Steenbok – The Smallest Antelope of the Kruger National Park

Oct 11, 2019 | Kruger Park safaris

Steenbok – The Smallest Antelope of the Kruger National Park

Of all the antelope found in the Kruger National Park, the Steenbok is the smallest. Weighing only about 15kg makes these animals difficult to spot in the bush. If you are lucky you will spot one just before it scampers off into the bush.

They are usually found alone, spending most of the day in search of food. Steenbok are herbivores and feed on leaves, tubers, flowers and fruit. They get most of the moisture they need from their food and can go for long periods without a drink of water.

Appearance and Lifestyle

Because of the size of the Steenbok, it is often referred to as a dwarf antelope. Steenbok are white on their underside and the rest of its body is a pale red-orange colour. For their size, they have unusually large ears which are more predominant in the females as the males have small horns. Females are usually slightly larger than males. Both male and female steenbok can live up to six years in the wild. The Steenbok is a solitary animal which makes them quite territorial. They are not too fussy about their habitat and are as happy in the open savannah as they are in woodland areas provided there is enough cover to hide them from predators.

The Steenbok couple mates for life, sharing the same territory, an area from .50 to 1 square kilometre. In this area, they will forage, find shelter and raise their young. Both male and female Steenbok will mark their area by either urinating or defecating around the boundary and then covering the area with sand, much like a cat. By covering it, the dung or urine is kept moist and the scent then lasts longer. They do this on a regular basis until it forms a visible border around their area.

Steenbok have a gestation period of about five and a half months and usually give birth at the start of the rainy season. Normally Steenbok have only one or on rare occasions two calves. The Steenbok keeps their young well hidden for the first two weeks of their lives.

Steenbok have the most predators because of their size. They are preyed on by caracals, servals, jackals and every other wild cat found in the Kruger National Park. The baby Steenbok is so small that it often falls prey to snakes, foxes and birds. The only defence a Steenbok has is to either hide or flee from the threat. When the Steenbok spots a predator it will first conceal itself in the long grass. And the, at the right moment, they will sprint away, often changing direction very sharply or suddenly which does give them a bit of an advantage.

The best time to spot a Steenbok is in the early morning or late afternoon, while on a guided game drive as these bucks lie down in the grass under a tree in during the hottest time of the day but they will forage at the cooler times in the day.

Spend some time on a Kruger Parks safari with Royal Safaris and perhaps you will be one of the lucky few who get to see these quaint animals.

A Guide for First Time Kruger Visitors

Sep 1, 2019 | Kruger Park safaris

A Guide for First Time Kruger Visitors

Those who are first time visitors to the Kruger National Park are truly in for one of the most life changing experiences. This park is the stuff of legends and it is often featured on the must-see places lists as well as being a bucket list adventure of note.

Planning your trip to the Kruger National Park will present you with a myriad of options. You can choose to book a safari with a touring company like Royal Safaris, or you can drive yourself. Both have their pros and cons, and both will have an effect on your budget. When you begin your planning, you should do so with a clear but flexible budget in mind and it is important that you make sure you have researched all of your available options, and come up with an idea of how you’d like to see this world famous park.

In our quick guide, we cover the basics about what you need to know while planning your trip to the Kruger Park for the very first time. Our tips are helpful for both self-drive safaris and guided ones.

Plan your time of year

Summer or winter? There are benefits to visiting at either time and it’s really a matter of preference. Many park guests find that autumn, winter and spring, which runs from April to October, are the best times to visit as the intense heat that characterises summer has not yet arrived. Summers in the park can be quite overwhelming as it can be rather uncomfortable for most. During the summer months the vegetation in the park can be quite over grown, which makes it incredibly difficult to spot animals.

What would you like to see?

Planning your route can, in a way, help you plan what you see. Keeping in mind that the animals go where they please making it impossible to know exactly what you’ll see, there are some places in the park that are home to more of one kind of species.

At entrance gates and rest camps, you’ll find sightings boards marking what has been seen and where. You can then drive these roads in search of those animals, and if you are lucky, they will still be hanging around.

Planning your route is also important for other reasons. Certain areas of the park are known to be more prone to malaria infected mosquitoes while other regions are almost malaria free. The routes you choose can also take you to watering holes and rivers (where animals are known to frequent) and you have the opportunity to take a trip to historical landmarks and memorials.

Where will you stay?

