What is the history of the Sabi Game Reserve?

The Sabi Game Reserve, which would later become the Kruger National Park, has a long and complex history dating back to the late 19th century. Here is a brief overview:

In 1884, the Transvaal Republic established a commission to investigate the potential for creating a game reserve in the Lowveld region of northeastern South Africa. The commission recommended the creation of a reserve in the Sabi River area, but the plan was never implemented due to political unrest and financial difficulties.

In 1898, the Transvaal Republic purchased the farms of Sabie and Shiloh, which encompassed the area that would later become the Sabi Game Reserve.

In 1902, the newly formed South African government appointed James Stevenson-Hamilton as the first warden of the Sabi Game Reserve. He was tasked with overseeing the management and protection of the reserve's wildlife and natural resources.

In the early years of the reserve, poaching was a major problem, and Stevenson-Hamilton implemented a number of anti-poaching measures to protect the wildlife, including the establishment of a system of ranger patrols.

In 1926, the South African government passed the National Parks Act, which established the National Parks Board and gave it the authority to create and manage national parks in the country.

In 1927, the Sabi Game Reserve was officially proclaimed a national park, and its name was changed to the Kruger National Park in honor of Paul Kruger, a prominent figure in the history of the Transvaal Republic.

Over the years, the Kruger National Park has undergone significant changes and developments, including the construction of roads, campsites, and other infrastructure, as well as the expansion of the park's boundaries. Today, it is one of the largest and most popular national parks in Africa, attracting millions of visitors every year.