South Africa has long been the favorite travel destination for travelers who love the African nation for its hospitable climate, rich culture, and amazing wildlife. Planning a long trip, and that too in a distant African nation, is not easy. Several factors, such as local geography, seasonal variations, the breeding season of animals, and the tourist’s personal preferences, have to be factored in when planning a trip.
When you lack preparedness, you may forget some travel essentials for your South African safari. So be prepared and do not forget to pack your travel essentials like Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a large hat.
Enjoy Yourself In The Land Of The Big Five
This blog post will be very helpful if you are traveling to an African nation for the first time. Safari in South Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but with adequate preparation, you can ensure that your trip remains smooth and hassle-free.
Pick A National Park
South Africa is dotted with game reserves or sanctuaries. So, before you proceed with your holiday planning, you have to decide on your final destination. So, pick up one, two, or, at the most, three-game reserves that you wish to visit on a single trip.
Make sure that the game reserves that you pick are physically close to each other, or they are well connected. Some of the most popular game reserves tourists love visiting are listed below, and you can pick one or two sites from them. Also, depending on your budget, you may pick a private or group safari. The private safaris provide a crowd-free exclusive tour for you and your friends, but they are generally more expensive than group-based tours.
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the most popular national parks in South Africa. It is rich in biodiversity, so do not be surprised if you see all five big land animals, like the buffalo, elephant, lion, and cheetah, in a single day. The authorities allow you to take night tours, guided walks, and off-roading activities if you have the necessary permits.
The Kruger National Park is well connected to the Johannesburg airport. Once you arrive in the capital city of South Africa, you can easily take a car to Kruger. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Kruger will not disappoint. Apart from the traditional land mammals, you can easily spot a scaly pangolin or even a honey badger if you are lucky.
Pilanesberg
If you are visiting the Sun City, the Pilanesberg game reserve is the best place to visit. Like the Kruger National Park, this game reserve also has five big land mammals. However, the best part about this reserve is its geographic location. The game reserve is situated in a volcanic crater.
Madikwe Game Reserve
The Madikwe Game Reserve is a perfect choice if you wish to spot elephants, lions, and leopards easily. Apart from the wildlife, this game reserve also boasts great geographical features, such as the rocky and rugged Tshwene hills.
The Best Season To Visit The Game Reserve
When you are planning a trip, you have to consider the local weather in the place that you are planning to visit. In the case of a game reserve, this is all the more important since the animals will be elusive during the breeding season. So, if you are planning on visiting the Kruger National Park, it is a good idea to visit from July through October. The best time to visit the Pilanesberg game reserve is in August, September, and October.
Hire A Local Tourist Guide
Even if you have visited South Africa before or even if you may have gone on several other safaris when you are visiting the game reserves in South Africa, hiring a tourist guide will make your life easy. A tourist guide will inform you about the right time to visit the national parks, and he will guide you through the rules and regulations to be followed when you visit the game reserve.
Choose The Type Of Accommodate
Your travel budget, as well as the kind of preparation that you need for the safari, will depend on the type of accommodation you book. If you choose to stay at a tent (campsite), then you may need to pack in more woolen and be more prepared to face the adversities of nature. However, if you plan to stay in a suite at a star-rated resort, then you will get all the luxuries, but you will have to amp up your budget accordingly.
Get Your Essentials
When you are out on a safari, you must have essentials like binoculars to spot animals from a distance. Moreover, you must have a good camera with great lenses if you wish to capture a beast in the wild. Some game reserves allow for tripod-based long-term video shoots, while others do not. So, if you want to capture videos, it is best to chat with the authorities before you finalize the trip.
Final Words
South Africa is a country that is hospitable and has some of the best game reserves in the world. However, planning a trip to a game reserve in a distant country is not easy. So, decide on which particular game reserves you want to visit, then book hotels and flight tickets as per your budget, and plan the trip (layovers and journeys) to avoid any hassles. Moreover, be prepared for the elements and get in touch with a good tourist guide who will give you all the necessary information for your trip.
