemented a 1% Community Levy on all reservations (overnight and activity products) arriving on or after 1 June 2012. This will be used to fund projects that support surrounding communities in bettering their livelihoods. For more information please view our website on www.sanparks.org . All accommodation, ablution and kitchen facilities are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis unless specifically indicated otherwise. Most parks and rest-camps have retail facilities and restaurants. Tariff prices do not include meals unless specifically indicated otherwise. Vehicle fuel is available in all parks (or is available on the park periphery) and in the main rest camps in Kruger and Kgalagadi. Currently bedding is supplied in all accommodation unless specifically indicated otherwise. Cooking utensils and refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units. Exceptions will be indicated while booking . Additional Person Supplements are applicable to those units where number of beds exceeds the base occupancy, if these beds are occupied . Adult rates apply to persons 12 years and older. Child rates apply to persons aged 2-11 years, infants under 2 years Gratis . All Prices VAT inclusive . All Tariffs in South African Rand. Tariffs are subject to alteration without advance notice.
    [Show full text]
  • Kruger Park Times 24Ff.Indd
    KRUGER PARK TIMES FREE PUBLICATION • Volume 6 Issue 2 • December 2010 • [email protected] Protecting pepper bark trees Help find southern ground hornbill nests More predators destined for smaller reserves INSIDE: GIANTS CAN TRIP TOO | SPOTLIGHT ON RABIES | I CAN FOR CONSERVATION | FIRE RAISES A STORM | THE GREAT WILDERNESS CHOIR | WILD SOCCER photo: Quentin Swanevelder SOLE MANDATE MARLOTH SABIE PARK! HAZYVIEW PARK Ever dreamed of owning a bushveld hide away on a Priv Nat R1,610,000 EXCELLENT BUY: R870 000.00 Res,here is your chance !! Cosy 3 b/r 2 bathroom thatch house Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 Carport 1, Kruger Park Bedroom 3, Bathroom 2, Double Garage on a 9 959sqm stand surrounded by huge indigenous trees Lodge Golf Estate, 10 km from the Kruger National Lovely home on Parkland area. Spacious and neat. , abundance of bird and wildlife , covered stoep with built in Park in exclusive secure estate, fully furnished Lots of Giraffe, Blouwildebees and Kudu. braai , 2 open fireplaces , double lock-up garage and double and equipped free standing chalet with use of all Upstairs loft area with separate bedroom on top of carport , nice walking ditance to the swimming pool and tennis resort amenities. As holiday home or for retirement. double garage. court , lots more. 2 • kruger park times • december 2010 • news snippets Giants can trip too GOVERNMENT CHRIS MAYES The two cows took it upon them- in a small eroded section on the left This definitely took the wind out selves to move us away from the herd. side of the road. of her charge and she moved away PRAISES It was late afternoon in October, After we moved a distance away, the She had, in effect, done a half to join the herd.
    [Show full text]
  • Senior Citizen Discounts 2022 Policy on Concessions for South African National Social Pensioners and All Permanent Residents of South Africa of 60 Years and Older
    SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS P O Box 787 Pretoria 0001 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria Tel: +27 12 428 9111 E-mail: [email protected] Senior Citizen Discounts 2022 Policy on concessions for South African National Social Pensioners and all Permanent Residents of South Africa of 60 years and older. SANParks offers discounts on normal tariffs to the above persons provided the reservation is made in the name of the qualifying person. Social pensioners are those receiving old age, family and disability allowances as well as blind persons. Concessions are not available on Friday and Saturday nights, nor any long weekends (if a weekend is preceded by a public holiday falling on a Thursday or Friday, or followed by a public holiday falling on a Monday or Tuesday it will be recognised as a long weekend and not qualify for discount. This also includes the Sunday of that particular weekend). This applies for all National Parks. Tariffs and concessions are subject to alteration without advance notice. TERMS & CONDITIONS 1. Proof of identification or proof of pension category must be given on arrival. 2. If an individual can prove that they have one of the following disabilities; blindness, deafness or are wheelchair bound and receive some sort of welfare pension, they will be considered for the concession and may apply in advance. 3. NO claims resulting from failure to produce the necessary documentation will be paid out at a later stage 4. No discount is offered on conservation fees or meals. 5. Couples are entitled to one discounted accommodation unit per night.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Projects
