subject: A Place To Watch Animals And Birds - Kruger National Park [print this page] The Kruger National Park is one of the most important parks, not just in South Africa, but also in the entire continent. The park was established in 1898 and covers an area of about two million hectares. It starts from the Sabie River at the south and stretches for 350 km to the Limpopo River in the north. Kruger National Park is roughly the same size as Wales, spanning two provinces, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
The best season to visit Kruger National Park is during winter (from April to September) when you will have the best chance to see the various types of wildlife because of minimal leaves and grass. Another special reason is that it is during the winter season that many births take place in the park, which will enhance your experience.
If you would like to spot the 'big five', then you should preferably not visit during autumn because of the high and dense grass. The 'big five' are the lion, rhino, leopard, elephant and buffalo. The Kruger National Park is among the few parks where you will have the unique opportunity to spot all of them during your vacation. The 'big five' were a treasure for the hunters.
The park has about 147 species of animals and 1,982 species of plants. There are 517 bird species that you can watch at different times of the year. One of the advantages of bird watching is that you will find the birds in all parts of the park. After all, the fences do not confine the birds at any one place.
The best time for bird watching is during the summer season (from October to March). This is because of the lush vegetation during this time.
While the animals have the 'big five', the birds have the 'big six'. These are the birds that the majority of people are interested in seeing. Whether you are an experienced bird watcher or a novice, you will not find it challenging to identify these birds. The park is also one of the few places where you will be able to see some of the birds, as they are restricted to a few places because they are a threatened species. Get the chance to see all of the 'big six', namely, the Saddle Billed Stork, Lappet Faced Vulture, Ground Hornbill, Martial Eagle, Kori Bustard and Pel's Fishing Owl. Among the 'big six', it is spotting the Pel's Fishing Owl that is rather tricky because of its nocturnal nature.
The park's gates are always open from 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM all the year round. It has eight main gates at different parts.
You will find the kinds of facilities you would expect at any popular tourist destination located at different camp sites right within the park. These include a bank and ATMs at different places.
If you would like to enjoy your time at the Kruger National Park, find out what the rules are and abide by them if you do not want to pay hefty fines. You can enjoy the park irrespective of your budget. You should preferably book in advance.
