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