Travel to the National Parks of South Africa
South Africa is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the African continent.
In one article you will not be able to tell about the colorful combination of ancient African cultures and modernity, exotic nature and all the great places of this amazing state.
Most travelers come to the end of the world to see the grand natural parks of the South African Republic.
Tsitsikamma
The name of the first African marine park Tsitsikamma is translated from the language of the Hottentots, as “a place where there is a lot of water”.
You can enter the reserve near the city of Storms River - the starting point of the famous hiking trails - Otter Trail and Tsitsikamma Trail.
In the reserve, tourists go trekking, participate in horseback riding, take part in jeep safaris; divers will be interested in scuba diving in the open Indian Ocean.
Active rest continues on the pleasure boat “Spirit of Tsitsikamma”, and if you are lucky, you can see dolphins and whales from it.
An interesting attraction of the reserve, to which you need to go through the rain forest - a big tree with a thousand-year history, under it you need to make hidden wishes.
The Storms River (Stormsrivier) flows into the Indian Ocean; rafting is held for everyone.
In the park is the only attraction on the mainland “Across the tops of the trees”. Imagine, you can admire the rainforest from a height of 30 m above the ground and have a chance to see with your own eyes the unique places to which you can not walk or reach by car.
The highest burzan in the world (221 meters) is thrown over the Bloukrans River - there are daredevils and thrill lovers?
Surfers should definitely go to the nearest Jeffries Bay - the town has all the conditions for practicing this sport, a museum exposition dedicated to surfing is open.
In the reserve, you can spend the night in a cottage designed for a family, or a chalet on the coast.
Pilanesburgh
Pilanesberg is a nature reserve in the crater of an ancient extinct volcano, near the resort town of San City.
The reserve is inhabited by the “big five” of Africa: buffaloes, lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, as well as travelers are guaranteed a meeting with giraffes, hippos, antelopes.
Connoisseurs of birds will see many birds, and to protect some species that are endangered, experts in the park have created nurseries, for example, for bearded or lambs.
Visitors to the park are invited for night or morning safaris - walks. Upon request, elephant safaris and communication (including feeding) with these noble animals are possible.
It is necessary to observe the traditional safety measures for these places: do not leave cars without permission, keep doors and windows closed; do not feed animals; do not approach large cats, next to which there are cubs; it is forbidden to be near animals that eat prey;
You can enjoy picturesque African nature from a bird's eye view - balloon flights are organized in the reserve.
You can spend the night in hotels of different price categories and comfort, for example, Ivory Tree Game Lodge, Bakubung Bush Lodge, Golden Leopard Resorts - Bakgatla Resort, Valley View Guest House, Diphororo Guest House, lovers of unity with nature choose a tent camp.
Great Limpopo Transboundary Park
The largest reserve in the world was opened at the beginning of the XXI century, and is located on the territory of 4 million hectares, simultaneously in three countries: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa.
Unique situation: for the free movement of people in the natural park were abolished state borders. Many settlements were also demolished that could have prevented the unhindered migration of animals, and some 20,000 people were forced to relocate elsewhere.
In honor of the unification of the territories of the three states, a coin of 20 cents, a circulation of 1,000 copies, was issued. On the obverse is the coat of arms of South Africa and the inscription in Khoisan: "Different people, unite." The reverse is decorated with the inscription Mamerle.
The unique natural state has its own laws, and the balance in the ecological system of our world is maintained by all means.
Interestingly, near the reserve are rural communities in which people live in the same way as their ancestors in prehistoric times.
In South Africa, it is convenient to visit the transnational park from the city of Nelsprut.
kruger
The oldest natural park was founded in 1923 in the northeastern region of South Africa. The reserve was named in memory of Paul Kruger (“Uncle Paul”), the president of the Transvaal.
It is home to 147 species of mammals, 507 species of birds, 148 - reptiles and amphibians, more than 300 species of trees grow.
In Kruger lives the famous African five: elephants, white and black rhinos, lions, leopards, buffaloes, several species of antelopes, crocodiles and other animals.
Traces of Homo erectus, monuments of civilization were found in the reserve, for example, cave paintings that belonged to the ancestors of today’s Bushmen or the ruins of prehistoric settlements of Tulamela and Masorini found in the 1990s.
Where to sleep? "Shelter" of huts or tents - Hide, a campground equipped with a kitchen - Bushveld Camp, a restaurant - Rest Camp.
In large camps, it is allowed to put up a personal tent or live in a prestigious guest house in comfortable rooms.