Amazingwe - South Africa National Parks

SA National Parks & Reserves

South African National Parks manages a system of parks which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, landscapes and associated cultural heritage of the country. Of the 20 national parks, 14 have overnight tourist facilities, with an unrivalled variety of accommodations in arid, coastal, mountain and bushveld habitats.

National parks offer visitors an unparalleled diversity of adventure tourism opportunities including game viewing, bush walks, canoeing and exposure to cultural and historical experiences. Conferences can also be organized in many of the parks.

The national parks are: Kruger Park, Cape Peninsula, Marakele, Golden Gate, Vaalbos, Mountain Zebra, Addo Elephant, Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness, Bontebok, Agulhas, West Coast, Karoo, Namaqua, Richtersveld, Augrabies, Kgalagadi, Vhembe Dongola and Tankwa Karoo.

In addition to these national parks there are several other parks and nature reserves in unspoilt areas providing sanctuary to large numbers of game.

And for those who wish to experience the thrill of Africa in a more tangible manner, wilderness areas and trails, hunting safaris, golf safaris and hikes may provide the solution. You may prefer to visit one of the many private game reserves and lodges where you will enjoy a far greater level of luxury.

Adjoining the Kruger National Park are many smaller private game reserves most of which are open to the Kruger National Park, the wildlife flows freely between the National Park and the private reserves. Safari trips to South Africa's Private Game Reserves are comfortable, luxurious and elegant and the wildlife is absolutely sensational!

Mpumalanga Parks

Mpumalanga

Kruger National Park

It is the oldest game reserve in the world. In a huge area of 350 by 60 km one can view Africa's unique animal world at close range. The main attractions are of course the "big five" - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros, but there are also giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, zebras elands, impalas, kudu, hippopotami, crocodiles, hundreds of bird species and many more. The animals live in the wild. Especially fascinating are the waterholes early in the morning and in the late afternoon, when the animals come to drink.

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

With no restricting fences between Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park, magical wildlife encounters in the open veld and the romantic ambience of these truly superb lodges conspire to steal you away to a timelessness that will stay with you forever. Africa at its best. Luxury and comfort right out in the open savannah of Africa. Ultimately the best escape from the world. Open air dining on traditional cuisine under the African sky, around a roaring boma fire. Indulge in superior service and hospitality.

Attention to detail at these special safari game lodges allows you, our guest, to enjoy the comfort, tranquillity and magic that is Sabi Sands. To be able to enjoy the unsurpassed beauty of this African wilderness from such comfort and luxury is what memories are made of... Luxury, style and comfort in Africa’s best game view setting. Partake of a sumptuous picnic lunch on a river bank or an extravagant banquet under the trees. Sabi Sands Private Game Lodges provides the ideal setting in addition to the abundance of big game.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Its scenery is unsurpassed, its vegetation both varied and lush and the rich selection of birdlife includes a breeding colony of the rare bald ibis. Just over halfway down, the swift-flowing Blyde River is joined by the Ohrigstad River from the west. A network of pathways and footbridges allows visitors to explore the potholes at Bourke’s luck (some of which are 6 m deep) at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers. Another attraction at Bourke's Luck is the visitors' centre, which has numerous interesting displays. Wildlife in the canyon area is as varied as the habitats. There is mountain reedbuck on the escarpment, dassies on the canyon walls, hippo and crocodile in the Blyde Dam, and impala, kudu, blue wildebeest, waterbuck and zebra on the Lowveld plain near the canyon's mouth. A public road runs along the long western boundary and there is easy access to beauty spots like The Pinnacle, God's Window with its kloof-framed view of the Lowveld, Bourke's Luck, and a lookout point pointing on The Three Rondavels.

North West Parks

North West Province

Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park, which covers some 55 000 hectare, is one of the largest in Southern Africa. The Pilanesberg National Park borders on the entertainment complex of Sun City. The Pilanesberg National Park was opened in 1979. In the Pilanesberg National Park today live virtually all the animal species of southern Africa. On its undulating hills and everlasting open plains, you can get a glimpse of the 'Big Five', an abundance of animals and over 360 bird species. This malaria-free park is perched on the eroded vestiges of an alkaline volcanic crater - one of only three such craters in the world. As well as the 'Big Five' you might also find the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable.

Madikwe Game Reserve

The Madikwe Game Reserve is the fourth largest game reserve in South Africa at well over 79 000 hectares, and has the largest elephant population outside of the Kruger National Park. It is Big Five country at its best and it is malaria free. Guests to the reserve are offered fantastic sighting of the large predators: Aardwolf, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Lion, Leopard and the endangered Wild Dog. The diverse habitat at Madikwe allows for a large selection of herbivores, including:- Blessbuck, Buffalo, Eland, Elephant, Gemsbok, Giraffe, Red Hartbeest, Impala, Kudu, Nyala, Ostrich, Black and White Rhino, Sable, Springbok, Tsessebe, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest and Zebra. There are also over 400 bird species for the birding enthusiast.

