safaris and wildlife

Safaris Wildlife
Safari Destination Tips
Kruger National Park
World-famous game park with one of the greatest diversity of wildlife in the world. Numerous camps & types of accommodation, excellent infrastructure, self-drive destination Best time to visit: June - October Location: Mpumalanga / Limpopo Size: 20.000km² Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park The two Kalahari Gemsbok Parks in South Africa and Botswana officially merged in 1999, creating the biggest park in the world. The black-maned Kalahari lion is unique, and so is the desert landscape with its abundant wildlife, red sand dunes and bird species. Best time to visit: April – September Location Northern Cape, near Upington Size: 38.000 km²

		Pilanesberg National Park
		Third largest game reserve in the country in an extinct volcano and with most of the mammals found in Southern Africa – including the “Big Five” and over 300 species of birds. Best time to visit: April – September Location: North West Province, near Sun City Size: 550 km²

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is one of the oldest and most prestigious of the South African game parks. Credited with bringing the white rhino from the brink of extinction to flourishing numbers, it is also home to the black rhino and to the big five. Fantastic wilderness trails offer the ultimate wildlife experience. Best time to visit: March – August Location: KwaZulu Natal, near Ulundi Size: 960 km²

		Mapungubwe
		Most of the continent's big game roam here. There is a tremendous diversity of plant and animal life, but it is the rich cultural heritage that led to Unesco's declaration of Mapungubwe as a World Heritage Site. Mapungbwe was South Africa's first kingdom lasting for 400 years before it was abandoned in the 14th century. The Iron Age site was discovered in 1932, but the sensational findings were kept from public attention until 1993, because evidence of a highly advanced indigenous society existing centuries before European colonialism spread across Africa ran contrary to the racist ideology of apartheid. Best time to visit: June - October Location: Limpopo Province Size: 280 km²

Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 – and is an aggregation of numerous, singular natural wonders. It consists of five different ecosystems including the lake itself, a wilderness area known as Mfabeni and Tewati, the reed and papyrus wetland of the Mkuze swamps and a fossil shoreline more than 25,000 years old. Very good game viewing. Best time to visit: all months of the year Location: KwaZulu Natal, near Mkuze Size: 2750 km²

		Sabi Sands Game Reserve
		Exclusive Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is situated at the southern section of the Kruger National Park and boasts fantastic wildlife. 300 bird species and 200 animal species, including lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant and cheetah, can be tracked and followed off-road, deep into the African bushveld. Best time to visit: April – September Location: Mpumalanga Size: 650 km²

Phinda Private Game Reserve
Phinda is also “Big Five” territory and consists of seven distinct ecosystems including beautiful beaches, coral reefs, palm savannah, montaine bush, sand forest and dense thornveld. Each has its own flora and fauna with a wide diversity of wildlife and birds. Best time to visit: March – August Location: KwaZulu Natal, near Swaziland / Mkuze Size: 170 km²

		Madikwe Game Reserve
		One of South Africa's largest game reserves and best-kept secrets. Since 1991 more than 8,000 animals have been introduced in the largest game translocation exercise in the world at that time. Animals include the ‘Big Five. The area is malaria free. Best time to visit: April – September Location: North West Province, near Gaborone Size: 600 km²

Addo Elephant Park
Addo Elephant National Park was established to save the African elephant – and now there are over 300. As a self-driver you will not miss to see these quiet giants – and plenty of other wildlife. Best time to visit: Sept – June Location: Eastern Cape, near Port Elizabeth Size: 120 km²

		Shamwari Private Game Reserve
		Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life and the realisation of one man's dream. The reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life. It is home to the “Big Five” and malaria free. Best time to visit: all months of the year Location: Eastern Cape, near Grahamstown Size: 200 km²

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Sanbona has initiated a unique conservation programme that aims to breed the White Lion for release into the wild. It is also the first private game reserve in the Western Cape to play host to free-roaming big cats. Animals to look out for are leopards, cheetahs, elephants, black rhinos, buffalo, hippos, zebras and many antelope and bird species. Best time to visit: all year Location: Western Cape, near Montague Size: 540 km²