Best Animal Sightings at Kruger

They were like a cut out from a cartoon. All the tightly packed elephants were just staring at us. We were just looking at some impalas at Roodewal, Olifants, waterhole on our left, and just as we are able to leave, Vishalla alerted us to our right. We could see all their packed faces, big and small, at various heights, just intensively looking at us to anticipate our next move. Apparently, they had been staring at us for sometime now.

Suddenly, when they realised that we were also staring at them, they backup for a while before one of the larger females walked infront of our car and the rest of the herd followed and crossed the road. The matriarch then came out from the herd and faced us with her trunk slightly raised. She stayed protective and stood firmly infront of our car as her herd pass behind her. the moment was very intensed, and my heart was seriously pumping very fast. As the last elephant crossed, she finally turned and joined the herd.

They went to the waterhole to quench their thirst. There was this really little one that tried to drink from its trunk as well. It was just like a scene from National Geographic. Everything else was a standstill, except for this herd of almost 15 plus ellies. It was a peaceful sighting and finally the herd left. Just as we were about to leave again, another female that was limping scrambled from the bushes and crossed the road quickly, and tried to keep up with the herd. It was really a heart wrenching sight.

River at Skukuza

The entire episode was an amazing 15 min, and was the best animal sighting that I had in Kruger. Nothing can beat the ellies, not even the leopards or lions. There were a lot of other good animals sightings, e.g. over 50 – 80 buffaloes hanging out/crossing the road, etc. Many of them at Olifants, but I really have a soft spot for the ellies.

Olifants River (I get goose bumps when I see the river - like a scene from LOTR)

Lions feeding on a girrafle! Along the roadside!

There was another old female that we saw close to the road. She was so tired that her eyes were drooping every now and then (see above). Her trunk was so relaxed that it touched the ground. She swayed slowly from side to side, closing her eyes occasionally, and scratching her ears every now and then. She then took a bunch of leaves. Just as we thought she would be feeding on them, she took the bunch of leaves and stuffed it in her ear! We just kept on laughing and laughing. I think the whole car shook for the next couple of minutes! It must have been itching really badly! That's what I mean about ellies, you can watch them for hours without feeling bored =)