South Africa is undeniably the world’s best safari destination. The Southernmost country in Africa has fantastic wildlife, excellent infrastructure, and award-winning accommodation, which make the experience altogether perfect for travelers. If you are visiting the country for the first time, it makes a lot of sense to book South Africa tour packages so that you don’t miss out on any part of the fun. From exploring the vineyards to having a close encounter with wild animals, the South Africa tour package will include almost all the must-recommended experiences. When you are planning a trip to this amazing place, here’s a glimpse of what all should be covered.
1. Kruger National Park
One of Africa’s largest safari destinations, Kruger National Park is spread over 19,485 km². The park has several rivers and hilly terrains. The park has a total of 147 mammal species (buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard, white and black rhino), cheetah, vervet monkey, hippo, baboon, and giraffe. Apart from that, the national park is home to Nile crocodile. There are huts, chalets, guesthouses, campsites, and cottages to accommodate guests inside the park. The Kruger Park is a part of the Canyons to Kruger Biosphere that has been designated as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.
2. KwaZulu-Natal
Also referred to as KZN, the KwaZulu-Natal is claimed to be South Africa’s most ecologically diverse province. The 960 km2 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in the region of KwaZulu-Natal was former royal hunting ground of King Shaka Zulu. The reserve protects the world’s densest population of African rhino species. You might also spot giraffe, nyala, elephant, impala, warthog, and zebra in the national park. The reserve has two areas – the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
3. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is located in the Kalahari desert, away from human interference. What’s different about this park is the unique experience that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the world. The park is home to springbok, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, black-maned lions, and eland. Though it’s a self-drive park, you can book morning and sunset safari in South Africa tour packages.
4. Addo Elephant Park
Situated near Port Elizabeth in South Africa, the Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park is one of South Africa’s 19 national parks. It ranks third in terms of size after Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Kruger National Park. The park is home to over 500 elephants and a wide variety of other animals such as black rhinos, lions, hyenas, buffaloes, zebras, a variety of antelope and a several interesting species of birds.
5. Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park
Spread across 960 km² of land, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park is one of the oldest wildlife parks in South Africa. The park is famous for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. Currently, it is the home to various endangered species of animals such as white rhinos, hippos, and others. In 2008, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park had the largest number of white rhinos. In addition to being home to Africa’s big five, the park is also home to around 86 special species and 340 bird species.
6. Pilanesberg National Park
Located in the north of Rustenburg in South Africa’s North West Province, the Pilanesberg National Park is a treat for wildlife lovers. The park is spread in an area of 572 square kilometers and is home to Africa’s five most dangerous species, the Big Five. The other wildlife species found in the park include lions, elephants, white rhinos, black rhinos, leopards, zebras, cheetahs, and Cape buffaloes. For bird lovers, the park is a paradise that includes over 360 bird species.
Final Words
If you prefer self-drive safaris, South Africa is the perfect destination. The dry winter between May-September is a low season in the country so that you will find the most affordable deals during the period. If you are planning to explore the Northern part of the country, dry winter is the ideal time for game viewing as animals gather around waterholes. To make your safari an unforgettable experience, it is better to check out South Africa packages offered by reputable tour companies. These travel operators also provide South Africa honeymoon packages.
