South Africa takes conservation of its incredibly rich and variegated natural heritage very seriously in the form of 21 national parks, representing a wide variety of the flora, fauna, and climates of South Africa, many of them within the same park.
Of the country's 9 provinces, only Kwa-Zulu Natal is without a national park. The majestic landscapes of South Africa are preserved in their pristine form here, complete with their unspoiled ecosystems. Most of them provide the opportunity to see big game, such as elephants, lions, buffalo, springbok, zebras, tigers, and the like, but each park has its own special focus, whether animal, aquatic, reptilian, or vegetative. Whether dense forest, grasslands, sea coast, savanna, semi-desert, or floral, South African national parks have what you want.
Some parks are very developed, offering a huge range of accommodation and recreational facilities. At the other extreme are those parks that provide little more than roads for 4x4 vehicles and almost unimproved spots to pitch a tent on. So whether you want the comfort and security of full facilities, guided tours, and cell phone access, or the challenge of what is close to wilderness survival, or any degree of independence that falls in between, there is at least one South African national park - probably several - that cater to your tastes.
The bird life protected on South African national parks makes a visit to them a must for the keen birder. Many parks preserve archeological treasures from the ancient peoples that once inhabited the land, including wall paintings and the like viewable by the tourist. Stargazers are in their element in most of these parks, as most of them are far removed from towns and cities, revealing the full starry wonder of the night sky.
Nearly all of the parks charge the visitor a daily conservation fee, usually more expensive for the tourist than for locals.
Be warned that, if driving, credit cards are not accepted for fuel. Please make sure you have cash with you for this purpose.
Do not remove ANYTHING from a national park, and take EVERYTHING with you that you brought, including litter.
Do not defecate on the ground in a national park, and if you really really have to, do it at least 50m away from paths and streams, and bury it.
To reserve accommodation at a national park, call Central Reservations in Pretoria between the hours of 7.30am and 5pm on weekdays, or 8am and 1pm on Saturdays, Tel. +27 (0)12 428 9111, or mobile +27 (0)82 233 9111.
Karoo National Park forms a small 75,000 hectare section of the Great Karoo, South Africa's largest discrete ecosystem, located in the south-west of the country. It is well known for its highly endangered black eagles, riverine rabbits, and black rhinoceroses. It is also home to tortoises, Cape mountain zebra, wild ostrich, and numerous springbok. The fact that the park has little vegetation makes it an optimum place for game viewing. As well as numerous animal species, it is also home to a lot of reptile species.
Game viewing can be done in your own 4x4 vehicle on the Nuweveld EcoTrail (90 km) and Afsaal EcoTrail (13km). Guided game drives are also available for night and morning drives. There are three hiking trails: Bossie Trail (800m), the Pointer Hiking Trail (4.9km or 11.4km) and the Karoo Fossil Braille Trail (400m) specially adapted for physically challenged visitors. There is a bird hide near the main rest camp overlooking the Park's dam. The nearby town of Beaufort West has a range of facilities available. Being the hometown of the pioneering heart surgeon Christopher Barnard, it even has a Chris Barnard Museum.
Accommodation is available at the camping site, and the main restcamp (12km from Beaufort West) with its various Cape Dutch-style units and cottages.
The Park is on route N1, about 500 km north of Cape Town, and 1000 km south of Johannesburg.
Gate hours: 5am-10pm
Karoo National Park Tel: +27 (0)23 415 2828/9 Fax: +27 (0)23 415 1671 Hours 7:30am-4pm.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa's north west, about 600 km west of Johannesburg, is gigantic, at 3.6 million hectares. It is part of the Kalahari sandveld. Through them wind the Nossob and Auob riverbeds (both predominantly dry rivers) and the fossil river, the Polentswa. Since 1931, it has spanned the border South Africa shares with south-western Botswana - and, actually, most of the park is in Botswana.
It is extremely inhospitable terrain, and before becoming a park was the preserve of hunter-gatherers, and then white farmers who relied on bore holes.
For birders, the Park is famous for its raptors, and the dry rivers are the focus of the teeming birdlife. For animal watching, the sparse vegetation makes it idea. The predators are the Park's biggest tourist draw, and include the black-maned lion, brown and spotted hyena, cheetah, and leopard.
Access from South Africa is through the Twee Rivieren gate, about 900 km from Johannesburg via Upington on a tarmac road, or via Kuruman, Hotazel and Vanzylrus on over 300 km of gravel road.