Limpopo Parks

Limpopo

Kapama Private Game Reserve

Kapama Private Nature Reserve is situated in the Northern Province and was proclaimed a private nature reserve in December 1993. Covering approximately 12 000 hectares of prime big game territory, Kapama Private Nature Reserve has succeeded in combining the wilderness of the bush with the comforts of five-star hospitality and facilities. A game relocation program was introduced and the reserve now supports a wide variety of game including elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, and a large population of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest and kudu. Predators include lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and many smaller.

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Timbavati Nature Reserve shares a common unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. This allows the animals free range and ensures guests to the area the opportunity to view the greatest diversity of wildlife that South Africa has to offer. Accommodation within Timbavati includes colonial style game lodges, traditional thatched bush lodges, and luxury tented safari camps thus providing a range of styles to suit your dream safari holiday.

Apart from the eight fine game lodges in the Timbavati Reserve, there is an environmental education camp featuring overnight wilderness hikes and other special programs. Days are spent game viewing from your 4x4 vehicle in the company of experienced trackers, or you can take a game or eco hike through the wilds. In addition to providing visitors the opportunity to see virtually all of the species of wildlife to be found in the region, each lodge offers a diverse range of facilities, as well as excellent personal service. Night in Africa. Go out on an evening game drive for sundowners before dining in Out of Africa style or under the stars in a traditional boma around a roaring fire. The sounds of Timbavati's wilderness finally lulling you to sleep.

Thornybush Private Game Reserve

Thornybush Game Reserve, set in the heart of the rolling Lowveld, is adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Here the Big Five roam open savannah in a near perfect year round climate. It is also home to five exclusive lodges where personalized service and adventure will make your stay at Thornybush a truly memorable experience. At any one of the six luxurious private game lodges you can experience the incomparable beauty of Africa. The range of diverse accommodation options at Thornybush caters for most guests, from rustic comfort to exclusive luxury of the finest order.

Klaserie Private Game Reserve

With the majestic backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains west of the Kruger National Park this exclusive Game Reserve offers five of the best lodges in luxury accommodation, allowing you to be pampered in the untamed African bush. The day and night open vehicle safaris, give you the opportunity to view the real wild life of Africa. Game drives in open Landrovers and informative wilderness walks through the lowveld Acacia bush and open savanna grassland, go out on a daily basis. River rafting on the Olifants River, golf packages at the Hans Merensky Golf Course within Klaserie or visits to a cultural village are also here to be enjoyed. Also, be sure to visit the captive Cheetah breeding project. Whether you choose accommodation in a beautifully appointed suite, a luxury tent with bathroom en suite, or an unusual tree-house lodge – you can be assured of only the best service and attention to your comfort. Beautiful East-African style luxury safari tents on raised wooden platforms have the amenities to make your stay in the African bush more comfortable.

Eastern Cape Parks

Eastern Cape

Addo Elephant National Park

The first settlers in the Addo region immediately decimated the big elephant herds, because they frequently devastated their fields and plantations. The number of elephants continuously decreased, until there were eventually hardly a dozen of them left. The remaining elephants became protected in the Addo Elephant Park, established in 1931. The Elephant Park also deserves a visitor's attention for some smaller creatures, like the flightless dung beetle, which has survived in South Africa only in this area.

Mountain Zebra National Park

The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park’s Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and have become an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain zebra. The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved these animals from extinction, and currently their population stands at 350. Other mammals found here include eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and gemsbok. Mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the higher areas, whilst caracal occupies the niche of primary predator.

Tsitsikamma National Park

Where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores, where temperate high forest and fynbos roll down to the sea in an unspoilt verdant carpet, where ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines. This, "the place of much water", is the Tsitsikamma National Park. The heartland of the park stretches some 5 km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep sea fish. Dolphins frolic in the breakers, surfing and playing for the sheer joy of life, and the gentle giant of the ocean, the southern right whale visits here, coming inshore to breed.

KwaZulu Natal Parks

KwaZulu Natal

Drakensberg National Park

In recognition of its cultural and natural beauty, the Drakensberg mountain range has taken its rightful place on the international tourism stage with the proclamation of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park as a World Heritage Site. Nestled in these unspoiled surroundings lies Cathedral Peak Hotel, one of the Country's premier resort hotels and Castleburn Drakensberg Resort and the Drakensberg Sun Resort.

St Lucia Wetlands Park

The great-protected area of St. Lucia Wetlands extends from the Mapelane Nature Reserve in the south through St. Lucia, Cape Vidal, False Bay Park, and Sodwana Bay National Park in the north. It also includes the reserve areas of Fannie's Island, Charters Creek and Mkuzi Game Reserve. St. Lucia has a lagoon separated from the sea by a ridge of dunes, where seawater and fresh water mix. St. Lucia Wetlands has an abundance of nutrition for countless species of fish and an equally impressive variety of birds. Another attraction is the chance to see numerous Hippos and Crocodiles.

