Kruger Day

After 2 weeks of non-stopping work and 2 safari drives or walks a day, we had a day off to relax. So what did we decide to do? What did we decide to do to rest from the bush? Exactly! We went to Kruger National Park.

We rented a mini-bus, I think it was a Toyota. It had to be big enough for all of us. We left the reserve very early. Maybe 4am. We were still 2 hours away from Kruger. We entered through the Phalaborwa. The moment the gate opened, we were there.

We entered and after 2 hours of driving we found our first lions. Two male lions resting near a dam. He was just sleeping and it was quite far away from the road. So, we decided to keep on driving and trying to find something new.

We drove another hour and we found a big line of cars. Everytime there is a big line of cars at Kruger, that means one of the “Big 5” is close to the road. It can also be cheetahs or wild dogs. We waited 20 minutes and we saw them. A pride of lions eating a blue wildebeest 50 meters from the road. We stayed with them for around 20 minutes. Just enjoying them eating and fighting for dominance at the kill.

We continued our journey and found some ostriches, a bull elephant and a herd of buffalos. We hadn’t seen buffalos yet so it was something new for our eyes. They are very big. They are temperamental aggressive cows on steroids. That’s the best way to explain what a buffalo is. After spending so much time in the bush, our eyes were sharp like an eagle. We could spot everything.

Lions enjoying their meal.

Then we drove a little more to find a male elephant on the side of the road. On the other side it was a herd of elephants. So, “John” stopped the car and said:

– Look at that car – pointing at the car in front of us – the person in the car has no idea it’s blocking the male elephant from getting to the herd. Look at the elephant’s body language. He’s calm but he wants to cross the road. For now he doesn’t mind staying away from the herd.

The car drove off after 10 minutes, “John” looked at us and said:

– I will show you what signs the elephant will give when he gets upset with you – he said while coming to the spot of the car – Look at him. He’s looking at the front of the car, he’s going to try to pass in front of us.

The elephant starts making his route to the front of the car. He goes at a slow pace, like trying to hide that he wants to cross. We drive a little forward and the elephant’s plan is busted. The elephant gives up. He sees a nice acacia and starts feeding on it.

– So we have just blocked him. He’s not very happy but also doesn’t show any signs of aggression – “John” continues to explain – this is the moment people that have no idea about animal behaviour start to put themselves in danger. They don’t understand that they are blocking the elephant’s path.

The elephant continued eating then decided it was time to go to the females. Just to say hi. He decided to go behind our car this time. But behind us there was already another car. So the elephant tries to go behind that car, but that car reverses, blocking the elephant’s way.

– Not good… – says “John” – look at him shaking his head! That is a sign of frustration. He just said to the car “Enough!”.

The bull tries to run a little bit to try to get behind the car but the car reverses again blocking his way.

– Ok now the elephant is frustrated – I said.

– Ohhh yes João. He is super frustrated now – “John” said.

Luckily the other car moved off and the elephant seeing that there was no one to block his way sprinted to the other side of the road crossing in front of us this time. When he was crossing he looked at us like saying “don’t you even dare trying to block me now!”.

The big bull elephant giving us the look.

After this, we continued our journey up to a bridge. We saw massive crocodiles and we also saw a dead big male giraffe. Must have tried to cross the river and slipped and fell. Normally they break their legs and can’t stand. They end up drowning from being too tired to keep its head above the water level. Not a nice way to die.

After that we went to the Kruger Elephant Museum at Letapa Camp. It was such an amazing place. We saw the biggest tuskers ever in Kruger and also learnt a lot of Elephant anatomy. For me the most amazing thing was seeing how their feet really are!

We had lunch during our drive, there was no time to waste. Right after leaving the camp another couple of elephants. We saw a lot of birds and two new ones: Martial Eagle and Bateleur.

Amazing model to explain the anatomy of the elephant feet.

We stopped at Phalaborwa to restock our supplies. I bought cookies and biltong, hopefully these ones will survive Batman and Robin. We then continued our journey back to the reserve. The day off was done.

Sometimes it is good to have a calm day you know? No problems and no scares. But of course that doesn’t happen with us, or with me. When we finally got to the camp we were welcomed by the hyenas. We had to go drop everyone one by one to their tent. I was lucky, mine was the first. I entered my tent, closed everything and realised I had the cookies and biltong with me.

– Not again! – I moaned.

Soon I heard Lawrence being dropped at his tent, and then the next person Hans also being dropped. The moment I stop hearing voices I start hearing steps. I start to grab my shoes, but the steps just pass by my tent.

– Ahhh. Tonight I will sleep – I said to myself.