Simon Nare
Millions across the country are packing their travelling bags to get away for a change of scene or enjoy themselves with their families to different destinations.
One such destination is undoubtedly the iconic Kruger National Park, which hosts more than a quarter of a million people during the festive season without fail. People flock to this internationally renowned park for a variety of reasons and experiences, and there are plenty of those to explore all around.
Needless to say, the game drives are the main attractions where visitors get to see the animals at close range, and if you strike it lucky, you can see the big five in one day, although that is very rare.
On my recent visit, we could only manage four of the five, and we wanted to see the endangered and elusive rhino. But we got to see hundreds of thousands of impalas, hundreds of giraffes, and elephants.
The impalas are so overpopulated in the park that a ranger tells me the population is hovering around half a million, and the park is forced to cull them every year to control the population.
You might think this venerated park is all about animals, but its commercial operations manager, Thabo Tlalanyane, will have you hooked on some of the less popular yet fulfilling activities, such as hiking and bird watching.
There are also plenty of picnic spots in the park where you can enjoy your braai’d meat, your cold ones, in the middle of the bush, surrounded by Mother Nature. Some of them, like the one at the Skukuza camp, almost at the edge of the Sabie River, have a swimming pool where you can dip in to cool off.
And while visitors are preparing themselves to for a wild time with wild animals in the animal kingdom, the management at the park is also preparing itself for the influx.
According to the head of rangers, Cathy Rangers, recently told reporters during a media excursion at the Skukuza Camp, this was peak season for poachers and Rangers are also gearing themselves.
This majestic park spanning 19485 square kilometers has 10 entrances with 13 rest camps all around the camp each with its own experience on offer.
But those heading to the Skukuza camp this festive season, there will be in for a treat as the park has officially unveiled its new modern-stylish accommodation along the Sabie River.
The self-catering units, boasting kitchens, patios and patios,s are an addition to the already luxurious Train on the Bridge, which has become a draw card in the camp.
The units have an impressive open-plan kitchen combined with a sitting area that also has a braai place inside in case it rains, and you’re craving braaied meat.
Just make sure you book your game drives either early in the morning or sunset because those guys in the wild tend to sit still in the shade during the day because it’s scorching hot there.
Also, don’t forget mosquito ointments or nets because those singing insects are buzzing all over there, especially at night.
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