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| Wildlife is South Africa’s
greatest natural asset. While the Big
Five (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo,
and leopard) receive a lot of attention, they
stand among a wealth of animal species that
populate South Africa’s game reserves
and national parks. From abundant herds of impala
to the elusive aardvark, each of South Africa’s
animals has an equally enchanting effect on
every traveller. Accessing South Africa’s
wildlife regions can take a variety of forms.
One can choose a comfortable self-catering option,
a mobile safari, or a remote and luxurious game
lodge.
South
Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg,
is flanked by provinces with significant wildlife
populations. The North West Province to the
west of Johannesburg offers accessible wildlife
areas to city dwellers. Not merely the location
of the casino and golf resort Sun City, the
province is home to the fabulous Pilansberg
Nature Reserve and Madikwe,
which stretches to the Botswana border. It
is, however, the Limpopo Province
that has become synonymous with South African
wildlife. The province has a number of interesting
private game reserves in the Waterberg
region and is the gateway to the Kruger
National Park. |
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KRUGER NATIONAL PARK:
One of the oldest wildlife reserves in Africa,
the Kruger National Park has a tremendous
variety of fauna and flora. Made public in
1927, the expansive park comprises a number
of different habitats that include dense vegetation
dotted with clumps of boulders in the south
and extensive grassy plains and riverine vegetation
in the centre. The park’s remote northern
region offers some of the best birding in
Southern Africa while the savannah to the
west of Kruger offers alternative wildlife
destinations in the form of the Royal
Malewane, Thorneybush, and Makalali game reserves.
SABI SANDS PRIVATE RESERVE:
No fences restrict the coming and going of
animals between the Kruger National Park and
the Sabi Sands Private Reserve. It is a reserve
that offers incredible wildlife encounters
while providing luxury and comfort in the
form of tented camps and lodges. Activities
include thrilling game drives while nights
are spent beside roaring fires or contemplating
the stars of the African sky.
TIMBAVATI PRIVATE GAME
RESERVE: A 68 000 hectare haven that
was established in 1956, the Timbavati Private
Game Reserve also adjoins the Kruger National
Park without restriction. Part of the Kruger’s
lowveld ecosystem, the reserve’s grasslands
are visited by migrating herds. Wildlife viewing
is great and camps and lodges in the reserve
provide accommodation with style. |
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| KAROO NATIONAL
PARK: Albeit desolate, South Africa’s
interior is certainly not barren. Located near
the historic town of Beaufort West
on the highway between Johannesburg and Cape
Town, the Karoo National Park provides a convenient
stopover between the Cape and the highveld.
Less frequent animal sightings are made up for
by incredible sunsets and scenery. The park
is celebrated for it its black rhino population.
NORTHERN CAPE: While
the gushing waterfall of the predominantly
scenic Augrabies National Park
attracts many visitors, the Kgalagadi
Trans-Frontier Park is the Northern
Cape’s pride and joy. The park straddles
the border with Botswana and offers fabulous
game viewing. In contrast with the Kruger’s
impala, the Kgalagadi Trans-Frontier Park’s
ubiquitous antelope is the springbok. Gemsbok
are also unique to this part of South Africa
and the lions here have distinctive dark manes.
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EASTERN CAPE:
Easily accessible from the Garden Route, the
Eastern Cape has a number of excellent reserves
and parks. The Greater Addo Elephant
National Park provides travellers
with unique and moving interactive encounters
with African elephants. Further north, the
Mountain Zebra National Park
showcases its beautiful namesake. These zebras
are more striking than the variety that live
on the plains.
Africa is
the home of incredible creatures both great
and small.
Come and share South Africa’s abundant
wealth with us! |
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