| Kruger National Park is the largest national park in | | | | Besides the animals, Kruger National Park also |
| South Africa, and one of the best wildlife | | | | offers some of the most magnificent scenery in |
| reserves in the world. It stretches from the | | | | South Africa. From the Nkumbe lookout point you |
| Limpopo River in the north, to the Crocodile River | | | | have a splendid view of the surrounding plains. If |
| 352 km (220 miles) to the south. The park | | | | you take the Southern Kruger Tour, you will see |
| averages 60 km (38 miles) from east to west. It | | | | the granite koppies, outcrops of rock that |
| is a great wilderness covering 19, 633 square km | | | | punctuate the woodland. This tour also takes in |
| (7,580 square miles). Kruger National Park is | | | | the picturesque Sabie River. If you stop for lunch |
| divided into 16 distinct regions, based upon the | | | | at the Nkuhlu Picnic Site, watch out for the |
| vegetation found there. | | | | monkeys who boldly come down from the trees |
| The Thrill Of Game Watching | | | | to steal food right off of plates. Tours to the |
| For many visitors, South Africa means wildlife. | | | | northern part of Kruger are usually less crowded |
| There is probably no better place to see African | | | | than the southern tour. Besides wildlife, the |
| animals in their own habitat than in Kruger National | | | | northern tours also give you the opportunity to |
| Park. Among the diverse animal population are | | | | see Africa's iconic baobab trees. |
| more than 3,000 hippos and 5,000 giraffe. From | | | | Private Reserves |
| elevated game-watching platforms, visitors can | | | | A patchwork of private game reserves border |
| safely watch for elephants, lions, leopards, nialas, | | | | the western part of Kruger National Park. A fence |
| water buffalo, eland, antelope, impala, zebra, and | | | | once separated these smaller sanctuaries from |
| wildebeest. Bird lovers can see such exotic | | | | the big park, but it was taken down in 1994 so |
| species as the crimson and green Narina trogon, | | | | that the animals would have freer movement. |
| crested guinea fowl, longtailed starlings, and | | | | The private reserves often feature luxury lodges |
| white-fronted bee-eaters. | | | | that provide some of the best services in South |
| Camp Under the African Sky | | | | Africa. They can accommodate small groups of |
| There are several camps visitors can stay at to | | | | tourists, and offer exclusive "bush experiences". |
| really experience the wilderness of South Africa. | | | | Trained rangers take guests on fascinating bush |
| Shingwedzi is on the summit of a hill, and so has a | | | | walks and night drives. They also provide tenting |
| great view of the surrounding countryside and the | | | | expeditions for the more adventurous. The best |
| Pioneer Dam. It also has a pool, so visitors can | | | | known of the private preserves are the Sable |
| get a break from the heat. One of the best | | | | Sand Complex, the Manyeleti Reserve, the |
| camps is on the Letaba River. The chalets here | | | | Timbavanti Game Reserve, and Klaserie, an area |
| are in semi-circles overlooking the river. This is the | | | | that encompasses many private preserves. Even |
| site of Elephant Hall, where you can see some of | | | | if you decide to stay at a private preserve, be |
| the largest tusks ever found in Africa. Other | | | | sure to put aside a day or two to visit beautiful |
| popular camps are at Olifonts, Satara, and Orpen. | | | | Kruger National Park. |
| Scenic Kruger | | | | |