The park also comprises of 80km of rugged coastline with stunning sea views and a beautiful scenery.

The area is covered in mountain fynbos characterised by evergreen forest and proteas, with cutting rivers creating valleys, ravines and gorges.

Cmpared to the 20 National parks in South Africa, Tsitsikamma National Park is the 3rd visited park. It comprises of forests, mountains and coastlines and has a mean annual rainfall of 1200mm.

The park protects a number of marine life and becomes one of the most protected areas in the whole world and became the first marine national Park to be proclaimed in the African continent in 1964 and conserves 11% of the country’s temperate South coast rocky shoreline.
Fynbos almost covers 1/3 of the park, scattered amongst the forest vegetation, hence boosting a variety of beautiful flowers like the protease.
The Tsitsikamma park is a cultural heritage site destination ranging from Khoisan to small fishing villages, then to forestry sites.

In the month of June-September, the Southern right whales visit the area and dolphins cavort in the waves.
Among the major activities in Tsitsikamma park is mountain biking, 4 x 4 trails, bungee jumping, tree top tours and mountain climbing.

Elephants had to be chased to Addo Elephants National Park, asset a side elephant area. However, the fence was not strong enough to stop the elephants from escaping, hence they continued to be killed by trains which passed by line and by farmers.

The manager of the park started feeding the elephants in an attempt to keep them a round,  in 1933. An elephant-proof fence was developed in 1954 by Graham Armstrong lift cable and tam rails being used. A total of 2270 hectares was fenced and still stands to hold the elephants today.

Visitors would come and see elephants in the erected floodlight around the feeding area. However, the feeding caused more problems since elephants could congest in the area expecting food.

The elephants became more aggressive to each other and feeding trucks since most plants were destroyed.
This feeding was stopped in 1979 since most elephants were injured.

In 1981, its when the park was first opened to tourists and a number of grown elephants could be seen easily.
Also protected were the disease-free Cape buffaloes, Eland, flight less dung beetles, Black rhino, Hippos, Warthogs and Zebras were also introduced in Addo elephant National Park in the following years.
In 2003, Lions were re-introduced. In 2003/04, hyenas were as well introduced.
Among other animals seen in Addo Elephant National Park are Kudu, Red hartebeest, Duikers and Jackals.

There are no natural water holes in Addo Elephant National Park. The water holes are of good advantage since they supply water by the roadside, which gives you excellent photo
opportunities with a  number of elephants and other animals going to the water holes anytime.

The hide and the speak water boom water hole are excellent for photographers. Hapoor water hole is named after a bull by Lankey (an up coming bull). Hapoor escaped through the developed fence by Graham Armstrong (The only one which did so). He was shot when it was found grazing by coerney station since it was an aggressive animal. A cast of this giant elephant head can be seen at the camp’s main restaurant in Addo National Park.

This main camp offers top quality accommodation to campsites from chalets, safari tents are also available outside the park and its normal to have an elephant or herd of buffalo pass you by.

Also available is horse riding. These tours are though the game area and are generally nerve raking and experience here is needed. Other ridings offered include sunset morning and night drives and very informative and good value for money. Its essential to book in advance especially during the holidays.
Its better to drive during the day since the park is generally small.

The rugged terrain162445 hecatres was proclaimed on 16 August 1991 in the park which is home to Nama small groups within various succulents you will find singular vegetation.

This is the reknown place where halfmens boom (half person tree) grows. A bunch A bunch of thick remains on this succulent tree as well as wrinkled leaves that look in form of a person’s head.  This makes its from the inspiration of its rare appearance. Richtersveld climate is generally summer and temperatures go beyond 500C and remain uncommon and it’s the sea fog that provides animals with moisture while strong dew at night occurs in the park.
For serious tourism, the park is not well-equipped. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended when traveling in Richtersveld National Park. The park has some rocky and steepy mountain roads as well as some crossing sandy rivers.
Its recommended to check in the morning and then in the evening at the office by the gate.
A small number of group is allowed in the park at a time. This is a measure to protect the delicate ecosystem. Maps are necessary in your drive in Richtersveld national Park.
Signposts have not been raised in place. Its recommended that you book your trip in advance.
You will be able to see Klipspringers, baboons, vervet monkeys, bat-eared fox, antelopes, duiker, silver fox, steenbok, genet, leopard, rock dassie, aardwolf, porcupine, pangolin, meerkat, caracal, brown hyenas and Hartman’s mountain zebra as well during your trip at the park.

