After two days during which we traveled over 1200 km, on Day 288 we rested at the Marumbi lodge. Part of the team visited a local shooting range to shoot some targets. We’re not hunting here but like in the Arctic it remains an important source of local food and part of the culture. Meanwhile, the other part of the team went on a photo safari, which was interrupted by a romantic rain, the first of the year here. Undaunted, they continued, and got some beautiful shots.
Then we traveled to Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park, also known as Nasionale Krugerwildtuin in Afrikaans, is the oldest national park in South Africa, and famous around the world for its iconic landscape and wildlife. Located in the northeast of the country, it is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve, established in 2001. The park is named after Paul Kruger, the president of the Transvaal.
The central part of the park has the highest concentration of wild animals in the world. Visitors can see elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, lions, leopards, Nile crocodiles, and 17 species of antelope. According to park management, the park is home to approximately 1500 lions, 12000 elephants, 2500 buffaloes, 1000 leopards, and 5000 rhinos, both white and black.
On the next day, we had the earliest start of the entire expedition. We got up at 4 AM for a night and morning safari. One of the most unexpected sightings was a honey badger glimpsed between the trees. This creature is known for its ferocity and fearlessness despite its small size. The Guinness Book of Records in its 1998-2003 editions declared the honey badger the "most fearless mammal in the world.” Very impressive, and a good example for explorers!
Then we traveled to Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park, also known as Nasionale Krugerwildtuin in Afrikaans, is the oldest national park in South Africa, and famous around the world for its iconic landscape and wildlife. Located in the northeast of the country, it is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve, established in 2001. The park is named after Paul Kruger, the president of the Transvaal.
The central part of the park has the highest concentration of wild animals in the world. Visitors can see elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, lions, leopards, Nile crocodiles, and 17 species of antelope. According to park management, the park is home to approximately 1500 lions, 12000 elephants, 2500 buffaloes, 1000 leopards, and 5000 rhinos, both white and black.
On the next day, we had the earliest start of the entire expedition. We got up at 4 AM for a night and morning safari. One of the most unexpected sightings was a honey badger glimpsed between the trees. This creature is known for its ferocity and fearlessness despite its small size. The Guinness Book of Records in its 1998-2003 editions declared the honey badger the "most fearless mammal in the world.” Very impressive, and a good example for explorers!
