Stopping by South Africa - Part 2

Welcome back to Travel Jeanne! We're back again to continue Part 2 of Stopping by South Africa. This post is mostly going to consist of information about Kruger National Part, the other place that my family visited in South Africa. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa.  It covers approximately 18,485 square kilometers. To the west and south of Kruger National Park are two South African provinces, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. To the north and the east of the park are Zimbabwe and Mozambique respectively. The park is now linked with Gonarezhou National Park in ZZimbabwe, and Limpopo National Park in Mozambeque. It is an area protected by UNESCO.

One of the spectacular sunrises, taken from the front door of our lodge.

The park was the result of an effort by Paul Kruger, the president of the Transvaal Republic to create a Government Wildlife Park in 1898. It was then named Sabi Game Reserve and, finally, in 1926, was named Kruger National Park. The park was originally created to control hunting and protect the diminished number of animals in the area. It gained its popularity because it was part of the "Round in Nine" tour.

The range-rover that week took around the park

When my family and I visited the park, it was, quite literally, the first time my sister and I woke up on our own at 4:30 in the morning. We stayed at Mohtlabetsi, a private lodge located in Balule Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. Every morning, after enjoying a quick breakfast, we were loaded in a Range Rover, and watched the sunrise driving through the national park. Now, the most important animals in the park are included in a grouping known as the Big Five. They refer as the animals that were once most difficult to hunt on foot. They include, the lion, the African elephant, the cape buffalo, the leopard, and the rhinoceros. My family and I were lucky enough to spot every one of them except for the elusive leopard.

A lioness and her three-month-old cubss. According to our
tracker, this was a rare occurence, as a mother lionesses
generally hide cubs at this age.

If you are an animal lover who enjoys nature at its peak, especially the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, I would strongly recommend visiting the park. Furthermore, I would also recommend staying at Mohtlabetsi. The staff are exceptional and the owners of the private lodge make you feel like part of the family. With dinners around the fire, a comfortable bed, and the sound of crickets and hyenas lulling you to sleep, there really is no other lodge like it.