Plea to preserve Kruger's character

[Ifubesi]

Like many other forum members, I have been visiting Kruger all my life and over time it has become the place I love most in the world.
Therefore, all serious issues like the increase in misbehaving tourists and staff, overcrowding on roads, development of hotels etc, really concerns me.
Just read all the recent comments on the forums and you will see what I mean.

I would really like to appeal to all South Africans and the management of Sanparks and Kruger specifically. Please remember that you have been given guardianship of a priceless natural treasure which value can’t be measured in Rands or Dollars.
Its value lies in its sense of place.
In the vast open plains of Satara and Lower-Sabie, the gorges and cliffs of the Lebombo Mountains and the ancient riverine forests of Pafuri.

This sense of place is called wilderness.
Wilderness has an unspoilt and ancient atmosphere because it has remained largely untouched by the rising tsunami that is called modern human civilization.
Wilderness is very important for the survival of man’s soul and sanity in a world which is becoming ever more detached from our ancient roots.
This importance of wilderness was understood by conservation pioneers such as Ian Player and James Stevenson-Hamilton.
We owe a great debt to these men and many others after them, for preserving the last remaining pieces of wilderness for generations to come.

Now the responsibility lies with our generation.
With every visitor that enters our national parks and with the people entrusted with managing these areas.

To the visitor and tour guide:
Remember that you are entering an ancient, sacred place where humans should not act with dominance and disregard, but with respect and awe.
Leave your Big-5 checklist at home and discover the infinite hidden wonders which will reveal themselves to those willing to look.

To Sanparks: Remember the legacy that has been left to you by passionate individuals.
Do this job only if you see it as a calling and not because it was just another job that came up.
Protect the sense of wilderness at all cost.
Don’t allow roads to become overcrowded for the sake of income.
Think very carefully before developing new camps, hotels or concessions.
With every new development we risk losing a piece of that wilderness atmosphere, if not managed with care.

I will conclude with the words of Stevenson-Hamilton himself, which he spoke of his beloved Kruger:
“May her success, and the gifts increasingly showered upon her, not at last permanently affect her character, and transform her into a dame so bedecked by human art that her natural loveliness would be hidden, and her simple nature spoilt.
May those holding her future in their hands realize the true nature of their trust, and not, by estimating her worth at artificial values only, cause her to languish and ultimately perhaps perish.”

[majura]

Beautifully expressed Ifubesi

As with all natural wonders on this earth, Kruger is not ours to own, we simply hold it in trust for future generations. That provides us with an amazing responsibility!

[Bushmom]

Thank you for setting in words what we all feel

[charbel]

This was very well put.
I came back from Kruger today.
Yesterday morning I was watching, for instance, klipspringers at Napi Road.
I already miss KNP, who gave me 12 days of unparalleled pleasure.
As I told a South African we met in Mlondozi, you should be proud of SA reserves, such as KNP.
It is a true treasure and it can give the advantages sought for by governments, for instance, without spoiling nature, wilderness.

My impression, as a biologist, is that good conservation results are being achieved at KNP, as the increasing numbers of animals show (with the exception of Kudus, that declined from the 1990s to 2003 - any thoughts here?).
But I also got the impression that tourists' behaviour should be taken seriously.
We saw, for instance, a guy feeding a baboon in the road from Lower Sabie to Skukuza.
What a shame!

But I should say my overall impression is very good.
About the big fives... well, I think KNP has so much more to see than just that! I was impressed by people who asked us when we were viewing 7 giraffes at the same time if we had seen a lion, and when we answered 'no', simply followed the road as if there was nothing to see there!
The same happened when we were seeing (for 40 minutes) a *** bathing in the mud.
We could not figure out what might been passing in people's mind to leave such a scene in order to look for lions as if they were the only thing to see (and some others, like leopards etc.).
well, it is wonderful to see the big five (don't take me wrong here), we were astonished with all the 20 lions we saw and we missed the leopard we did not see in the 12 days...
But there is much much more about KNP than filling big fives checklists.
I wonder... Could it not be the case that all the fuss about big fives do more harm than good?

Well, just some thoughts.... I will make a full description of our days in KNP as soon as we are able to deal with the 16.000 pictures we took!

To sum up: a very good job is being done in KNP, but I got the impression that there are truly reasons to worry for the future, about tourists' behavior, about overcrowding.
SA should be very proud of the good job with wilderness preservations until now (I would hope Brazil had the same structure...), but care should be exercised in order for us to be saying this same thing in the next decades, and for all sons, grandsons, grand-grand sons being discussing like we are doing in KNP forums in the decades and centuries to come!

