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Kruger
National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve:
The flagship wildlife
reserve in north-east South Africa, and probably the most famous, is
Kruger National Park. It was
the first national park to be established and now hosts more than one
million visitors a year. Stretching 350km north to south along South
Africa's eastern border with Mozambique , Kruger is roughly the size of
Wales and is world renowned for its rich and diverse wildlife. Recently a
corridor was opened between South Africa and Mozambique's newly created
national park so the animals are free to roam between the two countries. It
is a natural paradise offering wildlife enthusiasts encounters with 150
different mammals and over 500 species of birds and well as being iconic Big
Five territory. Endangered wild dogs can be seen in the south, cheetah and
zebra on the plains and giraffe in the wooded areas.
Adjacent to Kruger lies the
Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Managed by a selection of private lodges the
animals are free to roam between Kruger and Sabi Sands so you have the
opportunity to see the big 5 and many other animals. If you want to see the
Big 5, this is the place to do it!
Madikwe Game Reserve: This recently-created reserve is located in the north-west of South Africa,
on the border with
Botswana. Most
of the land consisted of cattle farms but since 1991 the area has undergone
an intensive phase of development as a premier game reserve. Unlike almost
all state-owned game reserves in
Africa, the approach towards conservation that has
been adopted at Madikwe puts the needs of people before that of wildlife and
conservation. If local communities and the region as a whole can benefit
through jobs and business opportunities, then firm support for protected
areas will be achieved and important conservation objectives will be met
almost as a secondary or spin-off benefit.
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park:
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park is the oldest game reserve in Africa,
established in 1895, and is home to Africa's
Big 5 as well as many other species of animals. Viewing hides overlook pans
and waterholes enabling you to observe Africa’s wildlife at close range.
Situated in the heart of Zululand in the north-east of South Africa, this game reserve is conveniently placed
for divers to visit being between Durban (Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal), and Sodwana
Bay.
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