Rediscovering Kruger: from childhood memories to adult awe

Once a month for the next few months, you’ll hear from some of the vibrant women who make up the Leopard team, about their favourite holiday experiences in Africa. I hope that you’ll get to know the team a bit better through these personal accounts and also appreciate their passion for Africa and its diversity. Each Leopardess has her own special interests and we draw on each of these in order to help plan absolutely detailed and tailor-made trips to Africa for our clients.

– Diana

I’ve had the privilege of visiting the Kruger National Park, which the BBC describes as ‘the crown jewel of South Africa’s game parks’, since I was a small child. Each journey has brought with it breathtaking experiences and many memorable moments. One of the first memories I have of the Kruger is standing around the fire with my family, enjoying the warmth, roasting marshmallows and laughing together. We were camping and my parents were telling my brother and I stories about my Pa (my mom’s dad) who had a deep love for the Kruger and never failed to make a trip there exciting and fun.

One of the stories that my parents would often talk about involved Pa bolting into the ablutions when a pride of lions, that were on the boundary of the fence next to his bungalow, grew a little restless. When my uncle found him he was standing in the bathroom, shaking. Another man (still in his sleeping bag and with his tent, as he had also fled with fright) was laughing hysterically at Pa, as he had never seen an old man run so fast.

On another occasion, as they were leaving Kruger, Pa was bemoaning the fact that they hadn’t seen a leopard. While he was still talking, he drove around a bed and spotted a leopard on the side of the road! Pa was so thrilled that he hooted to alert my aunt and uncle who were in the vehicle behind. Naturally, the leopard sighting was short-lived.

As I’ve grown up, I’ve learned to appreciate the Kruger even more. The surreal quiet and calm that it brings invites you to slow down, breathe and be in the moment. Coming from the city of Johannesburg, where the noise of the highway is ever-present, and everything feels rushed, this is a welcome experience. It feels as if you are released from the pressures of life and it’s a place where peace and joy start to rise.

In addition to the tranquility, Kruger has provided me with incredible wildlife sightings. The very reason most of us visit this vast park is to encounter majestic African animals in the wild. As you drive through the park, anticipation builds as you look out for a herd of elephant, the big cats, giraffe, zebra, antelope, and birds of prey. It feels like the list of opportunities is endless and each sighting brings with it a great sense of awe and respect for nature. During my last trip to Kruger, I was lucky enough to see the Big Five.

In particular, I’ll never forget encountering a leopard. We were on an evening game drive, and the air was crisp. With night falling, there was a sense of mystery as we rolled along the sandy jeep track. Our guide informed us that there had been a leopard sighting. I hadn’t seen a leopard since I was a child! I was filled with eager, yet cautious expectations wondering if she’d still be there when we arrived. She was. We watched in awe as she padded through the bush along the riverbank with typical feline grace. I was left feeling grateful and full of wonder – what an honour it was to be among these glorious creatures.

With all that it has to offer, I believe that the Kruger is a bucket-list destination and, if you haven’t visited before, I highly recommend it for your next holiday – you won’t regret it. – Caitlin Sidebottom (Leopard’s Sales & Customer Support Manager)

Happy Travelling,
The Leopard Team

P.S. Let us know if you’d like to explore the wonders of the African bush (or if you’ve been on safari before, where you’d love to visit next). We love hearing from you.