| South Africa continues to enjoy the tremendous | | | | And it is the reason that the thoughtful folks at |
| goodwill of holidaymakers worldwide. While travel | | | | SANParks maintain a network of wilderness trails |
| to most long haul destinations declined in 2003, | | | | in the parks. The typical walking safari will have a |
| this country experienced an enviable 6.5% | | | | maximum of eight persons with ages ranging |
| growth, according to the World Tourism | | | | from 12 to 60 years and last for 2 nights and 3 |
| Organisation. The growth was jump started by | | | | days. Participants must obviously be physically fit. |
| the transformation heralded by the demise of | | | | Without doubt, the best place to see wildlife, |
| apartheid and onset of democratic rule in 1994. | | | | especially the "big five" is Kruger National Park. |
| Apartheid polices of racial discrimination protected | | | | This is the flagship of South Africa's national parks. |
| by law greatly offended enlightened opinion in | | | | The Kruger was created in 1898 and owes its |
| many parts of the world. And the enemies of | | | | existence to the vision of Paul Kruger at one time |
| these policies launched a very effective campaign | | | | president of the Transvaal Republic that later |
| against visiting South Africa. So it came to be that | | | | became part of the Union of South Africa. He |
| South Africa, a truly superior destination by any | | | | was ahead of his time in recognizing the need to |
| standards, remained hidden to many until the dark | | | | create a sanctuary to preserve and protect |
| cloud of apartheid blew over. | | | | wildlife. Even at that time it was clear that the |
| The wildlife safari is a key item on the South | | | | hunter with his rifle would soon annihilate all the |
| Africa tourist menu. Those who chose to see | | | | animals. |
| Africa's wildlife here will not be disappointed. The | | | | Kruger offers a diversity of animals unrivalled |
| game viewing experience is excellent at the top | | | | anywhere else in South Africa. In addition to the |
| rated Kruger National Park and at other | | | | big five, some of the interesting game you find |
| well-regarded game parks in the country. Wildlife is | | | | here include - hippo, jackal, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, |
| protected in over 300 public and private game | | | | warthog, numerous antelope species, cheetah, wild |
| and nature reserves. SANParks (South African | | | | dog and spotted hyena. The park is home to |
| National Parks) manages 20 national parks spread | | | | more than 140 mammal and 500 bird species. |
| throughout the country. | | | | Kruger spreads over nearly 20, 000 sq km of |
| Kruger is the place to see big game particularly | | | | unspoilt scrubland punctuated by acacia and |
| the "big five" - buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and | | | | mopane trees. The botanic biodiversity is vast and |
| rhinoceros. Most of the other parks have | | | | over 336 tree species are found here. |
| specialised in conserving particular species or are | | | | Accommodation within Kruger is provided at |
| identified with specific animals. The Greater Addo | | | | self-catering rest camps that offer good but basic |
| National Park, for example, is the only place you | | | | lodging. There are also some smaller bush lodges |
| find elephants in the Cape region. Some of the | | | | and bushveld camps offering more luxurious stay. |
| parks along the 3000 km coastline host whales | | | | Accommodation ranges from rondavel huts and |
| and dolphins. | | | | safari tents to family bungalows and cottages and |
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| professional "full service" Search Engine Marketing | | | | camps. Most of the camps are supplied with |
| help at very affordable rates. | | | | electric power and telephone. Other facilities |
| South Africa's wildlife conservation policies are | | | | include shops, kitchen facilities, restaurants and |
| advanced and highly successful. An initiative | | | | petrol stations. |
| targeting wildlife sanctuaries cutting across | | | | Kruger has 3,000 kilometers of a well-maintained |
| international boundaries hopes to replicate this | | | | road network and is ideal for those seeking a |
| success elsewhere. This is in recognition of the | | | | self-drive experience. The park is relatively |
| fact that wildlife is no respecter of territorial lines | | | | inexpensive and easily accessible. It is therefore |
| covenanted between men. Transfrontier | | | | hugely popular and draws over 600,000 visitors |
| conservation areas have been identified in six | | | | annually. It in particular gets very crowded over |
| regions along the boundaries with Lesotho, | | | | the school holidays in July and December. Since |
| Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and | | | | there are a maximum number of vehicles allowed |
| Mozambique. | | | | into the park daily, you are well advised to make |
