Kruger National Park
Author: Jerry Wanga

In our imaginations the wild places of Africa are timeless and
unchanging. That is the reason why Africans and non-Africans
seek them out, to restore calm and proportion to their lives.

In reality of course, this isn't true because Africa's
landscapes change just like any other as they respond to shifts
in their environment and human activity.

For the past million years or so, humans and their ancestors
have been the main agents of change in Africa's savannah. Kruger
National Park is not an Island, but an integral part of a
continent, alive with people, their needs and dreams and hopes
for the future.

As part of Africa's greatest safari parks, Kruger National Park
is part of the great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Elephants can
easily be seen in this park and their are 145 mammal species to
look out for including lions, cheetah, giraffe, hippos, rhino,
and buffalo.

Kruger National Park Accommodation styles range from standard
bungalow, to luxury safari lodge, to basic camp site, with
prices to suit just about every budget. Whether you are looking
for a family vacation, Africa travel or a budget African safari,
there's bound to be something for you.

Here are some Restcamps at Kruger National Park.

Berg-en-Dal (with satellite Malelane)

Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with
a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the northern
and southern sides dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp.
There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds.
Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation
in the camp. Berg-en-Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged
mountain environment and is built on the site of a prehistoric
settlements.

Crocodile Bridge

This small and delightful camp is situated in the south-eastern
corner of the Kruger National Park, on the northern bank of the
Crocodile River, from which it derives its name. After an early
morning game drive, one can retire from the Lowveld heat to a
lunch of prawns before coming back for late afternoon game
viewing. The game viewing area is known as the `Southern Circle'
and is renowned for its concentration of different prides of
lion with different hunting techniques and behavior. It has an
abundance of prides, herds, troops, packs and swarms. It is home
to a larger percentage of the Kruger National Park`s total rhino
population.

Letaba

The idyllic Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a sweeping bend of
the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern
boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The name means "river of
sand", and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game
viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Letaba
is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a
firm favorite with visitors.

Lower Sabie

Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few
perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park.
Visitors cannot but feel soothed by the view towards the river
and the Lebombo Mountains beyond. In this rest camp, the bounty
and plenitude of nature are very evident, eloquently symbolized
by the most conspicuous of its numerous trees, the mighty
sycamore fig, which provides generously for the livelihood of
many birds and insects. Not only do these giants produce fruit
at least twice a year, but different trees produce fruit at
different times, extending the gifts of life over many months.

Olifants

The camp is situated a top a hill which towers several hundred
feet over the Olifants river. Views from the lookout platforms
allow one to see the river below, just as a soaring eagle would
survey it, as it hunts from the skies.

Pretoriuskop

When the world was still young, some 3 500 million years ago,
molten rock forced its way through the earth's crust and
solidified to form the spectacular granite outcrops where
Pretoriuskop Rest Camp is now nestled. The impressive granite
dome known as "Shabeni Hill" is not far from the camp, which is
found in the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park.
It is immediately apparent to any visitor that Pretoriuskop is
unique as brilliant red trees adorn the camp, pre-dating the
decision to make exclusive use of indigenous plants in laying
out rest camp gardens. Nostalgia prompted an exception to the
rule for Pretoriuskop, the Kruger National Park's oldest rest
camp, and exotic flowering plants were allowed to stay,
enhancing the strong sense of the past that is so pervasive.

Punda Maria

Punda Maria lies in the northern most part of the Kruger
National Park, 8 km from Punda Maria Gate. The camp is situated
in the Sandveld region that is often described as the botanical
garden of the Kruger National Park. There are numerous plant
species which occur that are unique to the area. Game species
most likely to be sighted include impala, zebra, buffalo,
elephant, eland and sable and the area is a bird paradise.


About The Author: Jerry Wanga is editor of Naady. You can find
more information about Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya safaris, as
well as hotels and lodge bookings, on the website:
http://naady.com