When it comes to wildlife, there’s nowhere quite like South Africa, from its show-stopping coastline, which penguins enjoy even more than the people, to some of the world’s most incredible wildlife reserves that are home to the Big Five and some of the most endangered animals on Earth. Whether you’re East or West, North or South, there are enthralling wildlife encounters to be had all over South Africa…
Kruger & Madikwe
Mention a safari in South Africa and ‘Kruger’ will likely be the word on everyones’ lips. Kruger isn’t an icon for no reason either, and is home to an astonishing collection of wildlife, including the Big Five, and vast landscapes for watching them completely undisturbed. In one of the private concessions on the border of the park, off-roading and night drives are allowed, which may reward you with sightings of the shyest animals. On foot or 4×4, you’ll have a chance to track incredibly rare creatures including African painted dog, black and white rhino, and the most endangered of all – the pangolin.
We can’t forget about the more humble plains game either, which are especially marvellous to see during calving season (typically December to February) when tiny impala, kudu and blue wildebeest take their first steps, sending the Kruger’s big cats into a frenzy.
The Northern Kruger is known as a twitcher’s paradise, where over 450 tropical and sub-tropical species can be spotted including lifers like Pel’s fishing owl, racket-tailed roller and Verreaux’s eagle.
Turn left on the map and you’ll come across Madikwe, a rugged and rocky land where you can search for the Madikwe Super Seven – lion, leopard, elephant, Cape Buffalo, rhino, wild dog and cheetah. Need we say more?
The Elephant Coast & Phinda
Spend time on this sparkling stretch of coast and enjoy the fantastic water clarity on a scuba diving excursion at Sodwana Bay, or visit between January and February to watch miniscule Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles make their way to the ocean in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The park is also a thriving throng of birdlife with over 520 species and Lake St Lucia is one of the most important breeding areas for waterbirds in South Africa. As you explore the lagoons and wetlands that mark the shoreline, look out for everything from Pel’s Fishing Owl to Lesser Flamingo.
If you can’t shake the yearning to be on safari whilst in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, Phinda is your answer. This private reserve encompasses seven distinct ecosystems, which translates to a whole lot of wildlife of all different species in one place. Perhaps the most coveted and life-changing experience at Phinda, you may also have the chance to track highly-endangered rhino on foot. Up the ante and join the dedicated conservation team, helping out with ear-notching or rhino de-horning, where you’ll see these Jurassic creatures up-close and witness all the work that goes into protecting them.
Cape Town, Hermanus & Overberg
A short and very, very scenic drive from Cape Town, there awaits a beautiful bay where African penguins took up residence around 40 years ago. The aptly-named Boulders Beach is protected by massive, rounded rocks and the penguins enjoy swimming between them, waddling across the sand, and making their presence known with a cacophony of calls. At Boulders Beach, you can stand or swim within metres of these remarkable birds – and it’s the only place in the world where this is possible.
You may have your sights set on marine life of a much larger kind and a little further down the coast, you’ll find South Africa’s whale watching capital. Visit Hermanus at the right time of year (July to September), and you’ll witness southern right whales on their annual migration, while Brydes whales can be spotted between December and May. Look out for spouts, sunlit fins, or whales breaching the surface entirely, which you can do from the shore or on a boating safari.
The waters around the Overberg are also thriving with marine life, including humpback whales, huge pods of dolphins, Cape fur seal and great white sharks. And yes, you can come face-to-face with these formidable fish on a cage diving adventure in Gansbaai. Back on land, Overberg’s reserves are blissfully free of other people and home to leopard, caracal, and Cape clawless otter along the shore.
Garden Route & Eastern Cape
Meandering along the Western Cape’s stunning coastline, the Garden Route is known for its lush forests, rushing rivers and estuaries. Whichever way you choose to explore it (hiking, kayaking, ziplining and more!), always keep your eyes peeled for a bevy of kingfishers, and other winged beauties like the emerald cuckoo, orange-breasted sunbird, Narina Trogon, Knysna Turaco and white-starred robin.
Once you enter the Eastern Cape, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to an epic safari, but Addo Elephant Park is usually at the top of the list. Blending five out of South Africa’s nine biomes, Addo is exceptionally diverse. As you might have guessed, it is home to a mind-blowing number of elephant (around 600!) and white rhino.
Tswalu Kalahari
A mix of caramel-coloured sand and desert grasses, South Africa’s piece of the Kalahari is home to more than a few unique and rare creatures. On game drives across the reserve, scan the arid landscape for black-maned lions, black rhino and cheetah. After sunset, you may just be lucky enough to spy an aardvark, bat-eared fox or pangolin.
Should you visit between July and September, enjoy an especially memorable morning with a family of habituated meerkats. You’ll linger within a few metres away from their burrow, watching as they pop out as the sun rises, check their surroundings with alert eyes, forage for snacks and even size you up curiously.
Waterberg
In the shadow of the Waterberg’s impressive cliffs, this remote north-eastern reserve is a treasure trove of species, from the Damara dik-dik (the smallest antelope in the world) to intimidating hartebeest, cheetahs and cackling hyenas to white rhino – and the rest of the Big Five. One of the best ways to explore the Waterberg is on horseback, and you’ll amble between zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and other plains game without them batting an eyelid.
The birdlife is a real highlight too with over 200 species to be spied, particularly along the banks of the rivers. Keep your binoculars handy as Malachite kingfishers flit over the water, the sacred African ibis wanders regally, and lappet faced vultures and bataleurs soar overhead.
