| Perhaps the biggest draw of a luxury South | | | | wildebeest and zebras are all distinct and easy to |
| Africa holiday is the amazing indigenous wildlife | | | | spot on safari in South Africa. Enthusiasts should |
| that you will never see in Europe. It's no | | | | be extra careful to spot some of the rarer |
| coincidence that Kruger National Park, South | | | | species of antelope - a tsessebe or suni are a real |
| Africa's safari hot spot, is one of the most visited | | | | feather in the spotters cap, though both are far |
| attractions in the country. Here are some of the | | | | harder to find. Likewise, if you spot an elephant |
| creatures you can hope to see on your trip. | | | | shrew, you must be extremely observant! As |
| When you think of Africa, several of the big | | | | well as being distinctly shy, they grow to an |
| mammals immediately spring to mind: elephants, | | | | average length of just 250mm! |
| rhinos, buffalo, leopards and lions. They thrive in | | | | Then of course there are the primates. South |
| the bushveld and savannah regions, so that's | | | | Africa's holiday makers may be able to spy |
| where you should head if you want to see the | | | | bushbabies, samango monkeys and chacma |
| bigger occupants of South Africa. Safaris at the | | | | baboons. The bushbabies are nocturnal, however, |
| Kruger National Park are a good bet for spotting | | | | so the majority of visitors will not get to see |
| these creatures too - the park holds a massive | | | | them. For those who like their mammals smaller |
| 20,000 buffalo and 10,000 elephants - an amazing | | | | and brimming with personality, dassies (a type of |
| feat considering that a 1920 estimate stated | | | | hyrax) and meerkats fit the bill nicely, and can be |
| there were approximately 120 elephants left on | | | | spotted throughout the country by eagle eyed |
| the whole continent! | | | | visitors. |
| Likewise, lions have had an equally endangered | | | | In fact, these smaller animals offer some of the |
| past in South Africa, and are now almost | | | | greatest sights to South Africa holiday makers. |
| exclusively found in conservation areas. Other big | | | | Just seeing the likes of aardvarks, aardwolves, |
| cats fare slightly better, with leopards being in | | | | otters, wild dogs, hyenas and jackals secretively |
| comparative abundance throughout the country - | | | | going about their business is a great experience. |
| especially in the southern cape and far north. | | | | The sheer range of flora and fauna makes a |
| Cheetahs are a bit rarer, and can be found mainly | | | | luxury holiday in South Africa a unique experience |
| in the far north - with a top speed of nearly | | | | - whether you think yourself an animal lover |
| 100kmph, spotting one of these is a real highlight, | | | | beforehand or not! And this list only deals with |
| if you are lucky. The best way of catching the big | | | | land animals - the sky and the sea are filled with |
| cats is to take a day exploring a conservation | | | | exotic life that you'll never see in the UK. |
| area - seeing them in their (almost) natural habitat | | | | Whether or not you'll see all of these creatures |
| is worth the price of a holiday in South Africa | | | | on a luxury holiday in South Africa is another |
| alone! | | | | matter, of course, and those who want to stand |
| After these main highlights are out of the way, | | | | a better chance should certainly consider a South |
| minimising the list of over 200 indigenous land | | | | Africa safari at the Kruger National Park - it's sure |
| mammals down to an 'edited highlights' list is tricky | | | | to give you many a tale to tell on your return to |
| for an article of this length. Hippos, giraffes, kudu, | | | | the UK, and the memories will last a lifetime. |