We set off fairly early this morning for our first day in Kruger National Park. We went through the Phabeni Gate as Tim from Sabi Valley Coffee had told us that the road to the Numbi gate was worth avoiding. Apparently, there had been some carjackings along this route.
We were surprised to see animals straight away, a herd of Impalas. From then on it was one animal after another. It was an amazing day.
The list for the day included:
White Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Giraffe, Chacma Baboon, Velvet Monkey, Impala, Bushbuck, Kadu, Warthog, Cape Glossy Starling, Helmeted Guineafowl, Southern Ground Hornbill, a tortoise (unknown) and a few other birds. The Cape Glossy Starling was particularly impressive - a beautiful metallic blue and quite a gregarious bird hopping about the camps.
We called into Pretoriuskop camp for a coffee - very nicely set up, good value and an excellent shop. I bought a shirt. Later in the day we called into Skukuza Camp for lunch. We were on a lovely deck over the river with an elephant and bushbucks in view. It was a bit hot by this time of day, however (40 degrees C).
We had to be out of the park at 6 pm and just made it after having our vehicle thoroughly checked out in case we were smuggling something through.
Was just an amazing day to see so many animals.
