Page 68 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

66  WILD SOUTH AFRIC A

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Arranging a safari is a fairly straightforward easy to book everything online – the South
procedure. The biggest hurdles at the African National Parks (SANParks) website
planning stage will be choosing between (see p71) is extremely user-friendly. For
a self-drive adventure or an organized safari the less adventurous, there are plenty of
and deciding which reserves to visit – with reputable tour operators in South Africa
the diversity of South Africa’s national parks and elsewhere to offer specialist guidance
and wildlife reserves, visitors are spoiled for and to set transport and accommodation
choice. If opting for the DIY approach, it is arrangements in place (see p71).

A few companies are listed on
p71. Going on your own can
be cheaper, and it allows for
greater flexibility to explore.
Hiring a car, booking self-
catering accommodation and
obtaining maps and information
are all easy to arrange.

Planning Your Trip
Most of the parks fall within three
groups: South African National
Parks (SANParks), CapeNature
and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Elephants gather at a watering hole in Addo Elephant National Park Contacting these organizations is
a good first step, along with
Best Time to Go Organized and checking their websites and
Independent Tours
The best season for game- those of safari companies. Sea-
viewing is winter (July to Most of the safari companies sonal and promotional specials
September), when the dry operate out of Cape Town, are often found in the travel
weather forces animals to Durban and Johannesburg, sections of leading newspapers.
gather around rivers and arranging accommodation The Wild Card provides
waterholes. The disadvan tages and game-viewing trips as part unrestricted access to most
are that animals are not in of an organized tour. The cost of South Africa’s conservation
optimal condition and the of trips varies from budget areas for a year, and is a sensible
winter landscape is stark. excursions to more expensive investment if your itinerary
Summer (November to holidays. Many of the safari includes visits to more than
January) brings high rainfall, companies offer package deals, one reserve.
and the landscape becomes which are often great value for Most parks can be visited
green and lush. This is the best money. It can be an easier by car, since roads and gravel
time of year for viewing flora, option to let an organization paths are generally well kept.
though the wildlife will be more take care of all the planning, However, just after the rainy
widespread and difficult to but if so, it is best to choose a season (January to April), a 4x4
spot. The wide availability of company that is recognized by vehicle is a more suitable option.
water also leads to a higher the Southern Africa Tourism Also note that not all petrol
threat of malaria in risk areas. Services Association (SATSA). stations accept credit cards.
While many people visit for
the “Big Five” (see pp76–7) and
get a thrill from the pursuit of
spotting them, it is also possible
to relish the opportunity to
spend quiet time in remote
bush, take unbelievable hikes
and view striking landscapes
and lesser-known animal life.
Each of the parks and reserves
offers something exceptional,
and the following pages will
help visitors to decide where
they want to go. Bontebok National Park, part of the SANParks group

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