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Wildlife highlights include the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and both white and black rhino. Other notable species we may encounter are African wild dog, cheetah, honey badger, caracal, African wild cat, sable, eland, baboon, Samango monkey, thick-tailed bushbaby, the endemic black wildebeest and kudu.
We typically book comfortable national park accommodation, but private lodges in select world-class reserves are also available.
The Sabi Sand Reserve is the birthplace of sustainable wildlife tourism in the region. It’s the oldest private reserve in South Africa, spanning 65 000ha, and is home to a vast wildlife population.
Adjacent is the 13 000ha Kapama Reserve, and both share unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, allowing the free movement of animals.
Nowhere in South Africa can you find a wildlife experience quite like this. The immense and diverse tracts of land are home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant), and several endangered species.
Three rivers – the Sand, Sabie, and Klaserie – supply water to the reserves, sustaining their ecosystems and contributing to one of Africa’s most biodiverse wildlife populations. Over 200 species thrive here, while the ever-changing birdlife and rarities offer significant interest even for the most experienced ornithologists.
Spanning 19 685km², the Kruger National Park is the tenth largest game reserve in the world. It supports the widest variety of wildlife species on the African continent, including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) and another 140+ mammal species.
The Kruger forms part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, and offers varied terrain from mountains and bush plains to forests. Its extensive infrastructure includes 3 000km of road, 23 rest camps, many excellent picnic sites, walking trails and 4×4 routes. It also features hides and dams, optimising sightings.
Big-game viewing in the Kruger rivals that of any reserve in Africa, with large populations of elephant, buffalo and lion easily spotted.
The Kruger is also a birding paradise. Every year, over a million visitors tally up around 520 species. Birders are also challenged to spot the “Big 6”: Saddle-billed Stork, Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Pel’s Fishing-Owl, and Southern Ground Hornbill.
While birding peaks during the summer months (November to March) with the influx of migratory species, the Kruger remains a rewarding destination year-round. Even in the winter months (May to July), a great number of birds can be seen.
This 96 000ha reserve is the oldest in Africa, having been established in 1895. Situated about 250km north of Durban in the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal province, the park is recognised for its rich biodiversity and significant conservation achievements.
As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, it has played a crucial role in preserving both black and white rhino populations. It’s also famous for being the royal hunting grounds of past Zulu kings.
As one of only two state-managed parks in KwaZulu-Natal and home to the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard), Hluhluwe-Imfolozi also hosts other notable species, such as African wild dog, cheetah, and spotted hyena. With a varied terrain of hills and river valleys, the park is also a prime birding destination home to over 340 bird species, including several endemics and specials, as well as many raptors, from large eagles to vultures and accipiters to owls.
Tembe Elephant Park, covering 30 012ha, is notable for its diverse inhabitants, ranging from Africa’s largest land mammal, the African elephant, to one of its smallest antelopes, the suni.
Established as a protected area in 1983 by Chief Mzimba Tembe, the park is situated in Maputaland, approximately 405km north of Durban, a journey of about 4.5 hours by road.
The park is distinguished by its population of the largest elephants in Southern Africa, the most extensive tree diversity in South Africa and sand forest habitats. It’s home to the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard), African wild dogs and numerous other species.
The park offers exceptional birding opportunities, with a recorded list of over 340 species, including many rarities and endemics. Its butterfly diversity is also unsurpassed.
This scenic reserve was established in 1912 and encompasses 40 000ha of diverse ecosystems in northern Zululand. Situated approximately 4 hours and 395km from Durban, the reserve forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site.
Mkuze offers diverse game viewing opportunities, including the Big 5, wild dog and cheetah. It includes an exceptional variety of natural habitats, from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains to broad stretches of acacia savanna, swamps, a variety of woodlands, riverine areas and sand forests.
Mkuze is also renowned as a mecca for bird lovers with more than 420 species on record.
Cape Vidal lies on the Eastern Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. The park is 220km north of Durban in eastern Zululand and 3 hours by road.
North of the popular tourist town of St Lucia, the reserve features a complex interlinked series of 5 ecosystems that provide diverse game viewing and birding opportunities.
The reserve is known for its leopard, rhino, buffalo, and hippo populations. A network of waterways provides excellent opportunities for spotting hippo and crocodile in their natural habitat. The scenic area includes a pristine beach and clear water ideal for snorkelling to observe the abundant marine life.
Additionally, the area offers rewarding birding. Notable species include Southern Banded Snake Eagle, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Woodward’s Batis, Green Twinspot, Green Malkoha, and Narina Trogon.