This dry and rugged region is characterized by endless loud ships to its inhabitants.
Being the largest ecosystem in S. Africa, Karoo is a home to a number of diverse selection of wild life in both fauna and flora. Any animal capable of surviving in Karoo can do so by adoption to surrounding environment.

The Karoo National park lies between Nuwekeld Mountains and side open rolling plains. Despite  the fact that much of the area’s wildlife dwindled, this park has taken care to reclaim the original species to the natural home.
Species in Karoo have unique characteristics and are found only in Karoo due to Karoo Natural Environment.
Animals re-introduced at the park include; Buffalo, Cape mountain zebra and Black Rhino. Also the park hosts over 20 pairs of breeding black eagles.

Visitors are given a chance to experience the Karoo National park in 4 x 4 wheel drive.
For those with no faint heart spirit can easily find themselves driving through the park. Its advised to take in the scenery from a top of the Klipspringer mountain peaks. The spectacular wildlife can be viewed on Karoo National park scenery landscape, which makes Karoo destination one of the most attractive areas in S. Africa for tourists.

The black eagle is among 5 of the major draw cards to the Karoo National Park
Among the other 5 species of tortoises that concentrate in the park include; Springbok and Cape mountain zebra, which in early 20th Century faced extinction.

Synonymous with the park is the Springbok and represented symbolically on the park’s emblem. (Most  peculiar to the park) is the guagga and efforts to re breed the guagga to be a family of the zebra have shown more promise in recent years.

Bontebok National Park is the smallest National Park in South Africa and yet serves simple and wonderful beauty to this park. The floral kingdom is appreciated throughout the year.

A story revealed behind this park’s name shows the importance of this park to natural conservation.
The name Bontebok once numbered a meagre 17, caring attitude and careful to the problem. The world population has been lifted to 3,000. The last 30 of the buck was proclaimed in 1931to host them in the park. This beautiful and colourful Bontebok can be seen in this park naturally. However there are other eco-system to be enjoyed by the visitors.

A mammal life include Cap mountain zebra as well as home to over 2000 bird species.
The popular breede River in the Western border of the Bontebok National Park provides an excellent setting for bird watching, fishing and swimming. Visitors can still enjoy ad relax in the cool water between exploratory outings into the park.

Among the activities at the park include; mountain bike rides and several options in hiking routes, which allow you to explore the park in one day.

Learning about local history is also among the popular part for visiting South Africa these days.

The park makes provisions by providing insight to the lives of the Khoisan and historical development, which have changed the community all round in Bantebol National Park.

A rest Camp, “Long Elsie” named after the Hessekwa Khoi-Khoi chieftainess. The Hessekwa were believed to be the first people to trade with the Dutch.

Accommodation provided by the park serves as a route where visitors can explore wine routes and historical buildings of Bonnievale Montagr Swellendam ansd Ashton, which remains a must visit for any visitor, as well as the Swellendam’s Drostdy museum, which also provides a historical setting of the Khoi-Khoi community.

Langeberg mountain hiking trails are also provided by the park, which can be accessed by the near by Matloth Nature Reserve and its rated one of the best in South Africa.

The Kokerboom indigenous trees stand isolated in contrast to the wide open African skyline and rocky ground. The wildlife in the area live a battling life survival for the fittest over all generations.

Augrabies Falls National Park is a home to a variety of wildlife, ranging from giraffe and buck as well as reptile to bird species. Over 55 hectares of ground, you can spot Klipspringer, Pygmy, Falcons, Black storks, Gemsbok among others, which visit this beautiful region.

Augrabies Folk story.
The bushmen of the region gave a story about the snakelike creature with scales, which shines in the moonlight, which falls upon the Garcup river. This serpent is known to capture men and pull them down the deep waters beneath the waterfall’s froth, where it would dine on their limbs. However, bushmen dreamt of capturing its treasure.

A beautiful diamond girl is the treasure, which it wears on her head and its believed that if you capture this treasure, you will become more successful and you will live a happier life. However, its this crystal clear diamond which the serpent uses to attract its victims, while the serpent eats her breakfast for one day. It removes her beautiful jewel and hides it in the reeds.

A young man saw it and carefully o the diamond quickly while the serpent was not looking ad he ran a way believing his life is to become a dream.
However, there was one thing that spoiled the happiness of this young man. When the man was fully reflected off the shimmering scales of this serpent, this young man could hear her sorrowfully weeping in the gentle night breeze.

