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