Building the perfect Kruger National Park experience
There are thousands of different experiences to choose from that have been carefully curated by tour specialists to allow individuals or groups to experience great game viewing, bird watching, animal tracking, plant identification, visiting attractions and more. What would the perfect Kruger experience look like though?
“That would depend on the individual,” says Sarah Watson, guest relations manager of Kruger Gate Hotel. “While most tour operators build out their itineraries for the best general safari experience, different people like different things and they often want to see more of the region, beyond the Park. To create the perfect experience you would need to build up your own itinerary. This can be very exciting, especially in the Kruger National Park, as there is so much to see across the nearly 20, 000km² of the Park, as well as the surrounding Mpumalanga province.”
From God’s Window along the Panorama Route through the gateway towns of Lydenberg and White River, to the Mac Mac Falls which have a rich history rooted in the alluvial gold found there in 1873 – there is something for everyone in and around the Kruger National Park.
Here are some activities to consider when building your own itinerary for the area, as recommended by the team of experts at Kruger Gate Hotel.
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is in the Drakensberg escarpment region of eastern Mpumalanga and forms part of the scenic Panorama Route. It is the third largest canyon in the world, covering 29,000ha of exquisite views and waterfalls.
Within the Reserve, you will also be able to see God’s Window, called such because of the incredible stretching view across the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains.
Along the God’s Window route, you will also be able to see Bourke’s Luck Potholes, named after Tom Bourke who discovered alluvial gold in the formations created by the swirling river water. The Three Rondavels and Pinnacle Rock are also on this route in the Reserve.
Things to do in the reserve
From beautiful hikes to white water rafting and kloofing, horse riding to biking, and fly-fishing to hot-air ballooning, there are myriad activities to enjoy in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve.
Sudwala Caves
These incredible caves are the oldest known caves in the world, dating back 240 million years. They were formed by natural acid in the groundwater below seeping through fault lines in the dolomite rocks.
In addition to the yawning caverns of dolomite, arid, shale, limestone and other rocks which colour the caves, you will also see fossils dating back 2,000 million years ago, as well as horseshoe bats that live throughout the cave system.
A fascinating Crystal Tour will take you 2,000m into the caves where you will enter the crystal chamber filled with sparkling aragonite crystals. You could also step outside into the Sudwala Butterfly Effect Nature Garden to see some incredible butterfly species, or experience the Unity Labyrinth.
In the surrounding areas, you can also visit the Dinosaur Park, a museum displaying life-size models of prehistoric dinosaurs; the Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden which is home to dozens of rescued chimpanzees; or the beautiful Lowveld Botanical Gardens which grows “magically” where the Crocodile and Nels Rivers meet.
Other animal rehabilitation centres
If you have a soft spot for eco-preservation and animal rescue, you can also visit Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which offers guided tours and education programmes on SA’s endangered species – and is also home to lions, leopards, and wild dogs.
Courtesy of Bizcommunity – read full article here.
