October is early summer in the Kruger Park and is heralded by the first hard rains. Daytime temperatures soar, and if the rains are late, so does the humidity. Due to the increased availability of water and improved grazing, game begins to disperse. For many antelope it's the start of their breeding season, and birds engage in courtship rituals and displays. Most of the northern migrant raptors arrive in October.
If the October rains arrive on time, the veld regains its green sheen and on the eastern basalt plains the pans and vleis come to life. Our lodge, Khumbula iAfrica-Kruger, is ideally positioned as a base from which to explore these eastern plains.
The deciduous trees regain their canopies and bulbous plants begin to appear. During October, the fever trees, African wattle, magic guarri and sickle bush flower, and the majestic baobab enters a brief six-week flowering season.
During October, temperatures range from 16 degrees Celsius overnight to 32 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. Expect around 35mm of rain.
Gate time in October are 05:30 to 18:00.
Comments