"Eye to eye with wild animals

in

Kruger - National Park"

 

Kruger National Park (total area 19633 square kilometres) is almost as large as the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz.

Being the second oldest National Park of South Africa, it extends 345 km from north to south, and between 40 and 80 km from

east to west.

 

In the park traces were found of prehistoric settlements, dating back more than 1.5 million years. In the area now made up by

the park, the San (bushmen) lived there hunting and gathering until about 400 AD. In the second century AD the first Nguni are estimated to have advanced into the south of Africa, driving the San away. Unlike the San, who were used to living below overhanging rocks, the Nguni built huts for housing.

 

In the 19^th century, the Cape region came under British administration, and the Boers (former Dutch settlers) departed to northern regions with their ox carts. Modern weapons and the search and greed for pasture, land, skins and ivory, resulted in

a reckless decimation of the stock of animals. In addition, the foundation of settlements as well as railway lines, and finally the gold rush in 1869, added to the extermination of game in that area.

 

Therefore, in 1898, Paul Kruger, president of the Boers state, proclaimed a sanctuary, known as Sabie Game Reserve. Through this, the so-called “Government Wildlife Park” came into being, which covers an area of 4600 square kilometres between the Sabie and the Crocodile River; hunting on a limited scale was allowed there. In 1900, the Boers lost the battle for Transvaal against the English, and Paul Kruger had to go into Swiss exile. The idea of a wide range wildlife sanctuary seemed dead. The British, however, did not dissolve the sanctuary, but appointed James Stevenson-Hamilton as official hunting warden of the Reserve. He gave his attention above all to the protection of species, and through the purchase of land, enlarged the area.

His special concern was with the revival of the decimated number of elephants.

 

In 1903, the Shingwedzi Game Reserve was added to the existing protection area. On the 31^st May 1926, the sanctuary was proclaimed a national park and later renamed Kruger N. P. Since 1927, the Park has been open to the public.

In order to prevent or reduce migration of game, the Park was fenced in 1961.

 

Climate:

 

The climate in summer (October till March) is subtropical with rains in the south of the park up to 760 mm; temperatures soar to above 40°C). During that season the animals are spread over an extensive area of the National Park.

In winter (April till September) it is warm and dry (to below minus 4°C). In the dry season, the wild animals are mainly seen near the rivers and water-holes.

 

Countryside and Vegetation:

 

Plants life consists of 380 kinds of trees, bushes and shrubs, 224 sorts of grass and 1275 other types of plants. Beside flat areas, the N. P. also consists of some rocky parts. Five great rivers run through the Park, most of which don’t contain water permanently; during the dry season they either turn into rivulets or completely dry up. During the rainy season however, they may turn into powerful broad rivers. Hippopotami and crocodiles Iive in the rivers where water runs throughout the whole year. Vegetation is mainly made up of Bushveld, a mixture of grazing-land, different bushes and trees. In the northern part of the Park, vegetation is denser than in the south. Here, too, one can find the remarkable monkey-bread tree (Baobab).

 

Fauna:

 

In all, 147 species of large mammals live in the N. P., alongside 507 species of birds, 116 species of reptiles (54 species of snakes – nine of which are very poisonous, e. g. cobra, black mamba and puff adder), as well as 34 species of amphibians, and 49 species of fresh water fish. Included are lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffaloes – the famous Big Five rove through the wilderness. All day long, nature shows its drama of “live and die”. Observation of game is always a matter of luck, but due to the multitude and being home to the largest concentration world-wide of wild animals, there is a good chance to watch these animals. Many herbivores are grazing peacefully side by side. The biggest predators are lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards. African wild dogs and cheetahs are seldom found. By far the most common big animal is the “Impala” - antelope. Highest in number, as far as big wild animal species are concerned, are elephants, blue wildebeest, buffaloes, plains zebras, and giraffes (sub-species: cape giraffe). Big herbivores are ellipses waterbucks, warthogs, Greater kudus, and hippopotami. The amount of elephants, buffaloes, and hippopotami is regulated by means of artificial intervention, such as resettlement and culling, on the part of the Park administration. Contrary to the white rhinoceros, the black rhinoceros are seldomly seen. The N. P. is an important Reserve for the Nyala antelope. Among the rarely found big herbivores, the lyre antelopes, as well as the Common elands and roans must be included. As far as big species of birds are concerned, one finds ostrich, kori bustard, ground hornbill, marabou, and secretary bird. Near inshore waters there are waterfowl, such as saddle-billed stork, Goliath heron, and pelican; in addition several other species can be found, such as the Egyptian goose, and many more …

 

Peace Park:

 

The fences of the National Park serving to separate it from Mozambique and Zimbabwe were removed in 2001 in order

to enable a wild hike without borders. The goal is to create a cross-border park with the name of “Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park”, also called “Peace Park”. This idea dates back to Nelson Mandela. 

©2020 Manfred Restin