South Africa is a nation rich in history, culture, traditions and nature, and it’s among the top destinations I’d like to visit during my lifetime, not least because I have family there. As well as visiting loved ones, I’d want to see some of the country’s other residents, namely its majestic animals, like the lion and the African elephant.
A safari is one of the most popular excursions you can book during a holiday to the nation, and it’s certainly something I’d like to experience. As an animal lover, there’s nothing that pleases me more than seeing beautiful creatures in their natural habitats, unconfined by man.
I’ve compiled a list of top wildlife centres worth visiting on a trip to South Africa, so if you need a little inspiration, read on.
Kruger National Park
One of South Africa’s best-known safari destinations is Kruger National Park, a vast patch of land spanning the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo for nearly 2 million hectares. The park was designated in 1898 to protect the local flora and fauna and is renowned for being home to the Big Five – the five animals hunters historically most struggled to catch on foot.
The Big Five consists of the elephant, the lion, the buffalo, the rhino and the leopard, and if you climb into an open top vehicle and take a tour of the park, your guide should be able to take you to spots where you can catch sight of all these majestic creatures.
But there are many more animals to be seen here, as the park counts 147 species of mammal, 114 types of reptile and 507 bird species among its residents. You should also keep a lookout for the Little Five – the rhino beetle, the elephant shrew, the leopard tortoise, the buffalo weaver and the ant lion.
Kariega Game Reserve
The private game reserve of Kariega is located in the Eastern Cape and covers 9,000 hectares of wilderness, which is home to all manner of creatures. Qualified rangers will take you on a tour of the park in an open safari vehicle, and you’ll have the chance to spot the Big Five as you travel.
In addition to lions and leopards, you might catch sight of giraffes, zebra, warthogs, wildebeest and monkeys, while the two rivers that run through the reserve make it a haven for hippos. There are also numerous species of birds to be seen, such as kingfishers, and African fish eagles.
A great way to take in the abundant birdlife and marine creatures is to enjoy a quiet paddle down the Kariega River in a kayak, while you can also have a go at angling if you’re a fan of fishing.
Mossel Bay
If you’ve booked a last minute holiday to South Africa and not had a chance to book a safari in advance, you can still get close to nature at the harbour town of Mossel Bay on the Southern Cape coast.
Take a wander along the promenade and look out over the water, as you might be lucky enough to spot one of the area’s renowned whale population. You can also take a boat ride out to sea to get even closer to killer whales and Bryde’s whales, while you might also spot bottlenose dolphins, Cape fur seals and maybe even a southern elephant seal.
