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101 Kruger Tales: Extraordinary Stories from Ordinary Visitors to the Kruger National Park
GRIPPING FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF EXTRAORDINARY SIGHTINGS, SCRAPES AND INCIDENTS IN ONE OF AFRICA'S GREATEST NATIONAL PARKS
An enraged elephant flips a car onto its roof. A lioness prises open the door of a terrified couple. A leopard helps itself to a family’s picnic breakfast. A fleeing impala leaps through an open car window. A lion charges around inside a busy rest camp. A hyaena snatches a baby from a tent. A tourist takes a bath in a croc-infested dam…
These are just a few of the 101 jaw-dropping sightings, scrapes and encounters in this collection of extraordinary true stories from the roads, camps, picnic sites and walking trails of South Africa’s Kruger National Park, as told by the very people who experienced them. There are no game ranger tales here – each and every story happened to an ordinary Kruger visitor doing what over a million tourists do in this spectacular reserve each year.
It is a book to keep by your bedside in Kruger, to dip into at home when you’re missing the bush, to lend to friends who’ve never visited Kruger or to pore over before your next trip. Just don’t expect to ever sleep soundly in a safari tent again…
An enraged elephant flips a car onto its roof. A lioness prises open the door of a terrified couple. A leopard helps itself to a family’s picnic breakfast. A fleeing impala leaps through an open car window. A lion charges around inside a busy rest camp. A hyaena snatches a baby from a tent. A tourist takes a bath in a croc-infested dam…
These are just a few of the 101 jaw-dropping sightings, scrapes and encounters in this collection of extraordinary true stories from the roads, camps, picnic sites and walking trails of South Africa’s Kruger National Park, as told by the very people who experienced them. There are no game ranger tales here – each and every story happened to an ordinary Kruger visitor doing what over a million tourists do in this spectacular reserve each year.
It is a book to keep by your bedside in Kruger, to dip into at home when you’re missing the bush, to lend to friends who’ve never visited Kruger or to pore over before your next trip. Just don’t expect to ever sleep soundly in a safari tent again…
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2014
233 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 14, 2022
Soon I myself will be in a privileged position to visit the Kruger Park in South Africa again. I read this book as 'preparation', but I'm starting to get nervous, and a bit scared, because the stories in this book are quite impressive. (I'm the kind of person who thinks everything's pitiful and scary, oh my...)
May 11, 2016
The wind blowing over the savannah, the fierce sun burning down on you and also there are faraway dots in the simmering haze. But what are they ? You drive your vehicle closer and see that the dots are but living and breathing animals – Wildebeest and Zebra. Unseen to your eyes, Lions slide through the grass and take down their prey. To me, this was Africa as I had seen on NGC and Discovery Channel in my childhood. Before coming to terms with the fact that the status of human beings across a large part of Africa are even more brutal than the life of animals, I had always thought that Africa is all about animals. Africa’s Kruger National park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and almost every one of these makes an appearance in these little anecdotes.
There aren’t things to ponder or slowly mull over in this book for it is mostly like watching an episode of Caught on Camera. Visitors to the park share their stories on some of the most astounding things that they have come across. Some of the incidents are hilarious like when an Impala trying to avoid a Cheetah jumps headfirst into a safari vehicle and stays there till the predator walks away. Yet others are tragic to us as humans – a gazelle escaping a hyena jumps into the river to be attacked by a crocodile and just before the croc can get a deadly grip, a hippo steps in and saves the gazelle and guides it back to safety but just as the gazelle steps away to the shore death strikes in the form of another crocodile. Yeah, nature is crazy ! But what wins the day are the hair raising anecdotes of man coming face to face with the ruthlessness of nature. Two stories that I still remember : a lioness without any help opens the door of a car while a petrified couple sits inside and a group of corporate executives while on an offsite meeting meets a charging Rhino with deadly consequences for both parties. The unpredictability of an animal in the wild is all over this book.
Recommended if you like your stories of what people see, hear and experience when they are on safari.
Most people I meet have mentioned that Wildlife sightings while on safari are almost always a matter of blind luck. One of my friends has been to the beautiful Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan for over three times now and has never seen a Tiger yet. He mentioned about a group of first timers who had a big stroke of luck and it went like this : The last safari for the day was about to leave and just as they approached the gates of the park, two Tigers walk up to the gates of the park and decided to lie down on the road in full view. The group had no option but to park a safe distance away and watch the cats. Interestingly, the Tigers did not get up or show any sign of being in a rush and one of them eventually went off to sleep there. By the time they got up, stretched and walked away back into the park it was already gate closing time. The group which had not even driven beyond the gates of the park but were treated to a sight that not many other people would have seen in a life time. Some luck eh ?
