Kruger National Park

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Mpumalanga Province lies in eastern South Africa, north of KwaZulu-Natal and bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. It constitutes 6.5% of South Africa’s land area. The capital is Nelspruit (recently renamed to Mbombela). Mpumalanga is South Africa’s top tourist destination because of the magnificent scenery. The name means east or literally “the place where the sun rises” in Swazi, Xhosa, and Zulu.

The nucleus of what is now Kruger National Park was founded in 1898. It covers about the same area as the entire state of Massachusetts! According to SANParks, there are “336 [species of] trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals” present in the park.

Kruger National Park Photo Slideshow
We’ll be staying at the Skukuza Rest Camp, in the southern part of Kruger. The two restaurant reviews here suggest that your boys will certainly eat well 🙂

Travelers on safari are typically looking for “the Big Five:” the lion, leopard, black rhino, elephant and cape buffalo. The terminology actually comes from the practice of big game hunters. These animals are the most dangerous to hunt. While there is a good chance that we may see all of those, we may also see giraffes, zebras, hippos, and spotted hyenas. The Skukuza Rest Camp website suggests that we also look for fruit bats, thick–tailed bush babies, and purple-crested turacos. Vervet monkeys and warthogs actually live inside the camp. While at Kruger, KSB boys are scheduled for morning, evening, and night-time safaris. Look for some amazing pictures when your boys return home!

These safari videos were uploaded during June 2011

Resources
South Africa National Parks
Kruger National Park
Forums about Kruger
Kruger Park Map
Skukuza Rest Camp
Using DNA testing to combat rhino poaching