By :
Johara
Are you one of the adventurous souls that enjoy exploring foreign countries by means of 4x4 hire? Then South Africa is the destination for you. A vast and beautiful country, sunny South Africa offers the discerning traveller a plethora of delightful adventure options.
The very first thing on the itinerary of any first-time visitor to South Africa should be wildlife viewing. Blessed with one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, our fascinating country is home to a splendid array of animals, including the world famous Big Five. The Big Five consists of the Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Leopard and Rhinoceros. Viewing these majestic animals in their natural environment anywhere else is near impossible, so it really is an experience not to be missed. The following game reserves will give you the most game-viewing bang for your holiday-making buck.
The Kruger National Park (obviously): If you haven’t heard of this fabulous establishment, you must have been hanging out in a vacuum. Established in 1898 in order to protect the wildlife of the South African lowveld, the park encompasses a whopping 2 million hectares, spanning a variety of ecological regions, including wetland, grassland and woodland. Such diversity means that the array of wildlife on show is simply incredible. Accommodation options range from luxury tented camps to the more modest family rondavels, while game drives rank amongst the best in the world.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Situated in the Northern Cape, round about 250 km’s from Upington, Kgalagadi straddles international boundaries, ensuring the conservation of inter-related ecosystems that would otherwise become extinct. The portion of the Southern Kalahari where Kgalagadi is located is extremely unique in that it is almost entirely free from human interference, making it a haven for the herds of gemsbok, eland and springbok that roam this arid landscape.
Addo Elephant Park: Situated in a completely malaria free region just one hour's drive from Nelson Mandela Bay, this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. It also has the distinction of including five of South Africa’s seven major vegetation biomes and boasts a rich heritage of archaeological sites.
Pilanesberg Game Reserve: Situated in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, adjacent to the glittery temptations of Sun City, Pilanesberg nestles in the eroded vestiges of a long extinct volcano. The reserve ranks among the largest of the parks in South Africa (it is in fact the fourth largest) and covers an area of 55 000 hectare. Pilanesberg exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other sizeable reserve, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve: Those who prefer their wildlife experience with a side of cultivated luxury will most certainly enjoy a visit to Sabi Sabi. Located in the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park, wildlife roam freely between the two game reserves - ensuring genetic diversity with an integrated biodiversity within the entire 2, 7 million hectare protected area. After an exhilarating evening game drive, experience uniquely African cuisine, served with award winning South African wines as you dine around a roaring boma fire under a dusting of stars.
Biting at the bit to start your adventure yet? These are but a few of the game reserves that dot the South African landscape. If it sounds too good to be true, don’t take my word for it, look for these marvellous establishments on the web and see for yourself what they have to offer. Then it’s just a question of booking a ticket, procuring some sunscreen and securing your 4x4 hire. South Africa awaits!
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