kruger national park Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Kruger Park Safaris with Viva Safaris

July 2021

04 Aug 2021

|Comments are Off

The Hooded Vulture, Cathartes Monachus, is so named in reference to the thick, woolly buff-grey down on the side of the neck extending to the centre of the crown on its head. The Latin word, Monachus, means “pertaining to a monk” in reference to the hooded appearance. It is...

June 2021

02 Jul 2021

|Comments are Off

In my opinion, there is no sound in the African bush more evocative than the eerie whoop of the Spotted Hyena, Crocuta Crocuta. It begins with a low guttural “whooo” and rises to a falsetto quasi-scream ending with a high “ooop” – hence the word “whoop”. At all 4 of our...

May 2021

03 Jun 2021

|Comments are Off

From time to time, we encounter keen and observant tourists that spend time in camp looking at birds and insects. One of the most difficult insects to locate is the Giant Stick Insect, Bactrododema Tiaratum. This is a large, slow-moving insect with very elongate, slender bodies...

April 2021

04 May 2021

|Comments are Off

The Banded Mongoose, Mungos Mungo, is so named after the conspicuous transverse bands on the lower part of the back. Banded Mongooses are seen regularly at all our camps, scurrying around in small groups of up to 15 individuals. They are diurnal and sleep in burrows. When...

March 2021

06 Apr 2021

|Comments are Off

As with domesticated animals such as dogs and cats and even doves, wild animals display a range of emotions. The African Elephant is probably the animal most likely to display visible emotions. These include joy, love, grief, fear and rage. While we must guard against identifying...

February 2021

05 Mar 2021

|Comments are Off

When Donald Trump labelled the Corona virus the “China Virus”, the effect was to stir up more anti-Chinese feelings. When the new variant first identified in SA was labelled the “South African variant”, the effect was to frighten more tourists away from SA. On 28 February our...

December 2020 / January 2021

02 Feb 2021

|Comments are Off

The Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis, is unmistakeably colourful: chestnut upperparts, dark head, bluish eye-ring and beak allow it to join the Paradise Whydah as worthy of a heavenly title ! During the breeding season, the male develops impressively long central tail...

November 2020

09 Dec 2020

|Comments are Off

I received an email last week from the Tourism Council that required my input re damage done to Viva Safaris in November 2020 by the virus. I answered very simply as follows : Number of tourists who took a Viva Safaris tour : November 2019 : 496 November 2020 : 8 ...

Two extremely close White Rhino make for a thrilling guest experience

March 2020

04 Apr 2020

|Comments are Off

I am always amazed at the amount of small wildlife that is present in our camps. Very often the curious tourist will find something special to enrich his wildlife experience over and above the seemingly crazy quest to tick off all Big Five. We have contracted Tolli vd Berg to...

Relaxed Motlala leopard looking at Jordan and guests

November 2019

02 Dec 2019

|Comments are Off

At long last the rains have fallen ! This year the rains have been extremely late and the grazers have struggled. Before the rains, there was exceptional game viewing around the water points and our lucky tourists have seen numerous kills this month. The grass has rapidly turned...