Kruger Safaris December 2021 Highlights
December 2021 brought us some exciting interactions between zebra stallions engaged in play fighting and elephant bulls wrestling with one another. With water and food sources in abundance, we also spotted baby animals, migrant birds back for the southern hemisphere summer, African wild dogs and cheetahs early one morning.
The leopards we spotted took full advantage of the long, green, lush vegetation to stay concealed and the wild Commelina flowers added a beautiful pop of blue colour everywhere they sprang up. Scroll down for some of our favourite December 2021 Kruger safari highlights.
Lion amongst the Commelina flowers.
Zebra foal.
A European Roller back for the summer.
Two young zebra stallions engaging in a bout of sparring.
In a zebra fight, both hooves and teeth are employed which could potentially inflict a variety of injuries.
Play fights between young zebra stallions will help prepare them for when they attempt to establish harems of their own.
Resting kudu.
White rhinos.
African Hawk-eagle.
Elephant bulls wrestling.
Wrestling between elephant bulls can range from mild and playful pushing to raging battles.
We initially thought this African wild dog had heterochromia (multi-coloured eyes) but on closer inspection, it appears to be a possible cataract.
We were spoiled with this cheetah sighting early on in the day.
Elephant approaching.
White Stork.
Hippos fighting.
Little Bee-eater.
Leopard peering through the long grass.
Lion pride on a zebra kill.
Zebra to-go.
Bonding.
Keeping an eye on the vultures.
Knob-billed Duck.
For an overview of what to expect from a Kruger safari throughout the year, take a look at our Kruger National Park travel calendar.
You may also want to look at
Kruger Safaris November 2021 Highlights
The cat's out of the bag! November really could be the best time of year to go on safari in Kruger. We've always loved how the bush comes alive after the first rains in November. Flowers bloom, leaves turn green and baby animals abound. Everything smells fresh and new and there's a feeling of anticipation in the air.
Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights
If you were one of the lucky ones who managed to escape the onset of autumn in the northern hemisphere for an October safari in South Africa's Kruger National Park this year, you would have enjoyed a daily average of 8.8 hours of sunshine, temperatures well over 30°C and cheetah cubs, baby warthogs, rhino and elephant calves and leopard cubs sightings.
Kruger Safaris September 2021 Highlights
September is a fantastic time to go on a Kruger safari. It's the end of the dry season and just before the rainy season. The days are beautifully sunny and warm with temperatures ranging between 22°C and 30°C and there are wonderful wildlife sightings to be had. This year, we found a hyena den we returned to time and again, spotted a honey badger, witnessed a leopard making a kill and saw lions mating.
About the author
Dianne Kokkonidis was born in Johannesburg, grew up in the Transkei and spent years exploring Europe. She returned to South Africa to live on a farm in the Outeniqua Mountains when the call of Africa got too loud to ignore. She comes from a family of storytellers, so it's no surprise she's now found her way into writing about one of the oldest stories known to mankind - the lure of Africa.