The serpent inquired among the creatures if they had seen her jewel and an otter one day told her that a to-legged yellow creature had taken the gem. However, luckily for this young man, a springhare informed him that the serpent was on to his search.
This young thief thought of the situation and decided to hide the gem where the serpent had hid it originally in the reeds. The serpent came to the bushman demanding to know where her jewel was with fury in her eyes and the fire in her mouth and then this young man stood and said, “I will help you look for your jewel”.

He took the serpent down to the river and pointed out to the reeds saying, you should have looked a bit harder see!!. The serpent was happy again and the bushmen a warded the young man with a title and gifts and thought that he was extra ordinarily brave.
If you look carefully and you are lucky, you may be able to see this shimmering creature under the full moon light in the waters of the Garcep.

The park has numerous private reserves like the popular Sabi Sand Reserve in the South East best known for its luxurious lodges. On the western boarder of Kruger Park, there are private game reserves like Thornybush, Makalali, Timbavati, Malewane and Sabi Sabi.the large green vegetation serves as a haven to a variety of wildlife species.

On a particular game drive in Kruger Park, you will see the African lion, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, elephant, wild dog, spotted hyena, antelopes, crocodiles and warthogs among many other mammals. Primates such as the olive baboon, colobus monkeys and bush baby, are regularly seen in the park. Birding fans can expect to see the European roller, vultures, bustards, bee eaters, martial eagles, sun b

A game drive through the park will help you catch sight of then various animals such as lions, zebras, spotted hyenas, hippos, elephants, antelopes, buffalos, wild dogs, warthogs and crocodiles. Among the resident primates frequently seen roaming in the park are olive baboon, bush baby and colobus monkeys. Not to forget, for those who love watching birds, there are very many beautiful species you will see especially during the rainy season such as bee eaters, sun birds, European roller, martial eagles, starling and vultures.

Viewing wildlife is an activity that takes place all through the year but it’s more rewarding during the dry season between April and September. Game drives are usually taken early in the morning and in the evening. Many animals gather together early in the mornings near the water holes and arid river beds to drink water. During the rainy season that stretches from October to March, the park blossoms with green pastures due to this being the rainy season, and very few animals are seen grazing. You will also visit the painted rocks in the area.

Kruger National Park is South Africa offers superb accommodation at affordable prices. This ranges from lavish safari lodges, self-catering lodges to outside camping in the bushes. Among the renowned private lodges in this National Park are Grand Kruger Lodge, Crocodile Bridge and Skukuza Rest camp. The private Sabi Sabi game reserve boasts of having the best luxurious lodges in Kruger Park and among them are: Little Bush Camp, Timbavati Safari Lodge, Selati camp and Earth Lodge.these offer a variety of services like luxury suites, swimming pool, spacious terraces and charming restaurants.

Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa covering an area estimated to 18,989 square kilometers; surprisingly almost half of the total size of Switzerland. One of its Pioneer founders Paul Kruger the then ruling president of Transvaal state; created Sabie Game Reserve in 1898 to manage hunting in the park so as to protect the then reducing number of wildlife.

According to SAN Parks, Kruger National Park is currently a sanctuary to 336 trees, 507 birds, 49 fish, 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians and 147 mammals

Flora and Fauna

If you are searching for a unique and exciting opportunity to view game in South Africa, the ideal place to visit is Kruger National Park. There you will see a variety of game including the Big Five, various species of birds and enjoy the serene and charming scenery.  Kruger Park offers a lot to observe, listen to and smell.

You will surely be astonished by the wonders Mother Nature offers!

Basing on my personal judgment, Kruger National Park is one of the ideal destinations to visit, and will offer an opportunity to come across the large elephants and black rhinos found all over the place. Always remember not to go too close to these animals as it may turn out to be dangerous.

The park at first was 1712 hectares and the population of the Mountain Zebra comprised of one male and 5 stallions. Only two old stallions remained by 1995, since this small population failed to breed.

Mr. H.S. Lambard facilitated the conditions by giving the park 11 zebras for blesbok in trade, he was in the nearby Water val Farm.

The rate at which zebras increased remained slow and only a few 25 zebras were present in the park by 1964. The park’s size was increased to 6536 hectares, by buying several neighbouring farms. 30 zebras were added in the Roorplaat section and were reported by Mr. P.W. Michau and his two sons. This was the shooting time of the zebra by the farmers. Since then, the number increased significantly and 5 animals were relocated to De hoop nature reserve in 1975. This was the first natural establishment of the first mountain zebras.