There aren’t things to ponder or slowly mull over in this book for it is mostly like watching an episode of Caught on Camera. Visitors to the park share their stories on some of the most astounding things that they have come across. Some of the incidents are hilarious like when an Impala trying to avoid a Cheetah jumps headfirst into a safari vehicle and stays there till the predator walks away. Yet others are tragic to us as humans – a gazelle escaping a hyena jumps into the river to be attacked by a crocodile and just before the croc can get a deadly grip, a hippo steps in and saves the gazelle and guides it back to safety but just as the gazelle steps away to the shore death strikes in the form of another crocodile. Yeah, nature is crazy ! But what wins the day are the hair raising anecdotes of man coming face to face with the ruthlessness of nature. Two stories that I still remember : a lioness without any help opens the door of a car while a petrified couple sits inside and a group of corporate executives while on an offsite meeting meets a charging Rhino with deadly consequences for both parties. The unpredictability of an animal in the wild is all over this book.
Recommended if you like your stories of what people see, hear and experience when they are on safari.
Most people I meet have mentioned that Wildlife sightings while on safari are almost always a matter of blind luck. One of my friends has been to the beautiful Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan for over three times now and has never seen a Tiger yet. He mentioned about a group of first timers who had a big stroke of luck and it went like this : The last safari for the day was about to leave and just as they approached the gates of the park, two Tigers walk up to the gates of the park and decided to lie down on the road in full view. The group had no option but to park a safe distance away and watch the cats. Interestingly, the Tigers did not get up or show any sign of being in a rush and one of them eventually went off to sleep there. By the time they got up, stretched and walked away back into the park it was already gate closing time. The group which had not even driven beyond the gates of the park but were treated to a sight that not many other people would have seen in a life time. Some luck eh ?
July 20, 2014
I could not put this book down!
As a huge nature lover, I truly enjoyed every tale in this book. Some tales are amazing, some sad, some frightening which just makes this book so fantastic. Anyone who loves the Kruger park will delight in this book. Looking forward to the next installment.
As a huge nature lover, I truly enjoyed every tale in this book. Some tales are amazing, some sad, some frightening which just makes this book so fantastic. Anyone who loves the Kruger park will delight in this book. Looking forward to the next installment.
July 24, 2020
Made me feel at home.
September 16, 2020
Ich habe das Buch nach unserem Urlaub in Südafrika, bei dem wir auch im Kruger Park waren, gekauft und schnell weggelesen. Sehr unterhaltsam, zumal wenn man gerade selber da war und voller Eindrücke ist.
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October 23, 2015What an extraordinary book!
A collection of real life stories from visitors to one of the most famous game reserves in the world. They will thrill you, frighten you and inspire you to go there and experience the remarkable Kruger for yourself. I spent most of the time reading this book with my heart in my mouth, even though I've been there several times. Always, in every story, there was this amazing connection between human and animal that you only get from being on your own in a place where the other species are either bigger, more fierce or more intriguing than you are!
Dip into this book once and you will want to finish it in one sitting. A riveting account of a magical place. Please let the poaching stop...
A collection of real life stories from visitors to one of the most famous game reserves in the world. They will thrill you, frighten you and inspire you to go there and experience the remarkable Kruger for yourself. I spent most of the time reading this book with my heart in my mouth, even though I've been there several times. Always, in every story, there was this amazing connection between human and animal that you only get from being on your own in a place where the other species are either bigger, more fierce or more intriguing than you are!
Dip into this book once and you will want to finish it in one sitting. A riveting account of a magical place. Please let the poaching stop...
January 7, 2020
I frequent the Kruger National Park at least once a year with my family. Reading this book took me right there in my vehicle driving through the park I could visualize the roads and camps mentioned.
For a bush lover like myself this was an amazing collection of short stories about the wonder of the Kruger Park. Some jealousy did come to the fore as I'm yet to see something really story worthy during my trips to the Park.
Reading this book however I just know my time will come. If you enjoy wildlife and the bush I would highly recommend reading this book.
It will forever be in my collection and I will without a doubt reread it at some stage again.
For a bush lover like myself this was an amazing collection of short stories about the wonder of the Kruger Park. Some jealousy did come to the fore as I'm yet to see something really story worthy during my trips to the Park.
Reading this book however I just know my time will come. If you enjoy wildlife and the bush I would highly recommend reading this book.
It will forever be in my collection and I will without a doubt reread it at some stage again.
April 27, 2015
Learned a lot.
Very interesting collection of articles compiled from actual accounts of things happening to them in Kruger National Park.
There were some cool shots of some of the incidents with links to some videos. I am glad to have read it, but I don't think I would like to actually see some of the stories in real life.
Very interesting collection of articles compiled from actual accounts of things happening to them in Kruger National Park.
There were some cool shots of some of the incidents with links to some videos. I am glad to have read it, but I don't think I would like to actually see some of the stories in real life.
September 4, 2016
This book is such a thriller !!!!!! The best way to get pumped up for trip to Kruger Park, you will just never be able to put this book down and you will always check your range when yoou are closse to a animal!
