Kruger Nat Park

[KOOS BEST]

Hi , I have just returned from a weeks trip in KNP. We camped at the best camp in the park namely Balule, on the banks of the Olifants River approx 10km from Olifants Camp.
The campsite has 15 sites , no electricity ie. no fools with floodlights, aircons and TV . Just peace and quiet at night and darkness. This camp has all the night sounds and calls, Lion, Hippo, Elephant rumbling tummies, Hyeanas and Jackal.

Titus the kamp komandant, lights up lanterns at night for the the spotlessy clean ablutions and kitchen he maintains. Titus is from the old school, takes pride in his work and is early on his duties cleaning braai grids , and emptying dustbins., sweeping raking ect ect.
Please dont tell a lot of people about Balule, the best kept secret of KNP.

Gameviewing is excellent in this part of the park,its on the Savanna and Mopani veld boundary.Its one of the dryest Septembers I have witnessed. Pools and streams all dry.
The migratory birds has arrived , and the birdviewing is excellent. Spotted a new one on my list, the open billed stork.Raptors , they are all there.
Well game plentifull as allways, saw the big five, now I only call the big 5 if its a BLACK RHINO.
Fantastic sitings of lion daily, 3 different prides on one single day.
Leopards are full up,
saw a brotherhood of 3 cheetahs.
Big I mean big elephant bulls around Balule
What a place !!!!!!!!!!!
And than off course the the gravel roads hardly has traffic, because all the other cars and 4x4"s only stay on the tar road network

[Jules]

Very good Koos , whish I was there to photograph those lovely animals but some of us must work. Balule is one of my brother in law favorite places to go camping

Regards
Jules

[JG Shields]

Dit klink na die soort lewe wat ons eintlik elke dag moes voer - as Eva nie daai appeltjie gebyt het nie!

Welkom terug!

[JohnBoyZA]

Nice photos Koos. One of my fav. spots in Kruger - out of season ;-)

How full was the river:

[Aries66]

Thanks Koos , for sharing have heard a lot about Balule camp. A member of our club was there last year and booked his next stay there before he left. So i guess it is on my agenda to go there soon aswell.

Regards
Louis

[KOOS BEST]

Ja , JG so wil ek my oudag deurbring, kamp, reis, kuier kuier in Afrika.
John, the river was a trickle in comparrison with your you tube video, the Eli,s were grazing in the river bed.
I have attached a pic taken from Olifants view site , Balule lies at behind the neck of that horseshoe.SANparks are spending mega bucks at Olifants, refurbishing, building new restaurant, and removing all the slate tiles and putting thatch roofs on. What I would like to do there on my next trip isthe cycle trip , must exhillarating cycling on Elephant paths .

Olifants river

Balule camp site.
Yes Louis do yourself a favour and book there .
The nice thing there they also have two gas chest freezers, so its convenient for the other stuff you want to keep cold but not frozen,it actually froze our veggies and yoghurt.
Man I cant wait for the day SANparks to take over KZN Wildlife.