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Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa
	OVERVIEW: Lowveld Highveld KwaZulu-Natal Eastern Cape Southwestern Cape Central South Africa South African National Parks Namibia Botswana DETAILED INFORMATION: 1. South Africa's Lowveld region in the Limpopo Province & Kruger National Park The Lowveld region in South Africa's Limpopo Province is covered with bushwillow, acacia and mopane woodlands. It is home to the magnificent Baobab Trees - ancient giants which thrust their massive branches heavenwards and the world famous Kruger National Park. The park's 1 948 500 ha make it the same size as Israel. At the northern end of the escarpment, the Lowveld meets the Soutpansberg and sweeps north to the wild Limpopo River in South Africa's Limpopo Province. Further south, the Lowveld rolls into the little African kingdom of Swaziland. The Kruger National Park Selected Kruger Parks Rest Camps: Balule Rest Camp Berg-en-dal Rest Camp Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp Letaba Rest Camp Lower Sabie Rest Camp Malelane Rest Camp Mopani Rest Camps Olifants Rest Camp Orpen Rest Camp Pretoriuskop Rest Camp Punda Maria Rest Camp Roodewal Private Rest Camp Satara Rest Camp Shingwedzi Rest Camp Skukuza Rest Camp THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK The world-renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa offers one of the best wildlife experiences and encounters in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, the Kruger National Park South Africa which covers almost 2 million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, the game rich Kruger National Park is home to an impressive number of animal species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Main Restcamps: Berg-en-Dal Restcamp Malelane Restcamp Crocodile Bridge Restcamp Letaba Restcamp Lower Sabie Restcamp Mopani Restcamp Olifants Restcamp Orpen Restcamp Maroela Restcamp Tamboti Restcamp Pretoriuskop Restcamp Punda Maria Restcamp Satara Restcamp Balule Restcamp Shingwedzi Restcamp Skukuza Restcamp Tsendze Restcamp Bushveld Camps at the Kruger National Park Bateleur Bushveld Camp Bivamiti Bushveld Camp Shimuwini Bushveld Camp Sirheni Bushveld Camp Talamati Bushveld Camp Overnight hides at the Kruger National Park Sable Shipandani Bush Lodges of the Kruger National Park Boulders Bush Lodge Roodewal Bush Lodge Luxury Lodges of the Kruger National Park Imbali Safari Lodges: Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge, Hamilton's Tented Camp, Imbali Lodge Jock Safari Lodge Lukimbi Safari Lodge Rhino Walking Safaris Shishangeni Game Lodge Singita Lebombo Lodge Singita Boulders Lodge Singita Ebony Lodge Tinga Game Lodge Pafuri Camp The Far North of the Kruger National Park in South Africa's Lowveld Mopane Trees dominate the northern region of the Kruger National Park and the rest of the Limpopo Province of South Africa which sweeps northwards to the Limpopo River and South Africa's boundary to Zimbabwe. Brackenridgea Nature Reserve Situated in the mountain sourveld of the remote northeastern corner of South Africa's Limpopo Province, the Brackenridgea Nature Reserve has been established to protect the rare Brackenridgea zanguebarica, a small tree which is endemic to this part of South Africa. Greater Kuduland The Greater Kuduland privately owned game reserves are situated in the Limpopo Province near Tshipise and Alldays. Hans Merensky Nature Reserve The Hans Merensky Nature Reserve is situated approximately 70 kilometers east of the Tzaneen Dam and 50 kilomters west of the Kruger National Park. Nature Reserves in the northern part of the Limpopo Province: Honnet Nature Reserve Hopefontein Nature Reserve Kate's Hope Game Lodge and Game Reserve Langjan Nature Reserve Lillie Flora Nature Reserve Makuya Park Man'ombe Nature Reserve Messina Nature Reserve Modjadji Nature Reserve Mphaphuli Cycad Reserve Ndzalama Wildlife Reserve Nwanedi Nature Reserve Nzhelele Nature Reserve Sheldrake Game Ranch Tshakuma Catchment Area Tzaneen Dam Nature Reserve Vhembe Nature Reserve Maduba-Shango Hiking Trail This beautiful hiking trail begins and ends at the office of the Thathe Vondo plantation, in the indigenous forests of the northeast of Louis Trichardt. The West of the Kruger National Park in South Africa's Lowveld West of the Kruger National Park are three private game reserves which are the largest sanctuaries in the world of this type: Klaserie Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Game Reserve. Each of these game reserves consist of a number of independent game lodges and safari camps whose owners elect a joint policy committee. There are no fences between the individual game lodges and safari camps in Klaserie, Sabi Sand and Timbavati which allows the wildlife to roam freely in their natural habitat allowing for great game viewing experiences. Game Reserves, Lodges and Safari Camps and sightseeing places in the West region of the Kruger National Park of South Africa: Andover Game Reserve Gazebo Game Lodge Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre Kapama Game Reserve Klaserie Private Game Reserve Lowhills Private Game Reserve Lowveld National Botanical Garden Mahushe Shongwe Game Reserve Manyeleti Game Reserve: Manyeleti Game Lodge Matumi Game Lodge Mawewe Cattle Game Project Mthethomusha Game Reserve Ndugulu Game Farm Nelspruit Nature Reserve Sabi Sand: Private Game Reserve Sabi Sand: Djuma Bush Lodge Sabi Sand: Inyati Game Lodge Sabi Sand: Londolozi Private Game Reserve Sabi Sand: Mala Mala Game Reserve Sabi Sand: Sabi Sabi Game Reserve Sabi Sand: Singita Private Game Reserve Sabi Sand: Ulusaba Game Reserve Sandringham Private Nature Reserve Thornybush Game Reserve Timbavati Private Nature Reserve Timbavati: Kambaku Game Lodge Timbavati: Kings Camp Timbavati: Motswari-M'bali Timbavati: Ngala Private Game Reserve Timbavati: Tanda Tula Game Lodge Timbavati: Umlani Bush Camp Umbabat Private Nature Reserve SABI SANDS Game Lodge accommodation and game reserves within Sabi Sands: Arathusa Safari Lodge Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge Djuma Game Lodge (Bush Lodge, Galago Camp, Vuyatela Lodge ) Elephant Plains Game Lodge Exter Game Lodges, Exter Game Reserve ( Leadwood Lodge, Dulini Lodge, River Lodge, Kirkmans Camp) Galago Game Lodge Inyati Game Lodge, Inyati Game Reserve Leopard Hills Game Lodge, Leopard Hills Game Reserve Lion Sands Game Lodges, Lion Sands Game Reserve ( River Lodge, Ivory Lodge ) Londolozi Game Lodges, Londolozi Game Reserve ( Pioneer Camp, Founders Camp, Varty Camp, Tree Camp, Private Granite Suites) Mala Mala Game Lodges, Mala Mala Game Reserve ( Main Camp, Sable Camp, Rattray's on Mala Mala) Nkorho Bush Lodge Nottens Game Lodge Sabi Sabi Game Lodges, Sabi Sabi Game Reserve ( Selati Lodge, Earth Lodge , Bush Lodge, Little Bush Camp) Savanna Luxury Tented Camp, Savanna Private Game Reserve Simbambili Game Lodge Singita Game Lodge, Singita Game Reserve ( Ebony Lodge, Lebombo Lodge, Sweni Lodge, Boulders Lodge) Ulusaba Game Lodge, Ulusaba Game Reserve ( Rock Lodge, Safari Lodge, Treehouse Suite) The game rich, 'Big Five' Sabi Sands Game Reserve shares 50 km unfenced boundary with the Kruger National park . Two perennial rivers, the Sabi and the Sand flow through the Sabi Sands Game Reserve sustaining the diverse fauna and flora of this particular region of South Africa which enjoys one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations of the African continent. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve dates back to the 1950's when the landowners initiated the elimination of the internal fences and the sharing of a common environmental management programme. Due to considerate game viewing practises where clients are taken on guided open vehicles and the animals have priority, the trackers and game rangers of the various Game Lodges in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve are able to offer exceptional game viewing of all the general game species. The success of viewing leopard within this particular area is legendary as well as elephant, lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and a vast variety of antelope and other species. This greater area is home to 336 tree, 49 fish, 34 amphibian, 114 reptile, 507 bird and 147 mammal species. TIMBAVATI : Game lodge accommodation within the Timbavati Game Reserve, Kruger National Park: The Timbavati Game Reserve is situated to the north of the Sabi Sand Game reserve on the western edge of the Kruger National Park. The Timbavati Game Reserve is one of South Africa's prime wildlife viewing areas. Established in 1956 by game farmers, the Timbavati Game Reserve covers 680 square kilometers. There are no fences separating the Timbavati Game Reserve from the Kruger National Park. Lion, elephant, cheetah and other species roam freely between the two game reserves in their natural habitat. Rainfall in the area is around 500mm per annum. The Timbavati Game Reserve lies at an altitude of 140m to 600m above sea level. Accommodation: game lodges in the Timbavati Game Reserve Akeru Game Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve Bateleur Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve Bush Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve Gomo Goma Game Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve Java Game Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve Jaydee Game Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve Kings Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve Leopards Lair, Timbavati Game Reserve Motswari Game Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve Ngala Main Lodge and Ngala Tented Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve Royal Legend Safari Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve Tanda Tula Safari Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve Transfrontier Walking Trails, Timbavati Game Reserve Umlani Bush Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve Kambaku Safari Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve The Timbavati is approximately 5 or 6 hours by car from Johannesburg. Normal passenger vehicles can reach all lodges within the Timbavati reserve. Regularly scheduled, daily flights are available from Johannesburg and Cape Town to local airports. The famous White Lions in the Timbavati Game Reserve Lions with a recessive gene causing the coats to be snow white, not albino, reappeared in the Timbavati region of South Africa in 2008 after an absence of many years. When the White Lions of the Timbavati were discovered in the mid-1970s they became the subject of much interest and debate. The story of the "White Lions of the Timbavati" has been told by several people, most notable of whom was Mr. Chris McBride, who published two books about the phenomenon: The White Lions of the Timbavati and Operation White Lion. Chris was the son of Timbavati member Cyril McBride who at the time, together with his brother Robert - owned the farm Vlakgezicht. The famous white lions of the Timbavati were first sighted by Cyril McBride's daughter Lanice van den Heever in October of 1975. McBride relied heavily on the expertise and knowledge of two local trackers, Jack Mathebula and Mandaban Hlongo, in his efforts to track the white cubs. These men had grown up in the bush and had intimate knowledge of the behaviour of lions. The Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa is home to: Over 40 mammals, including the Big Five: Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard and Rhinoceros Over 360 bird species 79 species of reptile 49 species of fish 85 listed species of tree The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve comprises 53,392 hectares of private land and adjoins the Kruger National Park . Since 1962, the Timbavati Association, a non profit organisation, has been dedicated to conservation by maintaining the biodiversity of species which would have continued to exist had man never encountered the land. Currently, there are over 40 mammal species in the Timbavati including the Big Five of Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant as well as 360 species of bird life. The Timbavati boasts 40 species of mammal including the Big Five; Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino. 360 species of bird make the Timbavati a bird lover's paradise. It is possible to see more species of bird in one day at the Timbavati than you have ever witnessed in your life. On night drives, the smaller nocturnal mammals such as porcupine, serval, genet and civet can be seen among others. Access to the Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa: By Car: Timbavati is approximately 5 or 6 hours by car from Johannesburg. The roads are modern, hard-surfaced, and well maintained to within a few kilometres of the reserve, after which point one must travel on gravel roads that can be rough and corrugated. Normal passenger vehicles can reach all lodges within the reserve, but since some roads are occasionally rendered difficult or impassable in the rainy season, 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. By Plane: Regularly scheduled, daily flights are available from Johannesburg and Cape Town to three regional airports. Approximate driving times from centres served by these airports are as follows: 30 minutes from Hoedspruit; 90 minutes from Phalaborwa; and 3 hours from Nelspruit. The lodge at which one is staying normally arranges transportation from regional airports, but car rentals and shuttle buses are also available. Certain lodges have private airstrips. By Private Charter: Private air charters are also available; these fly directly to private airstrips situated near the lodges. The Kingdom of Swaziland in South Africa's Lowveld The Kingdom of the Wild, Swaziland, is home to several Game and Nature Reserves: Hlane Royal National Park Malolotja Nature Reserve Mkhaya Game Reserve Mlawula Nature Reserve Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Phophonyane Nature Reserve 2. South Africa's Highveld region HIGHVELD Northeastern Escarpment Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest, Mpumalanga Province: Ben Lavin Nature Reserve Bewaarkloof Nature Reserve Blouberg Nature Reserve Blyde River Canyon Hiking Trail Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge, 10 km west of Pilgrims Rest Dullstroom Dam Nature Reserve Echo Caves Fanie Botha Hiking Trail Flora Nature Reserve Forest Falls Nature Walk Goro Game Reserve, east of Vivo and west of Louis Trichardt Grootbosch Nature Reserve Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve Happy Rest Nature Reserve, southern slopes of the Soutpansberg Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve Lesheba Wilderness Loerie Walk Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail Makalali Private Game Reserve, near Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa Malebocho Nature Reserve Mapulaneng Nature Reserve Moholoholo Forest Camp and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Mount Anderson Ranch located high in the Mpumalanga Drakensberg Mount Sheba Nature Reserve Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve Pilgrim's Rest Nature Reserve Potlake Nature Reserve Prospector's Hiking Trail Soutpansberg Hiking Trail Starvation Creek Nature Reserve Sterkspruit Nature Reserve Sudwala Caves, Mpumalanga Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve Wolkberg Caves situated in the mountains south of Magoebaskloof Wolkberg Wilderness Area Wonderkloof Nature Reserve HIGHVELD Bushveld Basin Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest, Mpumalanga Province: Atherstone Nature Reserve Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary Ben Alberts Nature Reserve Bonwa Phala Game Lodge Borakalalo National Park Botshabelo Nature Reserve and Museum, 12 km north of Middleburg Chamberlain Bird Sanctuary De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre D'Nyala Nature Reserve: sprawling across more than 8 000 ha of baobab-studded bushveld to the south of Ellisras, the D'Nyala Nature Reserve is home to blue wildebeest, hartebeest, kudu, waterbuck, tsessebe, impala, mountain reedbuck, nyala, white rhino, giraffe and Burchell's zebra. Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve Emaweni Game Lodge, 100 km from Nylstroom Faerie Glen Nature Reserve Gold River Game Resort Groenkloof Nature Reserve Kwalata Game Ranch Kwena Gardens Crocodile Paradise, Sun City Kwena Gardens Lapalala Wilderness, Waterberg Mountains northwest of Nylstroom Leswena Nature Reserve Loskop Dam Nature Reserve Mabula Game Lodge, Mabula Game Reserve in the Limpopo Province: More than 12 000 ha in size, the Mabula Game Lodge stretches from the R516 outside Warmbaths to the game rich foothills of the Waterberg. The Big Five, malaria free Mabula Game Reserve is home to 50 mammal species and 280 species of birds. Accommodation is offered at the Mabula Lodge and the Kwafubesi Tented Camp. Mabusa Nature Reserve Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province South Africa: Covering an immense 75 000 ha Kalahari sandveld reaching to the Botswana border, the Madikwe Game Reserve is malaria free and home to Africa's Big Five. The Madikwe Game Reserve is also home to the wild dog, cheetah and brown hyena, as well as over 230 bird species. Malati Park Nature Reserve Mantrombi Nature Reserve Marakele National Park Masebe Nature Reserve Mdala Nature Reserve Meldrani Wildlife Reserve Mkhombo Nature Reserve Mokolo Dam Nature Reserve Mokolo River Private Nature Reserve Moletsi Nature Reserve Moreleta Spruit Nature Trail Motsetse Game Reserve National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, covers 80 ha in Pretoria's northern suburb Nylsvley Nature Reserve Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve Pietersburg Nature Reserve / Polokwane Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province Pilanesberg National Park, North West Province: The eroded crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of the largest sanctuary on the Middleveld in South Africa, the malaria free 'Big Five' Pilanesberg National Park. It is a 55 000 ha national park created in 1979 by the then Republic of Bophuthatswana which is now the North West Province of South Africa. The centre of the crater is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of koppies. Pilanesberg is the highest peak in the Pilanesberg National Park and gives its name to the whole formation. Hotel accommodation and Game Lodge accommodation in the Pilanesberg National Park: Sun City Resort: Palace Hotel of the Lost City, Cascades Hotel, Sun City Hotel, Cabanas Hotel Ivory Tree Game Lodge, five star Bakubung Bush Lodge, four star Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge, four star Tshukudu Bush Lodge, five star Potgietersrus Nature Reserve and Game Breeding Centre Pretoria National Botanical Garden, Gauteng Rhino Bushveld Eco Park Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve Rust de Winter Nature Reserve Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve S S Skosana Nature Reserve Touchstone Game Ranch Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve Warmbaths Nature Reserve Wilton Valley Game Reserve Windy Brow Game Farm Witvinger Nature Reserve Wonderboom Nature Reserve HIGHVELD Northwestern Highveld Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Sandy Plains and the magnificent