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Superior Game Viewing First and foremost, because of their unique riverfront setting, Ngwenya River Lodges provide for unparalleled game viewing. In the sun-baked African savannah places of water are places of life and for this reason some of the most interesting and exciting game and bird viewing in the Kruger National Park occurs along the perennial rivers which cut across this wildlife wonderland.
The Lower Crocodile River forms the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park stretching from Kaapmuiden in the west to Komatipoort in the east. At Komatipoort it converges with the Komati River to form the Incomati River which cuts through the Lebombo Mountains between the border towns of Komatipoort on the South African side of the border and the Ressano Garcia on the Mozambican side of the border. From there it flows across the Mozambique coastal plain being joined by the Sabi River before entering the Indian Ocean a short distance north of Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. Characterised by an air of anticipation, riverine ecozones such as that at Ngwenya, are not only home to the ever-elusive leopard but also a major point of convergence for herbivores and carnivores seeking life-giving water and sustenance. The Crocodile Bridge section of the Kruger National Park supports very nutritious grasslands that sustain large herds of grazers which in turn are the food source for predators such as lion, leopard, hyaena, cheetah and wild dog. This area of the Kruger National Park is the best region in which to view white rhino and the denser thorn thickets between Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabi are home to most of the Kruger's black rhinos. The Crocodile Bridge area supports numerous herds of buffalo and elephants as well. All in all the area teems with Big Game.
Topographically Ngwenya River Lodges are at one of the lowest elevations of the Kruger Park. Geologically they are located on the interface between shale and basalt in an area where four Kruger Park Ecozones more or less converge. Climatically the area receives between 550mm and 600mm of rainfall which falls mostly between October and April. Whilst game tends to congregate heavily around the Kruger's permanent water sources from July through to September, good sightings are reported from Ngwenya River Lodges throughout the year (for confirmation see the summary of wet season sightings below). Click here to see reports of game seen along the riverfront at Ngwenya
The exceptional riverine environment at Ngwenya teems with big game and birdlife and from Ngwenya River Lodges you can expect to see a wide variety of animals including the Big Five come to the river to feed, drink and hunt. Frequently two or three of the Big Five (usually buffalo, elephant and rhino) may be seen on the floodplain at the same time and it is not impossible to view all of the Big Five fromNgwenya in a single day. Sightings of crocodiles and hippos are a daily occurrence. With over 300 species of birds on the Ngwenya list, birders are guaranteed to enjoy excellent sightings. Of special interest is the variety of birds associated with permanent waterways. Watch out for impressive birds such as fish eagles, saddlebilled storks, african darters, finfoot, goliath herons and giant kingfishers. |
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