South Africa
Table Mountain
South Africa is a land of contrasts and is one of the most diverse countries in terms of natural beauty and wildlife. Also known as “A World in One Country”, South Africa boasts of two oceans, the bare landscape of the Lowveld in the north, wetlands, dense forests, deserts, bushveld, iconic wildlife reserves, historical sites and spectacular mountains like the Drakensberg and Table Mountain.
The three distinct climatic zones also add to the diversity of the country. The central plateau and the Lowveld receives summer rains with the Western Cape experiencing rainfall in the winter months and the Eastern Cape getting rain all year round.
South Africa supports a huge diversity of animal, avian and plant life with 299 mammal species and nearly 850 bird species being recorded. The Cape fynbos, the Karoo and the Namaqualand regions offer great botanical treats with the Cape fynbos consisting of more than 8500 species or 80% of the Cape floral kingdom. South African wildlife is protected in national parks and game reserves that cover about 6% of the total land area.
While the Kruger National Park and the private game reserves around it(like the Sabi Sand and Timbavati Game Reserves) is the focal point of safaris, other game rich reserves include the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, Phinda Game Reserve, Addo National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Shamwari Game Reserve and numerous marine reserves.
Cape Town and its surrounding areas is one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions. Other popular attractions in South Africa include the Garden Route, The Blyde River Canyon, The Drakensberg Mountains and the nearby historical battle sites and Sun City among others.
- Kruger National Park
- Sabi Sand Private Reserve
- Pilanesberg National Park
- Madikwe Game Reserve
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Shamwari Game Reserve
- Kwandwe Game Reserve
- Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- Cape Town and Environs
- Garden Route
Situated in the north eastern part of the country, Kruger is one of the largest and well-known national parks in Africa. It covers 19485 square kilometers and is a little smaller than Belgium, almost the same size as Israel and slightly bigger than New Jersey. Kruger is home to nearly 150 mammal species and is one of the best places to see the big 5. With more than 500 bird species, 118 reptile species, 25 amphibian and 53 fish species and 1990 plant taxa, Kruger offers a huge diversity of flora and fauna.The Kruger National Park also has 300 Stone Age archaeological sites and 125 rock art sites. The national park is also a part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by UNESCO as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve.
The Kruger game viewing experience for guests staying in the National Parks camps is different to that of guests staying in the private game reserves on the western boundary of the park. The national park hosts nearly 1 million visitors per year and closed vehicles are mostly used for game drives. In the private reserves, day and night drives are offered while game viewing is good all year round as opposed to between May and October in the national park itself. The private reserves offer exclusive safaris as well as off the road driving which is not allowed in the national park. Most of them offer walking safaris. The quality of accommodation is also better in the private reserves that form what is known as the Greater Kruger National Park.
The private reserves adjacent to the Kruger National Park include: Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Thornybush, Manyeleti and Kapama.
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The Sabi Sand which is named after the two main rivers in the area shares a 50km border with Kruger National Park. There is no fence between the reserve and the national park which means animals can roam freely. This reserve is divided into individual private reserves that offers the ultimate big 5 experience, great accommodation and excellent food and service. This is one of the best areas to see leopard and cheetah as well and both black and white rhino.
The other private reserves that make up the Sabi Sand reserve are Lion Sands, Londolozi, Mala Mala, Sabi Sabi and Ulusaba. Some of the well- known luxury lodges include the Singita lodges (Boulders and Ebony), Rattray’s, Ivory Lodge, Londolozi Private Granite Suites among others.
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This park covers about 550 square kilometers and is situated in a rich ecological zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld in a volcanic crater. It is home to the big 5 as well as other animals that include eland, sable antelope, cheetah, brown hyena, spotted hyena, African wild dog, wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck and red hartebeest. Over 360 bird species have been recorded.
The scenic Mankwe Dam offers great opportunities to see animals and birds. The photographic hide at the dam and in other places in the park offer guests a chance to sit quietly and watch the animals very close. The park is malaria free and has many child friendly lodges which makes it popular with families. Day and night drives, walking safaris and hot-air balloon safaris are some of the activities guests can enjoy in the park. The park is close to Sun City which makes it ideal for day trips from the resort.
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Set close to the Botswana border,this malaria free game reserve is one of the biggest in South Africa and offers a great variety of terrain and vegetation.The reserve was stocked nearly 30 years ago when between 8000 and 10000 animals were translocated from parks in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe in an operation dubbed “Operation Phoenix”.Operation Phoenix is the largest movement of wildlife ever undertaken by man.
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This is the third largest national park in South Africa. Home to the big 5, the park is being expanded into the Greater Addo National Park which includes Woody Cape Nature Reserve, Bird Island, St Croix Island and Marine Protection Area. This will earn the national park a unique accolade of being a big 7 reserve as one can also see the southern right whale and the great white shark. The park is also home nearly 100 mammal species including cheetah, wild dog, spotted hyena, brown hyena, bat-eared fox, Cape fox, eland, kudu, giraffe, hippo, plains zebra, and mountain zebra. The park has around 450 bird species including the largest breeding colony of gannets at Bird Island and the largest breeding colony of African penguins at St Croix Island. The park will also contain five of South Africa’s major vegetation biomes.
