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WILDLIFE SAFARIS AT NGALA, SOUTH AFRICA
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Exceptional African wildlife: Situated in the world-famous Kruger National Park – the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa – Ngala comprises three distinct habitats, which offer an incredible diversity of game.
- Big Five
- Superlative lion and leopard viewing
- Buffalo herds of over 300 individuals
- Huge elephant herds
- Endangered African wild dog regularly den in the Reserve
- Superb birdwatching, includes abundance of raptors, owls and savanna birds
- Diversity of habitats
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Ngala Private Game Reserve Wildlife Habitats:
Ngala is situated at the southern edge of the vast belt of mopane woodland which blankets much of the northern Kruger National Park. This broad-leaved woodland typically grows on heavy clay soils which support rain-filled pans in summer, attracting larger mammals. Acacia and combretum trees dominate mixed bush savanna, where impressive tamboti and weeping boerbean trees grow on raised termite mounds and drainage lines. A narrow belt of riverine forest lines the Timbavati River tributaries. |
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Mammals at Ngala Private Game Reserve:
Ngala offers unsurpassed game viewing opportunities of territorial, individually recognisable lion and leopard which are tracked on a daily basis. Cheetah tend to be nomadic but are regularly encountered. Packs of endangered African wild dog hunt on Ngala, occasionally denning to raise pups (typically May to June). Huge herds of buffalo and elephant are frequently seen quenching their thirst at waterholes which also attract white rhino and are favoured by hippo. Impala are the most abundant antelope, with resident wildebeest, greater kudu and steenbok among other common species. The rare Sharpe’s grysbok occurs in mopane woodland. Lone elephant bulls and breeding herds are regularly encountered. Honey badger, African civet and small-spotted genet are among the smaller carnivores regularly seen on night game drives. Packs of dwarf mongoose live in large termite mounds. |
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Birds at Ngala Private Game Reserve:
With 279 species recorded, Ngala ensures excellent birdwatching opportunities. Birds of prey are particularly conspicuous with bateleur, tawny eagle and white-backed vulture among species whose nest sites are monitored. After dark, Verreaux's eagle-owl, African scops-owl and barred owlet emerge to hunt. Wahlberg’s eagle, woodland kingfisher and Diederik cuckoo are abundant intra-African migrants (October to April). Lilac-breasted roller, grey go-away bird, red-billed hornbill and magpie shrike are conspicuous in savanna. Dense growth along the Timbavati River is favoured by Burchell’s coucal, Retz’s helmet-shrike and black-backed puff back. Hamerkop, Egyptian goose and red-billed teal visit waterholes. Tens of thousands of nomadic red-billed quelea may nest gregariously in acacia savanna during the wet season (December to February). |
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Other African Wildlife:
Chains of processionary caterpillars are conspicuous as they cross sand tracks at the end of summer (April to May). Great numbers of mopane caterpillars feed on fresh mopane leaves. There are 75 species of butterfly recorded with guineafowl butterfly, spotted joker and African monarch among the more commonly encountered. Tree monitor and water monitor are frequently observed in savanna and riverside habitats respectively. Nile crocodile, large leopard tortoise and flap-necked chameleon are other interesting reptiles. The conspicuous meringue-like nests of foam-nest frogs hang above waterholes after summer rains and 18 species of frog may breed in seasonal waterbodies |
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| For exciting wildlife sightings, visit CC Africa's entertaining
and informative wildlife website www.wildwatch.com. |
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