My Year In Kruger National Park

In my opinion, most people go to KNP whenever they can and are satisfied with that, but I cannot seem to get enough! I was very fortunate to grow up in the Lowveld and my father used to take us to KNP for day visits quite often. (Thinking about it now, I don’t think he could ever afford an overnight visit)! We used to leave home at 4 or 5 in the morning and waited outside the gate for it to be opened, usually Numbi Gate. We would drive up to Skukuza, have a picnic lunch, and then drive back again, leaving the Park just before closing time. I still treasure those memories. Since I left school, got married, and live my own life, I have made a point of visiting the Park at least once or twice a year for a few days. My children’s first trips to the Park were at a very early age. They still love going to KNP and I think the fact that my youngest is studying Wildlife Management is proof of the love we share for the Park. In 1998, we moved to Qatar (Middle East) and I am only able to visit the Park once a year for a few days. My husband is not always able to get leave at the same time as me, or at all, and therefore I sometimes visit the Park with one or both of my daughters, but have never done it alone. In 2001, my oldest daughter, and in 2005, my youngest daughter left home to go to university, (both of them are studying in Cape Town), and this made it even more difficult to go to the Park as we now have to take their holidays into consideration as well. My husband is an aircraft engineer which means he is very often away from home for long periods. I keep myself occupied by working, watching the webcams, read the Sanparks forums, and planning the next trip to Kruger. Then I though-why not try and live out my dream and start planning a WHOLE YEAR IN THE PARK? I sat down and thought about it for a few days, thinking and telling my husband that I would like to do this, when I turn 50, (which is in 6 years time). He listened to my idea, my reasoning and then agreed that it would be exciting for me to do this. Don’t get me wrong, he enjoys going to the Park, but he is not a fanatic like me! I once again thought about it and then decided that I could not wait 7 years and started making my plans to go in 4 years time. My reasoning for deciding on 4 years is: First of all, both my daughters will be finished with their studies in 2 years time. That out of the way, I would have 2 years to save for my trip and make sure that we can manage on only the salary of my husband. The few days I have always managed to spend in the Park have never been enough and I can’t wait for my year in the Park to start-hopefully if all goes well I will be driving into Kruger in less than a year's time - January 2009!!!!