Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park, the World's greatest wildlife sanctuary, is a spectacle the like of which can be seen only in Africa. The Park, in which nearly every species of fauna known in the country live in their natural habitat, originated in 1898 when President Paul Kruger with far-seeing wisdom set aside a large tract of land with the object of ensuring for all time the preservation of South Africa's heritage. With the spread of civilisation it had become apparent that, unless some such measures were adopted, the game that once roamed the length and breadth of the sub-continent would suffer extermination.

Years without molestation have taught the animals to lose their fear of man, and they now view passing cars with unconcern. The Park is unfenced, but instinct warns its inmates that to venture beyond the borders is to court destruction. The lion is, quite understandably, the “show” animal of the Park. He betrays only a mild interest in the cars that sometimes pass within a few feet, but no liberties can be taken with him, hence the rigid prohibition imposed on visitors against leaving their cars, except in rest camps.

Other animals frequently encountered in the Park are elephant, blue wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, impala, warthog, kudu, giraffe, sable antelope, roan antelope, buffalo, steenbuck, duiker, tsessebe, bushbuck, reedbuck, klipspringer, monkey and baboon. Hippopotami and crocodiles abound in all the larger rivers, and leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, jackals and civets may also be seen. A wide variety of bird-life also finds sanctuary within the Park.

Although the major portion of the Park is closed during the summer months, the Pretorius Kop area in the extreme south is open all the year round. The many thousands of animal inhabitants are dispersed throughout the 200-mile length of the Park, and, while certain areas are known to be more favoured by some animals, it is impossible to be specific about their whereabouts at any particular time. Their movements are influenced, among other things, by the abundance or shortage of water.