Safari in Kruger National Park: Nature Photography
Nestled in the rugged heart of South Africa, lies a wilderness sanctuary that holds a very special place in my heart - the Kruger National Park. During my early years, while my friends were immersed in animated tales, I found myself drawn to the captivating stories of Kruger’s big cats and the unfiltered beauty of the African landscape.
Although my childhood dreams of becoming a wildlife presenter didn't materialise, life recently granted me the opportunity to revisit Kruger National Park as a professional photographer, more than a decade after my last visit. As I write this, the hairs stand up on the back of my neck while I recount the feeling of nostalgia that engulfed me upon entering Paul Kruger gate, once again. With the sun barely peaking over the horizon, the air crisp with an earthy aroma, and what I missed the most - a symphony of awakening wildlife.
With just a single day to savour the wonders of Kruger, I made a beeline for the iconic Nkumbe view site - a place that holds an eternal grip on my heart. From this vantage point, the vast African plains unfurl for hundreds of miles in every direction, and I found myself caught in a reverie, tracing back the footprints of my journey as a professional travel photographer, reminiscing about the very first photographs I took, right in this very spot.
Following this soul-stirring interlude, I continued on towards the grasslands of Lower Sabie, immersing myself in the tranquility that seemed a world away from everyday life back in London. Each moment of the journey like taking a step back in time, absorbing all of the raw beauty of this expansive region, filled with my favourite wildlife. From elephant herds gracefully traversing the savannah to majestic eagles soaring overhead, lions sleeping in the shade and an elusive leopard serenely perched on a lone tree.
Kruger National Park, to me, embodies more than just a sanctuary; it represents a repository of memories and a testament to the breathtaking wonders that exist in the world. More than ever, this trip for me was life-changing and it re-ignited a passion for wildlife photography, that I hope to pursue once again.
My return to Kruger National Park after more than a decade was more than just a homecoming; it was a reunion with a part of myself that had been left behind in the midst of life's relentless pursuits. It served as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of nature and the enduring imprint it leaves on the fabric of our being. With each step, I found myself rediscovering not just the park's unparalleled beauty but also the fragments of my own story intertwined with its timeless narrative.
Paul Kruger Gate - Skukuza - Nkumbe View Site - Lower Sabie - Crocodile Bridge Gate
