There are a lot of reasons to visit South Africa. Holidays there can be spent
on the beaches, exploring the nation's history and culture, or taking in the
sights of the cities. But the number one tourist draw is still the wildlife.
South Africa has some of the largest concentrations of animals in their natural
habitat on the continent. There are numerous game reserves, large and small,
state operated and privately owned. Here are six of the best of South Africa's
protected wildlife sanctuaries.
Kruger, Pilansberg and Madikwe
Kruger National Park is the most popular destination for animal lovers on
South Africa holidays. It is the flagship of South Africa's game parks, and one
of the best places on the continent to view wildlife. Just think of it: 147
species of mammals including the Big Five - lions, elephants, leopards, Cape
buffalo and rhino - 112 species of reptiles, 49 of fish, 39 of amphibians, and
507 of birds. The park is huge, stretching from the Crocodile River in the South
to the Limpopo in the north, and from the foothills of the eastern escarpment to
the plains of the lowveld. Pilansberg, which is South Africa's fourth largest
national park, is stocked with animals from all over Southern Africa: elephants,
buffalo, black and white rhino, eland, zebra and waterbuck. It is also the
natural home of the brown hyena, Cape hunting dog, sable antelope and cheetah.
Madikwe, which covers 60,000 hectares, has the second largest elephant
population in South Africa. Since the release of 10,000 animals into the reserve
in the 1990s, it now has zebras, lions, buffalo, white rhino, spotted hyenas,
kudu, leopards and cheetahs. Visitors can see the animals during game drives or
on morning walks with guides. Special community projects allow local people to
benefit from and contribute to sustainable ecological management in Madikwe.
Addo, Hluhuwe-Imfolozo and Kgalagadi Transfrontier
The names of these reserves might not be as familiar to people on South
African holidays as Kruger, but these parks are sure to amaze wildlife
enthusiasts. Thanks to the reintroduction of lions to Addo in 2003, visitors now
have the opportunity of seeing the Big Seven - the Big Five plus whales and
great white sharks. Addo has the densest elephant population on earth. This park
is one of the most ambitious conservation projects ever undertaken.
Hluhuwe-Imfolozo is one of the best wildlife reserves in KwaZulu Natal, and its
star attraction is the rhino population. The rest of the Big Five are here, as
well as such rarely seen animals as the nyala. Among the 350 species of birds
seen here is the elusive bateleur eagle. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one
of the least visited reserves in South Africa. It is remote and largely
undeveloped, and the summer heat is extreme. But for those who are willing to
endure the sun and the dusty roads, this park has some of the best game viewing
in South Africa. Here you can see the dark-maned Kalahari lion. Other predators
include cheetah, black-eared fox, black-backed jackal, and honey badger. You'll
also see giraffes, Burchell's zebra, and huge herds of wildebeest and springbok.
The best time to see the animals is between February and May, especially if the
rains have been good.
