There are 2 sections to our safari - the first 4 days in the public Kruger National Park - guided by Jason and in their safari vehicles. The days start with an early alarm - 5am - for a cup of tea and biscuit and then we all get in one of the two safari vehicles to be driven around the tar and dirt roads in search of the huge variety of bird, animal and reptiles living in the park. Its a massive park - a wilderness about the size of Wales - the guides have some clues as to sightings from other guides but its all about looking and watching - Pete has quite an expert spotter - a couple of times pointing out quite unusual sightings! ( Sable antelope eg). There are other clues - such as a small group of vehicles stopped by the side of the road. There is no in the Kruger, so everything has to be seen from the road - which was fine. The early trip out finished about when we returned to camp for breakfast - the had brought in chefs to provide a big breakfast/brunch
and dinner. Then a bit of a rest, followed by an afternoon drive from about 2.30 til the camp gate closed at 6. We stayed in two different camps Lower Sabie (SE Kruger close to Mozambique border) and Satara Camp, a bit further north. Both a bit on the basic side but perfectly fine and food great - but limited hence update
In Kruger we saw so much - a huge herd of buffalo, lions, crocs, hippos, wide range of antelope species, giraffe, zebra, warthog, mongoose and huge variety of birds - eagles, vultures, hornbill - just loadsand we mark off everything we have seen each day on our checklist. We have had some magic moments to treasure including watching (for about an hour) a pride of 11 lions waking, stretching, washing, playing and then stalking - it was truly magnificent. Earlier we had seen an enormous herd of buffalo - estimate of 400 in total - which was amazing. The elephants are just incredible to watch - theres no stopping them - wrecking balls! Its so good to see so many healthy looking animals.
