BACKGROUND:

The Kruger Park sits in the South African low veldt between the towering escarpment of the northern Drakensberg and Mozambique coastal plains. It is one of Africa's premier game reserves, consisting of almost 20 000 square kilometers, an area bigger than Whales or Israel , and twice the size of Washington DC . The park spans a variety of habitats, ranging fro high rainfall mountains to semi -arid plains. Within its boarders lies an abundance of wildlife and a rich , but largely unexplored natural heritage.

Over time Kruger will become the key partner in the world's largest game reserve, the 30 000 square-kilometer Greater Limpopo Transfrontier  Park, which include within its boarders the neighboring Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and Gonarezhou in Zimbabwe to the north.

Kruger embodies not only the spirit of Wild Africa, but is a window into the world that gave birth to humanity itself. We are, after all, the product of the African landscape. The grasslands and mixed bush veldt of the Park are typical of the environment from which our ancestors emerged some two-and-a-half million years ago. There is al long record of human occupation in Kruger, stretching from the early Stone Age to the late Iron Age.

To visit Kruger Park is without a doubt a primal experience, an opportunity to open ones senses and to tune into the deepest recesses of humanity's collective memory; to remember that, once upon a time, long, long ago, this was our species' birthplace.

This park has the following:

The Big Five – the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. 147 mammal species, including Africa's biggest cats; the biggest bird in the world – the flightless ostrich – and over 500 bird species, including summer migrants; The fastest land mammal – the cheetah – capable of speeds of up to 114 kms/hr; some oldest trees in the world – a few baobabs in the Northern Kruger are believed to be over 3000 year old; Over 2000 plant species including 456 trees and shrubs; Africa's biggest snake – the African rock python – as well as the Nile crocodile and 112 other reptile species; one of the world's rarest fish the Notobranchuis rachovi, which survives in mud when water holes dry up.

CLIMATE

The Kruger Park has very hot summers, punctuated by rather erratic rainfall. The atmosphere is often humid and night time temperatures are usually warm. Winters are generally temperate and dry, the crisp air turning surprisingly cool in the evenings.

Kruger is located within a high-pressure weather belt that covers much of the southern African interior. In summer, a southward shift of tropical circulation pushes aside the high-pressure cells allowing moist air to be drawn in from over the Indian Ocean . This ensures that most falls during summer months between October and March and that for most of the year; Kruger's climate is sunny and dry. Average rainfall for the whole of Kruger is around 500mm a year, but there is:

MALARIA:

Malaria can be a risk around summer rainy season roughly between October and May. This is especially true for lower lying camps such as Sabie and Crocodile Bridge and all camps in the north. Prophylactics should be taken in advance of visiting Kruger during the malaria season and one should use a good insect repellent while in the Park. It is advisable for pregnant women and children under the age of five not to visit Kruger during the summer. The most vulnerable times are between dusk and dawn. Remember not every mosquito carries malaria. Should you develop flu-like feverish symptoms within 7-20 days after visiting the Park, consult your Doctor.