Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5. Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino.
- Lion. This majestic animal is one of the most amazing real life sightings one could wish for. These ferocious guys let the females do most of the hunting and then they push in and eat first. The sound of them roaring you can feel right in the middle of your chest. They can mostly be seen out in the savanna where there is a lot of game.
2. Leopard. This must be the most beautiful of the big cats. They are far more solitary than the lion. They normally drag their prey up into a tree where the scavengers aren’t able to reach. They have a variety of food varying between the antelopes, monkeys, birds and when desperate even insects.
3. Elephant. These huge animals are absolutely incredible, with their trunks they can pick the daintiest of leaves or pull huge tufts of reeds from their roots. Their strength is unrivalled in the animal kingdom, we have observed them pushing a tree over.
4. Buffalo. The buffalo is an animal not to trifle with, they will even take on lions to protect their herd or young. The older males group together away from the main herd and are lovingly called “Dagga Boys”. These are some mean animals.
5. Rhinoceros. The White Rhino coats its hide in mud to help regulate their body temperature and to stop the bites fromirritating flies. The White Rhino reminds us of a lawn mower with their wide lips chomping at the grasses. They truly resemble a prehistoric animal. They are renowned for their aggresive behaviour.
There are also the big five birds of Kruger that we have seen. Some are in the realm of the most majestic, colourful and strange. Martial Eagle, Kori Bustard, Saddle-billed Stork, Ground Hornbill and Marabou Stork.
- Martial Eagle. The martial eagle feeds mainly on small antelope or the young of the larger antelope. It is one of the most impressive and skilled hunters out of all the raptors.
2. Kori Bustard. The Kori bustard is the largest flying bird, they are known to weigh up to 19 kgs. This bird is an omnivore eating both lizards, snakes and berries. They fly only when necessary due to their weight.
3. Saddle-billed Stork. This photo is of a sub-adult that has not yet reached its full colours of a red and black beak, with a bright yellow casque at the top of the bill and golden yellow irises. Adults stand up to 1.5cm in height, they feed mostly on fish, crustaceans as well as small mammal or reptiles.
4. Ground Hornbill. The Ground Hornbill is the strangest looking and the largest hornbill in the world, they have a loud booming call. It is such a win to see one out in the wild. they normally feed on scorpions, insects, snakes, small tortoises as well as fruit and seeds.
5, Marabou Stork. The Marabou Stork is one of the strangest looking birds, they look like an old man in a black suit. This bird reaches a height of 1.5m with a wingspan of 2.6m. They have hollow leg and toe bones to help them get up into the air. This stork is a scavenger, feeding on carrion, dead birds, human refuse, also feeding on carcasses in tandem with vultures.
