| "The World in One Country" is the way that South Africa markets itself
because one can easily fulfill virtually every travel desire here. This is a fascinating country
with its dazzling variety of scenery, wildlife, cultures and activities. Visitors are spellbound by
South Africa and are enticed by its natural beauty, deserted countryside, attractive blue mountains
rising from the shoreline, where snow-white beaches are often void of people, and various gigantic
game reserves with a wide variety of animals. Take your time, soak in the scenery, enjoy the cuisine
and let South African hospitality take over.
MAIN CITIES
Cape Town
Wrapped around the most famous icon of South Africa, Table Mountain, is the
Mother City with its green gardens 
and white beaches. It is one of the loveliest cities in the world. There is such a wide variety of
activities and attractions, that many visitors spend their whole holiday in this "Most
Beautiful Cape of Them All". There are various scenic drives, like the one through the
picturesque harbor town of Hout Bay along the breathtaking Chapman's Peak towards the Cape Of Good
Hope (the most south-western point in Africa). Here one can imagine the two oceans (Indian and
Atlantic) meeting. Take a stroll in the popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the harbor, a
boat ride to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was a prisoner for two decades, or visit one of the
many architectural and historical buildings in the city center. The highlight of any visit is a
trip, either hiking or using the ultra modern cable car, up the 1089 meter Table Mountain for some
magnificent views of the surrounding areas. It serves as a good base for excursions to the nearby
winelands of Stellenbosch and Paarl, the less touristy, but attractive West Coast and the Garden
Route starting from Cape Town along the coast to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. This
600-kilometre stretch of small towns, wineries, farms and sea villages has been a traveller's joy
for more than a century.
Durban
This cosmopolitan city is where the East, Europe
and Africa meet. It lies in the province of Kwazulu Natal, known as the Garden of South Africa.
There are a variety of attractions and activities to keep you occupied for an extended period of
time. The beautiful beaches allow swimming all year round and are protected by shark nets. In the
vicinity there are numerous attractions, including the Valley of the Thousand Hills with quaint
little round thatch roof mud houses where the proud Zulu nation lives. Here one can visit villages
for exhilarating traditional dances. In addition there are also game parks like Hluhluwe and
Umfolozi Game Reserves, and even if one cannot pronounce the names, the abundance and variety of
wildlife, including rhinos and elephants, is amazing.
Johannesburg
Locally known as
Jo'burg, this is a city that sprang up from nothing at the end of the 19th century after the
discovery of gold. For this reason it is also recommended to visit the Gold Reef City, a leisure
park, trying to capture the spirit of bygone times mixed with a modern theme park. A trip to Soweto,
the nearby black suburb, will give you insight into their living conditions ranging from shanty
towns, worker's hostels and rich neighborhoods. Other attractions include the Botanical Gardens,
displays by the mine dancers, the musical fountains at the Randburg Waterfront and almost 2200
million-year-old Wonder Cave.
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NATIONAL PARKS
Most visitors to South Africa will want to visit at least
one of the country's protected wilderness areas, so they can experience, first-hand, the wonder of
nature in an untamed environment. Game viewing is highly enjoyable throughout the year, but the
ideal time to visit is from April to September, during the South African winter. In the wildlife
areas most rain falls during the South African summer, encouraging lush vegetation and making wild
animals more difficult to spot. In the winter the bush is more sparse, forcing the game to drink at
rivers and waterholes, where it can be more easily viewed. Best time of the day for seeing the game
is in the early morning or late afternoon through to dusk. This is when the animals are at their
most active. In the heat of the day they will retreat to the shadows so look for them sheltering
under trees or bushes.
Nevertheless, the wildlife in South Africa's parks and reserves is so
prolific that an unforgettable experience is more or less guaranteed and many visitors will get the
chance to see at least some of the "big five" - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and
buffalo, as well as cheetah, giraffe, hippo, a numerous variety of antelopes and an abundance of
bird species.
 ADDO
ELEPHANT PARK
The Addo Elephant Park is located in the Eastern Cape Province
approximately 70km north of Park Elizabeth near the Zuurberg Range in the Sundays River valley. Addo
Elephant park is small and was established to protect the huge herds of elephants that once roamed
the area, you would be unlucky not to see one during a visit. Tours to the park can be arranged in
Port Elizabeth.
