Dirk is one of our most experienced guides and he recently spent time on the South Africa walking Safari. Dirk recalls his experiences in 2 of South Africa’s largest game reserves Kruger National Park & Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

Here is Dirk’s account

“One of the many highlights on the South Africa walking safari has to be the time we spend in the game reserves. On this tour we visit Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, spanning a massive 20 000 sq kilometers. It is situated in the north-east of South Africa and is home to all the Big 5. In fact Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other African game reserve. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (on the East Coast of KwaZulu Natal) is the oldest proclaimed natural park in Africa, established in 1895.

Our journey started in Kruger National Park with the sun briefly peeking out from the heavy rain clouds. While en-route to have a light breakfast at a great little picnic spot I know, we spotted a beautiful white rhino and shortly after a small breeding herd of elephant where one little calf caught my attention.  Baby elephants are just so cute, especially when they are still learning how to use their trunk. After breakfast and a chance to stretch our legs a bit, we continued with our game drive, on the lookout for the rest of the Big 5.  Our day was filled with more great game!  We saw a large heard of buffalo and 14 lions feeding on a buffalo kill from the night before. What a day in Kruger, 4 of the Big 5 in one day.  You're never sure what you will get to see when on a game drive.  That night there was excitement and great chatter over dinner as we all recounted what we had seen.  I always love how we notice different things at the same sighting and so it is always wonderful to hear everyone going through the sightings of the day.

After our incredible time in Kruger, we set off to visit Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Our game drive started in the rain but this did not deter the wildlife. Within our first 3 minutes in the park we came across 2 male lions in the middle of the road.  We stopped the truck and enjoyed some time sitting watching them.  The weather was not great for photography, but it was great to see them as these two male lions have recently been introduced to the park and we caught them patrolling their territory.  The lions were slowly making their way and we eventually had to leave them to see what else this great park has in store for us.  Luck was still on our side as 10 minutes later we saw a heard of buffalo and soon after that a crèche of white rhino.  Wow can you imagine in less than 1 hour we had seen three of the Big 5.  A little later we briefly spotted a male leopard in one of the river beds, however he disappeared as soon as I turned off the truck.

What an incredible few days in national parks.  We saw lion (on a kill) and just strolling down the road, a brief glimpse of a leopard, elephant, buffalo twice and white rhino twice.

We are extremely privileged to have some amazing national parks and game reserves in South Africa, where if you are lucky, you can have the opportunity to spot the Big 5. Both Kruger National park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park are over 100 years old and excellent examples of what our country has done to preserve our natural heritage and animals.”