Visit to Blyde Canyon & Kruger Park

Visit to Blyde Canyon & Kruger Park - April 2003 (click any picture to get enlargement)

This trip occurred during the last week of Pam & Wayne's visit to South Africa. Jay took them to Blyde Canyon, which is like the Grand Canyon in the USA. Then they ventured into Kruger National Park to see some animals.

	We drove through rolling plains as we left from Pretoria. The elevation began to rise and we encountered hills and mountains. We then came to Blyde Canyon, where the steep cliff leads to the lower flat plains.

	*The area was very stunning, with the most identifiable landmarks being the Three Sisters.* *These cliffs were formed by centuries of erosion.*

*This could pass for one side of the Grand Canyon.*	*When the sun came out the colors were fantastic.*	*This river is what slowly carved out this place.*

We found a gorge that had nice hiking trails.	*We saw nice waterfalls, but the attraction was ...*	... the "potholes" made by swirling pebbles.

*The cliffs extend for 50 miles and drop down ...*	*.. into an expansive valley; Kruger Park is at the back.*	*In the valley they grow tea, bananas and trees.*

*We drove through the valley and towards the Indian Ocean. We then came across the gigantic Kruger Park, which is about the size of Indiana. We stayed at the Hippo Hollow Resort.***

*A herd of impala greeted us upon entering the park.*	*Kruger Park is self-drive & the animals like the road.*	*This big male kept an uneasy eye on us.*

	<== A herd of Waterbuck crossed the road by us; you can identify them by the circle on their butt (like a target or toilet seat). *This little Steenbuck ==> walked very close to us but he seemed nervous.*

A rare rhino sighting made us very happy.	This "punky" lourie bird would like Seattle ;)	*The monkeys were eating seeds found in the dung.*

*We followed the dung & came upon these fighting elephants; one came up...*		... OK, OK, we will take the hint and leave!

	The giraffe has unique spots, like fingerprints. The male doesn't have much hair on his antler (from rubbing). They also walk very gracefully as they move both legs on the same side, and thus seem to sway gently.	These guys seemed a little concerned ...

*... and we soon knew why!* A group of teenage female lions came strolling down the road. We were forced to stop and they walked right by.

*A buffalo herd also crosses in front of us.*	Later we find another herd having lunch.	*This fellow wasn't happy that we were so close.*

*We were able to take a break near the big ....*	*... baobab tree, which may be 1500 years old.*	*Jay posing for a "Safari Mini " ad; the car worked quite well on the trip.*

*I was surprised that we found hippos, and was ...*	*... even more surprised to find an entire family!*	*Later we found many hippos in this lily pond.*

*Pam & Wayne then had to say goodbye to Kruger Park and the many different sights we saw ...*	... they also had to say goodbye to the nice hotels and friendly pets that we encountered...	*.. and they had to say goodbye to the small car and the large, friendly country of South Africa.*

After leaving Kruger Park they met up with Nicole and went to the Thornybush Game Reserve; staying at a lodge called Monwana. Click here for the pictures from Monwana & Thornybush Game Reserve