AUGRABIES FALLS NATIONAL PARK
This park is located in the Northern Cape Province
approx 120kms west of Upington, featuring the Augrabies Falls, where the Orange River drops into a
solid granite ravine. The main falls drop 56mtrs and is quite impressive particular during the
raining season. Most the mammals in the park are small and include, klipspringer antelope, squirrel,
rock dassie, although recently introduced to the park, on the north bank of the river, are black
rhino, eland, springbok and kudu.
BONTEBOK NATIONAL PARK
Bontebok is located in the Western Cape Province six km south of
Swellendam, and is a small plot that was specifically set aside to protect the almost extinct
Bontebok antelope, that is found nowhere else. Birdlife in the park is abundant and it is home to
numerous antelope. The park also has large variety grasses and other plant species.
GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Situated in north-eastern Free State, Gate Gate
Highlands National Park is a small park covering an area of about 116 sq km. The park derives its
name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs, especially
the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp. This is a unique environment; a
true highland habitat, providing home to a variety of mammals – black wildebeest, eland, blesbok,
oribi, springbok and Burchell's zebra - and birds, including the rare bearded vulture (lammergeier)
and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs. Ribbokkop, the
highest point in the park, reveals a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its
warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening.
THE KALAHARI GEMSBOK NATIONAL PARK
This park, although not as well known as some other
parks in South Africa is worth a visit. It is located in the Northern Cape Province and borders with
Namibia to the north west and Botswana to the north east and covers an area of approximately 9591 sq
km on the South African side and a further 1.8 million hectares in Botswana which makes it one of
the largest protected areas in Africa. Although much of the landscape is semi-desert it is the
territory of the majestic, rapier-horned gemsbok, the delicate springbok and the Kalahari lion as
well as supporting large populations of birds, reptiles and small mammals and antelope. Much of the
wildlife is concentrated around and along the Nossob and Aoub River beds and waterholes, where
wildlife viewing is quite remarkable.
KAROO NATIONAL PARK
Located in the Western Cape Province near Beaufort West covering an
area of 330 sq kms. The Karoo landscape and scenery is spectacular and the park home to 60 species
of mammal, the most common being the dassie and bat-eared fox. A few rhino's have recently been
introduced but not much big game is found here. There is a three day hiking trial within the park.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
The
world famous Kruger National Park was established in 1898 by Paul Kruger, and borders with
Mozambique. It is located to the eastern side of Northern Province running southwards into the
Eastern Lowveld of Mpumalanga, covering an area of two million hectares. Home to a wealth of
wildlife, including 147 species of mammals, 500 types of bird and 33 types of amphibian. The flora
is equally diverse with 300 difference types of trees. All the big game can be found here including
lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, giraffe, rhino and buffalo.
The Park attracts more
than 750,000 visitors annually and caters for day-trippers and well as overnight guests and campers
with the accommodation available being relatively inexpensive. Accommodation, apart from camping,
must be pre-booked through the National Parks Board. The park offers numerous organized wilderness
trails as well as ranger guided day and night safaris in open vehicles. All the main camps have
petrol stations and shops. Skukuza is the biggest rest camp and has a large information center, a
bank, post office as well as a photo developing service and AA workshop.
MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
Located 360 km from Johannesburg, an easy 3 ½ hour drive on
National roads. It is situated in the North West Province and is bordered by Botswana in the north,
the spectacular Dwarsberg Mountains to the south, the Marico river to the east. The diverse habitat
in the Madikwe Reserve, ensures a unique combination of species such as springbok, gemsbok, sable
and impala. The bird life is spectacular and it is also one of the few reserves in South Africa that
is malaria free.
In 1992, Madikwe Game Reserve, created from 750 sq km of farmland, which had
been extensively degraded by overgrazing, was chosen as the site of Operation Phoenix. The
government-sponsored, biggest-ever game- relocation program in Africa involved re-stocking and
conserving flora and wildlife, which had long since disappeared from the region. Ten thousand
animals of 27 major species, including wild dog, cheetah, lion, white and black rhino, buffalo and
elephant, have been re-introduced to the Reserve over a six year period with animals coming from
various reserves and breeding centers and game viewing is now at its prime. Madikwe Game Reserve is
currently the country’s fourth largest game reserve.
