South Africa Safaris

Contact a specialist about your South Africa safari

In my mind South Africa really lives up to its name of 'the Rainbow Nation' – not only due to its many different types of people but its diversity of scenery, leading it to be described as a 'world in one country'. The country features traditional African savannah and wildlife; Indian Ocean beaches; magnificent mountain ranges; first world cities or awesome deserts. There is no end to the breathtaking scenery and smiling faces.

• Laura Pattinson
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South Africa is one of the best known safari destinations in Africa. The oldest game reserve on the continent, the Kruger Park, was established in South Africa in 1898. For well over one hundred years South Africans have been conserving their wildlife and natural heritage and have become world leaders in the conservation of endangered animals. The advantage of choosing a safari in South Africa as opposed to another African country is that South Africa is one the best places on the continent for up close sightings of the Big 5 animals (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant). In East Africa you will have larger herds of animals but the rhino remains elusive in many parks.

Another advantage of doing a safari in South Africa is that it can so easily be combined with a city break or a beach stay, allowing for a more diverse holiday experience. Thirdly, the accommodation and service on offer in the country is arguably the best on the continent, with an array of luxury appealing to honeymooners and those seeking an exclusive getaway.

Since the breakdown of Apartheid in the early 1990's, tourists have been flooding to South Africa to explore its natural heritage and interesting cities. In the past wildlife had been protected in national reserves but private game reserves started to spring up to cater for the demand for the 'Big 5 safari' experience. In areas where wildlife had once roamed free, but had then been eliminated to make way for agriculture, farmers saw an opportunity to re-develop their vast farm lands into protected wildlife reserves.

Now you can experience a quality safari in almost any part of South Africa. Usually the area you chose is determined by season and what other aspects of the country you want to incorporate in your trip. For example, if you are doing a self-drive Cape Town and Garden Route holiday and you want to add on a safari, the most accessible region would be the Eastern Cape. This malaria-free area boasts famous game reserves such as Shamwari and offer great opportunities to see all the Big 5 animals (lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant and leopard).

If you are heading to the warm Indian Ocean beaches of Durban and KwaZulu Natal and you want to incorporate a safari, then there are numerous national parks and private game reserves offering game viewing of a very high standard. The most popular of these private reserves are Phinda and Thanda.

If Sun City is the focus of your trip you can incorporate a safari at its neighbouring game reserve Pilansberg. Families in particular are drawn to the game reserve of Madikwe, approximately 4 hour's drive from Johannesburg. This is largely because is it a malaria free game reserve.

It is the Kruger Park, however, for which South Africa is most known. The Kruger Park is one of THE best places in the country, and indeed Africa, for sightings of the Big 5.

The Kruger area itself is divided into the National Park and the private game reserves forming the Greater Kruger on its western borders. The National Park can be visited by anyone in their own or hired vehicle.

The private reserves and some of the private concessions which fall within the Kruger national park boundaries will only accommodate guests staying at their lodges and camps. Each lodge will have a concession within the private game reserve in which it may conduct its drives. The advantage of this is that at any one time you will share any game sighting with a maximum of 3 other vehicles making it a more intimate affair. The most famous and in our opinion best of these private reserves in the Kruger is the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

As in other parts of South Africa, the lodges in the private reserves in the Kruger run ranger-led game drives in open 4 x 4 safari vehicles. In private reserves guides can go 'off -road' allowing very 'up close' and personal encounters with the animals. Some private reserves can conduct walking safaris and night drives as well.

Many members of staff at Mahlatini are South African and have grown up visiting the many game reserves that the country has to offer. With this expert knowledge we will help and advise you on the best choice of safari for your South African holiday.

Please find below a few sample safaris within South Africa

Luxury Cape Town & Kruger Safari

Luxury Kruger & Mozambique Holiday

Cape Town, Winelands and Kruger

Kruger Walking Safari & Beach Holiday in KwaZulu Natal

Kruger Park Walking Safari

Sun City & Madikwe Family Safari

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