There is a wide range of accommodation available. There is the high-end 24-bed Xaus Lodge. There are wilderness camps: for a maximum of 8 poeple per night and with the exception of Kalahari Tented Camp, for those aged 12-years or over only: Bitterpan Wilderness Camp, Gharagab Wilderness Camp, Grootkolk Wilderness Camp, Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp, and Urikaruus Wilderness Camp, and Kalahari Tented Camp. And there are traditional rest camps: Twee Rivieren Rest Camp (the only one with a restaurant and public telephones), Mata-Mata Rest Camp, and Nossob Rest Camp.
NB If you want to exit the park other than from where you entered, immigration procedures must be carried out at Twee Rivieren, and you must stay in the park for at least two days.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Tel: + 27 (0) 54 561 2000 Fax: + 27 (0) 54 561 2005. Hours: 7.30am-sunset.
The Knysna National Lake Area is an idyllic lagoon area with a multifarious array of natural resources including lakes, beaches, and lush native forests, and wildlife ranging from elephants to leopards to bats to mice. It has a history of trading in timber, ivory, and gold. It is a refuge for the endangered African black oystercatcher, and in the estuary and lagoon of the Knysna River you can spot numerous waders. It is also home to the endangered Knysna seahorse. Be sure to take the picturesque Garden Route for unbeatable photographic opportunities.
Accommodation available in the Park includes the luxury Tree-Top
Forest Chalet (Tel: +27 (0) 44 302 5606, Fax: +27 (0) 44 302 5627)
in the Harkeville Forest between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay; the
Forest Timber Camping Decks (Tel. +27 (0) 44 302 5606); the Guest
House in Diepwalle Forest (Tel. +27 (0) 44 302 5606) with superb
mountain bike trails (BYO bike), and a variety of accommodation
in the town of Knysna.
(Knysna Tourism, Tel: +27 (0)44 382 5510, Fax: +27 (0)44 382 1646)
Kruger National Park, covering almost 2 million hectares (about the size of Nebraska) in South Africa's far east, is probably the country's best known national park, dating from well over a century ago. The park protects the ecology of the South African Lowveld, and is home to almost 150 animal species, over 500 bird species, 300 tree species, 50 fish species, 120 reptile species, and over 30 types of amphibian. The human history of the area is also well preserved in numerous archeological sites.
There are over 25 different places offering accommodation at Kruger National Park, covering camping grounds, huts, safari tents, bungalows, cottages of different types, guest houses, and luxury lodges.
4x4 Adventure Trails
There are three self-drive 4x4 adventure trails. All of them have a six-vehicle-per-day limit, and cost R460, so be sure to book in advance.
Madlabantu, or "Man Eater" - a 42 km trail starting at the Pretoriuskop - Fayi Loop, along the Nsikazi River, to Mtshawu Dam and back to Napi Road near Shabeni Koppie. Book through the Pretoriuskop camp, tel. (013) 735 5128
Mananga, or "Wilderness" - a 48 km trail starting 11 km from Satara, through the savannah north of it. Full of buffalo, zebras, wildebeest. Book through the Satara camp, tel. (013) 735 6306
Nonokani, or "Slow Drive" - a 62 km trail starting near the Masorini picnic spot, then south through mopane and bushwillow woodlands to Reënvoël Dam, along the Olifants River and as far as Sable Dam. Encounters with rhinoceros likely. Book through the Phalaborwa Gate camp, tel. (013) 735 6509, or the Letaba camp, tel. (013) 735 6636
Lebombo Eco Trail is a guided 4-night, 5-day trail tour of over 500 km in length for 4x4 vehicles covering most of Kruger National Park. It is closed during the rainy season, so runs only from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. No more than 5 vehicles or 4 persons per vehicle. Age limit 12 to 65 years old. Meticulous preparations necessary, including malaria precautions. Book with central reservations: (012) 428 9111.
If you want a real hands-on, no frills two-night encounter with nature, there are seven wilderness trails in Kruger National Park. Age limit 12 to 65 years old. Maximum of 8 persons per trail.