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK
Located approximately 30kms from Cradock on the northern
slopes of the Bankberg Mountain Range offering magnificent view over the Karoo. This small park
protects on of the rarest animals in the word - the mountain zebra, but it is also home to many
antelope species. There are few roads and you can choose to go on a three day Mountain Zebra Trail
or two short day walks.
PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK
Located in the North-West province, the park adjoins Sun City
and protects an area of more than 500 sq. km. It is situated on the site of an ancient volcanic
crater and boasts a large diversity of plant and animal life, including the white and black rhino,
elephant, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, zebra, leopard, jackal, hyena and wide variety of antelope and
although rare, you could even be fortunate to spot a cheetah.
PRIVATE GAME RESERVES & NATIONAL PARKS
Ilkley Game Ranch
situated adjacent to the Kruger National Park offers full board and
lodging, game drives, bush walks and selected day trips.
Tswlau Private Desert Reserve
Situated
in the heart of the Northern Cape Province of south Africa. Tswalu is 650 kms from Johannesberg and
380 kms from Kimberley. Accessible by road and air. Tswalu has a 1500 meter tar private runway fully
licensed CAA and can accommodate the largest private jets such as Gulf Stream, Falcon, BA146. Also
an international air charter service from Johannesberg to Tswalu. An oasis of luxury in a
breathtaking environment. This is the best way to describe Tswalu, the largest privately owned game
reserve in South Africa with over 300 species of birds and animals among which you will find the
rare desert black rhinoceros. Centered around a main lodge, there are nine individual
air-conditioned lodges with private verandas where you can contemplate the spectacular sunsets.
After your safari, you will be served dinner under the magnificent Kalahari night skies.
Singita
Game Reserve
Singita is situated on 18,000 hectares of wildlife land. Situated in the Sabi
Sand Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. This
magnificent 18,000 hectare reserve overlooking the Sand River offers 18 superb suites, nestling
beneath giant ebony trees, each with its own swimming pool. Safaris in an open Land Rover enable you
to discover, by day and by night, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo and cheetah. Enjoy
traditional evenings in the Boma and savor refined cuisine accompanied by the finest vintage South
African wines from the 12,000 bottle underground wine cellar.
Welgeuonden Private Game
Reserve - Clearwater Lodges
Each lodge has its own setting - Kuou lodge is set out on the
open Savannah overlooking a waterhole - it has an -out of Africa-ambiance. Tshetshepi lodge is right
in the heart of the bush - against the mountainside - amongst lush indigenous trees - with each
chalet enjoying the tranquil trickle of a mountain stream.
Manyeleti Game Reserve - Khoka
Moya Safari Lodge
Khoka Moya Safari Lodge found deep in the heart of the untamed bushveld of
the Manyeleti Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park. it offers a rare retreat from the
hustle and bustle of city life. this alluring camp a mere 5 hours drive from Johannesburg in the
Northern Province. 2 game drives a day in open land rovers with experienced guides and trackers in
big five country sundowners in the bush as well as bush braais and bush breakfasts bush hide for
game viewing at a waterhole
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Located in the Sabi Sand
Game Reserve, near Kruger National Park. Londolozi, the Zulu word meaning 'protector of living
things', has been acclaimed by President Nelson Mandela as "the model of the dream I cherish
for the future of nature preservation in our country." For over 70 years, the Varty family have
welcomed guests to experience Africa's most magical safari and wildlife reservation while offering
luxury, personalized service and superb Pan-African cuisine.
Ngala Game Reserve
Luxury
hotel Ratings - stars 5 Additional property description - Situated in Mpumalanga s Timbavati region,
Ngala private game reserve is one of conservation corporation africa s flagship properties,
combining the ultimate in luxury with exceptional service and an outstanding wildlife experience.
Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve
Blaauwbosch is an exclusive 5 star private game
reserve in the malaria free Eastern Cape. The game viewing in open vehicles is spectacular and they
specialize in cheetah safaris.
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari is the southern most
private game reserve in Africa, located in a malaria-free area. Internationally recognized for its
conservation efforts, linked to tourism, Shamwari has been honored with no less than four
international awards over the past year. |
