Diverse Landscapes
South Africa is a diverse hub of magnificent wildlife. Throughout every province, tourists will have the opportunity to observe the famous Big Five, as well as other lesser-known animals, birds and insects.
The country’s habitats range from the red sand dunes of the Kalahari to the subtropical wetlands of the Elephant Coast, with incredible mountain ranges in the Western Cape and Drakensberg, indigenous forest belts, fertile valleys and savanna grasslands.
Those wanting to explore the wildlife of South Africa are spoiled for choice - there are about 900 wildlife parks and game reserves scattered around Mzansi, offering tourists an exceptional experience in nature. Whether you want to rough and tumble through the lush greenery, embark on a luxury safari or just traverse the coastline, South Africa has wildlife destinations suited to everyone.
Wildlife Parks
There are numerous wildlife and national parks worth a visit that will allow tourists to get up close and personal with some of South Africa’s most unique animals. In the Eastern Cape, the Addo Elephant National Park is a haven for the famous African elephant. Here, you’ll be able to see the majestic creatures in their natural habitat, spanning from the semi-arid Karoo to the Sundays River valley. The park also has a marine reserve, where a colony of African penguins reside. Southern right whales also frequent the area, as well as a variety of birdlife.
The Northern Cape is home to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is a desert paradise located in the Kalahari. An abundance of wildlife can be found here, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, meerkats and various birds of prey. It’s a sublime region with lots of other activities on offer, such as hiking and mountain biking.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Park in KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s oldest game park, established in the 1800s! The park was created to save a population of southern white rhinos from extinction, and has been a popular safari destination for many decades. The area consists of a mix of forest, grassland, woodland and savanna, so wildlife is plentiful. Expect to see the famous Big 5, as well as giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala and hippo.
Another spectacular park in KwaZulu-Natal is iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, which combines ecosystems that include major lakes, swamp forests, ancient coastal dunes and a huge estuarine system. The coastline spans 280 km, so there is no shortage of both land and marine animals to see. The park is divided into a number of reserves, including Kosi Bay, Lake St Lucia, Cape Vidal and Mkuze Game Reserve.
Mapungubwe National Park is situated in Limpopo and showcases one of Africa’s oldest civilizations. Sandstone formations, mopane woodlands, savanna and riverine forests make this park absolutely breathtaking, and wildlife such as lion, elephant, white rhino, leopard, wild dog, hyena and 400 species of birds reside here.
Safari Areas
South Africa’s best known safari destination is of course the Kruger National Park. It teems with a variety of wildlife, spanning across the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Within the park, there are various luxury safari lodges, private game reserves and tented safari camps.
Whatever you want out of a safari experience, Kruger has got you covered! You’re bound to see the Big Five, herds of antelope, hippo, giraffe, interesting smaller animals and over 500 species of birds.
Pilanesberg National Park is another great safari area, located in Gauteng. It’s a great escape from cosmopolitan city life, and tourists can expect to see wildlife such as the Big Five, species of antelope and bird life such as eagles and ostriches. The wet lowveld vegetation creates scenic natural landscapes, perfect for wildlife photography.
In the Western Cape, the Karoo National Park rates as the top safari experience. The arid Karoo desert is home to species of antelope such as springbok, kudu, gemsbok and klipspringer. As the area is more sparse in vegetation, it’s the ideal place to see lesser-known animals such as dassies, meerkats, and predators such as caracals and bat-eared foxes. Interesting birds and insects also roam the area, so if you want to steer away from a typical safari, this is the perfect region to do so.
Realms of Conservation
South African wildlife areas take the conservation and protection of animals and their natural habitats quite seriously. Many reserves are dedicated to creating unique and safe spaces for endangered fauna and flora to thrive without the threat of negative human activity. This has enabled the reintroduction of species into their natural environment, the rehabilitation of animals and the protection of species sensitive to poaching. Tourists can now become more educated on the natural heritage of South Africa while enjoying a safari.
Entabeni Safari Conservancy in the Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo province offers a unique wildlife experience with the aim of conserving and protecting the environment. The bushveld is typified by grassland and riverines, with plenty of game and birdlife to see. Lions, rhinos, giraffes, wild dogs and elephants roam the area.
In the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom lies the Kogelberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape, which seeks to protect the indigenous flora of the area. Small game can be viewed in the reserve, including wild horses. There are also outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking to enjoy. The Eastern Cape is home to the lush Tsitsikamma Forest, where a magnitude of birdlife resides. Smaller animals can be seen here, as well as various insects.
The Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal is a scenic region of nature and game reserves with breathtaking mountain ranges, valleys, riverines and grasslands. Avid twitchers will be delighted to know that they can spot unique birds such as the Wattled crane, Bearded vulture and Eurasian bittern here. The area is also committed to protecting the endangered Blue crane.
The Kruger National Park (KNP, or simply ‘Kruger’, for short) is the premier game reserve in South Africa. Offering excellent Big Five g...
Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, is the third largest national park in South Africa. This malaria-free safari destination is...
This alluring, inspiring and overwhelming region hides an incredible World Heritage Site in South Africa called Mapungubwe National Park, ri...
In lush Zululand is Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, a reserve with one of the most biologically diverse habitats on the planet - a unique mix of for...
iSimangaliso Wetland Park must be the only place on the globe where the world’s oldest land mammal (the Rhinoceros) and the world’s bigg...
Adjacent to Sun City Resort gaming halls is a reserve that can restore sanity to even the most diamond-eyed card shark. Pilanesberg is the N...
Located in the Great Karoo Area near Beaufort West in the Western Cape, the Karoo National Park covers over 75 000 ha of land dedicated to p...
In an odd finger of South Africa in the Northern Cape, jutting north and surrounded by Botswana in the east and Namibia in the west, is the ...