South Africa’s Game Reserves Provide a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity to Enjoy Diverse Wildlife
The wide-open spaces of South Africa provide visitors with incredible scenery and the opportunity to observe amazing animals and wildlife in their natural habitats. Anyone traveling to the country should consider going on day trips to see several of the forty-two national parks and other game reserves located there or taking an organized safari into the bush. There are many sites to choose from.
PROMINENT WILDLIFE RESERVES
One choice is Kruger National Park in the remote northeastern section of the country. Kruger is the largest game reserve in South Africa with 7500 square miles of wilderness full of the major species of animals, birds and reptiles. Another good choice is the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, a state run park in the eastern province of Kwazulu-Natal, established in 1895 for the purpose of preserving the white rhino from extinction. It covers 372 square miles of hills and forests surrounding the Black Imfolozi River. The extensive system of roads, trails, and encampments in this reserve allow for frequent animal sightings. Both destinations have the South African “Big Five” animals – the lion, elephant, rhinoceros, African buffalo, and leopard. Once the target of hunters, their sighting now delights photographers and tourists instead. A third prominent game reserve is the Addo Elephant National Park located on the eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth. Beginning in 1921, the government established the park to help sustain the region’s small elephant population, and today its elephant herds include more than six hundred of them. In addition to preserving these revered elephants, the expanded seventy-seven square mile park features numerous other animals including the Big Five.
The quality of South Africa’s private game reserves ranges from outstanding to disappointing. One excellent choice on the Eastern Cape is the Schotia Private Reserve located near Addo Elephant Park about forty miles north of Port Elizabeth. This fully enclosed small reserve is staffed by park rangers who know every inch of their land and where to spot the Big Five and other species by driving along the trails or heading off road in the bush. Another solid choice is the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve which is a luxury destination in the Klein Karoo region three and a half hours east of Cape Town. Sanbona offers overnight safari stays in a lodge or modern tent facilities spread around 239 square miles of land. It is considered by some guides to be the best wildlife reserve in the Western Cape section of the country. There are other excellent places to see animals in South Africa but to avoid disappointment, be sure to check out the reputation of the location and reviews from other travelers before committing to a stay or excursion.
OUR WILDLIFE SAFARIS
We were able to enjoy two wildlife safaris on our trip to South Africa. One was an excursion from the cruise port at Richards Bay to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and the other was an excursion from Port Elizabeth to the Schotia Private Reserve. Both were morning safaris, which meant that we had to get up at dawn to drive to the entrance of the wildlife reserve by 7:30 a.m. or earlier. Although some reserves and parks allow guests to drive around in their own vehicles, the better practice is to take a tour with a park ranger on an open safari vehicle. On both of our safaris, the vehicle was a truck body with elevated and covered seats for eight or nine people behind the ranger. We were fortunate to have only one or two other passengers with us on our safaris. From these seats you can see the land and spot animals in three directions. Morning safaris last for about four hours because the animals tend to head for the shade or rest during the middle of the day. Afternoon safaris usually begin around 4 p.m. and last until dusk. The best rangers know the watering holes that are popular with the animals and places where the herbivores like to graze. Most safaris include a short stop at a camp in the reserve where refreshments and facilities are available.
EXCITING ANIMAL SIGHTINGS
We saw dozens of different animals during our safaris including four of the Big Five. Leopards tend to stay out of sight or hide in trees among the foliage, so we did not spot one on either safari. The animals we did see more than made up for this omission. Some of the animals we saw were the following:
Pride of Lions- The high point of our safaris was seeing a pride of lions up close for twenty minutes. Lions establish a family group of males, females, and young cubs that can range in size from a few animals to several dozen. At Schotia Private Reserve, there were several prides, and we were fortunate to locate and observe one at a distance of about twenty feet. This pride of seven lions included a pride male who had a large mane, two lionesses, and four mature male and female cubs. They were lounging in the shady brush at noontime a day after they had enjoyed a large meal and were indifferent to our presence.
Elephants- Most of the elephants we saw at the game reserves went about their business quietly grazing throughout the day without disturbing other animals. They live in herds for life consisting of three or four generations of elephants led by a mature female. However, as male elephants fully mature, most leave the family. Some young males can become aggressive with outsiders when in musth. One large bull elephant we saw was grazing around a small lake while two females kept their distance. He stomped around and threw mud in the air while moving his giant ears, so we took the hint and watched him respectfully from a distance.
