South African National Parks

Addo Elephant National Park

Proclaimed in 1931The Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth, South Africa is one of the regions premier parks. Starting with only 11 elephants in the 30's the population has grown to over 450 elephants today, Addo is definitely the place to go to see these magnificent giants. The park is home to many other game species including the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo)

Addo offers fine accommodation including camping and self catering chalets. Dinning facilities and a shop are available in the rest camp. Early booking is essential when traveling in this area to avoid disappointment. If you forget your camera, you can purchase another one in the curio shop.

There are dangerous animals in this park, only leave your vehicle in designated area's or you will be eaten.

Agulhas National Park

The Agulhas National Park, near Cape Town, South Africa offers visitors the opportunity to visit the southern-most tip of Africa – The official position of the tip is 34° 49’ 58" south and 20° 00’ 12’’ east. The Atlantic and Indian oceans officially meet at those latitudes.

The Park also has several game species to look out for and contains an amazing verity of fynbos which makes for a lovely day of game, bird and plant viewing. Not to be missed when in The Cape. Things to take along, warm clothing, a camera and a pair of binoculars.

Augrabies Falls National Park

When the Orange river is in flood a trip to the Augrabies Falls National Park, in South Africa is a must see. A deafening sound is to be heard as millions of liters of water crash over the 56-m high Augrabies Waterfall. This 55 383 hectares National park is home to a diversity of species, from small succulents, birds and reptiles to springbok, gemsbok and giraffe. Other things to look out for are Klipspringer and kokerboom (quiver trees). The park has fine accommodation facilities, it is also equipped for day visitors and has a shop and fuel port.

Bontebok National Park

Proclaimed in 1931, The Bontebok National Park in South Africa which is now heralded as a world heritage site, never got its title for nothing. The rare Bontebok which is the name sake of the park once numbered only 17 animals world wide, through effective management though the Bontebok population now exceeds 3000 animals world wide. The park offers fine accommodation including Camping, and chalets. It also has a nice shop and fuel is only available in the nearby town of Swellendam.

Camdeboo National Park

The Camdeboo National Park, in the Karoo of South Africa, takes visitors to what is called the Valley of Desolation, This area offers amazing panoramic views of the landscape. Words cannot describe the amazing beauty and views in this remote corner of South Africa. The 19 405-hectare Camdeboo National Park practically surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape and every year about 100 000 people visit this park. There is no accommodation available in the park, but the nearby town of Graaff-Reinet has lodging, food and fuel.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

The rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains is home to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. This 11 600 hectares national park, houses 2 extremely rare birds species, the bearded vulture (lammergeier) and the equally rare bald ibis, both these birds breed in the sandstone cliffs around the park. Gold gate offers world renown Hiking Trails and has fine accommodation including camping and chalets and a hotel. In winter it gets extremely cold in this area, and if you go hiking take along warm clothing. The area has brilliant scenery and so its good to take along a camera and binoculars.

Karoo National Park

The Karoo National Park, is home to the highest densities of extremely rare Black eagles in Africa. Wait for it... 20 breeding pairs. Lets face it not many things can survive in the harsh conditions of the Karoo, only once you have visited this remote part of South Africa will you understand what I mean. The park is also home to over 29 other Mammal species, the largest of which is the equally rare Black Rhinoceros. Don't go home without seeing a Black Rhino in the Karoo, and because of the sparse vegetation in the park, this shouldn't be to hard. The park has fine accommodation, a curio shop and restaurant.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park links South Africa and Botswana. This park is know for it's Red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and dry riverbeds. The park is also home to Black-maned Kalahari Lions, these impressive animals are truly the kings of the desert. The first thing you will notice when visiting the park is the many Sociable weavers – who build huge communal nests in the tree's and telephone poles. Inside and outside the park. The sparse vegetation in this park gives you a unique game viewing experience, especially when it comes to predictors like cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena and of coarse the lions. The park has fine accommodation including camping, chalets and family cottages. This is a must see if you happen to be in this part of South Africa. Camera's, binoculars and a vehicular with aircon are must!

There are dangerous animals in this park, only leave your vehicle in designated area's or you will be eaten.

Knysna National Lake Area

Smack bang in the middle of Knysna, South Africa lies the Knysna National Lake Area, this area will soon form part of the greater Garden Route National Park. The Knysna lakes and surrounding lush indigenous forests are home to many species of wildlife including the extremely rare and seldom seen Knysna Elephant (apparently there is only one of these elephants left and the most recent sighting and photography by parks board was during early 2009. This is one of the few places on earth where your accommodation is in the Tree Tops. The park offers both tree top camping and chalets.

Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park, is the flag ship when it comes to national parks in South Africa. Kruger is the largest game viewing area in South Africa at just under 2 million hectares and is home to huge numbers of species including: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. This is the best place to see the Big 5 and a trip to South Africa is not complete without a trip to the Kruger National Park.

There are dangerous animals in this park, only leave your vehicle in designated area's or you will be eaten.

Mapungubwe National Park

The Mapungubwe National park aka the Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area is home to 4 of the Big 5. (Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Elephant) This transfrontier conservation area, allows the free animals to freely move between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Mapungubwe has recently been named World Heritage Site. The park offers 35km of roadway accessible to regular sedan vehicles and over 100km of 4x4 access, you can however not find fuel in the park, so a good supply of fuel should be carried with. There are dangerous animals in this park, only leave your vehicular in designated area's or you will be eaten.

Marakele National Park

The Marakele National Park in South Africa is home to the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (roughly 800 breeding pairs). Lions, Leopard, Both Black and White Rhino and Elephant also call Marakela home. In fact the elephants that roam Marakele are the now famous Tuli elephants, confiscated from a private tour operator in 1999. Chacma baboon and vervet monkey are two species that you will encounter in the camps and it is best to remember that these creatures love raiding picnic spots and tents, so make sure no food items are left behind in the tent when you go for a game drive. The park has great tented accommodation, a curio shop and restaurant. Lions eat people, so don't leave your vehicle in area's not designated by park officials.