If you are going on a Kruger Park safari with a company, your accommodation arrangements should be included as a part of the package, if you are spending more than a day in the park. Many safari companies choose Hazyview as the place to accommodate guests. If you are driving yourself and intend to stay in the park, there are over 12 rest camps to choose from while there is also private accommodation and luxury accommodation in the park.

Getting there

Whether you’re driving or flying, the park is only 3 hours away from Johannesburg, and depending on the entrance you’d like to use, the park is an hour’s drive from Nelspruit and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. The park is easily accessible and there are countless transfer companies offering a ride.

Royal Safaris takes the hassle out of organising a Kruger National Park safari and we offer a wider range of safari options than most of our associates. With us, you can enjoy a morning drive with breakfast or an evening drive with a memorable braai and sundowners. The choice of how you experience the park is up to you.

Owls of the Kruger National Park

May 11, 2019 | Kruger Night Drives, Kruger Park safaris

Owls of the Kruger National Park

There are few things more hauntingly beautiful than hearing an owl calling after the sun has set. When on an evening drive in the Kruger National Park, or when enjoying an evening braai, it is not unusal to hear these mysterious birds.

A Supersitious Past

Associated with witches and sorcerers, owls have for the best part not being the most liked bird. The fact that owls are mostly seen at night does not help their plight. Many people in the rural communities are known to put spikes on their roofs in an attempt to keep them off their roofs, as it is believed that should an owl land on your roof, it is a bad omen. As owls are fairly easy to catch during the day, witch doctors use them in their traditional medicine, as it is believed that owl ingredients in their potions help patients with eye sight problems and also wisdom and hunting.

Although owls have huge eyes that do see well at night, it is the exceptional hearing that enables them to hunt successfully at night. Owls are usually found in woodland areas of the Kruger National Park. The most common owls found in the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas are the Barn Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl and the Marsh Owl.

Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

The Verreaux’s Eagle Owl stands about 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 2.3 kg. This owl has a wingspan of 1.5 meters, and it has a pale grey body, a set of distinctive ear tufts and a pale face that is black rimmed. Although its eyes are dark it has pink eyelids.

The Verreaux’s Eagle Owl is known to snatch roosting birds out their nests at night. It also preys on bats, springhares, mongooses, rodents, frogs and a variety of insects and fish. A special treat for this owl is a hedgehog, after peeling away the spiny skin, which it neatly discards, it tucks into the flesh.

In Shangaan folklore the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl is known as Nkhunsi, a messenger of death sent by a malevolent person. To undo the death spell you will need to sever the head of the owl, that way you are able to send the ill fortune back to the person that sent it to you.

Barn Owl

In comparison, the Barn Owl is smaller and is only about 36 cm tall. It weighs about 500g and has a wingspan of about 90cm. The Barn Owl can be found in and around rest camps as they are comfortable around humans. It has a golden buff and pale colouring with a distinctive heart shaped face. This owl preys mostly on rodents, although it does prey on birds, frogs and lizards. At dusk Barn Owls and be seen gliding low over the ground or beating bushes in an attempt to get the smaller birds out. They only hunt from dusk as they can easily become prey to other raptors during the day.

Marsh Owl

An adult Marsh Owl is about 36 cm, weighs 310 grams and has a wingspan of about 90cm. This owl has a gray disk face and centrally placed ear tufts. The rest of his body is shades of brown. A favourite meal is the Mole Rat, but it also preys on small birds and rodents. The Marsh Owl also eats termites and beetles. As its name predicts, Marsh Owls are commonly found in marshy areas, particularly where there are thick reeds of grass. They can also be found in open thorn savannah though out the Kruger National Park.

Book your Kruger Park night safari with Royal Safaris and keep a look out for one of the many owls that frequent the park.

Why a Guided Kruger Park Tour is better than a Self-Drive

Apr 10, 2019 | Kruger Park safaris

Why a Guided Kruger Park Tour is better than a Self-Drive

Most South African’s are lucky enough to have visited a wildlife park of some kind in their lives, whether as children or as adults.

While self-drives are the most conventional way for South Africans to go on safari, there is another way to see the wildlife and the other exciting things that South Africa’s parks have to offer.

Guided safaris with a professional safari company, takes the stress out of your time in the park, and with Royal Safaris, not only do you get to experience the ultimate safari but you can also enjoy a bush braai or breakfast out in nature.

