 | Kruger National Park Big 5 Reviews | Tips 21 - 30 of 39 |  |
Vital statistics
Weight white rhino up to 2000 kg, black rhino up to 1500 kg
Shoulder height : 1,6 m.
They walk fast at 28 km/h and trot at 40 km/h
A rhino lives 30 to 40 years.
Estimated there are ......white rhinos and ...... black rhinos in the Kruger
Notes of Interest
The differences between the two are that the white rhino is a grazer with a big wide mouth, and the black rhino has a pointed mouth with a prehensile upper lip used to strip leaves from branches. He keeps his head in line with his back most of the time and lifts his head higher to feed on leaves whilst the white rhino keeps his head low down.
The white rhino, the less aggressive of the two, is larger and prefers open spaces (which made him an easier target for hunters. He holds is head low to the ground, more placid and less prone to attack.
They are the same colour, "white" deriving from the Afrikaans name "wydmond"
Horn lengths have been recorded at 160 cm for white rhino and 135cm for black but they are not true horns but an outgrowth of dermal papillae in the skin - something like compressed hair. The horn will regrow if broken off.
Rhinos have poor eyesight but acute sense of smell and hearing. Rhinos can rotate their ears independently.
Rhinos are not gregarious but white rhino may be seen in groups of 5 or 6 but black rhinos are usually alone or with a mate.
Rhinos mark areas but are not strictly territorial even though bulls will not tolerate each other. .A white rhino may have a rubbing post often polished to a fine surface.
Rhinos defecate in middens and frequently scatter the dung with their hind legs
Rhinos pay little attention to other mammals, even at close range and predation on them except by man is minimal.
One calf is born about every 3 years weighing about 45 kg. The calf of the white rhino runs in front of the mother, and the calf of the black rhino runs behind. Leave a Comment
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Cape Buffalo are generally found in or around rivers. They are extremely territorial and therefore very dangerous. Leave a Comment
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Vital statistics
Average mass 600 kg
Shoulder height 1,5 m
Their massive horns rarely intact, can reach 1,2 m.
Gestation 330 days bearing 1 calf.
It is estimated there are ........ in the Kruger Park.
Notes of Interest
A grazer preferably, but also browses on shoots, twigs and bushes.
They carry their heads lower than the top of their shoulders. Their horns are very thick at the base with close ridges, almost meeting in the middle.
These massive animals are nonetheless shy creatures and congregate in herds which can number up to 3000. If disturbed they will race to rejoin their herd which can stampede easily in unexpected directions.
Buffalo prefer their haunts to be in the vicinity of water with a profusion of red and ample grass-covered grazing and like to have trees and bush nearby to rest in shade and chew the cud.
They are fond of taking mud-baths and in hot weather drink water twice a day
They are inquisitive but with fair sight and medium hearing, individuals may break away from the herd to examine vehicles more closely.
They have the reputation of being the most dangerous animal to hunt. When wounded they circle and stalk their hunters. A charge head-on is almost impossible to stop at short range.
Within a herd there is a linear hierarchy amongst the bulls. Bulls rarely fight to establish dominance but adopt a threatening stance lifting his head high and expecting submission from other bulls demonstrated by lowering their heads.
The great herds of buffalo were decimated by the rinderpest in 1896 and only about a dozen were left over in the area of the present Kruger Park. Leave a Comment
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Another impressive one of the Big 5 and there are large herds around the Kruger National Park - a few that consist of almost 100 animals. Found generaly close to the water particular around the Lower Sabie region where I have seen them almost on every visit. Leave a Comment
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The King of the African bush and I am excited everytime I get close to a pride of lion. During the day time lions normally rest and at dusk start roaming around for a hunt. Lionesses normally do the hunting and the males then have the first go when 'dining'. Leave a Comment
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This nocturnal and solitaire cat is at times a bit difficult to track, though on my last visits to the Park and also the neighbouring private reserves I have almost all the time been able to track down leopard.
If you look for them also look in the trees - since that is where they are most of the times during the day time. Their home is normally dense bush or also rocky outcrops. Leave a Comment
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This is probably the most impressive animal one can encounter in the African Bush. In the park you will see herds or single animals, single animals normally being bulls that have been chased out of the herd.
If you come close to them make sure that you have an escape route. I have seen many times that visitors come far too close and when an animal charges there is no way out. Leave a Comment
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Vital statistics
Weigh up to 7 000 kg
newborn calves 100 kg
Stand 3 metres shoulder height
Duration of life is 55 to 70 years
Walk at about 10 kmh but will charge at 40 kmh.
Estimated there are ........elephants in the park.
Notes of Interest
The elephant's huge floppy ears are his air conditioner. He flaps them to control his body temperature by cooling the blood in their many blood vessels.
He has 6 sets of teeth in a lifetime to grind up the daily food intake of up to 200 kg of leaves, grasses, twigs and bark.
His tusks, his glory and nemesis, are really overgrown teeth. They are not meant for ivory snooker balls or carved jewellery, the elephant needs them for protection, loosening tree bark or digging for water. The record length is 3,50 metres with a weight of 102 kg.
The elephant's trunk is unique, powered by 40 000 muscles. The last word in handy gadgets which he uses for drinking (up to 100 litres), trumpeting, smelling, investigating and plucking morsels beyond the reach of giraffes
Their herds are led by a matriarch, cow elephant, with her dependent offspring and grown daughters. Males live separately, alone or in bachelor herds.
Sound is important in an elephant's life. They communicate with each other through a low growling which sounds like a rumbling stomach. When frightened they produce high-pitched screams and when angry, a terrifying trumpeting.
The sole of an elephant's foot is like a mosaic pattern, hard, with sharp pieces of the hardened skin standing out so they can walk silently through the bush .
They sleep standing up
Elephants have one calf after a gestation period of 22 months. They have a highly developed social sense and the whole herd will help protect this calf. Leave a Comment
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The African Elephant is easily distinguished from Asian Elephants as they have larger ears. The fact that you are in Africa is also a give away. They guys are massive. They are the largest land animal in the world, eat 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of food a day and drink 30-50 gallons (113-189 litres) of water. Females are pregnant for 22 months! They roam around constantly looking for food and are amazingly clumsy. I watched them happily knocking down trees when they could have easily avoided them. Because of the damage they do, they are sometimes culled here in Kruger. Leave a Comment
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5 day 4 night Tour
Day 1
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, you will collect your hire car (Toyota Corolla or similar) and begin your Safari.
Your first stop will be Stonecutter’s Lodge just outside the picturesque town of Dullstroom.
Stonecutters Lodge is a trout fishing and holiday venue of exceptional quality. Travel to the Mpumalanga Highlands, just two and a half hours from Johannesburg International Airport, and stay in this 4 star-graded lodge. The lodge lies between Dullstroom and Lydenburg, in the heart of South Africa's fly and trout fishing territory. A superb chef provides guests with meals of outstanding quality....
Click the website link to view the full itinerary as its to long to post. Leave a Comment
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