Trip to the Kruger National Park

"Unpredictable" - that's basically what life is like in South Africa, well, at least it is for my family and most other people I know who live here. It can be frustrating, but it can also be exciting...like an unexpected holiday and a last minute change of plans. That's what happened to us last Monday...we were on the road just after 4a.m. going to spend a few days in a private game reserve when we suddenly decided to change plans and go to the Kruger National Park instead. :) 

We had a good time there - saw lots of animals and enjoyed being out in the African bush - and took LOTS of photos! Enough pictures for a number of posts so here's the first one... :)

Nearing the town of Phalaborwa which is situated just 3kms from the Kruger Park's Phalaborwa Gate. 

Kruger's Phalaborwa Gate office and shop 

Entering the game reserve. The Kruger National Park is the "flagship" of South Africa's national parks. It is a huge area - 2 million hectares and is roughly the same size as the whole of Wales or Israel. It forms part of South Africa's border with Zimbabwe in the North and Mozambique in the East. The Kruger is rich in wildlife and plants.

The northern park of the Kruger park is in the grip of a severe drought at the moment and rivers are running low and some have dried completely. This river we crossed, not too far from Phalaborwa Gate, still had enough water in it for hippos and crocodiles. The following two pictures were taken from the bridge.

The first animal we saw on entering the Kruger - Impala are numerous and you see herds of them all the time.

We had a two and a half hour drive from the Phalaborwa Gate to Shingwedzi Rest Camp where we were staying but we stopped off for a short while at Mopani , another rest camp which is about half-way.

The walkway that leads to the deck that looks out over the huge dam that is just outside the camp.

A Boabab tree inside the camp. An amazing tree!

We saw a lot of animals and birds on the drive including this small herd of Giraffe which were feeding off trees on the side of the road.

We arrived at Shingwedzi Camp in the late afternoon, and booked into our bungalow which is pictured in the photo below.

After we unpacked it was good to walk around the camp and "stretch" our legs after the journey. :)

The Loft room where Rachel and I slept.

Looking the "other way" from the loft, down.

Sunset and sunrise are always spectacular in Africa and especially out in the bush. :) 

That night after a light supper and time spent just sitting outside, we went for a walk around the camp and then it was early bedtime for all of us. :)