Why the guided Kruger Park safari is the better option

Accidents happen and there have been numerous accidents in the Kruger National Park with tourists cars been attacked by wild animals. In 2013 an elephant overturned a car and a British lady was seriously injured. In 2016 a car was severely smashed by stampeding buffalo and a car was attacked by a lion. Most of these could have been avoided had these people been on tour with a safari company, as the guides know how close to get to the animals and also know which animals are safe to get close too.
Safari companies have professional guides that visit the park daily. These guides are not only trained in the ways of the wild animals but are also constantly in touch with other guides in the park so they know where the best sighting are during the day. Guides also have a wealth of information about the animals and while relaxing and game viewing the guides can explain all about the animals and their behaviour.
Guided safari companies know where the best places are in the Kruger National Park to ensure that you see the most animals in the least amount of time. Guides also have knowledge of where some animals have their lairs. While it is unrealistic to expect to always see the Big Five, it is safe to say that with a safari company you are likely to see more than you would on your own. On your own, you may drive around for hours and hours and see nothing. Guides can also give you valuable information about the veld, plants and trees and also tell stories about all their bush experiences.
Safari companies offer a variety of packages for you to choose from. They can take you on an early morning drive or an afternoon drive, or if you want to spend the whole day in the park, they offer that service too. Safari vehicles are open so you get a real feel for the bush, with the breeze blowing around you and the advantage of being higher than a normal vehicle enabling you to see over the roadside bush and view deep into the wild.

Safari companies will also take you to camps or picnic spots where you will get to stretch your legs and grab a snack or curio from the available facilities. It is safe to say, that going with a safari company will let you enjoy a safe journey through the Kruger National Park and get back home relaxed and bush wise.
Finally, some companies go above and beyond simply offering the average safari. Royal Safaris offers unique bush braais, early morning champagne breakfasts and exciting dinners close to the wildlife.

To find out more about our exceptional Kruger Park safaris and unique touring packages, contact us today or browse through our website.

What You Need To Know Before Booking Your First Safari

Mar 10, 2019 | Kruger Park safaris

What You Need To Know Before Booking Your First Safari

When you find yourself visiting the North Eastern nook of South Africa, it is hard to not go on a safari. After all, the safari is exactly the reason why so many people come to our visually exquisite country every year.

The Kruger National Park is without a doubt South Africa’s star attraction. Home to hundreds, if not thousands, of species of birds, animals, insects and reptiles, the Kruger is a conservation oasis. Here, animals live out their lives in relative peace, away from man and in habitats that their species has survived in for generations.

Planning your trip to the Kruger National Park can mean finding a tour operator to take you on a magical safari, while also organising memorable adventures and quality downtime.

Whether it is a bush braai close to the Kruger, as the sun goes down, or an unforgettable evening drive through the park, catching sight of those elusive nocturnal creatures, Royal Safaris is the best operator you could tour with. We try to ensure that our guests experience the most relaxed and memorable times in the Kruger.

But planning your tour means you have to think carefully about what it is you want to do with your time in this wild part of the world. So, we’re going to give you a few helpful tips to keep close in mind when you are booking your safari.

Some things need to be done offline

The internet allows you to do most of your safari planning, from booking accommodation and tours to making sure you have the right flights leaving at the right time. Make sure that you do your planning and booking well before your holiday. You might come across some amazing tour operator’s website, only to find that it’s just a marketing site and you need to give them a phone call or drop them an email to make your booking. Small tour operators and access to more rural attractions can’t always be done on the internet.

Know the type of reserve you are visiting

South Africa has a number of public and private nature reserves, and there are many private reserves around the Kruger. You can expect to pay out more if you book into a private reserve and then there is the fact that you won’t be having a more rural, laid back experience. And there is nothing wrong with that. It all depends on what you expect from your time in Africa.

Private parks tend to be smaller and they will require prior booking. There is also the possibility that they won’t admit day visitors.

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Your days are best started early

Regardless of where you choose to experience your South African safari, you will need to make sure that you head out early in the mornings if you hope to catch sight of animals. Most safari companies take guests into parks before the heat becomes overwhelming. The best time of the day to see animals is in the early morning and late afternoon.

Pack Accordingly

It never truly gets too cold in those parts of the country where you will have a safari. Mornings and evenings can get quite cool, but the days stay hot. Don’t over pack when you go on safari!

Book your unforgettable trip to South Africa and join Royal Safaris for a tour of the Kruger National Park. Check out our tour packages for more information.

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