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This award winning game reserve is renowned for its conservation efforts and is home to 6 luxurious lodges and 1 explorer camp. The reserve is about 75 kilometers from Port Elizabeth and is about 14000 hectares. It is home to the big 5 in this malaria free area. Other animals include cheetah, spotted hyena, eland, wild dog, serval, giraffe, hippo, kudu, plains zebra, and red hartebeest. The reserve also offers great bird watching. Day and night drives are offered as well as walking safaris and visits to the conservation centers within the reserve. The reserve is child friendly with a number of activities for the whole family.
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This 22000 hectare reserve is about 20 minutes from Grahamstown and 2 hours from Port Elizabeth. The reserve is home to the big 5 and has 2 luxury lodges and 3 private villas. Other animals include cheetah, kudu, eland, springbok, red hartebeest, giraffe, gemsbok and wildebeest. Bird watching is also great with a healthy population of the blue crane. The reserve offers day and night drives as well as walking safaris.
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The main attraction in the Hluhluwe area is the Hluhluwe –iMfolozi Park. This is the only state run park in Kwazulu Natal and was part of King Shaka’s private hunting grounds. Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed natural park in South Africa. Measuring about 1000 square kilometers in size, the park is home to the big 5 and boasts the largest population of white rhino. The parks have a combined 400 plus number of bird species recorded including specials like the narina trogon and the Natal robin. Other game reserves in the area include the world renowned Thanda Private Game Reserve, Phinda Game Reserve, Manyoni Game Reserve and Kuleni Game Park.
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Table Mountain
Cape Town is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. From the famous Table Mountain, one of the 7 new natural wonders of the world, palm fringed beaches, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the Cape winelands, the City Bowl, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Robben Island, Cape Point Nature Reserve to the art galleries and gourmet restaurants, Cape Town deserves all the accolades it has won over the years. Cape Town is consistently voted one of the best holiday destinations in the world. This cosmopolitan city offers an astounding variety of natural, cultural and recreational attractions.
Table Mountain is home to 9000 species of fynbos. From the top, one gets a bird’s eye view of Cape Town city, Robben Island and the Atlantic seaboard. Taking thecable car to the summit allows for a 360 degree view on the way up. Other activities include mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing.
The KirstenboschNational Botanical Gardens isa UNESCO World Heritage Site for its preservation of forest, fynbos, animals and birds. Its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain is spectacular. Other parks include the Company Gardens and Green Point Park.
The Cape Winelands are globally known for great scenery, award winning wineries as well as excellent restaurants. The most popular towns in this area are Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl. The wines are some of the best in the world and there are always numerous events to enjoy in these beautiful surroundings.
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is an old harbour that is home to a variety of retail shops and fine dining restaurants. The outdoor Amphitheatre offers live music, dance and theatre while that Two Oceans Aquarium offers impressive displays of marine life. It is a lovely harbor and mall in the historic heart of Cape Town. The Nelson Mandela Gateway is also located here and it offers boat trips to Robben Island.
Robben Island, where the iconic Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison is a must see. The Robben Island Museum goes beyond telling its own history and captures the fascinating history of South Africa itself.
Cape Town is known for its white sandy beaches with Camps Bay, Clifton and Bantry Bay being the most popular with sunbathers and surfers.
While not the most southernmost point in Africa, as most people believe, Cape Point does feel that way. Attractions here include the old and new light houses, scouting for whales, spectacular scenery-beaches, green hills, towering cliffs, penguins at Boulders Beach and animals in the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
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The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist attractions. It is one of Africa’s most gorgeous and picturesque coastlines with rocky shores, sandy beaches, forests, rivers, rolling mountains and quaint coastal towns. There are lots of opportunities for outdoor adventure activities that include hiking, water sports, bungee jumping and golf among others. The most popular places along the garden route include Hermanus, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay
Two hours out of Cape Town is the town of Hermanus which is renowned for it’s ‘whale crier’ and offers some of the best land based whale watching according to the World Wildlife Fund. Walker Bay is the mating and breeding ground of the southern right whale. The Cliff Path which stretches from one end of Hermanus to the other, offers some of the best viewing points. Hermanus is also a great destination for seeing and diving with the great white sharks.
Knysna has a great selection of activities that include a hike in the Knysna Forest, a ferry trip to Western Head and Featherbed Nature Reserve. The Knysna Lagoon which opens between two cliffs has an irresistible blue allure and offers a huge array of water activities like fishing, water skiing, hydro foiling, kite surfing, wake boarding, canoeing, kayaking and whale and dolphin watching. The town itself has lots of coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries and bars. Knysna is also well known for the Knysna Oyster Festival and has the best oysters in South Africa. The Knysna Elephant Park affords visitors the opportunity to walk with these magnificent but gentle giants through the forests
Plettenberg Bay town is built on a slope leading to the sea, offering great views of the sea and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The child-friendly beaches make this town great for family holidays. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking tours on the Robberg Peninsular and animal encounters include the Crags Elephant Sanctuary, the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary and whale and dolphin watching. The Birds of Eden Sanctuary is a free flight aviary. The 2 hectare dome is the world’s largest. With 3500 birds from over 220 species, this unique sanctuary is a must for everyone. For the historically inclined, there are lots of artifacts like the remains of Gonzales Wreck and buildings like Forest Hall and the Old Rectory to see.
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