Magaliesberg Abe Bailey Nature Reserve Aloe Ridge Game Reserve Barberspan Nature Reserve Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve Boskop Dam Nature Reserve Botsalano Game Reserve Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve Hartebeespoort Dam Nature Reserve Hartebeespoort Snake and Animal Park Heia Safari Ranch Johannesburg Botanical Garden, Gauteng Province South Africa Johannesburg Lion Park, Gauteng Province South Africa Kloofendal Nature Reserve Kromdraai Conservancy Krugersdorp Game Reserve Lichtenburg Game-Breeding Centre Lotlamoreng Nature Reserve Magaliesberg Protected Natural Environment Makwassierante Conservation Area O P M Prozesky Bird Sanctuary Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, Kromdraai Conservancy 30 minutes drives northwest of Johannesburg Rustenburg Nature Reserve SA Lombard Nature Reserve Sterkfontein Caves, north of Krugersdorp Vaal Spa Game Reserve Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden Wolwespruit Nature Reserve HIGHVELD Northeastern Highveld Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Where the bird is king Bronkhorstspruit Dam Nature Reserve Elandskrans Hiking Trail Embuleni Nature Reserve Flora Reserves, Barberton region Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary Fortuna Mine Hiking Trail Harvey Nature Reserve Jericho Dam Nature Reserve Johannesburg and Sandton's urban trails Johannesburg Zoological Gardens, Gauteng Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve Korsman Bird Sanctuary Marievale Bird Sanctuary Melrose Wild Bird Sanctuary Melville Koppies Nature Reserve Nelhoogte Nature Reserve Nigel Nature Reserve Nooitgdacht Dam Nature Reserve Peacehaven Nature Reserve Rietvlei Nature Reserve Rondebult Bird Sanctuary Songimvelo Nature Reserve Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve Transvaal Snake Park Vaal Dam HIGHVELD Free State Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Grassy plains and teeming game Some of the most impressive game reserves in the Free State of South Africa are Willem Pretorius, Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve on the Orange River in the south and Sandveld Nature Reserve in the vicinity of the Bloemhof Dam in the northwest of the Free State. Bergdeel Private Nature Reserve Bloemfontein Zoological Gardens Caldeon Nature Reserve Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve Franklin Nature Reserve Free State National Botanical Gardens Gariep Dam Nature Reserve Golden Gate Highlands National Park Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve Koppies Dam Nature Reserve Maria Moroka Park Meiringszkloof Nature Park Mount Everest Game Reserve Mynhardt Game Reserve Platberg Nature Reserve Platberg Wildflower Gardens Qwa-Qwa Park Rustfontein Dam Nature Reserve Sandvlei Nature Reserve Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve Skip Norgarb and Porcupine Hiking Trails Soetdoring Nature Reserve Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve Theronia Pan Nature Reserve Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve Willem Pretorius Game Reserve Wolhuterskop Nature Reserve HIGHVELD Lesotho Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Where the sky is the limit Lesotho is South Africa's kingdom, a geologist's paradise of towering peaks, table top plateaus and verdant kloofs. The lowest point in Lesotho is more than 1 250 m above sea level. Lesotho is home to the highest peak in Southern Africa: Thabana-Ntlenyana 3 482 m. Fossil footprints, western Lesotho Ha Baroana Cave Maletsunyane Falls New Oxbow Lodge Outward Bound Centre Sani Top: the most dramatic route into Lesotho climbs from KwaZulu-Natal by way of the Sani Pass, 2 860 m above sea level. Sehlabathebe National Park 3. KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa The lush and beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa which borders the east coast of southern Africa from Port Edward northwards to the Mozambique boundary, is known as South Africa's garden province. KwaZulu-Natal's subtropical coastline, its sweeping savannah grasslands in the east and the mighty Drakensberg mountain range in the west, provide a magnificent backdrop for its rich wildlife heritage. KwaZulu-Natal DRAKENSBERG Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: The Dragon's Fangs Coleford Nature Reserve Himeville Nature Reserve Mount Currie Nature Reserve Natal Drakensberg Park: Bushman's Nek Natal Drakensberg Park: Cathedral Peak is some 32 000 ha in extent. Cathedral Peak is a paradise for hikers offering a selection of trails which wind through beautiful mountain scenery, stands of indigenous trees, gurgling streams and trout pools. The Cathedral Peak Hotel provides the traveller with comfortable accommodation in a magnificent setting. From the Cathedral Peak Hotel, a number of trails reach into the mountains, many of them penetrating the Mlambonya Wilderness Area. Natal Drakensberg Park: Cobham Natal Drakensberg Park: Garden Castle Natal Drakensberg Park: Giant's Castle Natal Drakensberg Park: Highmoor Natal Drakensberg Park: Kamberg Natal Drakensberg Park: Loteni Natal Drakensberg Park: Monk's Cowl Natal Drakensberg Park: Royal Natal National Park Natal Drakensberg Park: Rugged Glen Natal Drakensberg Park: Vergelegen Nature Reserve Ngele Nature Reserve The Swamp Nature Reserve KwaZulu-Natal MIDLANDS Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: The Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal is a fascinating mixture of undulating farmlands studded with charming towns which nestle between the snow topped Drakensberg and the holiday beaches of the coast. Albert Falls Resources Reserve Baynesfield Estate Biggarsberg Conservancy Bisley Nature Reserve Blinkwater Nature Reserve Chelmsford Nature Reserve Darvill Bird Sanctuary Doreen Clark Nature Reserve Game Valley Estates Game Valley Lodge Geelhout Trail Green Belt Trails Holkrans Hiking Trail Howick Falls: This famous waterfall lies 22 km from Pietermaritzburg; from the viewing platform the Mgeni River can be seen as it hurtles a dizzy 95 m into a deep pool Isibindi Eco-Reserve Itala Game Reserve Karkloof Nature Reserve: 20 kilometers from Howick are the Karkloof Falls falling an impressive 115 m into a deep, wooded gorge; the 936 ha Karkloof Nature Reserve provides sanctuary for duiker, bushbuck, leopard, bushpig, and a large variety of birds Malandeni Mhlopeni Private Nature Reserve Midmar Public Resort Nature Reserve Montello Safari Lodge Moor Park Nature Reserve Nagle Resources Reserve Natal Lion and Game Park: 18 km east of Pietermaritzburg Natal National Botanical Garden New Fermosa Nature Reserve Pietermaritzburg Bird Sanctuary Pongola Bush Nature Reserve Queen Elizabeth Park Nature Reserve Soada Forest Nature Reserve Spionkop Public Resort Nature Reserve Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve Umvoti Vlei Conservancy Valley of a Thousand Hills: the most spectacular view of this 50 km panorama known as the Valley of a Thousand Hills is from emKhambathini - KwaZulu-Natals Table Mountain. Most of the view sites overlooking this rumble-tumble of misty hills lie between Botha's Hill and Drummon, off the old main road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve Wagendrift Nature Reserve Weenen Nature Reserve World's View: taking in the view from the 305 m mountain above Pietermaritzburg is a grand experience. KwaZulu-Natal THE LAKES Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Palms, pelicans and dunes of gold Lakes and sunshine, golden dunes and mysterious swamps, characterize the Lakes region of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. This is Maputaland, the northern area of KwaZulu-Natal named after the lower reaches of the Usutu or Maputo River. Bounded by the rugged gorges and ravines of the Lubombo Mountains in the west, Mozambique to the north and the Indian Ocean, this 900 000 ha wilderness had many names in the past. This fragile land of contrasts of palms, pelicans and hippos, is really one enormous nature reserve. It is the transition zone between the tropics and subtropical KwaZulu-Natal and has 21 ecosystems including three large lakes of which the St Lucia Lake is the best known. Bonamanzi Game Park Bushlands Game Lodge Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: this scenic stretch of country in South Africa on the norther KwaZulu-Natal coast includes a wilerness of reed-fringed lake, swamps, palm veld, grasslands, savannah, sand dunes bordering the breakers of the Indian Ocean, and a long strip of the Indian Ocean itself with coral reefs and a rainbow assortment of marine life. Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: Cape Vidal Great St Lucia Wetland Park: Crocodile Centre Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: False Bay Park Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: Mapelane Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: Mfabeni and Tewate Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: Sodwana Bay National Park Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: St Lucia Estuary Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: St Lucia Game Reserve Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: St Lucia Marine Reserve Greater St Lucia Wetland Park: St Lucia Park Kosi Bay Coastal Forest Reserve Lake Sibayi: Lake Sibayi with an area of 7 700 ha is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa. Its average depth is 13 m with depths of as much as 40m. It is a clear, blue and beautiful lake. Mkuzi Game Reserve: sheltered by the formerly volcanic Lubombo Mountains, whose foothills form the western part of the reserve, Mkuzi differs from other game reserves in the northern KwaZulu-Natal region in that its terrain is mainly flat, consisting of ancient coastal plains with savannah grasslands, fossil pans, wetlands, riverine fig forests and sand dunes. Ndumo Game Reserve Phinda Game Reserve: The Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa is a 17 000 ha privately owned sanctuary wedged between the Mkuzi Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Seven distinct ecosystems ranging from sand forest, open savannah, montane bushveld and palm belt to welands and river valleys are found here. Pongolapoort Biosphere Reserve Pumalanga Nature Reserve Rocktail Bay Lodge Sungulwane Game Lodge Tembe Elephant Park KwaZulu-Natal MFOLOZI VALLEY Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: The pride of KwaZulu-Natal is the splendid wilderness of the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in South Africa. 