Reflections

[Helena Bester]

Everybody loves the Kruger National Park- for different reasons probably but we have loving it in common. You would not be on this site if that weren't the case.

I have relocated from the Western Cape which was my beautiful home for just shy of three decades to the Lowveld recently, from where I have been rediscovering the most loved almost 20 000 square kilometers of magic which is the KNP.
Next month I will be doing an extended trip and stay from the southernmost region ( entering at Crocodile Bridge )to Punda Maria, traversing the 377 km's which is roughly the distance from north to south of this, one of the largest game reserves in Africa.

Is it the magnitude of the dimensions of the park that encapsulates the magic or does the attraction lie in the excellent odds of ticking off the big five from your bucket list.
Perhaps the fact that the KNP is home to more large mammal species than any other park in Africa is the major attraction.
I don't think that any of these or any of the many other unique features of the Kruger or even any combination of those solve the riddle of what holds the magic of the KNP.
It lies, I believe in the experience.
I love African sunsets, the grunting sound of the ground hornbills, the comforting call of the night jar, the chuffing and snorting of hippos, the vibrating roar of a lion in the distance and all the sounds that resound the reminder that you are in Africa.
And then there are the little miracles: the roller dung beetles' determination to succeed , the multiple symbiotic relationships between species big and small like the oxpecker and the buffalo, the black-throated honey guide and the honey badger and many you will discover that you have never read about if you are mindfully attentive.

The experience you have in the Kruger is your choice.
All that is needed are your senses.
We can have magnificent experiences in far off and remote wilderness areas like in Chobe in Botswana, Hwange and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe and the list of dream destinations carries on- or we can have our wilderness fix within reach of most of us that is our heritage.
Thank you to all who work with perseverance and diligence to make our individual experiences possible and to all who support the existence of the park in multiple ways.

[MATTHYS]

Welcome to the forums, Helena Bester
Love your feedback and how you describe your experience of the magnitude of KNP.
Hoping for more contributions to our forums from you

[Elsa]

Very warm welcome Helena,
lovely first post which encapsulates all that is beautiful Kruger.
I wish you all that magic in your first extended trip next month but sure it will be the first of many more.

[RosemaryH]

A very warm welcome Helena

[Tamsy]

Welcome Helena

[Nurse Bev]

Thank you! a lovely prologue, eagerly awaiting
the first chapter of your Kruger story!

[colbol]

“ 20 000 square kilometres of magic “ So true Helena
Welcome and do enjoy your “rediscovery “ of this wonderful place.

[Meandering Mouse]

Helena Bester, welcome to the forum.

What a very beautiful and thoughtful post. Stick around on the forum and you will find like-minded people who feed their homesickness in so many ways.

[Mischief]

Welcome to the Forum, Helena Bester.
Very descriptive post which many can relate to of the magical place, our bit of heaven on earth.

[Helena Bester]

Even a trip along the beaten track of the H4-1 and the H4-2 from Skukuza to Crocodile Bridge always has jewels and special moments in store.
I traveled this route on Saturday last due to time constraints ( I usually choose the "'road less traveled "'). Elephants are my second love and Sabie river is high on their ranking list of most loved hangouts.
I am always amazed at how well the short bends or loops that take you just a couple of meters closer to the water, are situated.
It is inevitable that that short detour will give you another vantage point.
You notice the water buck close to the slope that you would have missed and the tree under which you are now stopped, reveals a tree squirrel ( Smith's Bush Squirrel)or even a rock monitor!

And there it was!- a Martial Eagle stripping every morsel of meat from the skeleton of a bird ( now unidentifiable) with great gusto.
Any birding photographer's dream.
Less than two kilometers further another Martial Eagle perched on a picture-perfect dry branch.
The largest eagle in Africa presenting itself to your senses on one of the busiest main routes in the park can be recognized as a privilege by, I believe even to those visitors focused on their big5 checklists.
To top it all off, for bush lovers and glampers alike, the king of the jungle roars two meters away from the tarred road.
While you are still trying to determine whether it is you, your car, or the earth that is trembling, you find yourself transfixed in the piercing gaze of those yellow eyes.
Nothing about any of these and so many other experiences implied in every few kilometers of either a main or secondary road in the Kruger is average.

[MATTHYS]

You are a talented writer, Helena Bester
Thanks for sharing your, definitely not average, experience with us.
It would be great to get a trip report from you.

[Karin Mitton]

I echo what Matthys said - you are a really talented writer. Wonderful descriptions of your expereince - I can picture myself there.

[Meandering Mouse]

I agree, you have a gift with words and your ability to bring something to life would be valued on the forum.

[Tessa G]

Beautifully written and your ability to transfer the mood to the page would make for a wonderful TR Helena Bester.

[Tessa G]

Wow!!!!

I have to admit that I felt a sting of tears in my eyes as I read your post Helena Bester. You so beautifully expressed what is in our hearts, but sometimes find ourselves unable to put into words.

"or we can have our wilderniss fix within reach of most of us that is our heritage."