Kruger National Park

Kruger Park is South Africa's most exciting African safari destination. Steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife. The Game Safari must be one of the most memorable activities and things that you must do in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

The word 'safari' has its roots in Arabic - and Arab traders were some of the first outsiders to journey into this continent. Caravans replaced jeeps in these early expeditions, as treacherous new trade routes transported goods - and slaves - between Africa and Asia throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

The first 'safari' took place in 1836, when William Cornwallis Harris set out to observe wildlife in its natural surroundings - rather than simply shooting it, as he did on most of his expeditions. Shortly after, the word 'safari' was introduced into English by the explorer Sir Richard Burton.

 Why Kruger National Park This is considered the king of safari parks. And it is on most Africa Bucket Lists. Fantastic for self-drive safaris, it's the Big Five for beginners. One of Africa's oldest, largest and most diverse national parks, Kruger has over 500 bird species and more mammals than any other park on the continent. Its luxury lodges, top-end safaris and campsites mean that Kruger is really open to all. Whether you are going for an adventure, an experience or even for your honeymoon trip, this has to be on the top of your list.

And I like to share some of the photographs that I had taken while on a safari with my group of friends in June 2014.

It is better to stay in the Kruger National Park itself, as you are much in the heart of the whole area. At that time that we went last June, it was actually winter time, but in the day, it was still very comfortable. We had two game viewing sessions each day.

In a typical day, we were awaken at 5 30am. We had some biscuits and tea or coffee, before we set off in one of those open-topped vehicle that you saw in the picture. It is better to have about up to five people in one vehicle. We were given ponchos to cover ourselves. It was pitch dark, and our knowledgeable guide cum driver would negotiate and find his way round on the road built within the national parks. It was very cold in the morning with a few degrees, and we were all wrapped up in our jacket, and covered with the ponchos. Soon, we could see the sky brightening up, with a tinge of soft orange glow across the horizon. 

We were driven around to hunt for the animals, and we saw impalas, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions. The Big Five refers to the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros. At close to about nine in the morning, we would have a short break to take our breakfast, with sandwiches, and biscuits. Then, we continued with our game drive.

When it started to get hot, we were driven back to our lodge. Then, it was lunch time. Free at leisure till about four pm. Then, we would go for our sunset safari.
Now, it would be the reverse. We left our lodge in the bright daylight, and continued on until the sunset. Wow, the sunrise and sunsets are really beautiful here in the Kruger National Parks. Bright orange hues right across the whole horizon this time.

We even had our biscuits and champagne in the wild. But we needed to be very careful, as I heard of tales about some other travellers, being cautioned and then had to make their way back to the vehicle due to the big cats approaching their way..

Then, by the time, we were back in the lodge, we could wash up, and get ready for our dinner. The following day would repeat itself with the similar timing.

On our trip, we had the chance to see the cheetah from afar, but didnt manage to see any of the leopards which are high elusive animals. They are nocturnal creatures, and thus spend most of their time resting in the day, and hunt in the night. That makes it difficult to locate and see them.

Interested to make a trip to South Africa? 
Speak with one of our experts who have been to South Africa for many years.

Check it out on my website - 
www.izest-lifestyle.com

Pictures of South Africa

Dear all,

I planned for a trip to South Africa in June, and went with 10 other ladies on this trip and this is indeed an experience of a lifetime. Finally, my dream came true, as I had wanted to visit South Africa for a very long time.

Our highlights: -
Cape Town,
Kruger National Park (4 game safari)
Pakamisa Private Game Reserve (horse riding, 1 game safari)
Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park (oldest national Park in South Africa)
St Lucia Estuary (UNESCO, sunset boat cruise)
Shakaland

We stayed at the following lodges -
Hout Bay - Villa Afrique
Kruger - Imbali Lodge
Pakamisa - Pakamisa Paradise Game Lodge
Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park - Falaza Tented Camps
Shakaland - Traditional hand-woven Beehive Hut.

There are alternative or cheaper package if you avoid Kruger National Park. There is a daily conservation fees of about SGD50 per person a day, excluding your hotel / lodge accommodation. Most of the established lodges are mainly 5 star, and you will be charged perhaps for SGD2,000 a night.

To me, there is no compromise, as Kruger is the largest national park in South Africa, and to really enjoy a great safari experience in the bush, there is no alternative to Kruger. There are some cheaper accommodations or even guests houses, which are located outside of the National Park. But being so much further away, I think time will be lost for driving when you go for your safari. As we travel in the period of June, it is the winter season in South Africa, and this is considered the best time for game viewing. Animals are more likely to go to the water holes for drinking, and it is so much easier to spot them.

We had sunrise and sunset safari in a day. In the morning, we woke up as early as 5 30 am, and then have a light breakfast. Then, we have to put on our full gear, wearing the appropriate jackets, gloves, and pants to keep ourselves warm, as we drove out of the lodge in total darkness. When the winds blew past our face, it was really chilly. We were there to see the sky and the horizon changing colours from pitch black, and then slowly the orange tinge spreading along the horizon. And then finally, the sun rose up to the sky. It was not easy to take the pictures as there were many trees all around.

