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Top 10 National Parks of South Africa

Top 10 national parks of South Africa

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South Africa is the ultimate in wildlife viewing destinations. Two of the world’s most widely acclaimed wildlife reservation areas and more than 20 National Parks dedicated to the protection of its precious natural assets, South Africa is unrivalled in its ability to provide spectacular opportunities to experience the majestic beauty of the natural world in this part of Africa.
The incredible range of protected wildlife regions encompasses diverse landscapes. Deserts, forests, open savannahs, mountains and coastal areas showcase both animal and plant worlds to their advantage.

1. The Kruger National Park
The flagstone and forerunner of national parks in South Africa, the Kruger National Park draws in millions of international tourists and local visitors annually. Representing the largest of all parks in South Africa, there are a multitude of activities to enjoy in almost two million hectares of diverse terrain. Impressive statistics speak of 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Walking safaris and game drives provide an unforgettable personal experience of life in the bush.

2. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Northern Cape)
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the second world renowned of South African parks. Its unique characteristic is being a sizable ecosystem without man-made barriers and comprises two adjoining national parks straddling the South African and Botswana borders. An abundance of wildlife including 200 species of birds can be observed in habitat of red sand dunes, dry river beds and occasional trees.

3. Mapungubwe National Park (Limpopo)
A World Heritage Site, the great ruins at Mapungubwe talk of human civilization in existence around 850 AD. Rich fossil deposits, Bushman rock art, giant baobab trees and riverine forests are just some of the secrets this transfrontier National Park wishes to share.

4. Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park (Kwazulu Natal)
The third largest park in South Africa and a World Heritage Site, Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park has 328 000 hectares of scintillating scenery. The coastline boundary consists of 280km of coral reefs and pristine beaches. Other habitats contained within the park are coastal forests, lush coastal plains and woodland areas.

5. Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park (Kwazulu Natal)
The oldest game reserve, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park prides itself in being home to Africa’s ‘Big Five’. The park has facilitated optimal viewing pleasure of lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinos which remain the prime attractions.

6. Addo Elephant Park (Eastern Cape)
This magnificently diverse national park showcases a wide variety of wildlife including the Black Rhino, species of antelope and Cape Buffalo. The park’s name takes its cue from the main attraction – the African Elephants that call the park home, numbering over 350. Apart from game viewing, visitors can also expect outdoor adventure and cultural experiences.

7. Table Mountain National Park (Cape Town and Cape Peninsula, Western Cape)
Table Mountain takes on a legendary status around the world. This natural wonder of picturesque mountains, crystal seas and bleached white sands has taken on the latest mantle of New 7 Wonders of Nature. Included in the park’s protected areas is an indigenous forest and The Cape Floristic Region which is the world’s smallest diverse floral kingdom.

8. De Hoop Nature Reserve (Whale Coast, Western Cape)
This wetland reserve located on the western Cape coastline boasts over 200 bird species, deserted beaches, rock pools and beautiful unique shrub lands (fynbos). It is also highly rated as providing the world’s best land-based whale-watching opportunities.

9. Pilanesberg Game Reserve (North West Province)
Sitting on the remnants of an alkaline volcanic crater, this national park offers a unique mosaic of mammals, birds and vegetation across 55 000 hectares which is attributed to the reserve’s location traversing the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation.

10. Garden Route National Park
A jewel in South Africa’s crown of wildlife conservation areas, Garden Route National Park, situated on the southern coastline, harmoniously blends a diversity of landscapes, seascapes, forests and mountains into a picture perfect natural and cultural heritage.

Picture credit: addoadventure.com

Best Methods For Easy And Fun Travels

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Going to a new place can be exciting and frightening, even for people who have a lot of travel experience. Read this selection of tips for travel advice before starting your next travel adventure.

TIP! Rotate drivers often on long car trips. If one driver drives until the point of exhaustion, they will go to sleep after switching.

The National Park Pass is a good investment if you will be making frequent visits to the National Parks. The cost is only 50 dollars and good for admission to all national parks for the one year time frame.

TIP! Look at when your passport expires. Most countries have explicit rules regarding your passport.

An increasing number of airports have added these facilities; use them to give your children some exercise and diversion. Keeping your kids occupied will make delays a lot more tolerable.

TIP! Find out as soon as possible whether you require a visa to enter the country you are travelling to. It can take some time for visa processing, so it is a good idea to apply for your visa far in advance of your expected departure date.

Jet Lag

TIP! Before getting off the cruise in a port city find yourself a hotel with free parking. Always ask the hotel staff for the policies and pricing on parking at the hotel and whether deals are available.

To avoid jet lag, try to stay up until about 8pm local time. Though you may be tired, it’s best to not go to bed early so you don’t exacerbate jet lag. The quicker you get used to local time, the quicker jet lag will fade.

TIP! Keep in mind that while staying in a hotel, there are guests on either side of you who are also on vacation. Avoid being loud or slamming doors as to not bother your neighbors in a hotel.

Travel can be a great way to educate your family members. Exposing your children to the experiences of developing countries can be very rewarding as long as you take safety precautions and travel wisely. Going abroad is the best way to learn about other cultures. This, in turn, helps you develop tolerance and respect for them.

TIP! Do plenty of research about traveling with pets before you bring yours on a trip. Figure out any fees you might encounter, as well as what hotels allow pets.

When you travel, you always need to keep up with your belongings. Be very aware of keeping a close eye on your purse when you are traveling. Bags with easy-to-use zippers may appear tempting at first, but they are also tempting to criminals who want to steal your stuff. When choosing a dependable bag for travel, keep these considerations in mind.

TIP! Weather can be a huge factor in your travel plans. Keep an eye on the forecast for your destination so you are aware of any inclement weather patterns.

By keeping this article’s advice in mind, you can learn about new things to experience on your next trip. Whether this is your first trip away from home or your fifteenth, your upcoming trip will be more memorable and remarkable than you ever thought possible.

TIP! A park pass from the National Parks services will benefit you if you are planning on visiting often. It costs $50 and can be used at any national park for 12 months.