Johannesburg - I’ve been to Kruger National Park a number of times – and used a variety of maps, pamphlets and guide books.
But what was always missing was an easy-to-understand, yet comprehensive, guide to the animals, birds, plants and park terrain.
Now, there is such a book and I can say, unhesitatingly, it is the best I have seen and truly the ultimate guide to one of our foremost national treasures.
It is also a reminder, in its beautiful photographs, of the extraordinary variety of life in the Kruger, from the smallest to the biggest, slowest to the fastest, ugliest to the most photogenic.
Compiled by award-winning photographers Heinrich van den Berg and husband-and-wife team Philip and Ingrid van den Berg, the book is much more than a complete, and satisfying, photo record of the park – it is all you will ever need to enjoy the roads, main and little-known gravel ones. Each route is rated according to the probabilities of predator and buck sightings, scenic beauty and birding opportunities.
Clear maps for each of the roads (and suggestions of the best ones to take from various camps) are accompanied by descriptions of the scenery and habitats, as well as details of the creatures you’re likely to find in each specific place. The individual route maps on the pages of the book are accompanied by an A2 pull-out map of the whole park.
The compendium of information includes fascinating snippets on the park’s inhabitants and its facilities. There is also a list of the common animals and birds – with colour photographs, so there can be no doubts.
Importantly, as the Van den Bergs are clearly lovers of nature, there are clear warnings about the do’s and dont’s and how to behave.
Glenn Phillips, managing executive: Kruger National Park, has given his endorsement to the book by writing the foreword to it.
The book serves a dual purpose: as a practical guide and a high-quality pictorial memento of the park.
l Kruger Self-Drive Routes, Roads And Ratings is published by HPH Publishing. It is priced at R490.
Brendan Seery, Saturday Star