The ranger guide would point to us, the direction to spot the animals. He is well-trained, and he knew what to look out for. As he drove, his head was sweeping from left to right, and his pair of eyes was constantly, trying to pick up the sights of any animals, if they were chewing the leaves somewhere, with the bodeis partially hidden by the trees.

We were lucky that for the 3 days and 2 nights stay at Imbali, we spotted a lot of animals, and out of the BIG FIVE, we managed to see the four of them. The leopard is a very elusive animal, and it is a nocturnal animal, and thus we missed seeing them in Kruger.

I like to share some of the pictures that I took for my trip in South Africa.

                              Captured this at the right moment, with another baby elephant behind.

Reminds me of the animated movie - The Lion King.

                                                  We were so close to the pride of lions.
                                   

                                                                            A zebra

                                                     Giraffe - is such an elegant animal.

                                                    Impala. Only male impalas have horns.

A group of baboons was crossing the road in front of our vehicle.

                                                                       Baboon & its baby.

More pictures to come. Do come back for more.

If you are looking for the best airfare to South Africa, you normally fly to Johannesburg for a trip to Kruger National Park. For some others, they will fly into Cape Town, and then connect to Johannesburg.
It is a 7 -hour drive to Kruger Park, otherwise, you can also fly from Johannesburg to Kruger, but I understand the airfare is not cheap.

Click below, and register as a PREFERRED CUSTOMER.
Best Airfare/Hotel rates worldwide!
PRICE PLEDGE - if you can find a cheaper hotel rate or airfare after your booking, you will get a 150% Price Difference Refund, when you send the proof and email within the next 24 hours after your booking is made.

More pictures to come.

Olevia Cheong

My Next Dream Destination - South America in 2015!

South Africa Travel

Dear all,

I am planning for a trip to South Africa for two weeks, and the departure date is
06Jun, 2014. Departure is by Emirates flight. Usually, the airlines offer discounts for early booking, so we are likely to make booking for the flights by end of February.

There is also a great chance that we will even do a 3 weeks trip for those who can afford the time and money.. South Africa is an expensive place for travel, especially so if you stay at the lodges located within the Game Parks.

Please find below the write up about South Africa from the Lonely Planet's website .

SOUTH AFRICA

Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. It befits its position at the southern end of the world’s most epic continent, with more types of terrain than photographers can shake their zoom lens at. There’s the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Kruger National Park’s wildlife-stalked savannah (scene of the famous lion-buffalo-crocodile battle watched more than 40 million times on YouTube) and, running through the east of the country and into Lesotho, the Drakensberg. KwaZulu-Natal’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park alone has five distinct ecosystems, attracting both zebras and dolphins.

If you’re interested in another kind of wildlife, hit the nightclubs on Cape Town’s jumping Long St or sample African homebrew in a township shebeen (unlicensed bar). When it’s time to reflect on it all, do it over seafood on the Garden Route, curry in Durban’s Indian Area, a sizzling Cape Malay dish, or a braai (barbecue) in the wilderness – accompanied by a bottle of pinotage produced by the oldest wine industry outside Europe.

Of course, it's impossible for travellers to South Africa to remain oblivious to the fact that, despite the rise of ‘black diamonds’ (middle-class black folk), racial inequality persists here. Black and coloured townships face problems such as a horrific HIV/AIDS rate and xenophobic tensions caused by economic refugees from nearby countries.

Nonetheless, South Africans are some of the most upbeat, welcoming and humorous folk you’ll encounter anywhere, from farmers in the rural north who tell you to drive safely on those dirt roads, to Khayelitsha kids who wish you molo (‘good morning’ in Xhosa).

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-Africa


This is a huge country and the options are many.. from the various game reserves and national parks.

HIGHLIGHTS of our trip is as below:

1. Cape Town (Table Mountain Cable Car, Cape Peninsula)
2. Garden Route , Sir Lowry's Pass
3. Overnight at Hermanus
4. Shark Cage Diving (at your own expense)
5. South Africa wineries - Bouchard Finlayson & Newton Johnson
6. Seals Cruise, Jackass Penguins
7. Durban & Shakaland
8. Overnight at Hand-woven Beehive Hut
9.Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Big 5 Safari
10. St Lucia Cruise (UNESCO)
11. Pakamisa Paradise Game Reserve
12. Kruger National Park & Safari
13. Blyde River Canyon (3rd deepest canyon in the world)
14. Sudwala Caves
15. Feast of Game meat - Zebra, Kudu, Wildebeest.

                                                                         Cape Town

Pakamisa Paradise Private Game Reserve

                                    Blyde River Canyon (picture taken from Wikipedia website)

                                                               Bourke's Luck Potholes

Contact me should you be keen. And mark your calendar.
Note that this is a fully organised tour, and thus all the meals, sightseeing, and guide will be included.

The price - estimated - $5,250
((subject to the price of the airfare  and the fuel surcharge.))

Olevia Cheong
olevia@euholidays.com.sg