Somewhere earlier in this blog I have listed the number of parks which we have visited over the years. Most of these, particularly those to the north of South Africa, has been during the past two decades. However, I have been introduced to the Kruger National Park in 1848 at the age of six years. I can still vividly recall being impressed by seeing so many impala, blue wildebeest and zebra within a few kilometers of entering the park en route to Pretorius Kop. Little did we know what numbers of Impala we would see ove the following days. We stayed in the rondavels of which I found a photo recently at the Pretorius Kop reception.
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| Pretorius Kop 1948 |
Later on at Skukuza we found a tented camp which to me was almost as big as the little town, in the Eastern Cape, from which we came. I remember that my sister got the fright of her life when she walked out in the middle of the night to investigate a noise from outside. She met with the hyena who turned the dustbin over. (In contrast to nowadays it was highly unlikely to be a burglar). We saw "all" the game that my little memory could accommodate and it stuck there for many years. My next visit was only some 30 years later in the early 70's. The Park was as impressive with several new, but more subtle developments.
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| Berg en Dal 2012 |
But as for the country, several things have changed also in Kruger National Park over the years. The most noticable is certainly the popularity of the park both to local as to foreign tourists. Oviously, in response to its popularity and tourist demands, the acommodation and facilities have, particularly since the eighties, been upgraded to a high standard. Many camps now have shops, restaurants, decks from which to view game while having something to eat or drink, swimming pools and offer entertainment and information evenings for the children. Picnic spots have been developed for further convenience of the tourists.
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| Letaba |
These developments further contribute to the popularity of the park. While these developments are enjoyed by all, it is understandable that with such popularity some more "personal" experiences have become few and far between. It is now hardly necessary to attempt to spot lions or leopards. Where such sightings have been made you will find quite a large number of cars which compete with each other for the best position. The matter is further by game drive vehicles which claim the right to the best spot.
In the earlier days, there were spots where you were allowed to leave the safety of your car and walk to selected spots where you will find your safety from a ranger armed with a .303 rifle.
But as they say: "The old days were always good!" Having said that, something that will always be good is the beauty of the park, its fauna and flora. Since every park has its own attractions and character to go and enjoy, it is unfair and wrong to to compare and compete. I go to the lot as often as I can. Even so, I have been visited the Kruger National Park several times and will certainly go there again and again. After my first experience more half a century ago, I still rate it as one of the best.