Charbel (from Brazil, astonished with our KNP experience!)

[fee]

Ifubesi, great words! Maybe your letter should be printed and handed to EVERY motorist passing through our wonderful park. I'd like to believe that forum members are the converted and have great respect for everything about KP. Its the other lawless idiots who see the park as a playground/picnic area and probably feel zip for their suburb/surroundings let alone our KP sanctuary.

[Meandering Mouse]

Ifubesi, what special words, and I do believe, these are words from the heart.

To me Kruger is a miracle.

When Wolhuter saw his first elephants, he thought they were rocks.
When James Stevenson Hamilton made his first survey, there was no game, no game at all.

When I drive through the Park, I am always amazed that Kruger even exists. It ought not to. It has survived mass destruction from gunpowder, politics, mining, agriculture, ecological change.

I just want to celebrate this miracle.

[Wild Dreamer]

Surrounded but so much beauty and splendour in Kruger, driving around in awe at the work of our Creator, having the most stunning evenings and nights in that piece of paradise with the ones you love - well, it is priceless, unbeatable.

Don't we just love the Kruger Park! There is no place on earth I can think of that can give us so much for spirit, soul and body, so much peace and pride.
Thanks for starting this positive thread.

[Elsa]

I agree,
far more positives than negatives, long may that be the case.

[Spaniel]

Agree with you Kruger is heaven on earth. Truly God's creation and a haven for the animals
residing there. Can't wait to get back for the long weekend in March - rest for my soul

[RUMURUTI]

Finally something positive and in line with what this forum should really be doing "Promote South Africa and Sanparks"!
We are all aware that there are a lot of small and big problems in the parks and camps but it is also true that we continue going to the parks and always enjoy our stay.
During my last visit in KNP I did not care about doors that didn't close properly, cutlery not always up to standard or or or..... I was there to enjoy something that is unique and must say both my family and I really enjoyed our stay.

A positive note; KNP HAS the best roads amongst all African National parks and I really can't understand any complaints on his matter.
My personal experience with personnel in 8 camps has always been positive and only once did I find it . This did not stop me from admiring and enjoying every minute of my stay and certainly will continue going back.

[Philip1]

RUMURUTI
A positive mind, creates a healthy body

[michel367]

"Mens sana in corpore sano".

[George P M]

Someone once said "We spend too much time looking for what's wrong, and we tend to lose sight of what's right"... Just the other day I was in the Park - love the place - when I had an experience that conflicted in my tiny little brain...
We were at Satara (day visitors area - I was staying at Balule) when a mini-bus (okay, call it a taxi) arrived, with about 8 people aboard. Young people, probably all under 25. The boom-box started up, raucous laughter and loud voices.... I was instantly peeved but, becuase I was about to leave, decided not to make an issue... Inwardly I was annoyed, but after a few kilometers on the road I was relaxed again...
Later - on my way up to Balule - I saw the vehicle stopped next to the road ahead. First thoughts? "Oh no, them again". As i got closer I saw that they were viewing a smallish herd of elephant, including some pretty young ones. The driver enthusiastically flagged me down, and his words nearly floored me... "Hi Sir", he said in almost a whisper, "Check out the elephants! Aren't they awesome"?? His companions - both male and female - were 'ooo-ing and aaa-ing', and cell-phone cameras were clicking furiously.
It turned out that the group were students from a Johannesburg university who had decided to 'try the Kruger Park out'... and were loving it!! "First time we've been here" I was told.
We arranged to meet at the high-level bridge over the Olifants River (where we could step out of our vehicles) and ended up having a long chat. These youngsters were hooked! Much talk of 'coming back as soon as possible' and 'what a place'...
Sure, they were a bit noisy inside the camp, but remember - these are youngsters! The fact that they're willing to 'explore' the Kruger and hopefully keep their word about 'returning with their freinds and families' They ARE part of the future of the Kruger and all the other Parks...
Maybe WE should be a bit more tolerant??
I genuinely believe that I met a group of 'conservationists-in-the-making' that day...and that has got to be very positive indeed....

[Meandering Mouse]

I wake up every day, and I have thought, a heart beat speeding towards Kruger.

I am a great lover of history and I am constantly reminded that Kruger is indeed a miracle.

[Schotia]

We are all passionate forumites when it comes to Kruger, myself included!

I have being going to the park for 38 odd years and loved every visit, because I know when i set foot in the park , I'm totally relaxed!

Where else can you drive around viewing such spectacular scenery and animals?

Where else can you stay in comfortable, charming rondavels or peaceful bushcamps?

If i could, i would live in Kruger