The National Park has become a memorable destination for Cape Mountain zebra preservation. Since the zebras were saved from extinction and their population steadily stands in 350.

A variety of plants are also habituated at the park and in spring the flowers cover the veld and during the rains in this good climate Fynbos flourish come especially in winter and summer.

Cape Mountain Zebra are different from Burchell’s zebra since they have shadow stripes, orange colour face and narrower stripes.

On higher pastures, we find the mountain reed buck and grey rhebok. The park’s main predator is the caracal, hence keeping the zebras and antelope a distance.

Also found in the park are Kuddu Spring bok, Red hartebeest and Eland. The rare black rhino and African buffalo are the2 recent reintroduced in the park.

The Free State Golden Gate landscape is painted with wooded ravines ands indigenous grassland as well as sandstone cliffs and open blue African skies.

Golden gate highland takes its name from the golden sunlight, which reflects off the sandstone cliffs that face the park.
Its seen clearly on Brand wag rock which stands above the park’s rest camp.
More than 111/2000 hectares of scenery and ecological habitat is covered by Golden Gate highland National Park, making it a home of wildlife which include Orib, Springbok, Zebra and Black wild beest.

The Springbok, which symbolizes the rugby team of S. Africa remains a traditional animal in the park.
Scarcely seen birds include birds include bailbis and bearded vulture can be seen making nests on the sand stone cliffs.

The park also provides spots to our visitors like the Van Reenen Family graveyard cathedral core guided walk, restaurant and the Brandwag buttress of course.

Try Zuluhock if you are interested in senic vantage look out points and Generaalskop view point or try Oribi basin and Drakensberg look out points.
These spots provide excellent photographic opportunities, which allow you take your memories home.

Among the outdoor activities include; bowls, horse riding and tennis. A swimming pool is also formed for refreshing during the day. Also try to see the birds hide at Vulture restaurant and bushmen points.

For more active visitors, there is a 31Km hike on Rheebok trail, where you can see red hartebeest, Black eagle, vultures, zebra and eland. However, a variety of less challenging hikes are provided for everyone, where you can see wild life from your car and excellent drives for seeing wildlife activities during the night.

Arrangements for accommodation are made at Golden Reenen Rest Camp or Wilgen hot Environmental Educational Centre. Brandwag hotel or highlands mountain retreat, which caters for every one’s choice.

From misty mornings, sunny and warm summer days emerge on the Langebaan lagoon and rains between may and August are reserved.

To visitors, the coastal climate is very friendly for enjoying all out door activities.
The lagoon still waters are surrounded by luscious green vegetation and this gives clear view of all the natural beauty of the west coast region.

The region has a number of fauna and flora that concentrates itself along drawbacks to the eco-tourist system.
The park has abundant bird life, seasonal beautiful flowers and fossil deposits.
West coast National Park enjoyed activities include; Fishing in peace fun and silent areas, picnics in secluded spot areas, excellent game viewing such as the antelope within your private vehicle. It becomes more convenient to hire a private car in the cape for those coming from up country.

Share a chance to drive through this natural beautiful west coast and seaside towns, while exploring.
Along the set coast, during August and September, spring flower season is celebrated for this period, Portsberg Trail and it is the park’s special hiking trail. This trail gives you a chance to explore the natural beauty of the park.
Before leaving the park you are given cold drinks and light meals offered by Geelbeck homestead. These home steeds are surrounded by bird hides for viewing the birds in the area and other sea birds that nest on the lagoon sheltered islands.

The most frequent inhabitants of the park include stunning pink flamingos, black harrier waders and jackals penguin.
So before heading home, you should try your best to spot these wonder birds.
Along the R 27 high way, its 100km to the west coast gates. The parks’ roads are terraced and you ca drive through.

Langebaan town serves the best in accommodation. It offers rental houses for the week end.
Opportunities for other accommodation facilities are also present in plenty. From breakfast, bed caravan parks and campsites. Langebaan town ahs a number of restaurant branches and shopping areas to serve all your needs.

For those interested in bird watching west coast national park remains number I place along with Geelbek bird hide which makes it the best place.
For viewing migratory birds. During winter, 400 flamingos are seen at sea berg at high tide.
Fertile and fresh cold water is sent by Benguela current from the Antarctic. This helps in marine life concentration.

The August and October spring month wild flowers grow in the region and if you are here this time, try not to miss this glorious colour from these natural flowers.