While this country may be renowned for its diamonds, Kruger National Park is South Africa’s true shining jewel. Covering nearly 2 million hectares, few game reserves are larger in Africa. It was founded in 1898 by Paul Kruger, who was President of the South African Republic at the time. However, it wasn’t until 1927 that it actually took his name and became the country’s first national park. Today it offers the ultimate safari experience, with more mammal species than any other reserve in Africa. The park can be divided into four regions: the Central Region is home to lions, leopards and cheetahs; the Northern Region is the perfect place to see zebras, elephants and buffalo; the Southern Region is rhino territory; and the Far North Region offers glimpses of sandstone hills, giant baobab trees and rare birdlife. It is also worth noting that the park is located within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve, which UNESCO has included as part of its Man and the Biosphere Programme. Three days were not nearly enough to take in the wealth of biodiversity and history that this place has to offer, but they were three days that we will never forget.
