Every year on June 17th, we celebrate the toothy grin and prehistoric charm of one of Africa’s most fascinating creatures, the crocodile. World Crocodile Day is all about raising awareness for these ancient reptiles, and what better place to do that than in the world famous Kruger National Park?
At Bushveld Terrace, right on the doorstep of one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations, we’re perfectly placed for spotting the Nile crocodile. As Africa’s largest freshwater predator, these powerful crocs can grow over 5 metres long and tip the scales at more than 750 kilograms!
Fun Croc Facts You Might Not Know:
- Tooth count: A Nile crocodile has about 64–68 teeth, and they’re constantly replaced throughout their lifetime.
- Temperature of nests: The temperature of the nest determines the sex of baby crocodiles! If the eggs incubate at around 31.6°C, most of the hatchlings will be male. Slightly cooler temperatures result in females. So in a way, the weather decides who’s who in the croc world!
- Powerful bite: Crocodiles have one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom with over 3,500 pounds per square inch.
- No chewing here: They swallow food whole or tear it into chunks with a dramatic death roll!
Where to potentially Spot Crocodiles when staying with us at Bushveld Terrace
Crocodiles love the slow-moving rivers and watering holes of The Kruger National Park. Keep your eyes peeled when you’re near:
- Sable Dam Hide
- Letaba River & Letaba Rest Camp
- Engelhard Dam
- Olifants River Bridge
- Nhlanganini Dam
They can often be seen sunbathing on riverbanks or lurking just beneath the surface, eyes and nostrils poking out, waiting for unsuspecting prey.
At Bushveld Terrace, we’re just a stone’s throw from the Phalaborwa Gate, giving you easy access to crocodile country and the rest of The Kruger’s Big 5 territory. After an exciting day spotting crocodiles and other wildlife, head back to the comfort of our hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening under the African stars.
