The Kruger National Park holds iconic insignia for South Africa. Although there are a million other reasons which make South Africa the “Travel Capital of the world”, yet Kruger National Park is something that serves the purpose of the biggest Jewel in the crown of this country. It is not only the main attraction of South Africa but it is also considered the flagship of South African National Parks. Let’s discuss some historical developments and also find out how to get cheap flights to Johannesburg connecting Kruger Airport.

Kruger National Park is situated in north-east of South Africa and spins along the border of Mozambique in the east, Zimbabwe in the north, and crocodile river forms the southern border to wrap this exciting vicinity. The park covers around 20,000 square kilometers and is divided in 14 different ecozones, each supporting different wildlife and species to minimize the possible encounters between carnivores and herbivores at larger intensities. The purpose and history of this park owes contributions by not only the locals but one very prominent British personal Sir. James Stevenson Hamilton.

It was during the early 18^th century when the first explorer set foot in the region. He was the Dutchman François de Cuiper who led a Dutch East India Company expedition to explore. However, the expedition was attacked and driven away by local tribes-people near Gomondwane. Yet, only around 1838 Voortrekker expeditions led by Lous Trichardt and Hans van Rensburg were able to successfully establish forward outposts that lead hundreds of Europeans and farmers to come to the Lowveld. This massive human migration was mainly due to the rumors of gold and the great quantity of valuable commodities such as ivory and skins, which are no less than gold themselves in the European markets. This gave raise to hunting and trading of animal skin at larger scale, that remained unquestioned for a long time and it was only at the 11^th hour when it was realized that Human intruders left drastic effect on many species and brought them at the verge of extinction. President Paul Kruger was told about the rapid destruction of wildlife in the area by hunters, after which he succeeded to persuade the Transvaal parliament to establish a protected area for the wildlife in the Lowveld region. This area named “The Sabie Game Reserve” was bordered by the Crocodile River in the south, the Sabie River in the north, the Lebombo Mountains in the east and the Drakensberg Mountains in the west, which is today the southern part of the Kruger National Park established in 1898. These reserves eventually expanded into today’s Kruger National Park. The Anglo-Boer War stopped any further development of the reserve, but the British, after winning the war, proceeded with the plan to develop the Sabie Game Reserve and gave the task to major James Stevenson-Hamilton in 1902 to protect the animals against hunters, ivory poachers and cattle farmers. The Park was opened to the public in 1927 for visitors to view animals and plant life in an area where they are protected. Lately, in peaceful times, James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed as the first park warden. He spent the next 40 years protecting what the war had destroyed. His actions are no doubt an ever-living contribution to the Kruger National Park’s current existence and expansion. The Kruger National Park is a living memorial to President Paul Kruger and those who have upheld his vision of a protected wilderness reserve which will forever remind us of that which we are so dangerously close to loosing.

Flights To Johannesburg
The easiest and most convenient way to get in and experience the adventure of Kruger National park, is to book yourself some good cheap flights to Johannesburg, available at large with airline such as Qatar Airways, Etihad and British Airways. From Johannesburg International Airport daily flights operate to airports near Kruger National Park.

Airports nearby the KNP are: Phalaborwa Airport is located 2 km from the Phalaborwa gate of the KNP and serves as a entry route for the northern camps such as Letaba, Olifants, Punda Maria and Shingwedzi. The airport is well connected to Johannesburg International Airport with two flights per day during the week and a single flight on Saturday and Sunday.

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport receives flights from Johannesburg International Airport, Durban, Cape Town and Vilanculos. For more details on cheap flights visit: http://www.cheapflightsafrica.co.uk/