Bushman's Trail
Departs from Berg En Dal restcamp. Located in the south-west of the Park in very rocky, rugged terrain, with the camp itself tucked away in a granite valley. Expect encounters with elephant, white rhinoceros, antelopes. Famous also for its San bushman paintings. Nearest Park entrance: Malelane
Metsi-Metsi Trail
Departs from Skukuza camp in the east of the Park. The camp at which hikers stay is on the MetsiMetsi river in the foothills of Mt. Nwamuriwa. Follow the Nwaswitsontso River and walk across the Lindanda plains. Offers sightings of black and white rhinoceros, cheetahs, and lions. Nearest Park entrance: Kruger
Napi Trail
Covers an area between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza restcamps, located on the Mbyamithi River, and featuring largely granite terrain. Walk along both the Mbyamithi and Napi rivers. Notable for forest scenery with massive trees and other luxurious and exotic vegetation. Black rhinoceros and white rhinoceros sighting are common. Nearest Park entrance: Numbi
Nyalaland Trail
Departs from the Punda Maria restcamp, covering an area between Punda Maria and Pafuri, with the camp on the Madzaringwe River. Notable for the massive Levuvhu River Gorge. This trail is good for being accessible (only 540 km from Johannesburg). An especially good trail for birders and those into the vegetation of the area. Game is not so common, but antelopes, nyala, eland, elephants, and buffaloes are. Famous for its prehistoric artifacts, too, and dinosaur fossils. Nearest Park entrance: Punda Maria
Olifants Trail
Departs from Letaba restcamp with the camp located on the Olifants River. Offers wonderful river scenery as the Olifants meanders through valleys in the Lemombo mountain range. The Olifants eventually joins with the Letaba River, both of which then go into Mozambique. Hippopotamuses and crocodile abound. There are also huge flat open plains with good game and bird viewing potential. Nearest Park entrance: Phalaborwa
Sweni Trail
Departs from Satara restcamp. Four days following the Sweni River and, around it, the savannah plains that are home to marula and knobthorn plants, a variety of birds, and, depending on the time of the year, both game and the animals that hunt it. Nearest Park entrance: Orpen
Wolhuter Trail
Departs from Berg En Dal restcamp. Features both craggy granite landscape and gentler near-plains. This area is particularly rich in ancient human heritage. The areas of higher altitude have a lot of fascinating plantlife, and this part of the Park is a botanical reserve in its own right. You are guaranteed to see buffalo and elephant, and are likely to also see reedbuck, black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, zebra, waterbuck, wildebeest, giraffe, and more. Nearest Park entrance: Malelane
There are wilderness trails in the Parque Nacional do Limpopo (Limpopo National Park Office +27 (0)72 447 4279, limpopo@wol.co.za), across the border with Mozambique, freely accessible from Kruger National Park.
Aguia Pesqueira campsite. Halfway between Massingir and Giriyondo on a plateau with a spectacular overview of the more than 100 square kilometer Massingir Dam and its prolific birdlife.
Campismo Albufeira. 9 chalets and 10 tent sites near the Massingir Entrance Gate and the wall of the Massingir Dam.
Palarangala Wilderness Trail (3 nights/4 days). Two 3-4 hour walks per day with an armed ranger over the Lebombo plateau close to the boundary with Kruger National Park. divided by a return to base for lunch and siesta. For groups of up to 8. Entry is via the Giriyondo border post.
Lebombo Hiking Trail (3 nights/4 days). Explore wilderness areas where you can view the spoor of, and have possible encounters with, game from Kruger National Park. Starts at the Elephant Release Boma 45km NE of Letaba Restcamp in Kruger National Park.
Elefantes Gorge Backpacking and Fishing Trail (3 nights/4 days). Tramp through the spectacular Rio Elefantes area - the plain of a gorge near Kruger National Park, cross the Lebombo plateau to the huge Massingir dam.
Machampane Wilderness Trail (3 nights/4 days) This tour is based in the Machampane Luxury Camp, a 10-bed en-suite luxury tent camp with wooden decks on the banks of the Machampane River in the Lebombo Mountains. The wilderness trail consists of daily walks conducted by armed game rangers, and goes through open bushveld, river gorges, thick riverine, and mopani forest.
Massingir Hiking Trail. For the traveler who wants a more physically challenging experience. 4 nights/5 days of wilderness hiking. A real adventure that takes you across the
slopes above the massive Massingir dam, up the Machampane River gorge, to the pristine Mopani forests.
Shingwedzi 4x4 Eco-Trail (4 nights/5 days) A self-drive, guided tour for up to 6 participants with 4x4 vehicles through Moçambique's Parque Nacional do Limpopo. The guide stops the party periodically to explain the terrain and wildlife and provide photo opportunities. Includes three camps, with ablution facilities, along the trail.
African Ivory Route 4x4 Eco-Trail (5 nights/6 days). A self-drive, guided tour for between 4 and 6 participating 4x4 vehicles covering the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. The reach of the trail is vast: the Letaba Ranch plains, Makuya Park west of Kruger National Park, Crooks' Corner in Kruger National Park, the wilderness of Parque Nacional do Limpopo to the east.
Rio Elefantes Canoeing Trail. "From the confluence of the Shingwedzi to the confluence of the Limpopo." 3 days of paddling the Rio Elefantes River and 3 nights camping on its forested banks. info@tfpd.co.za
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