Experiencing the beauty of nature can be both a thrilling and peaceful experience, and nowhere is this more true than on safari in the wild African bush. And, being able to take in the vast open space], the lush vegetation bordering the rushing rivers, and the breathtaking animals – think lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes! – who live there is one of the many reasons people from around the world regard Kruger National Park as a bucket list destination.
“Going on safari can be such a cathartic experience. But, the best part about immersing yourself fully in the splendour of the African wilderness is that it can help you to discover new passions and interests, or to really ,” says Miguel Farinha, Hotel Manager of Kruger Gate Hotel.
If you’re ready to open yourself up to a brand new world and truly explore what nature has to offer, then it’s time to dust off your books, put on your boots, grab your binoculars and try some of these engaging activities the next time you find yourself in Kruger National Park. .
1. Capture each stunning moment
With a vastly diverse array of wildlife and dramatic landscapes, Kruger National Park offers endless opportunities to capture the most stunning of images to the professional and amateur alike. Wake up before the break of dawn to take pictures of the avian morning rush hour or wait for the late afternoon to capture the larger animals who aren’t likely to move about in the heat of the day.
2. Take in the beauty of the birds
Want to see some real-life dinosaurs? Then bird-watching is for you. No, seriously, birds evolved from a group of dinosaurs called theropods – the same group that the T-Rex belonged to! More importantly though, bird watching offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and take part in a calming and restive experience.
When you close your eyes and listen to the sounds of nature around you – chances are that most of the sound you’ll hear comes from the many birds surrounding you in the bush. From the beautiful and brightly coloured Plum Coloured Starling and the Lilac Breasted Roller all the way to the endangered Cape Vulture or Saddle Billed Stork and the rare white-breasted Cuckooshrike, there’s something in the Kruger’s 11 bird and game viewing hides for the most experienced and the amateur birdwatcher to see.
3. Set your eyes on the stars
It’s not just the vast swathes of bush land and the majestic animals on the ground that enthral. Wonder can also be found by looking up to the sky. Without the interference of the city lights and the fog of industry, travellers can truly experience the beauty of the night sky. According to the National Geographic, astrotourism (travelling to destinations for the purpose of stargazing) has been gaining momentum over the past decade and 2024 is expected to be a particularly big year.
Kruger National Park offers one of the best unobstructed views of the night sky to enjoy the best auroras in 20 years – made evident by the breathtaking view of the Aurora Australis over Cape Town just a month ago – along with other major celestial events such as the annual Perseid meteor shower and the convergence of Saturn with the moon.
4. Enrich your mind and gain a deeper appreciation of Kruger National Park
While enjoying a safari vacation can be aesthetically rewarding, it also offers an opportunity to stimulate your brain by providing a hands-on education on the intricate ecosystems of the wild. Seize this chance to learn more about the habitats of the remarkable animals who call Kruger National Park their home, the flora, fauna, and more.
From the most arid regions to the wetlands, immerse yourself in the ecology of the five different zones of Kruger National Park which attracts different wildlife according to each one’s vegetation and climate and foster a greater appreciation for environmental conservation along the way.
5. Track down the wildlife
Fancy yourself a detective and looking for something a little bit more intentional than happening upon the animals of Kruger National Park by chance? Then the age-old art form of tracking is the one for you. Take a trip through the park with an experienced master tracker and look for signs of spoor (footprints, scents, or even broken foliage) across sandy riverbeds and muddy shorelines to find the elusive animals of the bush. By tracking these awe-inspiring animals on foot, you can learn the basics of animal behaviour as well as the unique and distinctive signs left behind in their spoor.
6. Sharing a passion for holidaying in the bush
Staying at a hotel so close to Kruger National Park means you’ll most likely meet others who also have a passion for the bush. “Guests often end up chatting to each other about their sightings in the park that day, sharing their excitement at seeing a leopard or a pride of lions stretching out in the sun,” says Farinha. “Setting off for a game drive in that beautiful stillness before dawn, then watching the sun’s rays flood the park with golden light creates a special camaraderie between complete strangers. There’s something about witnessing the majesty of nature unfold before you that bonds us as humans together in a special way.”
The benefit of holidaying alongside like-minded people and discovering and enjoying new experiences from the same destination is often the starting point of new connections and friendships with others, adds Farinha. “Once guests get back to the hotel after a game drive and then later dine together under the African sky, we often hear them talking to each other about their experiences. There’s no doubt that having others share in your excitement at, for example, having seen wild dogs or honey badgers, amplifies the enjoyment of your experience.”