35. The famous Kruger National Park

You are probably starting to think that we are not doing anything else than visiting parks and spotting animals these last couple of weeks, but we have arrived at the Krugers and well, we can’t pass this famous park without spending some time here. But just before going there we visit a rehab center for wild animals (I know, more beasts but we just love it!). This center takes care of wild animals that have been injured or captivated by people who of course don’t want them near their cattle. Unfortunately 90% of the animals that come here can not be released back into the wild. Lions, cheetahs and other predators that have been brought in are all territorial animals. When they for example come out of the Kruger because they were injured, another predator takes the opportunity to take the territory of the animal that is gone. If they would release the big kitty cat back into the wild, it would go straight to its home only to find it taken over by another predator. They will end up fighting for it and one of the two will die. At the center they sometimes do a kind of brainwash by putting the animals between four walls for weeks, with only the sky above visible. Treated like this, the animal will forget where it comes from and later on be released somewhere with enough space for another predator.

Cheetah in the rehabilitation centre

Feeding the vultures

Behind me the original road or what is left of it on the right, washed away during the cyclone a week before we arrived. I am standing on a new one made by the farmers.

But then it is time to try and spot a leopard in the Kruger, the last of the ‘big five’ we haven’t seen yet. The phrase ‘big five’ game was created by hunters (people who kill animals for sport) and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. According to a guide we met it refers to the 5 most popular animals to be hunted (and well, that is kind of the same, as I am sure the challenge makes the hunter’s day). Some of the animals are unfortunately still high on the list of poachers. We were told that in January alone 140 rhinos were killed in the Kruger. The only good news regarding poachers is that two of them were shut. Rangers in the park will always shoot to kill as the poachers will do the same. I can only hope more poachers will be caught and end up like the other two. No, I don't feel any pity for those men (although I am aware that poachers are probably doing this more out of despair for money and that the real disgusting people are the men and women who want to have the horn). But the fact that they cut of the horn of a rhino while it is often still alive makes me not only sad but also angry.

And so, along with Aurélie we enter the park at the Orpen gate. The park has been damaged severely by a cyclone and it shows. Incredible to see what damage the water has done to the area. And although a couple of roads are closed in the park, most of the areas are still accessible. The Kruger has only been closed for one day despite of the extreme weather the last weeks. But we are lucky, no rain (or wind for that matter) in sight. And the Kruger is the first park where we see other cars than 4x4. There is tarmac almost everywhere so no need for a car with some power, no nature challenges to overcome while driving.

One of our favourite pictures: the super cute and curious giraffes

At first we don’t spot a lot of wildlife, other than the ‘thousand times seen before’ impalas. LOL But the two days in the park have been worth it. All big fives have appeared in sight! More so, we saw 6 wild dogs. And I hear you say ‘Yeah, we have a dog at home, exiting….’ but no people, the wild dog is a super endangered species and seeing them is even more difficult than spotting a leopard! Yes, we have been privileged when entering the park while being greeted by six wild dogs in the middle of the street! What an incredible way to start our day. Of course we only realized it afterwards how lucky we were when a guide told us. So just like you we thought ‘oh doggy’. LOL

Wild dogs

The hardest one to spot of the big five, Mister Leopard

Look how strange he looks, albino giraffe?