Book excerpt: Fair Game tells the story of the Kruger's hidden history and heritage, from its establishment as the Sabi Reserve in 1898 to its eventual declaration as a national park, and beyond. It's an engrossing tale filled with stubborn personalities, twists of fate, unlikely heroes, greedy villains and (luckily) a very happy ending. So, prepare yourself for a grand historical safari as we recount the little-known tale of an unwanted wasteland that grew into the one of the greatest game reserves in the world.The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned wildlife sanctuary and one of South Africa's top tourist attractions. However, this wasn't always the case. For the first 30 years of the park's existence, it was very unpopular and many people downright hated the idea of a reserve dedicated to the preservation of animals ('But what's the point of looking at the things?', one critic decried). In fact, without the dedication and fortitude of a handful of champions, the park would likely have been abandoned, diluted or deproclaimed altogether. Also included: a comprehensive planning guide and custom maps to help you make the most of your visit to the Kruger National Park.