South Africa

Safari Adventures

The safari is at the heart of every African romance, and South Africa offers the most accessible wildlife-watching on the continent. A profusion of national parks and private reserves caters to every budget, taste, nerve and whimsy.

Top 5 Wildlife Wonders

Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park
Hermanus whale-watching
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
Kruger National Park
Pilanesberg National Park

Animals Galore

South Africa ranks an estimated third in the world in terms of biological diversity. The Big Five have held celebrity status among South Africa's wildlife since tourism was a concept on a whiteboard. Membership is exclusive to the black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. But the majesty of the Big Five here is equally captured in the first stumbling steps of a baby zebra, the humbling yawn of a heavy-eyed hippo or the impish antics of juvenile baboons.

Where to see them?

Take your pick from an exhausting number of national parks and reserves. Kruger National Park is South Africa's most famous and is the ideal place to see the Big Five. Its varied landscapes (it fills an area the size of Wales!) shift dramatically and alter the spread of wildlife in their wake. Rhinos and buffalos favour the richly wooded southwest, and the abundance of grazers in the grasslands and mountainous spine of the east attract lions and other predators. The dry mopani forests in the north are the stomping grounds for the mighty African elephant.

With over 1200 species of plants and animals, Kruger has enough to hook you for weeks. Impressed? Well then, take a moment to consider the size of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which will ultimately link Kruger with conservation areas in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to encompass some 100,000 sq km - that's enough to hook you until middle age.

Excellent infrastructure enables you to see Kruger however you like. The Lebombo Motorised Eco Trail is a ready-made 4WD, DIY route for intrepid explorers. If that sounds like too much effort, take one of the myriad small group, high-quality safari tours available.

The best time to see wildlife is during winter, from June to September, when cool, dry temperatures reduce foliage and waterholes, and draw animals into the open for easy spotting. Summer is hot, wet and green, and although the wildlife is less visible, the landscape is colourful and the birdlife spectacular.

Whale I never!

They may not be included in 'The Big Five' but no-one would argue that they don't match up in the size stakes. Whales can be seen frolicking in the waters just east of Cape Town between June and November, as they interrupt their southern migration to calve.

Luxury Safaris

Always fancied living it up colonial-style? Well, now you can. South Africa's profusion of private game reserves wraps up the best of the country's wilderness in an utterly indulgent package. You'll find the greatest concentration of private reserves on the fringes of Kruger National Park.

World-renowned retreats pepper the opulent and private Sabie Sand Game Reserve (sabi.krugerpark.co.za). If you really want to blow your mind and the budget, however, head to two of the finest lodges in all of Africa: Singita Private Game Reserve (021 683 3424; www.singita.co.za) or Londolozi Private Game Reserve (011 809 4300; www.londolozi.com). Both offer breathtaking accommodation and all-inclusive packages, with sublime cuisine, drinks, game drives and walks. The best fun you can have while feeling like a million bucks.

Want to know more? Your safari adventure planning starts here…
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