Walking Safari

It is our 4th time in South Africa and our 4th time in Kruger national park. It offers the normal morning, evening and night safaris, but also to hike with a guide in the African bush. We always wanted to do that but never managed it. On such a walking safari 2 rangers with a rifle guide you through the bush, explaining foot prints and thus to find and see animals will be part of it. Moreover, you hear stories about the behavior of animals and you learn basics of reading their poo. So we booked such a tour at Olifant camp, and at 5 o´clock in the morning we started our tour with 2 rangers and 4 other visitors.

While one of the rangers was giving a general introduction we heard the sound of monkeys nearby. Well, not really spectacular if the other ranger was not telling us that this sound was the alert sound of monkeys if a predator is nearby. We were only beginning to understand this piece of information when we heard a roaring. Being absolute beginners we could not judge how far away this roaring came, however the reaction of the ranger was telling us that we were in highest alert. We were asked to stay calm while the ranger looked around with his rifle unlocked. Then the relief. The leopard which was as close as 100 meters to us has disappeared. One of the rangers saw him disappearing. We found his foot prints.

However did not see this shy animal ourselves. That was really exciting. On our way we even walked along a riverbed which was almost dry. There were only some small water pools. All of a sudden excitement again. The ranger shows us a huge crocodile just escaping from one of the pools to the brushwood. Quickly we jumped out of this riverbed up the hill and looked if we could find the crocodile. Unfortunately not. And a closer look at the riverbed was an option of the rangers; however at the end it was too dangerous. What a pity, but maybe the best idea!






Moreover we saw Zebras, poisonous spiders (no danger to mankind), and more than enough footprints, poo. You can really read which animal, how many when and where were wandering around. Fascinating!