The Best Safaris In South Africa

When travelling to South Africa, there are so many options to fill your days. One of the most popular activities would be safari. Nothing beats the fresh smell of early mornings in the bush, with wildlife waking up to start their day.  There are so many parks to choose from for your next safari. Here are some options for your next SA safari:

Big Five Safari

Safaris in South Africa are famous for sightings of the Big five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. One of the best areas to spot the Big five would be the Kruger National Park. This park is one of the largest reserves in Africa and covers almost 20,000 km².

The Kruger National Park offers safari options for every traveller. For the more budget traveller, there is the option to self-drive and either camp or stay in the park chalets. Alternatively, there is also the option of staying at one of the lodges inside the park.

When travelling with smaller children, you might want to consider a malaria-free safari. The Madikwe Game Reserve is a fantastic option for this. While enjoying a safari in the Madikwe Game Reserve, not only would you be able to spot the Big Five, but the reserve is also famous for Wild Dog sightings.

As no day visitors are allowed to visit the Madikwe Game Reserve, the reserve tends to be less busy and offers a more exclusive safari experience. Lodges are generally smaller, and most are very accommodating for families travelling with little ranger programs to keep children entertained.

When visiting Cape Town and you would prefer not to fly to your safari destination, there are some amazing game reserves along the Garden Route. Only 3 hours drive from Cape Town you will find Sanbona Wildlife Reserve as well as the Gondwana Private Game Reserve.

Should you be ending your stay in Port Elizabeth, you are also spoilt for safari options. Just an hour away would be the Addo Elephant National Park and a little further away you would have the option of Amakhala Game Reserve, Shamwari Game Reserve and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, to name a few. The reserves along the Garden Route area also Malaria-free and another great option for families travelling.

Ocean Safaris

South Africa not only offers a Big five game safaris. You also have the option to experience a Marine Big five safari. Marine Big five include whales, seals, dolphins, penguins and sharks. Not many have the privilege of experiencing the Marine Big five.

However, including a visit to the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, you would be able to experience the Marine Big five in their natural habitat. They have a purpose-built eco-friendly tour vessel that is used for trips and is led by experienced marine biologists and guides. While out on the water you get to witness thousands of Cape Fur Seals enjoying the African sun or bottlenose dolphins swimming next to the boat.

One of the best ways to see sharks would be to book a Shark Cage Diving excursion. After a briefing, you are taken out on a boat to where the cage is lowered into the water. You can then climb in and view these amazing creatures as they swim by, minding their own business.

A trip to South Africa is not complete without a safari, whether on land or sea. Don’t postpone any longer, book your next visit now and come experience the early mornings in the bush yourself!