On Safari in South Africa - Where Africa's Wildlife Never
Disappoints by Andrew Muigai
South Africa continues to enjoy the tremendous goodwill of
holidaymakers worldwide. While travel to most long haul
destinations declined in 2003, this country experienced an
enviable 6.5% growth, according to the World Tourism
Organisation. The growth was jump started by the transformation
heralded by the demise of apartheid and onset of democratic rule
in 1994. Apartheid polices of racial discrimination protected by
law greatly offended enlightened opinion in many parts of the
world. And the enemies of these policies launched a very
effective campaign against visiting South Africa. So it came to
be that South Africa, a truly superior destination by any
standards, remained hidden to many until the dark cloud of
apartheid blew over.
The wildlife safari is a key item on the South Africa tourist
menu. Those who chose to see Africa's wildlife here will not be
disappointed. The game viewing experience is excellent at the
top rated Kruger National Park and at other well-regarded game
parks in the country. Wildlife is protected in over 300 public
and private game and nature reserves. SANParks (South African
National Parks) manages 20 national parks spread throughout the
country.
Kruger is the place to see big game particularly the "big
five" - buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.
Most of the other parks have specialised in conserving
particular species or are identified with specific animals. The
Greater Addo National Park, for example, is the only place you
find elephants in the Cape region. Some of the parks along the
3000 km coastline host whales and dolphins.
South Africa's wildlife conservation policies are advanced and
highly successful. An initiative targeting wildlife sanctuaries
cutting across international boundaries hopes to replicate this
success elsewhere. This is in recognition of the fact that
wildlife is no respecter of territorial lines covenanted between
men. Transfrontier conservation areas have been identified in
six regions along the boundaries with Lesotho, Swaziland,
Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
In South Africa, the best places to see wildlife is at private
game reserves and national parks. Private game reserves are not
as expansive as the publicly owned national parks. Their key
selling point is the superior accommodation and ranger escorted
personalized tours. The national parks on the other hand are
popular with self-drive tourists. They offer accommodation in a
limited number of enclosed rest-camps, in thatched rondavels,
bungalows and chalets. Tour companies also offer South
Africa safari packages, including transport and guide
in the national parks.
South Africa is home to numerous species of land animals,
including the celebrated "big five" - rhino, buffalo,
lion, leopard and elephant. Most members of the big five league
are undoubtedly charismatic. But this is not the reason they are
so named - otherwise I would petition that the buffalo be
ejected. The reason is that these are the animals the early
safari hunters found most challenging. The idea of viewing game
without killing had not gained widespread acceptance then. The
arrogant practice of killing animals as a sport is very
unpopular today with those who value the right to life and
dignity of animals as full members of our planet.
In addition to the disagreeable aesthetics, hunting brings about
a bad relationship between man and the animals. I will
illustrate this with an incident narrated to me by a guide on a
recent visit to a country that allows hunting. The guide
recalled an occasion when he was taken by surprise to see an
elephant charging at his vehicle. This was contrary to his
experience with elephants in that region. This unusual behaviour
arose because hunters had wounded the elephant. The elephant
hereafter dealt with vehicles and humans as enemies. It is
regrettable that South Africa's otherwise stellar conservation
policies, allow the practice of hunting in certain areas.
Game viewing is usually done from the comfort of a vehicle but
walking, horseback, camel and canoeing safaris are increasingly
becoming popular. If you wish to view game in any of these
modes, it is required that you be accompanied by an armed
ranger. Full blood adventure types think that watching game
aboard a vehicle is for wimps. Walking safaris are designed for
such hardy souls. And it is the reason that the thoughtful folks
at SANParks maintain a network of wilderness trails in the
parks. The typical walking safari will have a maximum of eight
persons with ages ranging from 12 to 60 years and last for 2
nights and 3 days. Participants must obviously be physically
fit.
Without doubt, the best place to see wildlife, especially the
"big five" is Kruger National Park. This is the
flagship of South Africa's national parks. The Kruger was
created in 1898 and owes its existence to the vision of Paul
Kruger at one time president of the Transvaal Republic that
later became part of the Union of South Africa. He was ahead of
his time in recognizing the need to create a sanctuary to
preserve and protect wildlife. Even at that time it was clear
that the hunter with his rifle would soon annihilate all the
animals.
Kruger offers a diversity of animals unrivalled anywhere else in
South Africa. In addition to the big five, some of the
interesting game you find here include - hippo, jackal, giraffe,
zebra, buffalo, warthog, numerous antelope species, cheetah,
wild dog and spotted hyena. The park is home to more than 140
mammal and 500 bird species. Kruger spreads over nearly 20, 000
sq km of unspoilt scrubland punctuated by acacia and mopane
trees. The botanic biodiversity is vast and over 336 tree
species are found here.
Accommodation within Kruger is provided at self-catering rest
camps that offer good but basic lodging. There are also some
smaller bush lodges and bushveld camps offering more luxurious
stay. Accommodation ranges from rondavel huts and safari tents
to family bungalows and cottages and luxury guesthouses. In
addition, there are caravan and tent camping sites at some of
the rest camps. Most of the camps are supplied with electric
power and telephone. Other facilities include shops, kitchen
facilities, restaurants and petrol stations.
Kruger has 3,000 kilometers of a well-maintained road network
and is ideal for those seeking a self-drive experience. The park
is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. It is therefore
hugely popular and draws over 600,000 visitors annually. It in
particular gets very crowded over the school holidays in July
and December. Since there are a maximum number of vehicles
allowed into the park daily, you are well advised to make
advance arrangements if you plan to visit then. Game viewing is
good year round, but the best time will be from April to
September when the bush is sparse.
Kruger is located 330 km to the northeast of Johannesburg. If
you have no stomach for a long drive, take one of the daily
flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport,
Hoedspruit Airport or Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport.
Towards the western and southern sides of Kruger National Park,
there are a number of highly rated private game reserves. This
includes Sabi Sand, Mala Mala, Londolozi and Timbavati game
reserves. Here you will find some of the finest game lodges in
Africa.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is another unique game
sanctuary. This huge park is a combination of the two parks -the
former Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok
National Park in South Africa. Covering over 36,000 sq km, it is
one of the biggest wildlife conservation areas anywhere in the
world. The landscape is marked by red sand dunes and sparse
thornbush vegetation. The environment of this park provides
outstanding opportunities for unforgettable wildlife photos.
This park is host to the famous black-maned Kalahari lions. You
will also see gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest,
cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards.
Birding is also excellent and of 297 species recorded, 96 are
resident. The Kgalagadi is not for the fainthearted -it is far
from anywhere and getting there is a slog. It is located 904 km
to the west of Johannesburg. All accommodation in the park is
managed by SANParks. You will get the best experience if you
visit between June and July when the weather is coolest.
On a South
Africa safari, remember to carry a pair of binoculars
to help you spot animals. Also carry a camera and other
equipment as a means of recording your safari. It is the only
way to shut up those who doubt the story of your encounter with
the African wildlife. Carry along a decent pair sunglasses to
shield you from glare, especially if you travel to the semi
desert Kgalagadi. Dressing well means cool clothing (such as
light cottons and linen) for summer and warm for winter.
Copyright © Africa
Point
Andrew Muigai is the editor of AfricaPoint Insider online
newsletter. It is part of AfricaPoint.com- the Africa travel
website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa.
You can view more info on South
Africa safari and tours at the website.
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