November 8, 2020
This is a great collection of stories that takes you into the heart of the South African wilderness where visitors have managed to catch a glimpse of the most amazing, intriguing, and heart stopping animals and moments that show that maybe we aren't quite the masters of the world that we think. Each story is told by the park visitors themselves, including short summaries of those that didn't quite make it but are great tales none the less, along with some superb and once in a lifetime photos that show these moments off in all their glory. This isn't really the type of book to read in one go as each story needs a moment or two to stand alone, some of them definitely need more than that to really sink in how amazing and close these moments really were. Trouble is, it really makes you want to visit, which is great on one hand but rather difficult on the other (particularly in current circumstances!).
August 17, 2018
I loved this book of short stories of people's experiences from Kruger National Park. The stories are not long and onerous and most are just a few pages. Some of the stories are unimaginable, scary and some are downright annoying as people don't follow rules and have some incredibly close, death defying encounters.
This book has both excited me with its stories as well as scared me. Kruger has long been on my list of places to see and I think if I ever get there some of these stories will be in my mind as a how to and how not to, guide.
This book has both excited me with its stories as well as scared me. Kruger has long been on my list of places to see and I think if I ever get there some of these stories will be in my mind as a how to and how not to, guide.
July 5, 2022
Having lived in the Bush for a few years, I can feel myself understanding each of these stories and clearly feeling what each writer felt when writing them. My ears are still flushed and burning and my heart is racing. I identify. Just incredible what nature is out there and how grateful I am that @krugernationalpark holds true to that which they have been charged to protect and honor. The beauty of each animal will never be less valuable than any of ours and we would do well to remember, respect and maintain that always.
September 19, 2017
I loved this book. It was so easy to dip in and out of. Probably best if you have visited the Kruger or one of the private reserves around the Kruger to get a full understanding. But it would also be good, if you're planning a trip to the Kruger. Some of the tales are unbelievable and others told with a sense of humour. It hasn't done anything to help my fear of being charged by a grumpy elephant!
January 22, 2019
Anyone who has been to the Kruger National Park in South Africa will appreciate this collection of very short accounts from visitors to this wonderful game reserve.
There's a great mix of tales in here, from terrifying encounters to amusing escapades to gross human stupidity.
If you've never been to the Kruger and you're thinking of going...probably don't read this first, as it may scare you off!
There's a great mix of tales in here, from terrifying encounters to amusing escapades to gross human stupidity.
If you've never been to the Kruger and you're thinking of going...probably don't read this first, as it may scare you off!
November 19, 2020
This book brought back wonderful memories of my trip to Kruger National Park. Some of the stories were humorous, some were upsetting (when animals were killed) and some made me glad that I didn't have such a scary experience as some people did. I enjoyed reading about places that were familiar and the stories made me realize how important it is to use caution because predators could be close by without anyone knowing.
February 16, 2018
I was fortunate enough to grow up across the river from the Kruger and have some wonderful memories. This book has some hair-raising stories, enough to send shivers down your spine. I enjoyed the book.
October 18, 2019
Having been to the Kruger a few months ago, this book was riveting. I recognized locations and understood how people were feeling, I felt myself there again can't wait for another book, I hope there are more photos.
September 1, 2025
True stories of events that happened in Kruger National park in Africa. Some of the stories are
insane!!
Each story was submitted by someone who had an experience in the park - many of them were before
electric fences were installed.
From funny to scary to unbelievable! enjoyable read
insane!!
Each story was submitted by someone who had an experience in the park - many of them were before
electric fences were installed.
From funny to scary to unbelievable! enjoyable read
June 8, 2017
excellent book and sometimes scary. amazing stories of people's time in kruger..
October 14, 2017
Fantastic read!
January 25, 2018
very relaxing
February 22, 2019
What an incredible collection of stories about one of my favourite places in the world, the Kruger Park. Recommended read if the park means something to you.
June 29, 2019
Bring back so many memories of visiting kruger
January 10, 2020
Brilliant book full of beautiful and exhilarating stories. This really brings the Kruger National Park, my favorite place in the world, to life on the pages. Highly recommend.
February 4, 2021
Fun, light entertainment. Some darker ones though.
June 7, 2021
I loved this book, but I also love Kruger National Park and driving around and seeing what wonderful animal sights one can find. And I found on kindle unlimited!
April 5, 2022
Such a great read! If you are a Kruger fan definitely recommend this one.
September 7, 2022
Entertaining stories from visitors to the park. I was there in 2018 and found these very interesting. Fortunately, my encounters were all wonderful!
March 24, 2023
Love this book so much. Best to read whilst in the bush. Kids also love the stories.
August 8, 2014
An absolutely wonderful book! If you have ever been to the Kruger park and wondered about whether other visitors have had better sightings than you then you need to read this book. It is bursting with amazing, unusual, funny, sad true stories submitted by just normal tourists who have been to Kruger. Each of the stories are short and easy to read so its easy to dip in and out of it. I found it so hard to put down and breezed through it in a few days. Some very interesting photos in the middle too, some gory (the guy who got attacked by a lioness) and some amazing (like the big lion running around inside Onder Sabie!) If you know Kruger park you will love this book. Even if you don't I can't imagine how anyone would not find it exciting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews