Kruger Magazine

02/06/2026

BIG BIRD CHALLENGE
Enter with your Family / Group of Friends / Partner or as an individual
How many Bird Species can you photograph, and Identify in 365-days ?
Choose your own starting date.
Species can be recorded anywhere in Southern Africa.
ARE YOU UP FOR THE BIG BIRD CHALLENGE?
Register and enter now email [email protected]
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥:
To challenge yourself to identify and photograph as many bird species as possible within 365 days from your chosen start date. Complete the challenge to earn your 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 Certificate and Medal.

𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫: MLP Media (Pty) Ltd
• The 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 is an initiative of 𝐊𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐄.
• By taking part, you help bring vital conservation projects to the forefront – amplifying their visibility to new and wider audiences across the globe. Funds raised through the challenge directly support the continued publication of the acclaimed 𝐊𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 feature, showcased in both our print and digital editions, and shared across multiple platforms.

𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒
• All birds must be seen and photographed by the participant(s) within the 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝘼𝘿𝘾 region during their registered 365-day challenge period.
• Only bird species listed on the official 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 checklist will be eligible for validation.
• Additional species not on the list may be included in the checklist under “Other Species” – provided full details (location, date, etc.) are supplied.
• Only live, wild, and unrestrained birds are valid. Captive, injured, or rehabilitated birds do not qualify.
• Submissions must be made using the official 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 checklist only.
• Participants select their own start date and must confirm this by email to: [email protected] or [email protected]

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐒 & 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒
The 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 encourages you to sharpen your birding skills, explore wild spaces, and record your sightings over the course of a year.
High-quality, custom-designed pewter medals (70x100mm) and full-colour certificates are awarded at the following achievement levels:
• 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐞 – 300 species
• 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 – 400 species
• 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 – 500 species
• 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐦 – 650+ species

𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄
1. Register via email to: [email protected]
a. Individual: R600.00
b. Couples: R850.00
c. Team (up to 5 members): R1,800.00
(All fees include VAT)
2. Upon payment, you will receive the official 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 electronic checklist to log your sightings:
• Species
• Date
• Time
• Area
• Photograph
3. Submit your completed checklist to 𝐊𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐄 once your 365 days are complete.
4. Receive your certificate and medal – and your place on the 𝙆𝘽𝘾 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙚!
𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: Your choice
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 365 days from your selected start date
By entering this challenge and/or accepting any medal or certificate, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

𝙂𝙊𝙊𝘿 𝙇𝙐𝘾𝙆 𝙏𝙊 𝘼𝙇𝙇 – 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙇𝙀𝙏’𝙎 𝙆𝙀𝙀𝙋 𝙄𝙏 𝙁𝙐𝙉!

02/06/2026

1ste of the BIG BIRD CHALLENGE certificates and medals 🏅 going out.
They are beautiful
Well done to all the Birders doing the challenge 👏
For more information on their Big Bird Challenge 365 days email [email protected]

02/06/2026

Visit Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon 🐆 Leopard Rock Guest Lodge
📌 Hoedspruit Limpopo South Africa 🇿🇦
☆ Promotion: FREE GAMEDRIVES in open Safari vehicle on Leopard Rock Nature Reserve when bookings 2 or more nights
Price is per room per night sleeps 2 persons
● Self catering R1500
● Bed&Breakfast R 1900
● Dinner&Breakfast R2500
◦ Please note we take minimum of 2 night bookings over weekends
☆ Midweek Monday to Thursday 25% discount when booking 2 or more nights
For for information and bookings.
Email [email protected]
☎️ 015 817 1809
Whatsapp 072 512 3589

02/06/2026

Only 4 spots left for the 2026 Kruger Magazine Wildlife & Nature Photography Workshops
Book your space now
Available dates
21 - 27 June ( 2 spots available )
19 - 25 July ( 2 spots available )
May and August fully booked

Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon
7 days
Max 8 photographers per workshop
● Accommodation at Leopard Rock Lodge Hoedspruit Limpopo. Private en-suite air-conditioned rooms
Dinner and Breakfast
● 1 night Antares Bush Camp & Umgede Hide Greater Kruger NationalPark - get up close with the Big 5
● Kruger National Park Safari in open Game viewer with Sable Flat Safaris.
● Blyde River Canyon / Panorama Route Tour
● Graskop Gorge Rain forest
● Bourkes luck potholes
● Waterfalls
● Boat Safari
● Daily gamedrives
● Night Gamedrives
Workshop leader Quintus Strauss managing editor and photographer of the Kruger Magazine

Cost R 17500 per person
Email [email protected] to book your spot

02/06/2026

Advertise your Lodge, Guesthouse, Safaris, Tours, or Safari Products in Kruger Magazine and connect with thousands of local and international readers across print and digital formats. With over 95,000 members and 172,000 social media followers, your brand will reach the right audience. Contact [email protected] for marketing opportunities.
Email [email protected] or contact her directly 076 0777 035 to book your advertorial in the next issue.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

Midday peace, courtesy of the Sabie River. Pour a cold drink,
sink into your deck chair, and watch the hippos play in the
water right below your feet, this is what pure relaxation looks .

Visit the link in our website to book your stay!

31/05/2026

𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞. 🌍
On this day in 1926, the formal proclamation of Kruger National Park transformed earlier game reserves into South Africa’s first national park — and one of the greatest conservation stories on Earth began.
South African National Parks
SANParks Honorary Rangers
At 𝐊𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐄, this centenary has been close to our hearts since our very first issue. Our expert contributor 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬 has been sharing his deep knowledge of the Lowveld across every edition of the magazine — and this year, he dedicated a landmark 𝟑-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 to the Centenary, spanning our 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 issues. Together, the series traces 100 years of wilderness, wildlife, and the people who have guarded this extraordinary landscape.

Held under the theme “𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚, 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚”, the centenary commemorations reflect on a century of conservation leadership, biodiversity protection, scientific progress, and shared heritage.
fans
To our readers, members and followers — 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐊𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐫. Join the celebrations, share your Kruger memories, and help us honour 100 years of wildness worth protecting.

🎨 The founding of the Kruger National Park traces back to the proclamation of the Sabie
Game Reserve in 1898 under President Paul Kruger. Early conservation pioneers including James Stevenson-Hamilton and Harry Wolhuter played a decisive role in protecting wildlife populations during a period of extensive hunting and frontier expansion.

31/05/2026