| In South Africa, the best places to see wildlife is | | | | advance arrangements if you plan to visit then. |
| at private game reserves and national parks. | | | | Game viewing is good year round, but the best |
| Private game reserves are not as expansive as | | | | time will be from April to September when the |
| the publicly owned national parks. Their key selling | | | | bush is sparse. |
| point is the superior accommodation and ranger | | | | Kruger is located 330 km to the northeast of |
| escorted personalized tours. The national parks on | | | | Johannesburg. If you have no stomach for a long |
| the other hand are popular with self-drive tourists. | | | | drive, take one of the daily flights from |
| They offer accommodation in a limited number of | | | | Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit |
| enclosed rest-camps, in thatched rondavels, | | | | Airport or Kruger/Mpumalanga International |
| bungalows and chalets. Tour companies also offer | | | | Airport. Towards the western and southern sides |
| South Africa safari packages, including transport | | | | of Kruger National Park, there are a number of |
| and guide in the national parks. | | | | highly rated private game reserves. This includes |
| South Africa is home to numerous species of land | | | | Sabi Sand, Mala Mala, Londolozi and Timbavati |
| animals, including the celebrated "big five" - rhino, | | | | game reserves. Here you will find some of the |
| buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. Most members | | | | finest game lodges in Africa. |
| of the big five league are undoubtedly charismatic. | | | | The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is another unique |
| But this is not the reason they are so named - | | | | game sanctuary. This huge park is a combination |
| otherwise I would petition that the buffalo be | | | | of the two parks -the former Gemsbok National |
| ejected. The reason is that these are the animals | | | | Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok National |
| the early safari hunters found most challenging. | | | | Park in South Africa. Covering over 36,000 sq |
| The idea of viewing game without killing had not | | | | km, it is one of the biggest wildlife conservation |
| gained widespread acceptance then. The arrogant | | | | areas anywhere in the world. The landscape is |
| practice of killing animals as a sport is very | | | | marked by red sand dunes and sparse thornbush |
| unpopular today with those who value the right to | | | | vegetation. The environment of this park provides |
| life and dignity of animals as full members of our | | | | outstanding opportunities for unforgettable wildlife |
| planet. | | | | photos. |
| In addition to the disagreeable aesthetics, hunting | | | | This park is host to the famous black-maned |
| brings about a bad relationship between man and | | | | Kalahari lions. You will also see gemsbok, |
| the animals. I will illustrate this with an incident | | | | springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, cheetahs, wild |
| narrated to me by a guide on a recent visit to a | | | | dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards. |
| country that allows hunting. The guide recalled an | | | | Birding is also excellent and of 297 species |
| occasion when he was taken by surprise to see | | | | recorded, 96 are resident. The Kgalagadi is not for |
| an elephant charging at his vehicle. This was | | | | the fainthearted -it is far from anywhere and |
| contrary to his experience with elephants in that | | | | getting there is a slog. It is located 904 km to the |
| region. This unusual behaviour arose because | | | | west of Johannesburg. All accommodation in the |
| hunters had wounded the elephant. The elephant | | | | park is managed by SANParks. You will get the |
| hereafter dealt with vehicles and humans as | | | | best experience if you visit between June and |
| enemies. It is regrettable that South Africa's | | | | July when the weather is coolest. |
| otherwise stellar conservation policies, allow the | | | | On a South Africa safari, remember to carry a |
| practice of hunting in certain areas. | | | | pair of binoculars to help you spot animals. Also |
| Game viewing is usually done from the comfort | | | | carry a camera and other equipment as a means |
| of a vehicle but walking, horseback, camel and | | | | of recording your safari. It is the only way to shut |
| canoeing safaris are increasingly becoming popular. | | | | up those who doubt the story of your encounter |
| If you wish to view game in any of these modes, | | | | with the African wildlife. Carry along a decent pair |
| it is required that you be accompanied by an | | | | sunglasses to shield you from glare, especially if |
| armed ranger. Full blood adventure types think | | | | you travel to the semi desert Kgalagadi. Dressing |
| that watching game aboard a vehicle is for wimps. | | | | well means cool clothing (such as light cottons and |
| Walking safaris are designed for such hardy souls. | | | | linen) for summer and warm for winter. |