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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, 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 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 and elegant and the wildlife is
sensational.
Mpumalanga Province
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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.
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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,
tranquility 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.
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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 are 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.
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Northwest Province
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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.
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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.
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Limpopo Province
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Marakele National Park
The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg
Mountains, as its Tswana name suggests, has become a 'place of sanctuary' for an
impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone
between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa. The park is
characterized by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and
deep valleys. Rare finds of yellowwood and cedar trees, five meter high cycads
and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here. All the large game
species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of
birds including the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (more than 800
breeding pairs) in the world, have settled here.
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Phuza Moya Private Game
Reserve
Phuza Moya Private Game Reserve is located in the remote Limpopo
Province of South Africa, in one of Africa's most diverse and spectacular
natural landscapes. The reserve overlooks the dramatic panorama of the
Drakensberg Escarpment, offering one of the most unique sights in Africa for
your sojourn in the African wilderness.
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Eastern Cape Province
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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.
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Kwandwe Private Game
Reserve
Kwandwe Private
Game Reserve, located in the beautiful and historically rich Eastern Cape.
The Kwandwe Conservation
Initiative strives to ensure an ecologically balanced wildlife reserve. Kwandwe
means “Place of the Blue Crane” in Xhosa, and is home to a population of these
majestic endangered birds. The Reserve sponsors the Blue Crane Initiative,
assisting survival of the species. Kwandwe Private Game Lodge is surrounded by
16000 hectares of exclusive, malaria-free wilderness. Overlooking the wide and
winding Great Fish
River, the camp is masterfully contoured to blend with the magnificent
landscape. Nine luxurious suites feature intimate living areas, bedrooms with
en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, covered verandas and private
thatched observation deck each with their own plunge pool on the lush banks
overlooking the river. Guest areas are spacious, with generous, wraparound
viewing decks.
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Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari Game Reserve, 20 000 hectres (49000 acres) the malaria
free, private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, has
received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading
Conservation Company and Game Reserve for five consecutive years. It is situated
in verdant bush along the Bushmans River, halfway between Port Elizabeth and
Grahamstown, forming a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. Shamwari is
about conserving a vanishing way of life and is the realization of one man's
dream, and the success of many people's passion. Steeped in Settler history, and
dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the 20
000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many
forms of plant, animal and bird life.
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Lalibela Game Reserve
This private game reserve's location in the Eastern Cape, South
Africa, means it is not only malaria free, but spans 4 ecosystems resulting in a
breath-taking diversity of flora and fauna. Lalibela brings you comfortable
accommodation with authentic African decor and is a perfect blend of the formal
and informal. The secluded thatched chalets are placed where magnificent
indigenous gardens merge into the surrounding bush. Each en-suite unit has a
private observation deck to make the most of the views over the valley bushveld.
Early morning and sunset game drives in an open vehicle with an experienced game
ranger bring you face to face with a multitude of game species. Each outdoor
dining 'boma' has a commanding view of a waterhole, which is spotlight after
dark for night
game viewing.
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Mountain Zebra National
Park
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg
embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and has 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
occupy the niche of primary predator.
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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.
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KwaZulu Natal Province
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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.
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Hluhluwe Game Reserves
The game reserves
of Umfolozi and Hluhluwe became nature conservation areas back in 1895, which
place them among the oldest game parks in Africa. The gentle hills represent a
piece of original African Savannah. The "big five" - rhinos, elephants, lions,
buffaloes and leopards can be found here, together with a number of other
species.
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Umfolozi Game Reserve
The game reserves
of Umfolozi and Hluhluwe became nature conservation areas back in 1895, which
place them among the oldest game parks in Africa. The park specializes in the
breeding of white rhinos. Today about 1600 specimens live in an area of 880 sq.
km together with 300 of the more dangerous black rhinos.
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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.
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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.
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Gauteng Province
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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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Western Cape Province
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Freestate Province
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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.
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Northern Cape Province
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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.
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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…
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Vaalbos National Park
The Vaalbos National Park is an extraordinary area along the Vaal
River where wildlife such as black rhino, white rhino, buffalo, eland, red
hartebeest and tsessebe are to be seen in the former heart of the alluvial
diamond diggings near Kimberley. A tourist route, built with material from the
diamond diggings using local labour, winds through the park, exposing visitors
to all facets of its three different ecosystems as they merge together as one.
The name Vaalbos originates from the vaalbos (camphor bush), a prominent plant
species in the park.
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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.
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Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Tswalu Kalahari
Reserve is a wholly owned private nature reserve. Its primary land use is a
protected area in which the natural wildlife resources are sustainably utilized.
High plant diversity is characteristic of Tswalu, which lies in a transition
zone between the true Kalahari ecotype and the arid Savannah of the Northern
Cape. The undulating dune lands are broken by the Korannabeg hills that provide
further habitat diversity and higher rainfall than elsewhere in the Kalahari.
Motse lodge nestles at the foot of the Korannaberg mountain range facing
westward across the grasslands of the Kalahari, designed to blend
inconspicuously into the mountain range.
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