This page was updated on: 29 January 2008

Congress Venue

This is where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld by the then president of the Transvaal Republic, Paul Kruger, this national park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. With greater ecological co-operation across African borders, several countries bordering South Africa have agreed to take down some fences, and those between Kruger and Mozambique's Limpopo National Park and Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou, have been demolished to create the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This unique political innovation is creating a colossal wilderness area.

Truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.

This famous South African symbol is roughly the size of the Netherlands.  Berg-en-dal (Hill and dales) camp is situated in the south of the park on the southern bank of the Matjulu Spruit (stream) with a view over softly undulating hills.  On the northern and southern sides, dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp.  Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp.  The camp has a swimming pool, accommodation for the disabled and a trail for the blind.  Berg-en-dal has retail facilities for both curios and basic provisions. The camp is entirely enclosed, with gates opening at 06h00 and closing at 18h00 in April. In autumn (March – April) one can see the dramatic rutting of impala (small buck), wildebeest (gnu) and other species.  The climate is subtropical with very hot summers and warm, dry winters.  Summer rains fall from October to March.  Further information can be found on the South African National Parks (SANPARKS) website www.sanparks.org.

Ecological Aspects

The Kruger National Park was established in 1926. The surface area of Kruger National Park is 7,580 miles² (19,633 km²).

There are almost 254 known cultural heritage sites in the Kruger National Park, including nearly 130 recorded rock art sites.

There is ample evidence that prehistoric man – Homo erectus roamed the area between 500 000 and 100 000 years ago

Cultural artifacts of Stone Age man have been found for the period 100 000 to 30 000 years ago. More than 300 archaeological sites of Stone Age man have been found

Evidence of Bushman Folk (San) and Iron Age people from about 1500 years ago is also in great evidence. There are numerous examples of San Art scattered throughout the park.

The Big Five – Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino.

The Little Five – Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle.

Birding Big Six – Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork.

Five Trees – Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula, Mopane.

Malaria

24 hour Malaria Hotline: +27 (0) 82 234 1800

Anti-malaria prophylactics are recommended for visitors for Kruger. The highest risk period is between December and April (end of the rainy season). A 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 1800 to give detailed explanation on risk and advice on precautionary measures. Visitors wishing to take prophylactics should consult a knowledgeable medical practitioner or recognized travel clinic about recommended medication, as certain products cause nausea, hallucinations or other negative side effects with certain people.

Very often (particularly after periods of low rainfall) the malaria risk in Kruger is very low. Many people decide not to take prophylactics and rather try to avoid getting bitten. The most vulnerable times are between dusk and dawn. People are advised to stay indoors during these periods, or cover exposed skin with light clothing or insect repellants. The ankles are the most critical area. Burning anti-mosquito coils and ensuring netted screens are kept closed are other preventative measures.

While malaria prophylactics are recommended, no prophylactic is foolproof and any person developing flu-like symptoms 7 to 20 days (or even longer) after being in malaria areas should be tested immediately for malaria, until the symptoms clear or an alternative diagnosis is made. It is important to advise medical practitioners that you have been in a malaria area to avoid incorrect diagnosis.

On the question of prophylactics, no drug is guaranteed 100% effective, but a combination of chloroquin (taken weekly first one week before) and paludrin (daily - first 2 days before) appears to be the most recommended prophylactic. Mefloquin is a single alternative. These would be available from pharmacies in Johannesburg/Pretoria and en route to the park (and perhaps for sale at some of the larger rest camps in the park). However as they should be taken a week in advance, if one chooses to use them, buying them in SA would be leaving it late, unless you will be spending time elsewhere in the country (most of which is malaria free).

The threat of malaria should not affect your decision to enjoy and experience the Kruger Park, but is just something one should be aware of and take precautions to be exposed to.

NB Most types of mosquito do not carry the malaria plasmodium and if one is bitten it does not mean one will contract malaria. Only mosquitoes of the anopheles genus carry the plasmodium, and then only if they have previously fed on an infected host. As the presence of people with the plasmodium in their bloodstream in the park is greatly reduced compared to past times, risk is once more reduced. One reason for these reductions is that the accommodation units in the parks are sprayed periodically throughout the year. Now that international campaigns see treatment taking place in adjacent countries such as Mozambique and Swaziland, malaria occurrence has been further reduced.