270 km north of Durban, where careful conservation rescued the white rhino from the brink of extinction. Amatikulu Nature Reserve Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve Dukuduku Forest Nature Reserve Enseleni Nature Reserve Entumeni Nature Reserve Hlomo Hlomo Game Reserve Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park: Hluhluwe has been a game sanctuary since 1895. In 1989, with the incorporation of a 21 000 ha corridor between the two reserves, Hluhluwe and Umfolozi, a single magnificent conservation unit of 96 453 ha was created as the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. Magdalena Game Ranch Mkhaya Trail Ngome Forest and Ntendeka Wilderness Area Ngoye Forest Reserve Nkandla Forest Reserve Ocean View Game Park Richards Bay Game Reserve Ubizane Game Reserve Umlalazi Nature Reserve Windy Ridge Game Park KwaZulu-Natal SOUTH COAST Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Forest, gorge and bountiful sea The South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is home to magnificent nature reserves the finest being Vernon Crookes, Krantzkloof, Oribi Gorge , and not far from the centre of Durban itself, the popular Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve. Throughout this coastal region of South Africa, the birdlife is prolific and fascinating. There is a luxurious tropical ambience about the countryside around Durban: forests and flowers, ilala palms, monkeys and wild bananas are abundant. Alfred Park Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve Bluff Nature Reserve Burman Bush Nature Reserve Crocworld Durban Botanical Gardens Empisini Nature Reserve Fitzsimons Snake Park Harold Johnson Nature Reserve Hawaan Forest Reserve Hazelmere Resources Reserve Ilanda Wilds Nature Reserve Inanda Resources Reserve Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve Krantzkloof Nature Reserve Mariannwood Nature Reserve Mdwala Nature Reserve Mitchell Park Aviary Mpenjati Nature Reserve Natal Sharks Board New Germany Nature Reserve North Park Nature Reserve Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve Palmiet Nature Reserve Paradise Valley Nature Reserve Pigeon Valley Park Sea World, Durban uShaka Marine World Aquarium Shongweni Resources Reserve Silverglen Nature Reserve Skyline Nature Reserve Springside Nature Reserve T C Robertson Nature Reserve Trafalgar Marine Reserve Treasure Beach Project Umbogavango Nature Reserve Umgeni River Bird Park Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve Umtamvuna Nature Reserve Uvongo Bird Park Uvongo River Nature Reserve Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve Virginia Bush Nature Reserve 4. Eastern Cape, South Africa A region characterized by rolling hills, summer thunderstorms on the mountains, far reaching sweeps of grassland, rocky coves and bleached sea sand, this is the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The Eastern Cape is home to many game parks, game reserves, nature reserves, game lodges and sanctuaries. Eastern Cape ACROSS THE KEI Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Dramatic cliffs and a thunder of surf Dwesa-Cwebe Reserve: Cwebe sector Dwesa-Cwebe Reserve: Dwesa sector Hluleka Nature Reserve Malekgonyane Nature Reserve Mkambati Nature Reserve Nduli Nature Reserve Silaka Nature Reserve Umtamvuna Nature Reserve Wild Coast: From the mouth of the Kei River to the Mtamvuna a distance of some 250 km stretches the rugged and unspoilt grandeur of the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast. The Wild Coast is a green belt of thick indigenous forest, hilly grassland, numerous mangroves and sheer cliffs which fall to white unspoilt beaches. Wild Coast Hiking Trail Eastern Cape NORTHEASTERN CAPE Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: An ever-changing landscape The northeastern region of the Eastern Cape in South Africa is a land of contrast, providing varying habitats for a large variety of birds and animals. One can find a remote area of cliffs in the Witteberg, a sanctuary for Cape vulture, the stretch of acacia and savannah veld near Queenstown and the isolated Black Eagle Nature Reserve. Berg Nature Reserve Black Eagle Nature Reserve Bosberg Nature Reserve and Hiking Trail Buffelspruit Nature Reserve Commando Drift Nature Reserve Ecowa Trail Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve Karnmelkspruit Vulture Reserve Koos Ras Nature Reserve Lammergeier Nature Reserve Lawrence de Lange and Longhill Nature Reserves Mountain Zebra National Park Mpofu Game Reserve Oviston Nature Reserve Van Riebeeck Karoo Gardens Woodcliffe Cave Trails Eastern Cape AMATOLA Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Eastern Cape wonderland Amalinda Fisheries Station and Nature Reserve Amatola Hiking Trail Auckland Nature Reserve Blaauwkrantz Nature Reserve Blanco Guest Farm Bosbokstrand Private Nature Reserve Bridle Drift Dam Nature Reserve Cape Henderson Nature Reserve Cycad Nature Reserve Double Drift Game Reserve East London Aquarium Ecca Nature Reserve 1820 Settlers Wild Flower Garden Fort Pato Nature Reserve Ghio Wetland Reserve in the Eastern Cape Gonubie Nature Reserve Gulu Nature Reserve Hogsback Joan Muirhead Nature Reserve Kap River Nature Reserve Kariega Park Game Reserve Katberg Kologha Forest Kowie Nature Reserve Kwelegha Nature Reserve Ntabaththemba Tribal Reserve Pirie Forest Pirie Trout Hatchery Potter's Pass Wildlfower Reserve Queen's Park and Zoo in East London, South Africa Roundhill Oribi Reserve Sam Knott Nature Reserve Shamwari Game Reserve Shipwreck Trail and Strandloper Trail Thomas Baines Nature Reserve Tsolwana Game Park Umtiza Nature Reserve Waters Meeting Nature Reserve Woody Cape Nature Reserve Eastern Cape PORT ELIZABETH Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Port Elizabeth in South Africa is the vibrant Eastern Cape port and the fifth largest city in South Africa. Port Elizabeth is an ideal base for exploring the region's many and varied game and nature reserves as well as the beautiful stretches of shimmering coastline. Addo Elephant National Park: The Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape lies some 75 km north of Port Elizabeth and attracts visitors throughout the year. Addo Elephant National Park: Zuurberg section Bushbuck Walk Cape Recife Nature Reserve Gamtoos Coastal Nature Reserve Groendal Wilderness Area Loerie Dam Nature Reserve Maitland Nature Reserve Port Elizabeth Oceanarium Port Elizabeth Snake Park St Croix Island Nature Reserve Sardinia Bay and Sylvic nature reserves Sea View Game Park Settler's Park Nature Reserve Tyler's Park Nature Reserve Uitenhage Nature Reserve University of Port Elizabeth Nature Reserve Van Standens Wild Flower Reserve and Bird Sanctuary Yellowwoods Nature Reserve Zwartkops Valley Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape The Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape South Africa The Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa is located deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape. The original Elephant section of the Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area. Today this finely tuned ecosystem is home to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. The vision of the Addo Elephant National Park is to seek to be fully integrated into the regional landscape, conserves and enhances the characteristic terrestrial and marine biodiversity, ecological processes and cultural, historical and scenic resources representative of the Eastern Cape region for the appreciation, and benefit of present and future generations in South Africa. Did you know that the Addo Elephant National Park...? The Addo Elephant National Park conserves no less than five of South Africa's seven biomes? Is also home to one of the densest African elephant populations on earth? It is home to the unique flightless dung beetle? Addo incorporates the largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere? The park boasts the Big Seven, (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark)? It also protects the world's largest Cape gannet breeding population on Bird Island? Addo Rest Camp The popular main rest camp of the Addo Elephant National Park offers a wide variety of accommodation units to suit all tastes and plenty of activities. A unique feature is the waterhole lookout point, floodlit at night, within the camp as well as the underground hide, allowing close encounters with wildlife at the waterhole. The evenings punctuated with the calls of lions, spotted hyenas and jackals while francolins and bokmakieries herald each dawn. Accommodation units are situated within easy walking distance of each other and of facilities such as the swimming pool, restaurant and shop. 5 Animals to seek while staying at the Addo Elephant National Park Elephants Lions Black Rhino Cape buffalo Flightless dung beetle (which has right of way on the roads!) 