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Many waterholes are closed. They were not natural, and upset the wildlife patterns. So they are turning back to their natural state.

For others a nice (natural) fire can do miracles.

Hi Okie,

maybe it is because english is not my first language and would it be easier for me to express myself in dutch , but let me try again:
In the first place I really love to come to Kruger as soon as possible and we stay as long as possible with much pleasure!!
But ofcourse you're right that we have to be very very carefull with environments like Kruger'park' or Kruger nature reserve , but I cannot find a reason why it is such a big problem to improve the visibity at many waterholes. I don't think it has anything to do with the preservation of the heritage. When waterholes are closed, OK no problem but than they have to take everything away so that there is no waterhole anymore. But I hope you agree with me that for instance Renosterpan was! a nice place to park, wait and relax till lions, leopard, zebras wildbeast or whatever comes for a drink. But now it is just impossible to have a look on the waterhole. Only in the corner of the 'parkingplace' some-one with a 4x4 or bakkie started to drive 'through'the bush and when 1 starts with doing so, many people follows. IMHO it's no problem at all to cut the bushes down to the ground so that every-one has a good view. And like Renosterpan I can find many other places like that. Littering is definately another discussion and has nothing to do with visibility.
And I must say that we are very happy not to drive in a economy size verhicle while we have our own 4x4.
But when I see several Sanparks-workers throughout the park cutting the grass and small bushes away close to 'No entry' signs, because than everybody can see that you are not allowed to drive that way, it also must be possible to do the same at some waterholes.
And maybe our expectations are too high or am I looking to this 'problem' in a 'european way'. And maybe people in SA are having a different view because they can visit Kruger more or easier than 'we from Europe', but when I visit Kruger and see on a map that somewhere is a waterhole close to the road, I have a expectation to see at least something and no sometimes you can't even see anything. I think more than 95% of Krugervisitors comes to Kruger to enjoy the wildlife and they doesn't come to look to grass,bushes or whatever at waterholes
And again you're right that tourism is not the main purpose but should there be a Kruger without tourism....?? I don't think so. Saying this I have to doubt about it. When do they start to built a new hotel in the southern part of Kruger.....???? I think they better should improve the visibility than building a new hotel which means more touritst!! and so more money!!
And I am told that less than 4 % of Kruger is 'open' for us tourist... so it must be possible to find a good balance in that.
I hope you do understand my point of view (due to my 'bad' english ) but you don't have to agree with me and maybe I park my 4x4 next to you're Landy sometimes

Nice discussion!!
Ruud

Ruud, it all makes good sense. Just a little bit of TLC at waterholes and view points.

Ruud , You are right . The English is not a problem either . Some places can certainly have BETTER viewing , with less obstruction . But we must also understand that it is not an easy task to keep ALL of those viewing places in tip-top condition specifically for viewing , mere because of the vast number that are there . For instance , just a short drive down along the Sabie river have many many drive-ins and loops and just to keep them trimmed etc , would be a task requiring many many man-hours .

But in the end - yes , we all agree , the park is there for our enjoyment , as long as we can maintain it in as natural state as possible .

I forwarded this to the Kruger Management and they have acknowledged this suggestion.

KNP will certainly take this up with relevant managers at the regions (Technical Services and maybe rangers as well) for them to look at the possibility of clearing.

Thanks Lesego!

Thanks Lesego.

Lesogo,

you're great!!!!!



Ruud

Thank you Lesego. Every time I sit at a quite viewing point and just gaze at the animals or try to photograph a mammal, bird, reptile, or insect without branches obstructing the essential spirit of the animal I will appreciate your help in finding a constructive answer to my constructive criticism

im


Yeah ! Sometimes that darn animal just sits or stands or want to take a bath in the wrong place

Some of that vegetation , creates great cover for predators ambushing at waterholes....or to scare tourists at viewpoints.
I remember they cleared the reeds in front of Skukuza last year. It was an eyesore to see a patch of reeds slashed on the riverbed.
Let the bush be.

Arn`t we, conservationists first and then view then Photograph the natrual splenders we find in the bush?
If the vegetation is cleared from these areas, maybe a whole little eco-system could be destoyed forever. Or a sapling of a future Baobab, Natal Mahogany etc could never get the chance to life. Dosen`t the bush have write to survive as any other animal in the Parks.
To me it looks like the same old story man come first with his greed and then our fragile eco-system come last.

I think some people are (proverbially) throwing out the baby with the bath water. Thanks Lesego!

Bushbuck87,
do you ever visit any of the birdhides in Kruger??

Ruud