A Kruger Park safari is not a once in a lifetime experience, simply because very few people go only once. The park has a huge amount of repeat business, in no small way due to the fact that it encompasses such a massive area of land, and includes so many different camps (with variant themes) and animals that no trip is exactly the same as the previous one.
The Kruger Park was originally known as the "Government Wildlife Park" which later became the Sabi Game Reserve and, when finally expanded upon into the geography we know today, ultimately became the Kruger National Park - so named after Paul Kruger, then president of the Transvaal Republic. The primary reason for the park"s establishment was to safeguard the animal population of the region against rampant hunting, but no one could have imagined just how successful Jakob Louis van Wyk's idea would become.
At this stage the park covers nearly 20,000 square kilometres and is, clearly, one of the largest national parks in the world today. To put this massive size into proper consideration, you could say that it is the size of a small country, though it is larger than either Wales or Israel. This kind of space has allowed the development of dozens of separate camps, each with their own themes and specialities, which is part of the reason for the park's vast success.
Thousands of people flock to their camp of choice each year to witness the Big Five in action, take in the African ambiance, adventure through the plains on a Land Rover expedition or to simply pass the time in a simpler world than the one they left behind. Two things that such places give the world exceed all others, and these are the peace of the spirit to weary mind and the critical nature conservation efforts of the park. African travel is vital, not only as a past time, but also as a means to expose us all to the very real threats to this beautiful environment.
Few things produce as much awareness as a Kruger Park safari and National Geographic has made many award-winning documentaries regarding the area and its graceful inhabitants. More than a few Hollywood actors have deemed it their haven and even Sir Richard Branson became involved in things with his purchase of the Ulusaba Private Game Reserve. All in all, the Kruger National Park stands as a beacon against the annihilation of not only African heritage, but the natural heritage of the world.