Kruger Park, South Africa (1 Viewer)

[Andrew]

Turtur chalcospilos is what I have so thanks for telling me to leave it as it is.

 

[Chuck A Wulla]

Since I was very young I have always associated Kruger with Disneyland. That is, as magical places I needed to get too. As a matter of fact I think I first of Kruger through Walt Disney. Good to hear that it is as great as I'd always imagined.

 

[pineywoods965]

OH MY ! What a site that must have been to see all those elephants. They have been my favorite ceatures since I was a toddler! The Leopard to top it off must have been icing on the cake. I guess I better start saving my money right now cause this sounds like a dream come true! Thanks for such a vivid report. I printed it out and it's hanging on my fridge to remind me to save that $
Becky

 

[Sal]

Thanks everyone. Steve, no I have not worked for the Tourist board although I have done one or two very small pieces for magazines and the Ezemvelo Wildlife brochure.
Becky - good luck with the saving! Let me know if you make it! But I have to tell you that seeing great animal sightings in Kruger or any of the other wildlife reserves out here is a matter of serendipity and you can drive for several hours and see nothing! My aunt came out two years ago and I took her to Kruger for six nights and we didn't see one lion. Luckily we saw a leopard with two cubs and a cheetah. But for us birders, there are ALWAYS beautiful birds to find and watch so it doesn't matter!

 

[jdbirdman]

So many memories come flooding back Sal. Been there bought the T-shirt so to speak thanks for the rekindle. about to embark on my second trip this time to Natal can't wait
Regards
john

 

[Sal]

Great John, hope you will get to visit some of the game reserves in the province whilst you are here and that you will have good birding. look forward to reading about it when you get back!

 

[Pol]

Hi Sal

I've been reading your thread about Kruger - I'm coming to South Africa in 3 days' time and getting SO excited. I'll be on an organised trip visiting a good number of different habitats throughout the country (Kruger, Swaziland, Rocktail Bay, Ndumo, St Lucia, Cape Town and Lamberts Bay).

Can you tell me what the temperature is like there at the moment? How hot during the day and how cold in the evening (so I know what clothes to take)??

Any tips please? I'd appreciate your comments.

Cheers

Pol

 

[steve_nova]

You lucky thing Pol. I need a really good holiday. Texas three years ago and Australia three before that. South Africa looks to be my next one. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Pol]

Hello Steve

Yes, I do feel very lucky to be going somewhere that I have dreamt of going to for 40 years ............... wasn't sure that I was going to make it before senility took over, but I'll be there in time!!

A holiday combining birds, mammals and photography but also a lot of travelling - so hope it isn't too tiring (may have to go back to work for a rest).

I hope to be able to post some photos in about 3 weeks' time.

Pol

 

[steve_nova]

Have a great time:t:

ps. let me know what the sausage tree beer tastes like!

 

[Sal]

Hi Pol - how wonderful, I hope you have a really stunning time and I look forward to a reportback when you return! The temperature is so varied at the moment, it is difficult to know what it will do next. Kruger has had tems ranging dfrom about 4 - 7C in the early morning up to anything from 23 - 34C in the hottest part of the day. Swaziland on the whole is not so cold unless it is raining. Ndumo, too will be milder and , possibly, so will St Lucia (but it depends on the weather system at the time!)but Cape Town has been bitterly cold. The problem is a series of very cold fronts that have been sweeping across the southern part of SA. In front of them, we get hot Berg winds. When the fronts arrive the temp can drop by 20C or more! At the moment there is snow in the mountains near Cape Town and one town, Ceres has had its first snow in about fifty years. So I would say jeans, a few pairs of really warm socks and some good hiking boots, t-shirts a couple of sweat shirts or jerseys and one good warm jacket. Even a beanie if you have such a thing and a woolly scarf and a pair of gloves. Then add some light clothes for the warmer places and hot days, plus some strops/slops/sandals/light takkies or something similar - just in case! Do bring sun protection cream, the sun here is very fierce. Also dark glasses and a shady cotton hat. I really hope that the weather will behave for you - we have had some truly wonderful weather this winter - cloudless sunny days with beautiful light for photography so I will keep my fingers crossed that this is what you get. You have a really nice and extremely varied itinerary and should see lots of birds even though it is winter - some of them, like the yellowbilled kites are returning around now. Say hello to Ndumo for me. Make sure, when you are deciding on your walks and drives there, you do the fig tree forest walk - so beautiful. If I can help with anything else, let me know.

 

[Pol]

Hi Sal

Thanks for that information - weather sounds as variable as it normally is in the UK (though we have had unprecedented warmth in south-east of England for weeks now). Because of all the travelling, and restricted space, we are not supposed to take more than 10kg of luggage ( not counting binoculars, telescope and cameras) so taking layers sounds good, albeit thin ones.

Today is my last day at work before flying to Jo'burg on Friday
A dream come true..........................

Pol

 

[Sal]

Wow - only 10kg. Wear lots onto the plane! Have fun! Which camp/s do you stay at in Kruger?

 

[Pol]

Hey, thanks for both replies!!

Staying two nights at Berg-en-Dal and only one night at Skukuza -I've been doing my reading preparation and gather that the habitats are very varied throughout Kruger. Hope to get good views of a good variety of birds and mammals.

I gather that you live near Durban, looking at the new map of where BF people live - is that right? If so, what do you think of Lake St Lucia? I've checked it out on the internet and it looks an incredible area.

Cheers

Pol

 

[pineywoods965]

Hope you have a wonderful trip Pol - with great weather and lots of birds. After reading Sal's first post I have been just green with envy. Looking forward to a trip report and lots of pictures
Becky

 

[Roseate]

Hi Sal I'm off to Kruger in mid September and your tales have really filled me with even more excitment, if that were possible. It seems, over the last couple of years, that SA is the place to visit and go birding.

Best wishes

Tom

 

[steve_nova]

Pol, one bird to look out for. The Crimson Breasted Shrike from a former post by Sal http://www.birdforum.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2880

 

[Pol]

Hi John

I wish - it looks a stunning bird. Unfortunately I don't seem to be going to quite the right area. According to Sinclair's Field Guide the species prefers the drier conditions to the west of Kruger. Oh well, just another excuse for having to go back another time!!

Flying tomorrow.......................

Pol

 

[Sal]

Tom, I hope you have a wonderful time. By September our migrants should all be back and you should be able to see a large number of bird species. Hope you will visit at least one of the game parks?
Steve - unfortunately, looking at where she is going, Pol is unlikely to see that particular shrike - I only wish she could, you cannot really believe the colour till you see it!