The determinants of visitor length of stay at the Kruger National Park

This study analysed the determinants of tourists’ length of stay at one of South Africa’s oldest and largest national parks, the Kruger National Park. It took the different regions of this Park into account and analysed visitors to the northern and southern regions separately to distinguish the different determinants of length of stay. The results showed clear differences between the determinants of length of stay for the two regions, indicating that for a destination with the size and scope of the Kruger Park, a regional approach should be followed to improve management and encourage visitors to stay longer.Conservation implications: The northern and southern regions of the Kruger National Park differ significantly in terms of ecosystems, rainfall, climate and wildlife. From a tourism perspective, these regions should be managed separately taking the distinct differences of the two regions into consideration. Different variables influence visitors’ length of stay in these two regions. Conservation practitioners can use the results of this study to manage visitors to these areas.

The distribution and seasonal availability of surface water on the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The availability and abundance of surface water on the Manyeleti Game Reserve was quantified to provide information towards the development of a water provision policy. A total of 696 water source sites were located with a mean distance of 223.3 m apart. The water source sites (natural and artificial) were monitored seasonally to describe the seasonal availability of surface water on the Manyeleti Game Reserve. There were significant relationships between seasonal rainfall and the number of water source sites and maximum distance between sites. The large number of water sources is regulated by climatic progression and thus water provision on the Manyeleti Game Reserve follows a natural cycle linked primarily to rainfall. Water sources that dry up towards the dry seasons need to be supplied with water during drought periods in order to maintain game numbers without causing rangeland degradation. A water provision model that incorporates all the variables of the Greater Kruger Park Conservation Area, with particular reference to the smaller conservation areas within it, should become a research priority.

Home range sizes for burchell's zebra equus burchelli antiquorum from the Kruger National Park

Annual home range sizes were determined for 49 marked zebra family groups in the Kruger National Park. Sizes varied from 49 to 566 sq. km, the mean for the Park being 164 square kilometre. Mean home range sizes for different zebra sub-populations and biotic areas were found to differ considerably. Present herbivore densities have not influenced intra- and inter-specific tolerance levels to the extent that home range sizes have increased. Local habitat conditions, and particularly seasonal vegetational changes, were found to have the most profound influence on the shape and mean size of home ranges. The large home range sizes obtained in the Kruger Park, when compared to an area such as the Ngorongoro Crater, can be ascribed to a lower carrying capacity with respect to zebra, large portions of the habitat being sub-optimal, either seasonally or annually.