Africa is one of the most fascinating continents in the world when it comes to its natural beauties. When you think about this territory, it is usually associated with animals running free, with landscapes worthy of the best cinematographic productions. The first thing we can say about it is that there is something that these images have in common, and it has to do with the fact that they all have their origin in the same point: the African natural parks. South Africa is characterized by having diverse natural parks that are incredible and that it is advisable to visit at least once, to experience new sensations and be amazed by the most impressive nature. Next, we tell you about the best natural parks in South Africa.
Kruger National Park
This Park was inaugurated in 1889 and is located near the border with Mozambique. One of the reasons that stands out has to do with being the park that has the most animals in the entire African continent. It is this particularity that makes the observation and, in particular, the observation of mammals one of the most important and sought-after tourist activities.
If you are interested in visiting this park, the best times are in the morning and at sunset. These are also the moments when you can see some highly desired species, such as elephants, rhinos, lions, buffaloes, and leopards. If you want to visit this park, it is possible to do it with guided safaris, which allow a more detailed knowledge of it and the species that inhabit it.
To visit this park, the Honey Guide Camp is an excellent opportunity. These are safari camps that are located in the 23 thousand hectares of the Manyeleti Game Reserve, next to the Kruger National Park. It is an accommodation that offers new experiences of wildlife but retains enough amenities for visitors.
Pilanesberg National Park
In Guateng, only 140 kilometres from the city of Johannesburg, is the Pilanesberg National Park. It is the fifth largest national park in South Africa and stands out both for its beauty and for being a place inhabited by 350 species of birds, lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, giraffes, endangered white rhinos, among others. One of the ways to get to know this park is through a safari. It also offers to take visitors to the crater of a billion-year-old volcano, being able, in addition, to see the animals develop naturally in their habitat.
If you are interested in visiting this park, one of the most recommended accommodations is Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa. It is a hotel located in the heart of the suburb of Sandton in Morningside Manor, in a luxury boutique hotel that stands out for its impressive gardens and for being housed in a spectacular 19th century mansion. It is an exclusive accommodation that offers gourmet cuisine and first-class personalized service. In addition, it has a great diversity of beautiful places to dine, where guests can enjoy exquisite menus. Its facilities include, in addition to beautiful and complete rooms, an exclusive Balinese garden with a spa and a large outdoor pool. It also offers access to fully equipped meeting areas to hold conferences, presentations, among other types of private events.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
This site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the third largest protected area in South Africa, with more than 332,000 hectares within which there are eight ecosystems that are interdependent. This Park is located in KwaZulu Natal. One of the preferred ways for visitors to get to know this place is with night safaris, where the big five are sought out. You can also do other activities, such as cruises to see crocodiles and hippos. It is a unique place in the world to connect with nature.
Gondwana Private Game Reserve
This spectacular place is only about four hours’ drive from Cape Town. It is a park of 11,000 hectares that is known for being the only fynbos reserve, as well as for having the five great animals of the world in its territory. It is one of the favourite places in South Africa to carry out safari activities, since travellers can contemplate these large animals together with others, developing in their natural habitat, sharing with other animals with whom they frequently coexist, among other things.
In case you want to visit this site, you can look for accommodation in Cape Town. Abbey Manor is an excellent alternative. This is a luxury guest house, which is located high up on Table Mountain. It stands out for the beauty of its views of Cape Town and for its beautiful, individually decorated rooms combined with excellent service. It is a site that was built in 1905 and has been completely remodelled to provide visitors with the highest levels of comfort.
Addo Elephant National Park
For elephant lovers, who dream of meeting and seeing them up close, this park is an exceptional destination. It is a park that was created in 1931, east of Cape Town. Today it owns more than 200 pachyderms, including elands, buffalo, and kudús. Visiting this site, it is possible to see these animals in all their splendour, see them living with others, interacting, feeding, seeing them in their natural environment.