    CURRENT PROJECTS Researcher Title Objectives Status E-mail name Home range analysis of African To investigate the spatial distribution of buffalo Abeare SM buffalo (Syncerus caffer): test of a relative to vegetation variables, distance to Current [email protected] new method water, topography and visibility. Comparing grass biomass production Hypothesis: Grass biomass production is between sodic sites and crests in the higher on sodic sites than on the crests. Alard GF Current [email protected] semi-arid granitic savannas of the lowveld A comparison of community dynamics To explore scale-dependence in the Andelman SJ in North American and South African relationship between biodiversity and Current [email protected] savannas and grasslands ecosystem function. The potential for community-based To examine the nature of the relationship conservation in promoting biological between Hlanganani communities and the Anthony BP Current [email protected] conservation and human rural Kruger National Park. development Vegetation monitoring in the Kruger Knowledge of vegetation distribution is crucial Aplin P National Park using multiscale remote to facilitate our understanding and Current [email protected] sensing analysis management of the environment. To gauge different applications of a natural substance, gypsum (CaSO4) to the soil in Unnaturally eroded sodic soils order to verify its potential to be used for Basson S Current [email protected] rehabilitation report reclamation and stabilisation of sensitive sodic soild in localities where anthropogenic soil erosion occurs. An examination into nutrient The investigation is primarily concerned with Bermeister distribution in soils around artificial looking into the nutrient contents of soils Current [email protected] O watering sites on the northern plains around open and closed artificial watering of Kruger National Park points in the northern plains of the KNP.
    [Show full text]
  • South African National Parks Tariffs
    SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS TARIFFS 1 NOVEMBER 2019 to 31 OCTOBER 2020 All Prices VAT inclusive and all tariffs in South African Rand Tariffs subject to alteration without advance notice Errors and omissions excepted ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL INFORMATION SANParks have implemented a Community Fund charge on all reservations (overnight and activity products) from 1 June 2012. This will be used to fund projects that support surrounding communities in bettering their livelihoods. For more information please view our website on www.sanparks.org All accommodation, ablution and kitchen facilities are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis unless specifically indicated otherwise. Several parks and rest-camps have retail facilities and restaurants. Tariffs do not include meals unless specifically indicated otherwise. Vehicle fuel is available in several parks (or is available on the park periphery) and in the main rest camps in Kruger and Kgalagadi. Bedding is supplied in all accommodation unless specifically indicated otherwise. Cooking utensils and refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units. Exceptions will be indicated while booking Additional Person Supplements are applicable to those units where number of beds exceeds the base occupancy, if these beds are occupied Adult rates apply to persons 12 years and older. Child rates apply to persons aged 2-11 years. Infants under 2 years gratis Nationals of SADC countries that are part of a transfrontier agreement or treaty will have the same benefits as South African residents for park-specific daily conservation fee charges. For example, a Mozambique and Zimbabwe national visiting Kruger or a Botswana national visiting Kgalagadi, will pay a daily conservation fee equal to what South African Nationals pay (instead of the fee other SADC nationals pay).
    [Show full text]
  • South African National Parks
    SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS TARIFFS: 1 NOVEMBER 2010 TO 31 OCTOBER 2011 All Prices VAT inclusive and all tariffs in South African Rand Tariffs subject to alteration without advance notice South African National Parks offers a variety of accommodation types and standards. Prices are dependent on location, size of unit and quality of experience. 15 of South Africa’s 21 National Parks offer park-run accommodation. Each park has its own unique selection of accommodation types: General Information: All accommodation, ablution and kitchen facilities are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis. Most parks and rest-camps have retail facilities and restaurants. Tariff prices do not include meals unless specifically indicated otherwise. Vehicle fuel is available in all parks (or is available on the park periphery) and in the main rest camps in Kruger and Kgalagadi. Currently bedding is supplied in all accommodation. Cooking utensils and refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units. Exceptions will be indicated while booking Additional Person Supplements are applicable to those units where number of beds exceeds the base occupancy, if these beds are occupied Adult rates apply to persons 12 years and older. Child rates apply to persons aged 2-11 years, infants under 2 years Gratis All Prices VAT inclusive All Tariffs in South African Rand. Tariffs are subject to alteration without advance notice. No animals may be brought into a National Park TBC – To be confirmed N/A – Not applicable Consult our reservation staff or watch
    [Show full text]