South Africa Travel Guide

There are many parks in South Africa. Some boast of the big five, some are quiet and have lovely scenery. So you have much opportunity to chose what you want.
In 2010 we spent 16 days insides parks and now, in 2012, even 19 days.
If we stay healthy this won't be the last time.
Sometimes you must be patient or lucky. As we travelled from north to south in Kruger last april (14 days) we saw our first lonely lion only after 7 days! The next day we saw some 12 lions in front of our car!

South Africa is an amazing country for safaris, and there are a range of lodges catering to everyone's particular taste. Whether looking for the true bush experience or a luxury holiday adventure, South Africa has it!

Without having previous experience of Safari, South Africa lived up to our expectations

South Africa has all the animals and they are obviously pretty easy to see.

There are many ways to see them from 5+ Star resorts to more run of the mill camps.

My concern is that it seems in South Africa that the animals are somewhat contained especially on the numerous private reserves. That certainly makes them easy to see but you feel a little like they are corraled for human viewing - still fun but not totally 'natural'.

We are planning a safari to Tanzania and Kenya - places where the animals roam pretty freely and we are the ones who are fenced in.

Bush vibe is possible on in selected as exlusive destinations; the most popular parks are so easily accessible and well maintained that mass tourism and self drive are quite common. To live the bush experience you have to pay

Did not visit the Kruger itself but am to understand that it does get very touristy. If you can afford it, definitely try to go for one of the private game reserves with unfenced borders (joining the Kruger) and intimate safari lodges.

Ideally I would like to see all the animals that I shoot photos of as totally wild "not on reserves", but I realize that in South Africa that's just not available as much. The parks I've visited have been amazing and the birding is top notch.

From a photography point of view few destinations (in South Africa) can beat PGR.

This is an enchanting park, located in an arid mountain location, with a wide variety of animals, easily viewed because of the low vegetation and excellent road network. The accommodation and other facilities are of a high standard.

South Africa offers a diverse range of opportunities for viewing mountains, the sea, and discovering wildlife. The Kruger Park is definately worth visiting. A person on safari could spend 5 days or more in that park. South Africa has a number of other smaller parks throughout the country. The Drakensburg mountains are spectacular as is the Garden Route. The wild flowers of the Karoo, are also something worth seeing in August/September. On the whole SA is worth one visit at least.