Top Nature Reserves in South Africa

Many visitors to South Africa come to explore"place of the spotted leopard") offers excellent big
the unique and varied natural habitats and thegame viewing and birding. Horse safaris offered,
encounter the countless species of animals thatand team building events can be arranged on site.
live here. South African safaris are always popular6. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - Northern Cape
as these offer safe, often luxury game lodgeProvince
accommodation combined with game drives forSet in the Kalahari Desert, striking scenery
viewing wildlife under the guidance of qualifiedcomprising red sand dunes against a deep blue
rangers. If you're planning a South African safarisky make this Park a must-visit for photography
you'll be spoiled for choice by the many Natureenthusiasts. The Kgalagadi lies across the border
and Wildlife reserves throughout the land. This listbetween South Africa and Botswana and its total
of recommended Reserves in South Africa maysize is over 3,6 million hectares, one of the largest
help you narrow down your options.conservation areas in the world.
1. Kruger National Park - Mpumalanga and Limpopo7. Table Mountain National Park - Western Cape
provincesProvince
World renowned Kruger has to top this list.Located in the heart of a city, the Table Mountain
Spanning two provinces, this vast reserve offersNational Park extends from Cape Point to Signal
a choice of accommodation establishments toHill. Included in the Park are fynbos-clad valleys,
meet different budgets, and fine game viewingsome of the most beautiful beaches in the world,
either self drive or guided. The Big 5 are amongmagnificent, iconic Table Mountain itself and the
the many species to view here.rugged Cape Point jutting out into the oceans of
2. iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly Greater Stthe Cape of Good Hope.
Lucia Wetland Park) - KwaZulu Natal Province8. Blyde River Canyon - Mpumalanga Province
The name means 'miracle and wonder' and it isThe Blyde River Canyon forms part of the
indeed apt for this reserve on the Zululand coastGreater Drakensberg escarpment. Expect to be
of KZN. Expect to see hippos, crocs, turtles andawestruck by the rocky features of the
whales in season. Watersports available.breathtaking Panorama Route.
3. Addo Elephant Park - Eastern Cape Province9. Pilansberg Nature Reserve - North West
Pachyderm lovers will definitely not want to missProvince
out on a visit to this haven for over 450A Big 5 reserve set on 50 000 hectares of
elephants. The Big 7 can all be viewed here too -pristine land in a malaria-free area, and includes the
that's the Big 5 plus the Whale and the GreatNational Park Alkaline Ring Complex which was
White Shark.formed by volcanic eruptions around 1 200 years
4. Golden Gate Highlands National Park - Freeago.
State Province10. The Tswaing Nature Reserve - Gauteng
Located at the foot of the Maluti Mountains andTswaing (meaning place of salt) Nature Reserve is
offering breathtaking views of the Drakensberg,an incredibly beautiful reserve just off the R35
this National Park has a variety of plant, animalnorth of Pretoria. Visitors can expect to view a
and birdlife to enchant the nature lover. Unusualrange of wild animal and bird species, but the
sandstone formations, fascinating Bushmanreserve is best known for the 220 000 year old
paintings and great rock climbing abound.crater caused by a massive meteorite believed to
5. Mabalingwe - Limpopo Provincebe 30 to 50m in diameter. This impact site is one
A lush, malaria-free nature reserve a 2-hour driveof the youngest, best-preserved and accessible in
from Johannesburg, Mabalingwe (which meansthe world.