The Ultimate Guide To A South Africa Safari: Major Attractions, Top Destinations, Things To Do, And More

South Africa is a land of great diversity. From open grasslands, savannas, and bushveld, to arid desert and semi-desert areas, to sandy beaches, rugged mountain chains, and rich coastal waters, this country has a wide range of landscapes supporting a wide range of animal and plant life. Visitors to South Africa will have no shortage of amazing things to see and experience.

South Africa has the highest number of endemic and near-endemic bird species in Africa, mainly due to the Cape Fynbos Biome which is entirely in South Africa. This makes is a very interesting place to explore for birders and one of Africa's most popular birding destinations.

The country is also culturally diverse, with a mix of indigenous African ethnic groups and various people from other parts of the world forming a dynamic melting pot of cultures and traditions.

Here we have provided an overview of South Africa as a safari destination in order to give you some insights that will help you plan your trip.

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Major Attractions In South Africa

Some of the biggest attractions for safari-goers in South Africa include:

  • The Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino (both black rhino and white rhino)
  • Unique birdlife - More endemic and near-endemic birds than any other African country.
  • Beautiful landscapes - Panorama Route, Garden Route, Drakensberg Mountains, Cederberg Mountains, Table Mountain, etc.
  • Whale watching - There are several opportunities for whale watching in South Africa, including being able to see the marine giants without leaving the shore.
  • Early human fossils - Numerous prehistoric human remains have been discovered in South Africa, which has contributed significantly to our understanding of our ancient hominid ancestors. The most notable fossil site in the country, which is open to visitors, is the Cradle of Humankind
  • Cape Fynbos Biome - Also known as the Cape Floral Region, this is a unique ecological region on the southern tip of Africa that has an extremely rich diversity of plants that are not found anywhere else on Earth. There are also numerous birds and other biodiversity that are endemic to this region.

Top Safari Destinations In South Africa

The Greater Kruger

The country's premier wildlife safari destination. Includes Kruger National Park and numerous smaller private game reserves bordering the park to the west, all sharing an unfenced border that allows for free animal movement.

The Big 5 are all seen regularly in the Greater Kruger, as well as other iconic African species such as African wild dog, cheetah, spotted hyena, giraffe, hippo, and numerous antelope species.

The Greater Kruger is regarded by many safari experts as the best leopard-viewing destination in Africa - especially the Sabi Sand and MalaMala reserves. Self-drive safaris are allowed in Kruger NP but not in most of the private game reserves, where guided game drives are conducted in the vehicles owned by the lodges.

The Greater Kruger and neighboring reserves to the north in Zimbabwe are the only areas where white lions are known to occur naturally in the wild.

Madikwe Game Reserve

incredible Big 5 game reserve bordering Botswana in the North West Province. Quite similar in many ways to the Greater Kruger's exclusive private reserves in terms of the safari experience, but generally more affordable than the Greater Kruger. It is also a malaria-free area. Self-drive safaris not allowed.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Enormous 37,991 sq. km (14,668 sq. mi) park shared between South Africa and Botswana. About three quarters of the park is in Botswana, but the South African side is still huge and it offers great lodges for accommodation. This park allows you to explore the Kalahari Desert in all its glory, including habitats ranging from red sand dunes to semi-arid bush. Out of the Big 5, only the lion and leopard are present. Buffalo, elephant, and rhino are absent.

However sightings of big cats are often very good, and the male lions are renowned for their stunning black manes. There is also a rich diversity of other predators including cheetah, African wild dog, spotted hyena, brown hyena, Cape fox, bat-eared fox, and African wildcat. Its remoteness makes it excellent for those seeking a true wilderness experience. This is mainly a self-drive safari destination, but several tour operators also offer guided safaris.

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Located in the Northern Cape Province, this reserve not only offers visitors a chance to see many of the Kalahari Desert's charismatic wildlife but is especially renowned for consistently producing sightings of seven animals that are typically difficult to see on safari in most places: pangolin, African wildcat, aardvark, aardwolf, brown hyena, Cape fox, and bat-eared fox. Four of the Big 5 are present at Tswalu, with elephants being absent, as well as the rare Hartmann's mountain zebra. Self-drive safaris not allowed.

Wildlife reserves in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa - est. 30 April 1895), Zimanga Private Game Reserve (world-class wildlife photography hides), Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Kwande Private Game Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park, and Mountain Zebra National Park (home to the rare Cape mountain zebra, which was saved from extinction in the 1930s thanks to this park).

