Kruger National Park Photos Winter 2012

In mid-winter (July) of 2012 I spent a few days in South Africa's Kruger National Park based at Satara Camp. The area around Satara is renowned for the abundance of wildlife and visitors can usually expect to see large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and impala.

These animals in turn attract the predators, so lion, leopard, and hyena sightings are also fairly common, although on this visit we only had one good lion sighting, late in the day in poor light.

Winter is a good time to visit Kruger (particularly out of school holidays) as there is little surface water around and the vegetation is sparse compared to summer, making it easier to see the animals. To me, the warm colors typify the African bush, with the dusty surroundings often appearing like muted pastels.

Buffalo bull licking its nose, Kruger National Park

Young lion on alert for danger, Kruger National Park

Waterbuck female in winter vegetation, Kruger National Park

Baboon mother and youngster, Kruger National Park

Cheetah in long winter grass, Kruger National Park

Old buffalo bull peers over others in the herd, Kruger National Park

Impala ram leaps high in air while fleeing from perceived danger, Kruger National Park

Buffalo create cloud of dust as herd moves through the winter bush , Kruger National Park

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills in picnic site line up in hopes of a snack, Kruger National Park

Impala rams lock horns while tussling to establish dominance, Kruger National Park

Leopard feeding on its kill in dead tree at sunset, Kruger National Park

Skittish Zebra group line up warily as they approach waterhole, Kruger National Park

Hippos charge through shallow water on edge of pool during altercation, Kruger National Park

Natal Spurfowl (formerly Natal Francolin) close-up in warm afternoon light, Kruger National Park

Buffalo bull raises its head while grazing to stare agressively in typical buffalo fashion, Kruger National Park

Black-headed Oriole perched on shrub, Kruger National Park

Close-up of giraffe's nose and eye, Kruger National Park

Portrait of Waterbuck female, Kruger National Park