Reset Password

Your search results

SANPARKS AND NATURE RESERVES IN SOUTH AFRICA

National Parks in South Africa. Information on SANParks and Nature Reserves in SA.
SANParks and Nature Reserves in South Africa

Grab your coffee bottle, picnic basket, binoculars, your Google Maps and visit the nearest nature reserve or Wildlife Park of your choice and enjoy nature at its best with children, friends and family.

Here are a few places to keep in mind:

Northern Cape

Augrabies Waterfall National Park near Kakamas offers unspoilt views of the 18 km Orange River gorge and Augrabies waterfall. It is also the ideal place to see quiver trees or walk at the Moon Rock. Call the park on 054 452 9200 or email augrabiesres@sanparks.org.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park between Namibia, South Africa and Botswana is the site of red sand dunes, and where mane lions and leopards await under camel thorn trees. It is not suitable for regular sedan vehicles and a vehicle that is high on its tires or a 4×4 vehicle is ideal. Call the park on 054 561 2005 or e-mailkglagadi@sanparks.org.

The Mokala National Park is located about 80 km southwest of Kimberley. The park has rock art and you can go bird watching at Stof Dam. Maybe you notice the “rooiborslaksman” or “visvanger” birds in action. There is no fuel in the camp, but has a restaurant. Call the park at 053 204 8000 or email tess.white@sanparks.org.

The Ai-Ais-Richtersveld border park is the floral paradise place to go for flowers between June and October. There is no ATM, shop or restaurant in the park. Call 027 831 1506, or email meghan.Diergaardt@sanparks.org.

Limpopo and Mpumalanga

The Kruger National Park can be accessed via the Crocodile Bridge Gate, the Pafuri Gate, The Orpen Gate, right on the border between Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It’s the most stunning national park in Africa, including the big 5 and big 7 and many more. Book on 012 428 9111.

Mapungubwe National Park on the Kolo River is the place to see not only hundreds of animals, but to discover one of Southern Africa’s oldest kingdoms, set between 1200 and 1290 on Mapungubwe Hill. The park lies between the sandstone hills. Call 015 534 7923/24 or email mapungubwe@sanparks.org

 The Marakele National Park near Thabazimbi has a nice high mountain pass with views of the plains and a vulture colony. It’s definitely worth driving out. Call 0147776928/9 or email sipho.zulu@sanparks.org.

Gauteng

The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a wonderful treat. Watch out for the leopard female with her cubs. The picnic areas and bird shelters are beautiful. Pack your own picnic basket or buy take-away meals at the coffee shop. You can call them on WhatsApp on 0825004422.

Free State

Golden Gate Highland National Park lies on the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. The park is rich in vultures, so keep your eyes and ears pointed. Travel back in history with a stroll to the Basotho culture village, which offers a colour festival and cultural look in this 18th century community. Call the park on 058 255 1000 or email goldengate@sanparks.org

KwaZulu-Natal

In KwaZulu-Natal, more than 15 parks and conservation areas fall under Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park – Africa’s oldest proclaimed wildlife sanctuary stretching over 96,000 ha – also has wonderful picnic facilities, is where you will be spoiled by wildlife and beautiful sunsets. Call 033 845 1000 or visit www.kznwildlife.com

Eastern Cape

The Addo Elephant National Park is currently the third largest park in the country and includes a diverse range of fauna and flora, landscapes and biodiversity. And as the name suggests, there is no shortage of elephants here, especially at the Hapo Dam. Call the park on 0422338600 or email addoenquiries@sanparks.org:

The Kamdeboo National Park near Graaff-Reinet is the ideal place to explore the Valley of Desolation and the Nqweba Dam. Contact the park on 049 892 3453 or email camdeboo@sanparks.org.

The Bergsebra National Park is located 12 km from Cradock. Look out for the Cape buffalo, shy earth wolves and the blue crane birds found in the dozens. Call the restaurant and shop on 048 801 5700/5701 or email mzebrarest@sanparks.org.

Western Cape

The Agulhas National Park near Bredasdorp is the southernmost point of Africa and this is where the two oceans meet and you can visit the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse. Call the park on 028 435 6078 or email emmede-kock@sanparks.org.

The Bontebok National Park near Swellendam and lies at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. Head down the Breede River for a wonderful picnic and enjoy the Zeebras and Bontebokke and other wildlife. There is also a beautiful restaurant on the river and braai facilities. Call 028 514 2735 or email bontebok@sanparks.org.

The Karoo National Park is the Karoo at its best with vast plains, 4×4 trails, plant and animal life thriving in this landscape. The Klipspringer Pass is an environmentally friendly pass. Call 0234147080.

In the Tankwa-Karoo National Park in the vicinity of Ceres, Sutherland and Calvinia you can go on great 4×4 routes. Call 027 341 1927.

The West Coast National Park lays on the sheltered harbour of Saldanha Bay and the Langebaan Lake. In August, the park is covered with wildflowers and on the various hiking trails you can admire the flowers and the moose. Call 022 772 2144/5 or email moiphone.thathane@sanparks.org.

CapeNature’s parks and reserves

Call 087 087 8250 for more information

Walker Bay, near Hermanus, allows 100 visitors a day;

Robberg, near Plettenberg Bay’s Gap Trail, a short 2.1 km (30 minutes);

5.5 km (2 hours) Witsand Trail; and Point Trail 9.2 km (4 hours);

Outeniqua, outside George’s Pass-to-Pass, an easy 4.7km (3 hours) and Kouma, 2-3 hours;

Limietberg, near the Paarl, Bobbejaans River, a moderate 8 km (6 hours);

Happy Valley, an easy 9km family trail;

Rockhopper, a moderate to difficult route of 8 km (6 hours);

Hottentots-Holland, near Grabouw’s Palmiet Trail is 6 km (2 hours);

Cederberg, near Clanwilliam. Torn Wreath Circle Route (4-6 hours);

Wolfberg Arch (7-8 p.m.); and Maltese cross (3 hours);

De Hoop, between Arniston and Witsand’s Potberg hiking trail (10 km, 4 hours;

De Mond’s Sterna, an easy 7 km circular route (3 hours) and the De Mond-to-Arniston coastal route (4 hours).

Wherever you travel there is always a nice place to spend the night. If you prefer affordable self-catering accommodation for your trip and accommodation, we recommend www.southernstaying.co.za, but also look for options at www.want2stay.co.za and www.ireside.co.za which are surely the cheapest accommodation in SA and are also local agencies. Websites like AirBnb.com or Booking.Com can also be considered but it is run by overseas companies and is sometimes quite expensive.

For inquiries about Accommodation outside the parks Whatsapp – https://wa.me/027110544444

Enjoy the Times. Travel safe, stay safe and stay informed.

Team: www.southernstaying.co.za

Since 2019 Proudly South Africa. ©

Leave a Reply