Drakensberg Mountains

Hike the scenic mountains, go on a guided tour of Sani Pass, cross the border into Lesotho, visit a traditional Basotho village, and have a drink at the highest pub in Africa.

Cradle of Humankind

This complex system of limestone caves not far from Johannesburg contains the largest known concentration of prehistoric human fossils in the world.

Panorama Route

Includes the scenic Blyde River Canyon, Lisbon Falls, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Three Rondavels, and God's Window.

Garden Route

Beautiful coastal route with lush forests, large cliffs, sandy beaches, and unique towns. Swim with seals in Plettenberg Bay, go bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge, do boat tours of the Keurbooms River and Knysna Lagoon, and explore hiking trails in the Robberg Nature Reserve and Tsitsikamma National Park.

Cape Whale Route

See African penguins at Stony Point, see whales from land at Hermanus, and visit Agulhas National Park to see Cape Agulhas, which is the southernmost tip of Africa and where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.

Cape Peninsula

Includes Cape Town, Table Mountain, Robben Island Museum (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned), Boulders Beach (African penguin colony), and Muizenberg Beach (colorful huts and great surf conditions). Explore Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Silvermine Nature Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and False Bay Nature Reserve to see the unique biodiversity of the Cape Fynbos Biome. This is especially rewarding for birders and plant enthusiasts.

Cape Winelands

Go on a guided tour of this iconic wine-producing region of South Africa. It is one of the world's largest and oldest wine-producing regions, dating back to the mid-1600s.

    Things To Do On Safari In South Africa

    The following are just some of the activities available to safari-goers in South Africa. The list is not exhaustive. Availability of specific activities depends on the destination you visit and/or the tour operator you travel with.

    • Standard game drives - includes morning game drives, afternoon game drives, and full day game drives
    • Night game drives
    • Walking safaris
    • Horseback safaris
    • Remote camping safaris - including mobile camping and fly camping
    • Birding safaris
    • Whale watching and marine wildlife tours
    • Shark cage diving
    • Hot air balloon rides
    • Cape Winelands tours
    • Cultural tours
    • Boat rides
    • Hiking
    • Bush breakfasts, bush lunches, bush dinners
    • Sundowners
    • Hide photography
    • Beach holiday

    Best Times Of Year To Visit South Africa

    The ideal time to visit South Africa for wildlife safaris is between May and September when the cooler winter temperatures and sparser vegetation provide excellent conditions for game viewing.

    While the period from November to April tends to be rainy, it's the prime time for birding safaris as this is both when the resident birds are breeding and when the Palearctic migrants are around (with December-February being the peak of the action).

    The rainy summer months are also a great time if you are keen on photography, as there is a lot of color and vibrancy. The impala lambing season in the Greater Kruger is during this period as well, which often produces a lot of predator activity.

    What To Carry On Your South Africa Safari

    Here are some of the key things to pack for your South Africa safari.

    • Sunscreen is often useful to carry, especially in the summer months
    • A hat and sunglasses also come in handy.
    • Wear comfortable clothing and anticipate mostly warm weather, but it can get cold in the evenings and early mornings so don't forget to pack some warm clothing. Days can also be generally cold during the winter months.
    • Comfortable walking shoes and open shoes. Carry hiking boots if you plan to do a walking safari or a challenging hike.
    • Insect repellent can also come in handy (although lodges, hotels, and tented camps have mosquito nets in the rooms).
    • Some people also like to take anti-malaria drugs too (please consult your doctor). Most of South Africa is malaria-free, with the northeast being the main malaria risk zone.
    • Any other medication you may need depending on your specific medical situation (please consult your doctor)
    • You'll have plenty of great photographic opportunities so a camera is always great to have.
    • Binoculars can help spot distant wildlife, and if you're a birder you already know these are a must-have for you.

    Other Basic Facts About South Africa

    • Size - 1,221,037 sq. km (471,445 sq. mi)
    • National/Official Languages - 11 official languages: English, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, isiNdebele, and Afrikaans.
    • Official Currency - South African Rand (ZAR/R)
    • Capital City - South Africa has a capital city for each of the three branches of government: Pretoria is the administrative capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital.
    • No. of Ethnic Groups - 11
    • Rainy Season - October to April (although in the southwest, around Cape Town, June to September are the rainiest months).

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