SOUTH AFRICAN ANIMALS: THE BIG 5 (or 6 or 7, or even 25)
Quick. What pops into your mind when you think of an African wildlife park?
A ride in a safari vehicle…thick bush and tall grass…elephants…lions…the Big Five…danger and excitement…being far from the madding crowd.
It’s all that and more. It’s also peaceful and a chance to be at one with nature. As my son said to his young nephew, “Sit quietly. Let’s just sit and love them”. Africa’s incredible wealth of animal life—including the world’s tallest (giraffe), largest (elephant), and fastest (cheetah) land mammals—provides visitors to the continent with unique experiences and lifelong memories.
South Africa has much to offer, including wonderful game parks. Why South Africa? The infrastructure is good and there is a well-developed conservation ethic. On early morning and early evening game drives you’re guaranteed to see many animals, perhaps even the Big 5 (Lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, Cape buffalo). Some people also add the hyena to make the Big 6.
There are many options, both private game parks, which have proliferated in recent years, and national parks. The largest and most famous is the Kruger National Park, but I recommend Hluhluwe-Umfolozi or Mkuze in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) in the northeast; or Pilansberg National Park a few hours northwest of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Kruger is much bigger, but many people say the others are better: they are more intimate and not as touristy.
Reservations 1) through KZN Wildlife:
Or 2) Pilansberg Wildlife Trust or Pilansberg Tourism:
www.pwt.org.za or www.parksnorthwest.co.za
Time of year: winter in South Africa is better as the parks can be really hot in summer. Vegetation is less dense in winter, making game spotting easier.
Malaria precautions: essential in KZN, but not required in Pilansberg. Wear long clothes, use mosquito repellant, and start anti-malaria medication before arriving in South Africa.