5. Southwestern Cape, South Africa The southernmost region of the African continent is a glorious patchwork of mountains, forests, fynbos, tumbling rivers and sweeping coastlines. The Western Province of South Africa is home to the mightly Table Mountain and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, which is one of the world's most famous reservoirs if indigenous flora. Hiking trails meander through ancient forests and across mountains, taking adventurers into landscapes of unforgettable beauty. Private nature reserves abound in the Western Province of South Africa and wildlflower gardens seem to display their floral treasures around every corner. The Cape in the Western Cape THE GARDEN ROUTE Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: A stretch of earthly paradise The Garden Route of South Africa stretches from Mossel Bay via George and Knysna, past Plettenberg Bay to the Tsitsikamma Mountains. This magnificent and lush region of South Africa protects its rich bounty within numerous sanctuaries, mainly forest and coastal. Among these are the Bontebok National Park which is home to several species of antelope and a large and varied population of birds. The rugged beautiful Tsitsikamma and Knysna forests encourage hikers to explore these unspoilt wildernesses of moody forests and tree-cloaked mountains. Bontebok National Park Boosmansbos Wilderness Area Bracken Hill Falls Buffalo Valley Game Farm Cape St Francis Nature Reserve, Western Cape Diepwalle Forest Featherbed Nature Reserve Garcia Forest Garden of Eden Geelkrans Nature Reserve Goudveld Forest Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Reserve of South Africa Groeneweide Nature Walks Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Huisklip Nature Reserve Kabeljousrivier Nature Reserve Keurbooms River Nature Reserve Knysna Indigenous Forests Knysna National Lake Area Kranshoek Coastal Nature Walk Marloth Nature Reserve Noorsekloof Nature Reserve Otter Trail Outeniqua Hiking Trail Outeniqua Nature Reserve Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve Plettenberg Bay Country Club Robberg Nature Reserve Seekoei Nature Reserve Sinclair Nature Reserve Terblans Nature Walk Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail Tsitsikamma Indigenous Forest Tsitsikamma National Park Van Kervel Nature Reserve Wadrift Nature Reserve Whiskey Creek Nature Reserve Wilderness National Park Ysternek Nature Reserve Tsitsikamma National Park Where the rough breakers of the Indian Ocean pound rocky shores, where high forest and fynbos roll down to the ocean in an unspoilt verdant carpet, where ancient rivers carve their paths to the sea down rocky ravines, this is the Tsitsikamma National Park. The Tsitsikamma National Park is referred to as the "the place of much water". The Tsitsikamma National Park along South Africa's Garden Route stretches some 5 km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish. Dolphins and southern right whales can be observed here. 5 Things to seek when visiting the Tsitsikamma National Park Dolphins and porpoises - keeping vigil on the ocean will produce sightings of schools of dolphins and porpoises frolicking in the waves. African Black Oystercatcher - this red data species is one of South Africa's most threatened bird species. Several pairs nest along the park's rocky coastline. Knysna Lourie - these beautiful birds with a gruff call are common in the forest. Cape Clawless Otter - the source of the name of the Otter Trail, this shy and elusive species hunts crabs along the park's coastline and rivers alike. Blue Duiker - this miniature antelope is found in the forests. Birding in Tsitsikamma National Park Birding in Tsitsikamma offers a variety in choice of habitat. One can find the open shoreline as typified by the environment at Storms River Rest Camp. This area is also home to the more sheltered water ways of the Nature's Valley Lagoon and the Groot River. There is the forest experience of the Tsitsikamma Forest. Then there is the mountain fynbos which one can explore in the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the Soetkraal section. At the Storms River Rest Camp, cormorants ( Cape and White-breasted), Kelp Gulls and African Black Oystercatchers are prominent along this stretch of South Africa's coastline. Pied and Giant Kingfishers can both be seen hunting fish at tidal pools or in the rivers that drain into the Indian Ocean . More unremarkable, but also inhabiting these rivers are Half-collared Kingfisher and African Finfoot. Although the most reliable place to see these species is on the Groot River at Nature's Valley. The Tsitsikamma's forest edges should produce Chorister Robin-chat, while the scarlet wings of Knysna Turaco (Lourie) may well be seen bursting from the cover of forest. White-necked Raven are frequently seen overhead while Karoo Prinia is prominent in the patches of coastal bush. Nature's Valley along South Africa's Garden Route is probably the best place in the park to bird. Chorister Robin-chat is usually found here. Also common in the rest camp are Lemon (Cinnamon) and Red-eyed Dove, Olive Thrush, Terrestrial Brownbul (Bulbul) and Dusky Flycatchers. In the forested areas, also look out for Knysna Turaco, Emerald Cuckoo, Knysna and Olive Woodpecker, Narina Trogon, Sharp-billed Honeyguide, Grey Cuckooshrike, Knysna Warbler, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, White-starred Robin, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher and Cape Batis, although some of these species are elusive. The Tsitsikamma Forest is also home to the African Crowned Eagle and African Wood Owl, plus some of the accipiters such as African Goshawk and Black Sparrowhawk. In the mountains one should look for Cape Canary , Cape Sugarbird , Orange-breasted Sunbird, Black Saw-wing and Ground Woodpecker. Also present, though difficult to locate are Protea Canary, Victorin's Warbler, Striped Flufftail and Cape Siskin . The Cape LITTLE KAROO Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: The Little Karoo is broad, mainly arid with valleys of fertile vineyards, fruit and ostrich farms. Some 300 km long and 100 km wide, the Little Karoo bounded on every side by mountains, received an average of a mere 150 mm of rain a year. Anysberg National Park Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area Cango Caves Cango Wildlife Ranch De Hoek Nature Walk Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve Gamkapoort Nature Reserve Highgate Ostrich Show Farm Kammanassie Nature Reserve Noukloof Nature Reserve Safari Ostrich Show Farm Towerkop Nature Reserve The Cape SOUTHERN CAPE Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Rocky shores and green valleys abound in the Southern Cape region of South Africa From the eastern region of False Bay to beyond the most southerly tip of Africa - Cape Agulhas - there is a rugged, beautiful and largely uninhabited coastline of South Africa. It is guarded by mountain ranges which descend through the fertile foothills to coastal plains where wild flowers cover fields and white, shining sands. Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve Boesmanskloof Trail Boland Hiking Trail: Hottentots-Holland Section Bredasdorp Nature Reserve Bundu Farm Caledon Nature Reserve and Wild Flower Garden Centenary Nature Reserve Dassieshoek Nature Reserve De Hoop Nature Reserve De Mond Nature Reserve Dog Trail Elandspad River Kloofing Trail Fernkloof Nature Reserve Genadendal Hiking Trail Greyton Nature Reserve H F Verwoerd Coastal Reserve Harold Porter National Botanical Garden Helderberg Nature Reserve Hortus Botanicus Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve Jan Marais Nature Reserve Jonkershoek Fish Hatchery Jonkershoek Nature Reserve Karoo National Botanic Garden: the largest collection of indigenous succulents in South Africa is houses in this regional garden curated by the National Botanical Institute. It is situated in Worcester. Kleinmond Coastal and Mountain Reserve Kleinplasie Reptile World Kogelberg Nature Reserve Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, Franschhoek Cape Winelands Montagu Mountain Nature Reserve, Montague Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve, 15 km from Robertson Perdeberg Trail and Three Sisters Walk, Kogelberg Nature Reserve Safariland Game Park, Paarl Salmonsdam Nature Reserve, southeast of Caledon Steenbras Dam, between the Hottentots-Holland Mountains and the rugged Kogelberg range Villiersdorp Nature Reserve, Villiersdorp Vineyard Trail, west of Stellenbosch Wiesenhof Private Nature Reserve, 40 minutes drive from Cape Town The Cape CAPE PENINSULA Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: South Africa's nature showpiece Attached to the mainland Africa only by the sandy plain of the Cape Flats, the Cape Peninsula is a crooked spine of mountains extending north and south for some 56 km from Table Mountain to Cape Point. Boulders Penguin Colony, Simonstown Cape Flats Private Nature Reserve Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve Cape Peninsula Protected Natural Environment Cape Town Snake Park, near Kommetjie Durbanville Nature Reserve, Durbanville Duiker Island, located just west of the Sentinel at Hout Bay Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden, Constantia Cape Town Miller's Point Marine Reserve, western side of False Bay Orange Kloof, Hout Bay Raapenberg Bird Sanctuary, Cape Town Rietvlei Bird Sanctuary, Milnerton Robben Island, Cape Town: Robben Island covers 574 ha and lies 10 km north of Table Bay harbour and 7 km, west of Bloubergstrand. Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary Seal Island, 5 km off Strandfontein Beach in False Bay Silvermine Nature Reserve, extend from Muizenberg and Kalk Bay mountains in the east to Noordhek Peak in the west. Table Mountain Nature Reserve, Cape Town: Table Mountain is a national monument and parts of it a proclaimed nature reserve. The Table Mountain Nature Reserve covers and area of 2 904 ha, embracing Signal Hill, the northern face of Table Mountain, Vcam Tokai Forest Reserve Two Oceans Aquarium, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Tygerberg Nature Reserve, Welgemoed Wolfgat Nature Reserve, stretch of coastline between Mnandi and Monwabisi beaches World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary, Hout Bay Zandlvlei Bird Sanctuary TABLE MOUNTAIN NATURE RESERVE Situated at the south-western tip of Africa, the Table Mountain National Park encompasses the magnificent Table Mountain Chain which reaches all the way from Signal Hill in the north to Cape Point in the south and the seas and coastline of the Cape peninsula of South Africa. The particular region with its scenic valleys, beautiful bays and sandy beaches is surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the warmer waters of False Bay and has within its boundaries two world-renowned landmarks: the Table Mountain and the legendary Cape of Good Hope / Cape Peninsula, the most south westerly point of South Africa. The Table Mountain Park is recognised globally for its extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique fauna and flora. Due to its rugged cliffs, steep slopes and sandy flats, the Table Mountain Nature Reserve is a truly remarkable natural, scenic, historical, cultural and recreational icon. A unique feature of the Table Mountain National Park is that it is primarily an open access Park with only three points where conservation fees are payable. The areas are the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders and Silvermine. The rest of the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, South Africa, provides open access and is free for all to enjoy. Hoerikwaggo is the original Khoi'san word for mountain in the sea, the Khoi'san's name for Table Mountain. The trails on Table Mountain reveal the true spirit of Hoerikwaggo - the sea mountain. Whichever trail hikers on Table Mountain choose, one will revel in fragrant fynbos mornings, breathtaking views and delight in the inimitable spirit of Table Mountain National Park, South Africa's Natural World Heritage Site. The Table Mountain Hiking Trail The Table Mountain Hiking Trail offers a three-day, guided, catered and portered hiking experience which links the cultural history of Cape Town with the natural heritage of Table Mountain - a Natural World Heritage Site. The Table Mountain hiking trail is geared for comfort and all accommodation is fully equipped and serviced including cotton sheets, hot showers and fine local cuisine. The hike route starts at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. With a fascinating urban tour which showcases the social history of Cape Town and the eclectic architecture that lends the City an air of cosmopolitan charm. The first day of the Table Mountain Hiking Trail also includes a boat trip in the harbour and a visit to Robben Island Museums, District 6 Museums and the Bo-Kaap. Travellers overnight on the lower slopes of Table Mountain in the award-winning restored Platteklip Wash Houses relaxing in comfort listening to the gentle sounds of the Platteklip stream. The next day the hikers catch the cable car to the top of Table Mountain and hike through pristine fynbos and fascinating geological formations while enjoying the sweeping vistas of the Table Mountain chain. Lunch is served al fresco at Maclear's Beacon which is the highest point on the Cape Peninsula. Hikers then sleep on Table Mountain in the Overseer's Cottage, with the city of Cape Town at thei feet and the stars as thei canopy. The final day of the Table Mountain hiking trail is spent exploring the natural and historic wonders of Table Mountain. After lunch, descend via the eastern slopes of Table Mountain to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens where the trail ends. The Orange Kloof Hiking Trail on Table Mountain The Forest Experience is the first leg of the Hoerikwaggo Tented Trail on Table Mountain which is a two-day one-night hiking trail for the experienced hiker. Overnight in a picturesque, tented camp nestled in the ancient Afromontane forest of Orange Kloof. The camp was built using alien wood sourced from within the Table Mountain National Park and embraces the philosophy of "touching the earth lightly". Relax in style and comfort, enjoy a hot shower, an open fire and the overwhelming silence of the restricted Orange Kloof forest. This guided trail is self catering but your food and gear will be portered from departure point to your over-night accommodation, so all you need to take are your boots and your daypack. Starting at the Silvermine Dam the trail winds north through unspoilt fynbos, complimented by stunning views of the Cape Peninsula, and traverses the Constantiaberg and Vlakkenberg to Constantia Nek. The day ends at the overnight camp in the Orange Kloof Afromontane forest where the music of the Disa River, and the abundant fauna and flora, will sooth and charm your soul. On day two, ascend the back table via Disa Gorge and walk through the Valley of the Red Gods to the Upper Cable Way Station. Hikers are then ferried down by Cable Car where the hiking trail ends at the lower Cable Station The Silvermine Trail on Table Mountain Mountain Experience: The Silvermine Hiking Trail on Table Mountain is the second leg of the Hoerikwaggo Tented Trail, a two-day one-night hiking trail for the experienced hiker. A spectacular two-day, one-night hike that leads you from the vleis and sandy beaches of the South Peninsula to the peaks of the spectacular Table Mountain chain traversing both the world famous Chapman's Peak and the scenic Constantiaberg. Start near the Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie and spend the first half of your day walking along the Noordhoek beach with the fresh smell of the ocean sharpening your senses. Look out for Oyster Catchers, Cape Clawless Otters and sometimes whales and dolphins. From Noordhoek Beach you climb Chapman's Peak which offers magnificent views from Table Mountain to Cape Point. You then hike down to your accommodation at Silvermine tented camp, overlooking False Bay. Wake up on the mountain and spend your day walking through lovely fynbos to Constantia Nek were your two-day getaway comes to an end. The Cape of Good Hope Hiking Trail This two-day hiking trail overnights in the Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point) which is a natural treasure trove and the most south-westerly point of Africa. The Cape of Good Hope Hiking Trail on the Cape Peninsula starts at the main entrance gate to the Cape of Good Hope and heads south toward Smitswinkel Bay offering matchless views of False Bay and Cape Point. After traversing Judas Peak, skirting Paulsberg and summiting Kanonkop, the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre with its aromatic coffee is a great place to fill water bottles and rest. From there a brief detour to Buffelsbay offers a revitalising dip before you head on to the overnight huts. Enjoy a sundowner, while you watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean with the smell of your braai filling the air. On day two take a leisurely walk across Platboom beach, on the Atlantic coastline, which will afford you great game viewing opportunities - so look out for a variety of birds and buck including Black Oyster Catches and Eland. Lunch is at Sirkelsvlei which offers excellent bird watching. The last stretch of the hike takes you over Rooihoogte and back to the gate. There are also more challenging alternate routes for the more energetic hiker that offer the opportunity to breakfast at the famous Two Oceans Restaurant. The Cape THE WEST COAST of South Africa Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: South Africa's coastal wetlands and floral delights The landscape along South Africa's west coast is characterized by sand dunes and scrubbery scenery. In spring, the landscape is transformed by a carpet of colourful indigenous flowers particularly in the Darling area and around Clanwilliam. Bain's Kloof Beaverlac Nature Reserve, east of Porterville one can find the Olifantsrivierberge Biedouw Valley Bushmans Kloof Private Game Reserve: East of Clanwilliam the Pakhuis Pass winds among the bizarre rock formations of the Pakhuis Mountains. South of the pass is situated the 75 000 ha Bushmans Kloof Private Game Reserve. Bushmans Kloof is a reminder of the Bushmen ( San ) who once roamed the Cederberg. Over 125 rock art sites include some of the best preserved in South Africa. Cactus Canyon, which is a remote corner of the Bushmans Kloof Private Game Reserve, is home to over 40 000 cacti from all over the world. Cederberg Tourist Park: Cederberg Wilderness Area, between the Pakhuis Pass and Middleberg Pass is the craggy Cederberg, a weathered landscape of which 71 000 ha have been declared a wilderness area Ceres Mountain Fynbos Reserve, Skurweberg Clanwilliam Yellowfish Station, Clanwilliam Columbine Nature Reserve, 3 km south of the village of Paternoster Darling Nature Reserve Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area Heerenlogement Cave, 32 km north of Graafwater Kagga Kamma Game Reserve, Cederberg Koeberg Nature Reserve Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm, Paark Limietberg Nature Reserve, Du Toitskloof Mountains Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve Ramskop Nature Reserve Riverlands Nature Reserve Rocher Pan Nature Reserve