| Kruger Park | ||
| Good to know - Visitors Information | ||
| The flagship of African National Parks | ||
| The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets. | ||
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| Some facts & figures | ||
| Covering 19 624 square kilometres and averaging 60 kilometres in width, Kruger provides a refuge for 147 mammal species, 500 species of birds, 116 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 49 fishes, 457 types of trees and shrubs, 1 500 smaller plants, and countless insects. Each year approximately 950 000 people visit the Kruger Park, and half of them stay overnight in the 26 rest camps that range from the intimate 19-bed Malelane, bordering the Crocodile River in the extreme south, to historic Punda Maria in the far north. South Africans account for 80 per cent of all visitors, and for many a visit to Kruger has become a kind of spiritual pilgrimage. The Park’s rest camps are connected by a 2 600-kilometre network of all-weather roads, which allow visitors to explore its diverse habitats on their own and without the need to hire a guide. Krugerpark eco system consists of 5 zones, which attract different wildlife according to the vegetation and climate. |
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| When to go | ||
| Kruger is in a summer rainfall area, so the subtropical climate has hot rainy summers starting in October and ending around March. The summer rains transform the arid park into a lush flowering paradise, but the increased foliage does make animals harder to see. The winter months from April to September are extremely pleasant with warm dry days and chilly nights. The best time for observing the animals is the dry winter season. Then the grass is low and bushes and trees don't have leaves, so that one can have an unobstructed view. Because of the lack rain, the animals must come to the rivers and waterholes to drink in the mornings and evenings and can easily be watched from the car. | ||
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| Pre-Departure Check | ||
| • A valid passport - and as a precaution, a copy of the photo page and the entry stamp page • Visas, if required (check with your Internal Foreign Affairs Department or Visa Information. • A valid driver licence with photo page or an international driver licence. • Recommended inoculations depending on where you come from. • Reservation Confirmations • Travel and Health Insurance • Binoculars and/or camera with lots of film (digital chips) and batteries • Malaria tablets and insect repellent • Sunblock and sun glasses |
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| Clothing on a safari | ||
| On safari most people wear shorts and a T-shirt during the day and put on long sleeved shirts and long pants in the evening for warmth as well as protection from mosquitoes. You should have: • 2 pairs khaki cotton pants (jeans are rather hot) • 2 pairs sturdy shorts • 2 long sleeved shirts and a few short sleeves shirts • 1 light sweater and a lightweight, waterproof windbreaker • 1 pair sturdy walking or running shoes • 1 pair sandals or rubber thongs (for showers and boats) • 1 bathing suit • 2 bandannas or handkerchiefs (many uses!) • 1 hat with a brim (baseball caps cover your nose but not your ears) |
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| Malaria | ||
| Only two of the South African National Parks are in a malaria risk area and they are the Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe National Park, although at both these venues the risk is usually low. Still, it is essential that travellers consult their doctor or pharmacist for advice on the most effective prophylactic drug for the areas that will be visited. The highest risk period is between December and April (end of the rainy season) and the most vulnerable times are between dusk and dawn. Many people decide not to take prophylactics and rather try to avoid getting bitten. People are then advised to stay indoors during these periods, or cover exposed skin with light clothing and insect repellants. The ankles are the most critical area. Burning anti-mosquito coils and closed netted screens are other preventative measures. You should always consult your doctor immediately, if you are developing flu-like symptoms 7 to 20 days (or even longer) after being in malaria areas. | ||
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| Other health precautions | ||
| African sun is harsh and the risk of serious sunburn is great. Make sure you always wear a hat, sunblock cream and sunglasses. Diarrhoea can be problem when traveling in Africa. At Kruger the food preparation and presentation is generally good and many of the remote camps provide meals comparable to a normal or even upmarket city restaurant. Use your common sense when it comes to food and beverages, remember that boiled water will kill about all germs, and just in case, take along appropriate medicine. If you're walking, it's best to wear shoes at all times and always watch where you are going. Also avoid touching animals. Generally all camps and park vehicles are equipped with basic first aid kits, which is available to travellers in emergencies and to handle minor mishaps. In the event of a serious accident, Johannesburg is the real option for immediate high care evacuation. | ||
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