Time Magazine (October 2007) describes this footage as "...the hottest upload in web history that doesn't include a naked famous person or a politician... the 8 min, 23 sec clip is a three-act play of attack, counter attack and rescue shot three summers ago in the Kruger National Park South Africa and posted only this May (2007) - it has been viewed more than 3.8 million times - 200 000 times in a single day this week, more than 6000 comments and has been bookmarked as a fan favorite more than 20 000 times."
Wikipedia describes the 'Battle at Kruger' as "a viral video posted on YouTube which was widely praised for its dramatic depiction of life on the African savannah. It is YouTube's most popular video, with more than 7, 5 million views and 8300 comments as of July 2007 (the footage was posted onto YouTube in May 2007)... and will soon be made into a National Geographic documentary."
Since the sighting, Thompsons Africa has been privileged to work with a team from National Geographic to produce a wildlife documentary on the Kruger National Park and more specifically the famous ‘Battle at Kruger’. The documentary premieres on American televisions this Sunday, the 11th May 2008 and promises fantastic wildlife action.
The National Geographic documentary titled: Caught on Safari: Battle At Kruger will be released this Sunday the 11th May to an American audience. National Geogprahic describes the documentary and footage as: An amazing tournament of animal survival at a South African watering hole is captured on a vacation video. Enlisting the help of wildlife experts, National Geographic Channel deconstructs an unprecedented battle between buffalo, lion and crocodile.
If you have not as yet viewed this amazing wildlife footage, you have just got to see it for yourself! A seemingly chance opportunity for a pride of lions 'opens up' when a herd of buffalo come ambling down to a watering hole in Kruger…. the lions seize their opportunity and burst into action, pouncing onto a young buffalo calf. Lion and calf tumble into the water and a brazen crocodile tries to get in on the action, and a tug of war between crocodile and lion ensues. The buffalo herd meanwhile regroup and round on the lions, to chase them away from the calf and actually manage to rescue the injured calf who is surrounded by the herd and gambols off into the dust cloud of the herd to leave both crocodile and lion empty handed. The footage is nothing short of exceptional, which is exactly what one can expect from a safari in the awesome wildlife sanctuary of the Kruger National Park.
Our 3-day Thompsons Kruger Wildlife Safari is one of our most popular escorted tours in southern Kruger Park. As David Budzinski and Jason Schlosberg discovered, with game viewing you need to be in the right place at the right time. Many of our clients have experienced spectacular game sightings, equally as thrilling as the 'Battle at Kruger' and they too have video or photographic footage that they will treasure. The 'Battle at Kruger' is one of many battles that are played out within Kruger daily. To experience the exhilaration of Africa's wildlife up-close, please do join us on one of our many guided tours – you will not be disappointed.
Should you wish to view the full itinerary on our 3 day Kruger Wildlife Safari - access the link below.
http://www.thompsonsafrica.com/
Cost of this tour ZAR 4700.00 per person sharing
ZAR = South African Rand
Thompsons Africa has offices based in two strategic locations (Hazyview and Malalane) on the outskirts of the Kruger National Park and operates daily game drives into the Kruger Park - early morning, late afternoon/evening and full day game drives. We also offer a myriad of other activities in and around Kruger, from walking safaris, tours of the surrounding countryside known as the ‘Panorama Route’ because of the natural beauty of the Blyde River Canyon and it’s many waterfalls. There is an incredible amount that one can do in this area, from visiting the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden, to an Endangered Wildlife Centre, Cultural Village Tours to the more adventurous persuits of hot air ballooning, white water tubing, quad bike trails and an elephant sanctuary. For more information on our day tours in and around the Kruger National Park please access our website (address below) and browse within our day tour pages.
Thompsons Africa run a host of fully guided overland tours, which take in the highlights of South Africa. If you therefore want to visit the Kruger National Park as part of your ‘greater’ South Africa itinerary, we have a number of options for you to choose from. Access the below link for a detailed list of tours:
http://www.thompsonsafrica.com/
A guided tour is a great option to view South Africa – you just ‘kick-back’
Another wonderful opportunity for you to enjoy Kruger is on our back to nature, fully guided 4 day Wolhuter Tented Safari. This escorted tour repeatedly receives rave reviews from our clients, for the very reason that one is very much in tune with the essence of the Kruger National Park - based at an intimate private camp site within Kruger, rubbing shoulders with nature, the sounds and 'smell' of the bush amplified, fire side cuisine - a whole 'other world' envelopes the traveller.
Cost of this tour ZAR 6400.00 per person sharing
ZAR = South African Rand
You will find the full itinerary to this tour under our escorted tours section - the link provided above.
Our tented safari is named after a truly remarkable man, Harry Wolhuter, who was one of the first pioneering game wardens of the Kruger National Park. His account of life within the Kruger Park at the time, is nothing short of amazing. This man was hauled off of his horse by a male lion, dragged into the bush by his right shoulder to be consumed! But, Harry Wolhuter kept his cool, unsheathed the knife at his belt, felt around the lion's chest with his free left hand to make sure of his aim and plunged his knife into the lion's heart, killing his attacker almost instantly!
Visit our website to view our many suggested holiday packages in South and Southern Africa and a host of information about travel within Southern Africa.
We have a wealth of information on the Kruger National Park itself and the many ways in which you can explore Kruger, whether it be a self drive/guided holiday or a fully guided tour, there are many options to experience this wildlife treasure.
Read about our Ranger Frank Watts, who personally accompanied Jason Schlosberg and friend Andrew Budzinski when the now famous 'Battle at Kruger' was filmed. Frank's life in the park is a fascinating one, which he shares daily with Thompsons clients.
We would be please to assist and guide you in choosing the holiday that best suits your time constraints and budget:
http://www.thompsonsafrica.com/
Happy Travels!