Sadawa Game Reserve, 66 km northwest of Ceres SAS Saldanha Nature Trail Steenbokfontein and Wadrif Pans Tienie Versveld Wildflower Reserve Tygerberg Zoo Verlorenvlei Waterval Nature Reserve West Coast Islands West Coast National Park West Coast Ostrich Ranch Wine Route Ostrich Farm 6. Central South Africa The Khoikhoi people described the dry inland reaches of South Africa as the Karoo, meaning 'the thirstland'. Even more than the Little Karoo south of the Swartberg Mountains, the Great Karoo is a land of raw hills, stony plains and a vegetation which is hardy enough to survive the baking heat of high summer and the frosty bite of winter nights. The Karoo National Park at Beaufort West and the Karoo Nature Reserve at Graaff-Reinet are situated in this region of South Africa. South Africa's famous Kalahari Gemsbok National Park adjoins a sister sanctuary in Botswana and only a line of beacons separates them allowing game to migrate back and forth across the international boundary. Central South Africa NAMAQUALAND Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: A region where rains herald a wildflower wonderland Akkerendam Nature Reserve, Calvinia Goegao Nature Reserve Kokerboom Forest Nieuwoudtville Nature Reserve Nieuwoudtville Waterfall Nature Reserve Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve Richtersveld National Park Skilpad Wildflower Reserve, in the centre of Namaqualand Tankwa Karoo National Park Central South Africa GREAT KAROO Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Aalwynprag Nature Reserve Aberdeen Nature Reserve Carnarvon Nature Reserve Compass Hiking Trails Doornkloof Nature Reserve Karoo National Park Karoo Nature Reserve Rolfontein Nature Reserve Transkaroo Hiking Trail Victoria West Nature Reserve Central South Africa SOUTHERN KALAHARI Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Beyond the Orange River the Northern Cape retains some of the features typical of Bushmanland and even the Great Karoo in South Africa. Referred to as a desert, the Kalahari is characterised by an almost complete lack of surface water. The Kalahari in Southern Africa measures some 120 million ha and includes apart from the Northern Cape eastern Namibia, most of Botswana and parts of Zimbabwe with extensions into Angola and Zambia. Canteen Koppie Nature Reserve Die Bos Nature Reserve Eye of Kuruman Ganspan Waterfowl Sanctuary Kalahari Raptor Rehabilitation Centre Kalahari Raptor Route Kamfersdam Kathu Nature Reserve Klaarwater Nature Reserve Kuruman Bird Sanctuary Kuruman Nature Reserve Leon Taljaardt Nature Reserve Molopo Nature Reserve Prieska Koppie Nature Reserve Tswalu Private Desert Reserve: The Tswalu Private Desert Reserve embraces 75 000 ha of flat, red sand plains and shifting dunes at the foot of the Korannaberg range in the Kalahari, South Africa. The Tswalu Game Reserve which is situated some 300 km northeast of Upington is the brainchild of Stephen Boler, a British businessman who purchased 26 farms here and initated what is reputedly the largest privately owned game farm on the African continent. The Tswalu Private Deserve Reserve in South Africa is divided into three areas: one for tourism, one for hunting and one for game-breeding. To reach the Tswalu Luxury Game Lodge, visitors may opt to fly to Upington from where they will be transferred by air to the Tswalu Lodge . It is approximately 7 hours drive from Johannesburg and 12 hours from Cape Town. Vaalbos National Park Witsand Nature Reserve Wonderwerk Cave Central South Africa AUGRABIES FALLS Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: 'The Place of the Great Noise' - The Augrabies Falls Below Prieska, the Orange River flows north-west to Upington then loops south and heads fro the awesome Augrabies Falls where it plunges 91 m in a combination of several small steps and one giant leap. Its name derives from a Khoikhoi word that translates as 'the place of the great noise'. Since 1966, Augrabies and the area surrounding it has enjoyed the status of a national park. Augrabies Falls Nature Reserve Spitskop Nature Reserve Tierberg Nature Reserve Central South Africa KALAHARI GEMSBOK NATIONAL PARK Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: A South African tale of two rivers About 250 km north of the Augrabies Falls, two rivers named Auob and Nossob enter the same channel and flow southwards to join the Molopo River. The two watercourses have carved impressive valleys through the red dunes of the southern Kalahari and the hidden water retained in their sandy beds helps to support rich growth of vegetation. West is the border to Namibia, to the east is Botswana, divided from South Africa by the bed of the Nossob. The three territories meet at a point named Union's End. The Kalahari Gamsbok National Park covers an area of 960 000 ha which is roughly half the size of the Kruger National Park. 7. South African National Parks SAN Parks Addo Elephant Park, Eastern Cape Agulhas National Park Augrabies Falls National Park Bontebok National Park Camdeboo National Park Golden Gate Highlands National Park Karoo National Park Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park Knysna National Lake Area, Garden Route Kruger National Park Mapungubwe National Park Marakele National Park Mokala National Park Mountain Zebra National Park Namaqua National Park Table Mountain National Park Tankwa Karoo National Park Tsitsikamma National Park West Coast National Park Wilderness National Park Ai-Ais / Richtersveld Transfrontier Park 8. Namibia, Southern Africa Facts about Namibia Capital: Windhoek Area: 824 290 square km Population: 1.8 million Ethnic Groups of Namibia: Ovambo ( 50 %), Kavango ( 9 % ), Herero ( 7%), Damara ( 7%), White ( 6%) Main Languages spoken in Namibia: English, Afrikaans, Ovambo, Kavango, German Main Religions: Christian and Lutheran ( 90%) Currency: Namibian dollar ( 100 cents) Top 10 Great Adventures of Namibia: Sandboarding Horseriding / camel riding Fishing for sharks Quadbiking 4x4 trails Hiking Climbing Sea kayaking Skydiving Canoeing / whitewater rafting on the Kunene Great African Rafting Spots: Namibia: Kunene River South Africa: Orange River and the Garden Route Malawi: Lake Malawi Zambia: Zambezi River Burundi: Luvironza River Namibia's Natural Wonders: Namibia's massive parkland covers approximately 11.22 million hectares Etosha Pan's amazing wildlife can be observed at the vast salt depression The dramatic sand dunes of Sossusvlei Age old rock engravings The Fish River Canyon The vast Namib Desert The unforgiving Kaokoland The ancient Petrified Forest The ominous Spitzkoppe Hills North of the Orange River is a vast tract of land which was declared a German protectorate in 1900 and then transferred to South African control after the First World War. Finally in 1990, it gained independence as the Republic of Namibia. Namib is a Khoikhoi word for a 'plain' and endless plains is what characterises Namibia. The vast Namib-Naukluft Park complex in the west of Namibia and the Etosha National Park in the north are the main attractions in Namibia when it comes to game viewing. Besides Ethosha and Namib-Naukluft, Namibia offers gems like the Fish River Canyon in the south, the Skeleton Coast in the northwest, the Waterberg Plateau in the north and the Caprivi Strip in the northeast. Namibia Fish River Canyon Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: One of the longest and most impressive rivers in Namibia is the Fish, which rises in the Khomas Hochland Mountains southwest of Windhoek and flows 800 km before it meets the Orange River far to the south. Ai-Ais Hot Springs, Namibia Augarabies-Steenbok Nature Reserve Fish River Canyo Kokerboom Forest The Offshore Islands The Sperrgebiet: a large area of the southern Namib was decreed the Sperrgebiet in 1908 to protect the coastal diamond industry from theft and illegal prospecting. Fish River Canyon Facts: Estimated age: 2 000 000 years Length: 160 km Widest point: 27 km Deepest point: 600 m Smaller than: Only the Grand Canyon in North America is bigger than the Fish River Canyon of Namibia Namibia THE CENTRE Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: The largest of the state owned parks in the central interior of Namibia is attached to Hardcap Recreation Resort and Game Park northwest of Mariental. Auas Game Lodge Daan Viljoen Game Park Gross-Barmen Hot Spings Hardap Recreation Resort and Game Park Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve: The red sands of the Kalahari extend up to 230 km westwards into Namibia. Situated northeast of Mariental, on the edge of this mighty desert, is the Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve which is an unspoilt tract of land dominated by undulating dunes, sandy plains and magnificent camelthorn trees. Large game species such as the eland, gemsbok, springbok and blue wildebeest typical of the Kalahari as well as giraffe, kudu and Burchell's zebra have been resettled in this 15 000 ha reserve. Tsaobis Leopard Nature Park Von Beach Recreation Resort Namibia THE NAMIB Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Mountains and a sea of sand Namib-Naukluft Park: Namib-Naukluft Park in Namibia is one of the three largest conservation areas in Africa, the other two being the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. Springbok and gemsbok can migrate freely from the Naukluft section of the Namib-Naukluft Park to the spreading plains and dune sea of the west. Namib-Naukluft: Gobabeb Namib-Naukluft: Hiking trails Namib-Naukluft: Kuiseb River Canyon Namib-Naukluft: Welwitschia Trail NamibRand Nature Reserve Sandwich Harbou Walvis Bay bird sanctuaries Namibia SKELETON COAT Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Coastal fog