African Buffalo Herds- Herds of African Buffalo are easy to spot as they graze in the fields or wallow in small ponds in the heat. The adult buffaloes are large and stick together to protect their families and young from other predators. A dominant male bull runs the herd and presides over females and the non-dominant males. The bulls have large horns and an excellent sense of smell. They will defend the herd using their horns and the large heavy bone at the top of their head, making them a formidable opponent for lions and other predators.
Rhinoceros- The rhinoceros is a protected animal in South Africa. The government has worked aggressively to punish poachers, guard the remaining animals, and dehorn some rhinos to make them less of a target. Since 75% of the remaining white and black rhinos in the world are believed to be in South Africa, people enjoy seeing them feeding on plants and grass, or resting in the mud. We saw several mothers and calves on our safaris and large groups of them feeding and wallowing.
Giraffes- There is nothing quite as majestic as seeing a herd of giraffes moving through the trees to graze on top of the forests. As the tallest of all land mammals, giraffes are known for their long necks and long legs, which can deliver powerful kicks to predators. We were shocked to come upon a herd of five giraffes casually walking up the dirt road ahead of us as we drove through the Hluhluwe-Imfolzi Game Reserve and then moving into the trees to feed. A herd of mature and young giraffes enjoyed themselves in the tall trees at Schotia also.
Hippopotamus- Hippos are common inhabitants of Africa’s lakes and rivers. While their large girth, cute little ears, and small tails make them appear friendly and lazy when lounging around in the water, a hippopotamus is very dangerous to predators and humans if aroused. They are territorial and quick to use their massive mouth and jaws, surprising stealth, and speed on land and water. We saw three hippopotamus hanging out in a large pond at Schotia and they eyed us warily and often disappeared under the water for long intervals.
Zebras and Antelopes- Some of the most common animals you see in the game reserves are zebras and various types of antelopes such as the kudu, impala, wildebeest, and nyala. They roam freely in large herds throughout the game reserves and use their speed, camouflage, horns, and group alertness to elude predators who stalk them and their young. Sometimes they will graze along the roads and trails in large numbers with indifference to passing safaris.
Warthog- Ever since Disney decided to portray the warthog Pumba as a lovable rogue and pleasant companion to the other animals, people visiting game reserves have wanted to see warthogs. In the bush, however, warthogs should be taken seriously. They can be three or four feet high and have curved tusks and sharp hooves that are useful for digging for food or defending themselves. These hogs are also surprisingly fast when they need to be. Unlike in the movies, they do not smile and sing to you.
Baboons- South Africa is full of primates such as monkeys, but the largest and most common ones to spot are the baboons. They stick to the trees and forests and are agile enough to avoid predators. Know for their canine shaped faces, large teeth, and red buttocks, they are well equipped to seek out berries, leaves, insects, and small quantities of meat. While quick to avoid people, they can be aggressive when seeing food or containers, so close contact should be avoided.
Other Creatures to Experience- Depending on where you go and luck of the draw, there are other types of animals, reptiles, and birds to see at game preserves. One day you may see a flock of vultures looking out for a killed animal to poach. Another day, a few ostriches may wander by or you may see a dung beetle pushing a baseball size piece of elephant dung down the road.
WHEN TO GO
There are different weather patterns in various parts of South Africa but the best time to go on a safari is during the dry months from May to September. During these months, the animals come out of the bush and congregate more in the open near water sources. The tourist crowds can be smaller at this time as well since it is wintertime in South Africa. The prime vacation and tourist months in South Africa, however, are from November to March when some parts of the country have more rainfall and temperatures are warmer. Our trips to the game reserves took place in mid-February and we found both the climate and the animals to be hospitable.
SUGGESTED COMPANIES FOR SAFARI BOOKINGS
Many tour companies offering a South African package tour will include a side trip to Kruger National Park or one of the other large game reserves in the package or offer a safari as an additional excursion. If you are traveling to South Africa on a cruise or on your own, we would recommend three local tour companies who provided us with excellent service and fair prices for private tours. For travelers visiting Cape Town or the Garden Route, Clive DeBruyne of The Cape Town Tour Guide Company can arrange a side trip to the Sanbona Reserve, Kruger National Park, or other locations. For people visiting Durban or Richards Bay, Tim Brown Tours coordinates day safaris to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and other reserves. Finally, visitors heading to the Eastern Cape or Port Elizabeth should consider Langloe Travel and Events to arrange a day safari.
Notice: The information provided in this article is true and accurate to the best actual knowledge of The Traveling American. However, my family's experience with any guide or company mentioned here may not reflect the experience of other travelers using these services. Travelers should rely on their own judgment and information in retaining any guides or drivers mentioned on the website.