With about 1,500 specimens, the Crocodile population in the St. Lucia Lake is the biggest of all the animal parks in South Africa. ST. Lucia Wetlands offers camping, hiking, Turtle-spotting, Bird-watching, ST. Lucia Dunes, Zulu Traditional arts and Crafts and Whale and Dolphin watching. The Greater St Lucia Wetland park is a paradise for nature-lover because it encompasses 5 distinctly different ecological zones. The Marine Eco-system is divided into the warm sea, coral reefs and long unspoilt sandy beaches. St Lucia’s warm Mozambique current creates a wonderland of reefs teeming with tropical fish and a playground for Whales and Dolphins.

Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve

The Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve is beautifully situated in the heart of historic Zululand in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Mkuze Falls is one of only two private game Reserves in the region where you can view the 'Big 5' - lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant - and for bird lovers', nearly 400 species of birds are resident including fish eagles, kingfishers and a host of ducks and waders. The bird watching hide at Nsumo Pan is a highlight of the reserve. The reserve was established on 15 February 1912, and covers approximately 40 000ha.

Western Cape Parks

WesternCape

Featherbed Nature Reserve

Featherbed Nature Reserve, a unique 150 ha private Nature Reserve, encompasses the whole of the Western Head of Knysna and is one of South Africa's Natural Heritage Sites. A spectacular four-hour eco-experience includes a return ferry, walk and lunch. A trailer drives to the top of the reserve and stops at a scenic lookout point. An optional 2.2km nature walk takes you through the forest, onto the cliffs, into the caves and along the scenic coast. The Featherbed Experience is regarded as one of the Garden Route's premier tourist attractions.

Cape Peninsula National Park

Lying at the south-western tip of Africa, the Cape Peninsula National Park encompasses the incredibly scenic Peninsula mountain chain stretching from Signal Hill in the north to Cape Point in the south - a distance of approximately 60 km. The narrow finger of land with its many beautiful valleys, bays and beaches is bound by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the warmer waters of False Bay in the east. It has within its boundaries two world-renowned landmarks - majestic Table Mountain and the legendary Cape of Good Hope.

These were both important beacons for the early explorers. Many myths and legends have sprung from them. Recognized globally for its extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique flora, this singular land formation - with rugged cliffs, steep slopes and sandy flats - is a truly remarkable natural, scenic, historical, cultural and recreational asset both locally and internationally. Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and such rich bio-diversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area - the thriving and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.

Bontebok National Park

Sheltered by the rugged bastion of the Langeberg Mountains, and bordered to the south by the peaceful Breede River, the Bontebok National Park provides a refuge for not only Bontebok, but also for other species such as Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok. The park is situated within the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest, but richest of the world's six floral kingdoms.

Karoo National Park

The Great Karoo is a vast and unforgiving landscape of which the Karoo National Park is but a small portion. Being the largest ecosystem in South Africa, the Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. Karoo National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld mountains and rolling plains, where many species that originally occurred here now occupy their former ranges. The Karoo National Park has a wide variety of endemic wildlife. Many species have been relocated to their former ranges - such as black rhino and buffalo, as well as Cape mountain zebra. Over 20 breeding pairs of black eagle find sanctuary within the park. There is also a wide diversity of succulent plants and small reptiles.

Free State - Golden Gate

Free State

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north-eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. 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 restcamp.

This 11 600 hectares of unique environment is 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. Generaalskop, 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.

Northern Cape Parks

Northern Cape

Augrabies Falls National Park

The Orange River drops 191 meters at the Augrabies Falls. The thundering cascade of water led the original Hottentot residents to believe that evil spirits were active here, and so they named the waterfall Ankoerebis, "place of big noises", from which the Trek Boers, who settled here later on, derived the name Augrabies.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Where the red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest follow the seasons, where imposing camel thorn trees provide shade for huge black-mane lions and vantage points for leopard and many raptors... this is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa was proclaimed in 1931 mainly to protect migratory game, especially the gemsbok. Together with the adjacent Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, this park comprises an area of over 3,6 million hectares – one of very few conservation areas of this magnitude left in the world.

Red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob show antelope and predator species off at a premium and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Kgalagadi could be considered a haven for birders especially when interested in birds of prey. Kgalagadi has six different camps of varying size, facilities and cost. Three traditional rest camps that have a basic shopping facility and fuel are situated on the South African side of the Park. Kgalagadi is the first Park to provide accommodation in three wilderness camps that, with no fences, invite the Kalahari and the tranquility of Africa right into your room…

Namaqua National Park

Escape to the land of contrasts, where the rigorous climate has created a myriad of life forms superbly adapted to their specific habitat. Fields of flowers, star-studded nights, quiver trees, enormous granite outcrops and the icy Atlantic are but a few wonders that await the visitor to what is truly the creators’ playground. Every August and September, seemingly overnight, the dusty valleys of Namaqualand are transformed into a wonderland, carpeted with wildflowers. With its winter rainfall, Namaqualand is home to the richest bulb flora of any arid region in the world and more than a 1000 of its estimated 3500 plant species are found nowhere else on earth.

SA National Parks

Gauteng

Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve

The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned, non-subsidized game reserve, covering approximately 1 600 ha on the typical Highveld of Gauteng. The reserve is situated in the "Cradle of Humankind", a declared World Heritage Site.

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