and mountain dew The Skeleton Coast is the lonely stretch of shore between Swakopmund and the Kunene River on Namibia's border with Angola. The Brandberg Cape Cross Seal Reserve Etendeka Mountain Camp Kunene Region Palmwag Lodge The Petrified Forest Skeleton Coast Park, Namibia Twyfelfontein Namibia ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Once, the Etosha Park covered 9 952 600 ha, it was the largest conservation area in the world. But in 1967, the Ethosa Park was cut back to make space for tribal homelands and became the Ethosa National Park. The Etosha National Park is one of the best known and most fascinating natural sanctuaries in the world. Today, the Etosha National Park's present size is 2 227 000 hectares. The 30 000 ha Ongva Game Reserve shares its 32 km northern border with the Etosha National Park. In addition to the game viewing opportunities offered in the Ongava Game Reserve, it is ideally situated for those travellers seeking to use its luxurious lodge from which to explore the Etosha National Park. Namibia THE NORTHEAST Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest Attached to the northeastern corner of Namibia is the odd panhandle of land known as the Caprivi Strip, 450 km from west to east and at no point wider than 100 kilometers. The Caprivi Strip in Namibia is named after the former Imperial Chancellor of Germany, Count Leo von Caprivi. Caprivi Game Park Epako Game Lodge Impalila Island Lodge Khaudum Game Park Lake Otjikoto Mahango Game Park Mamili National Park Mount Etjo Safari Lodge Mudumu National Park Okonjima Guest Lodge Otjisazu Guest Farm Ovita Game Lodge Popa Falls Rest Camp Waterberg Plateau Park An hour outside of Otjiwarongo are fossilised footprints which date back around 200 million years. Visitors stare at awe at the massive set of prints made by a very large two legged dinosaur. A 2 km drive out of Otavi brings travellers to the Khorab War Memorial. Erected in 1920, it marks the spot where the German forces capitulated to General Louis Botha's South Africa forces in 1915. 9. Botswana, Southern Africa Capital: Gaborone Area: 600,372 square km Population: 1.6 million Main Ethnic Groups: Tswana ( 75 %), Shona ( 12 %), San ( 3 % ), White ( 1%) Main Languages: English, Tswana, Shona, San, Ndebele Main Religions: Traditional beliefs (50%), Christian (50%) Currency: Pula ( 100 thebe ) Top 10 Adventures in Bostwana: Game Viewing Canoeing in dugout canoes / mokoros Caving Horseback Safaris through the Thuli Block Hot air ballooning Scenic flights Birdwatching Quadbiking in Makgadikgadi Elephantback Safaris Walks with bushmen Botswana is southern Africa's largest and most authentic wilderness, a country of harsh contrasts and matchless beauty. There are many privately owned game lodges and camps throughout Botswana. Visitors in Botswana may fly in and explore the country in 4x4 vehicles and in the vast and beautiful Okavango Delta, they may navigate the shallow channels in dugout canoes. Botswana THE OKAVANGO DELTA Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest In the waterways of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, one of the world's last great wildernesses, scented water lilies, yellow, white, pink and lilac, shimmer on the water. Originating from the uplands of western Angola, the Okavango Delta is a great and troubled river, the third largest in southern Africa. It flows not to sea but east into the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Its ending is a delta which extends for 15 000 km making a natural symphony of rivers, lagoons, islands and forests. The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland delta spreading over 15 000 square km during dry years while higher rainfalls canfan out the delta over a staggering 22 000 square km. Ironically, the river's highest levels are achieved during Botswana's dry season, reaching their peak in June and July. In Botswana's rainy season, which is from October to March, the Okavango's pans and the many rivers and streams are dry. The formerly lush and wet water channels also become inaccessible by boat. The Okavango Delta, Botswana, to do list: Mokoro trips Open roof safari drives 4x4 drives Elephant back safari trails: the Fish Eagle Trail starts are Maun and ends at the - - Victoria Falls Horseback safari Nature walks Game viewing Birdviewing Aha Hills Audi Camp Chief's Island Delta Camp Drosky's Cabins Drotsky's Cave and Gcwihaba Hills Elephant Safaris Guma Lagoon Jedibe Island Camp Khwai River Lodge: The Khwai River which is located in the northeast of the Okavango Delta is one of the major rivers of the delta. Though it occasionally all but dries up leaving a few hippo pools to await the fresh waters of the new season. It forms the northern border of the Moremi Game Reserve and is home to several game lodges and photographic camps, amongst which is the Khwai River Lodge operated by the Orient Express Safaris Group near the reserve's northern entrance gate. The Khwai River Lodge sheltered beneath spreading camelthorn and knobthorn acacia shade trees and huge sycamore figs, its thatched chalets, swimming pool and patio overlooking the river and Moremi forest, was built in 1966. Lake Ngami Machaba Makwena Lodge Maun Maun Game Reserve, Botswana Mombo Camp Moremi Game Reserve Nxamaseri Lodge, Botswana Oddballs Camp Pom Pom Camp San-ta-wani Lodge Shakawe Fishing Lodge Shinde Camp Sitatunga Camp Tsaro Lodge Tsodilo Hills Xakanaxa Camp Xaro Lodge Xaxaba Camp Xudum Tented Camp Xugana Lodge Botswana THE KALAHARI DESERT Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Botswana's sunburnt wilderness The Kalahari Desert in Botswana is a flat, seemingly endless expanse of land where the days are scorching and the nights sometimes very cold. Four of Africa's most remote game reserves are located here: The Central Kalahari, Khutse, Mabuasehube and Gemsbok. The Kalahari Desert in Botswana is the largest continuous stretch of sand in the world. Flat, dry and empty, it covers more than 80 % of Bostwana, stretching from the Orange River towards the more equatorial regions. The Kalahari Desert in Bostwana is amongst the World's Greatest Deserts: Sahara Desert, North Africa 9 065 000 square km Gobi Desert, Mongolia-China 1 295 000 square km Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa Botswana 582 000 square km Great Victoria Desert, Australia 338 500 square km Great Sandy Desert, Australia 338 500 square km Central Kalahari Game Reserve Gaborone Game Reserve Gemsbok National Park Khutse Game Reserve Mabuasehube Game Reserve Mannyelanong Vulture Sanctuary Mokolodi Nature Reserve Botswana MAKGADIKGADI Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: Remote and burnished grassland The 1,2 million ha Makgadikgadi is a wilderness of dry saltpans, sweeping grass plains and herds of ever moving game. There are few roads and there is usually no water. Two roads loop around the Makgdikgdi pans and link Francistown in the east and Maun on the fringe of the Okavango Delta in the west. There are two main pans, the Sowa and the Ntwetwe. Two game reserves are situated here in the Makgadikgadi, the Nxai Pan National Park and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Gweta Rest Camp Khama Rhino Sanctuary Lake Xau Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan National Parks Mashatu Game Reserve and Tuli Safari Lodge Mawana Nature Reserve Nata Lodge Botswana CHOBE NATIONAL PARK Nature reserves, hiking trails, game lodges and places of interest: The game rich Chobe National Park on Botswana's northern border is one of Africa's great national parks. Rolling grassy plains, dusty mopane woodlands, the fossil lake-bed of the Mababe Depression and the lush floodplains of the Linyandi and Chobe rivers- they join the Zambezi at Kazungula, meeting point of four nations - offer a variety of habitats for the herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra for which the park is world renowned. The game at the Chobe National Park in Botswana provides ample feeding ground for predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog. The winter sunsets at Savuti are spectacular while the pans in the east are host to a variety of wildlife which includes lion and elephant. Chobe, Kasane, Kazuma, Maikaelelo and Sibuyu forest reserves Chobe National Park / Kasane and Serondela: Much of Botswana consists of various flood plains, sandy depressions, grasslands and Kalahari type desert. The Chobe National Park in Botswana with an area of 1,1 million ha is a combination of all of these, a spectacular game rich wilderness interspersed with patches of swampland and stands of mopane, kiaat, teak and acacia woodland. Chobe National Park: Nogatsaa Chobe National Park: Savuti Chobe Reptile Park Linyanti The Chobe and Moremi Game Reserves in Botwana Whereas the Okavango region of Botswana is predominantly wetland, the Moremi Game Reserve is a vast 2 000 square kilometre expanse of contrasts: flood plain, lagoon, dry busveld and mopane woodland characterize this area of Botswana. The Chobe River in Botswana is the country's only perennial river and although more than 30 km of its banks have been commandeered by responsible tourism, it continues to act as the life force for much wildlife. Moremi Game Reserve: Game viewing is good all year round with the dry season ( May to November ) offering the best times. Birders will delight in the influx of migrant species during the summer months. The Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana is a malaria area. Chobe Reserve: Riverside conditions are good year round ( best from May to October) while further inland conditions are best from November to May.
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