A rainy day in Kruger

A heavy storm blew in last night from Mozambique, hammering rain onto our tent all night long. It was impossible to sleep through the relentless downpour, but there was something oddly soothing about the sound, even as it shook the canvas walls. By mid-morning, the storm had eased, and we finally had a chance to sit out on the deck, sipping coffee as the lazy Sabie River flowed steadily by, swollen from the night's rain. The air was fresh, and the sky still carried the weight of the storm clouds, but there was a peacefulness in the aftermath.

In the afternoon, we set off on another safari in Kruger with our guide, Bernard. This time, it was just us and two vets from London, which made for an intimate and informative experience. The vets had an impressive depth of knowledge about the wildlife, and their enthusiasm was contagious. Bernard guided us expertly through the park, pointing out game at close quarters.

We were lucky enough to spot a variety of animals—majestic rhinos lumbering through the bush, giraffes gracefully nibbling at the treetops, and waterbucks standing watchful by the waterholes. Impalas darted through the grasslands, their sleek bodies moving like whispers, while a lone hyena skulked in the shadows, watching us pass by with its intelligent eyes. The air was alive with the sound and color of birds—vivid flashes of plumage flitting through the trees, adding splashes of vibrancy to the otherwise muted landscape. Each sighting was a thrill, making us appreciate the raw beauty of Kruger even more.

 

Our trip to Kruger Park was an unforgettable experience, filled with moments of awe and excitement. But by far the best part of the trip was the incredible encounter we had with a small group of elephants.

We had been out on a safari with our guide, Bernard, in the afternoon. The air was still heavy from the rain that had thundered down all night, but the skies had cleared, and we were keen to see what Kruger had in store for us. We had already been lucky enough to spot rhino, giraffe, and hyena, but what happened next took our breath away.

As we drove along a dusty trail, we saw them—a small herd of elephants, majestic and calm, moving towards us in perfect harmony. Bernard slowed the jeep to a stop, and we watched in awe as they approached, growing larger with each step. The lead elephant, a grand matriarch, came within 10 meters of our vehicle and stopped. The others followed, and soon, we were surrounded.

They were feeding on marula fruit, their trunks gracefully reaching up to pluck the ripe fruit from the trees. Their massive ears flapped gently, catching the breeze, while their trunks swayed rhythmically, as if they were communicating in some ancient, silent language. The sound of their breathing, the soft rustling of their movements—it was mesmerizing.

For what felt like a long time, they simply stood there, comfortable in our presence. We barely dared to breathe, afraid of breaking the spell. I remember Mandy squeezing my hand, and we exchanged a look that said everything—what a sight this was.

Then, to our surprise, a baby elephant walked out of the troupe, stood right in front of us, and began to perform a little dance. It was like he was putting on a show just for us, twisting and turning in a way that was both adorable and hilarious. Luckily, we had our camera ready and managed to capture that precious moment on film. Every time we watch it, we can’t help but smile and relive the joy of that experience.

As we drove back to camp, the sky began to change. The sunset over Kruger National Park was nothing short of spectacular, painting the horizon in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple. We took a moment to soak it all in, the beauty of nature reminding us of how lucky we were to witness such incredible sights. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with adventure and wonder.