News from KPL

Aug 11, 2022

Take a look at some of the great things we have been doing at Kruger Park Lodge, as well as some family friendly fun and activities on offer.

Owl Rehabilitaition Project

Our owl rehabilitation project was started in 2017, in conjunction with Skova Biodiversity. The Kruger Park Lodge staff participates in the project by ensuring the owls that have been brought into the aviaries are fed and their enclosures cleaned daily. The staff does not interact with the owls in any way so as to ensure that they remain wild and do not become accustomed to human interaction prior to their release. We have had the privilege of releasing African Wood Owls, Barn Owls and Spotted Eagle Owls. Several of these have remained in the area, including a breeding pair of African Wood Owls! Whoo-hoo!

Hippo Hide

No visit to Kruger Park Lodge is complete without spending some time in our beautiful Hippo Hide. Looking out over the “lake”, the hide offers the perfect vantage point from which to do some hippo spotting or birdwatching! Other magnificent animals like crocodiles and a big verity of fish can also be found under these waters.

HIPPO FACTS

  • Hippopotamus [Hippopotamus amphibius]
  • The name Hippopotamus comes from the Ancient Greek words for ‘river horse.
  • An adult Hippo needs to resurface every 3 – 5mins to breathe. The process of surfacing and breathing is automatic, hence sleeping hippos will rise to the surface to breathe without waking up. Did you know that hippos have webbed feet?
  • The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes. The school will remain in the water and mud throughout the day to keep cool. At dusk they will emerge to graze on grass.
  • They may be hefty (weighing in between 2,000 and 3,600 kilograms), but hippos are agile! If threatened on land, hippos will run for the water and can reach speeds of up to 30km/h in short bursts.
  • Each female (called a cow) has only one calf every two years. Gestation lasts eight months.
  • Soon after birth, mother and young join pods that provide some protection against crocodiles, lions, and hyenas. Dominant male hippos (called bulls) look after schools of between 10 and 40 other hippos (both male and female).
  • The hippo’s closest living relatives in the animal world are cetaceans such as whales and porpoises.

Fun for the whole family

Kruger Park Lodge have loads of fun activities and entertainment programs for young ones such as Mini Golf, Bicycle Trails, Walking Trails, Four Tennis Courts, Volleyball area and loads more. The Mini Golf Course has been updated in 2021 with new fibre grass for a more effective and golf course look.

The Lowveld is known for its mountain bike trails, so why not pack your bicycle (or rent one from us to save some space!), and enjoy this invigorating activity right here on the Resort! The mountain bike trail tracks a scenic path through the macadamia plantation, giving you a unique ‘Lowveld’ experience! You might even see some wildlife, including our resident hippos so caution is required!

At the Entertainment Area We have created an enchanted garden! Come and enjoy the entertainment area at night, where have recently installed magical, colored lights!

The Currie Cup Comes to Kruger Park Lodge

The Currie Cup comes to Kruger Park Lodge! Kruger Park Lodge was privileged to host a local hero and a piece of South African sporting history, when the Puma’s coach, Jimmy Stonehouse, brought the Currie Cup to Kruger Park Lodge! There was much excitement in the Lowveld when local team, the Puma’s, won the Currie Cup Tournament on the 25th June 2022, for the first time ever! The celebration of this achievement spilled over to Kruger Park Lodge, who has hosted the Puma’s on several occasions, as they have worked with the local Hazyview team, the Lowmed Hazyview Rugby Club, who Legacy and Kruger Park Lodge sponsors. Staff, guests and golfers were lucky enough to be entertained by Coach Jimmy, as he sang karaoke while the trophy was displayed and everyone could take photos with the 131-year-old cup, filled with the tales and memories of South African Rugby!


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