I kept a diary of my trip day by day, these are excerpts from my first few days in Kruger National Park. I hired a private operator Welcome Safaris to take me around Kruger, the drivers are very knowledgable about game,flora and fawna. A plus to touring yourself is they know the roads and where certain animals are more likely to be found. Here goes May 29,2000 My first full day in Kruger. I awake,shower and ready, unsure what the day will bring. After last nites leopard and breeding herd of elephants, I look forward to Kruger's riches. Back from the morning portion of my drive,and did we ever see tons of game and beautiful views from above the plains type area. We could see a few zebra starting to migrate from above with our binoculars. My driver/guide Andrew and I went up to a scenic lookout area, only 400 meters high(1200 feet), but well above most other points in the nearby park. I learn Kruger's vastness, that it is bigger then many small countries like Wales, Scotland or Israel. During our drive,(on this day it was only Andrew and I)we saw lions 3 different times. Twice very well,once a fleeting glimpse of a lioness before she turned disappeared. We saw several crocs, and hippos. We saw many giraffe, Andrew stopped counting at 9,waterbuck,and of course impala (there are over 200000 in Kruger). Best of all I completed my Big 5, seeing Cape Buffalo, on 3 occasions, 2 times quite closely and the 3rd a part of a very large breeding herd of 300. We saw ellies, ground hornbills and the incredibly beautiful lilac breasted roller. We saw a few vultures and bateleur eagels. The bateleurs were very easy to recognize in flight, as because of their short tail feathers they dont glide particualry well and thus stearing is off when they fly, tilting back and forth. The hilite of the mornings drive was a hyena at the roadside nursing a young pup. We watched for some time as the mother seemingly on purpose shielded the pup from us. The baby was awfully cute even for a hyena! Despite no off roading the drive was great, life is so abundant in Kruger that it isnt really necessary! Andrew is a fountain of knowledge, and I love trying to absorb all I can. On our afternoon drive, we make the plan as wee go along. Andrew suggests a relaxing hide, for birders. Much to my delight we sat down and the hide was alive with life. Several large terrapins sat on a nearby log,one slipped into the water. On a branch in the water sat a big black bird with a sharp pointed beak. Andrew tells me it is an African Darter. The sharp beak is used to spear fish. Soon beside it lands the largest of the kingfisher family. It dives and dips in the water,not fishing but cleaning itself I am told. Further out in the pan are several hippo, 6 by my count. They sorted and chortled back and forth. One was far away from the rest calling back to them. They rose and sunk many tmes. Watching and listening to all this was such a thrill. A glance to the right and I see the mate to the African Darter, and slightly behind it on the same branch is a Nile Monitor. I ask if the monitor wont go for the darter, Andrew says no. The sounds of so many insects and birds,hippos calling back and forth,and the sound of air bubles surfacing caused by barbles (catfish), make a serene setting and a wonderful symphony! After an hour or 2 at the hide we leave,spotting some kudu and a croc on a rock as we cross the Sabi River. On the way back to camp we spy a Spotted Eagle Owl, the smallest of all the owls, no taller than my hand. What a day, I have seen so much, it has been wonderful. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?Paradise Kruger Style or Frank's Place Main
