Tuesday 20 June 2017

My top 10 places to view Wildlife in South Africa

We lived in Centurion, Pretoria for 4 years and welcomed numerous visitors every year to South Africa, including family, friends and work colleagues. We were regular visitors to the first 6 places and enjoyed annual trips to 7-10.
In no particular order, other than closest to our home at the time, are the following places to view game, wildlife and birds.

1. Reitvlei Nature Reserve just off the R21. Fantastic for picnics, bird watching and viewing Rhino.

2. Groenkloof on the outskirts of Pretoria where the M18 and the R21 join. Get out your car and take a walk with Giraffes, Zebras and Gnu’s. Hire bikes, ride horses or experience the awesome 4x4 route. Picnic, camp and experience authentic African food at Moyo’s restaurant.

3. Walter Sisulu Gardens in Johannesburg. Enjoy a picnic, a stroll through the gardens, view the nesting Eagles and walk to view the waterfalls.

4. Krugersdorp Lion Reserve, best to visit on a Sunday and experience the feeding habits of the Lions in a semi wild habitat. Picnic site and camp site with restaurant.

5. Pilanesburg Game Reserve. The closest place to view the Big 5. A two hour drive from Pretoria or stay over in a lodge, Sun City or camp site. Take a picnic or eat at Pilanesberg Centre. View Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Cape Buffalo and a Leopard if you’re lucky. Self drive or game drives available.

6. Kruger National Park. Nearest entrance is Malelane, nr Leopards Leap Golf Course, stay inside or outside the park in a lodge or camping. Drive along Crocodile River and take a walk with a ranger to view the hippos. Visit one of numerous restaurants in the park or take a picnic and braai.

7. Take a road trip to Cape Town via Port Elizabeth and visit the Addo Elephant National Park, there’s a variety of lodges nearby at reasonable prices. Spend the day viewing Elephants and other game.

8. Port Elizabeth Light house and visit the SAMREC Penguin Sanctuary. Learn about the plight of the penguin and the good work they do to rehabilitate penguins and return them to the wild. Take a walk on the beach to the light house and view the Oyster Catchers in their natural habitat.

9. Visit Oudtshoorn, inland of Mossel Beach and George. There is a great restaurant and gift shop and take a guided tour of the Ostrich farm and learn about their environment and the trade in feathers. Finish the day off with an Ostrich ride.

10. Finally visit the Cape of Good Hope, where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean meet. Take a walk on the beaches with the free roaming antelope.


14 comments:

  1. I would love to go to South Africa, my husband is passionate about the accent of the locals for one thing, my nephew and his girlfriend visited last year and took some amazing photos and videos #animaltales@_karendennis

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    1. it is such an amazing place to visit and I can hear a south African accent from a mile off

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  2. I would love to go to South Africa, my husband is passionate about the accent of the locals for one thing, my nephew and his girlfriend visited last year and took some amazing photos and videos #animaltales@_karendennis

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  3. Ah, this brings so many memories! I'd recommend the cheetah sanctuary as seeing them up close was such a privilege. Also, if you go to Cape Town, do the bus tour as it means you see tons of the city without much effort. Definitely get off at the District 6 Museum. Also, Robyn Island. Both humbling.

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  4. South Africa looks like such an amazingly beautiful place...You were so lucky to live there x #PoCoLo

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    1. oh we were indeed and I#d move back there again if we had the opportunity

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  5. Your area is lovely - would love to travel there.

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  6. Phew, there was one on your list I'd been to - the Cape of Good Hope. We went to the Mabula game reserve near Pretoria and it was pretty amazing. So long ago now though, 1997! Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo x

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    1. i'd go back there in a shot if the time would allow, to all of them for sure

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  7. HIPPO PORN - need I say more!!!! Great post for #AnimalTales and you know how to make me a happy host!!

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  8. All these places are very beautiful and amazing. We should try to visit these beautiful places. Dr Andrew Unterweger is a very professional man which is working in real estate field from many years.

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