South Africa Tour travel gives you the chance to visit some of the most extensive national parks and nature reserves in the world. There are over 500 bird species, 300 animal species and more than 100 reptile species. You will get to see the animals in their natural habitat and also enjoy the magnificent scenery. There are several tours and guided safaris through some of the country’s most popular national parks.
One of the most well known national parks is the Addo Elephant National Park which is home to more than 400 elephants. Some of the other animals that you will see at the park include antelopes, buffalos, zebras, lions and hyenas. This national park is very big and covers more than 145,000 hectares. You will also get to see dung beetles that are only found in select areas of the country.
Another national park that you can visit during your South Africa travel is the Augrabies Falls National Park. The park has a fall that provides the perfect environment for the desert climate in the area. You can see some of the rhinos that have been conserved at the park.
The Bontebok National Park in South Africa is used as a sanctuary for the Bontebok antelope which is endangered. Apart from these endangered antelopes, you will also get to see a wide variety of bird species. During spring and winter, a variety of wildflowers bloom in the park. You can choose to take a game drive in your own car or hike in the park. If you enjoy fishing, it is allowed in the park as long as you get a permit. The park also offers some accommodation in some of their caravans but you can also camp within the park grounds. The variety of wildlife in South Africa will make your holiday very interesting.
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Addo Accommodation
Beaches
From KwaZulu-Natal to the Wild Coast, from the Eastern Cape to the West Coast, South Africa boasts more than 3 000km of coastline. Pristine beaches, fishing communities, golf estates, luxury hotels and guest-houses dot the landscape as you explore the marine wonderland that is South Africa.
Bird Tours
With nearly a thousand bird species, no wonder South Africa has become one of the Worlds bird hot spots. Bunji Jumping
Bloukrans River Bridge – IT IS OFFICIAL – You can now bungi-jump the highest commercial bungi jump in the world, usurping the position previously held by Vic Falls. The bridge is 216 m high but the jump is only about 160 m. You jump from the arch support of the bridge, not from the road and getting there and back is an experience in itself. After the jump you are winched back up to the bridge.
Cango Caves
The Cango Caves lie in the Swartberg Mountain Range in a limestone belt measuring 1,5km in width and almost 16km in length. The present tourist route extends for 1,2km into the cave, with a further 4,1km being kept closed to the public for conservation reasons. Cango Wildlife Ranch
The Cango Wildlife Ranch is situated just outside Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, and since its inception in 1977 it has grown to become one of the largest tourist attractions of the region. In 1988 the Ranch developed a facility known as Cheetahland, within its boarders, in an effort to promote its goal of making the public aware of endangered species. This unique facility is home to a large variety of big cats, which can be viewed from an elevated “catwalk” providing an uninhibited view of these magnificent creatures. Cape of Good Hope Reserve
Located at the southern most tip of the peninsula is the nature reserve, with fantastic panoramic views of the Cape of Good Hope from the viewing area, reached by cable car. The area has a dry and desolate look but this is deceptive as more than half the flowering plants of the peninsula, like the protea grow here. The reserve is also home to zebra, baboon, ostrich and eland. En route from Cape Town, the penguin colony at Boulder’s Bay is worth stopping for as is Simon’s Town a naval town and the country’s third oldest European settlement. Cape Town
Cape Town is the most fabulously diverse and vibrant city, with great natural beauty, fascinating architecture, great restaurants, bars and nightlife. Whether you hike to the top or take the cable car, the views from Table Mountain are astounding. See the famous ‘dassies (rock rabbits) scampering aound the rocks and also the imposing Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak which together with Table Mountain form the Cape Peninsula. Take a ferry from the V & A Waterfront to Robben Island to see the tiny cell which held Nelson Mandela for almost three decades. Cape Winelands
Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town are the beautiful towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Constancia in the heart of the wine producing area. Visit some of the beautiful wine estates and taste some of the best wines in the world. Cradle of Humankind
Declared a World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind west of Johannesburg includes, among its numerous sites, the Sterkfontein Caves, where anthropologist Dr Robert Broom discovered the skull of Mrs. Ples, a three-million year-old hominid, in 1936. At the time she was thought to be the closest evidence of the “missing link” to be found.
Drakensberg Mountains
Recently proclaimed a World Heritage Site the mighty Drakensberg Mountains offer panoramic views of towering peaks, waterfalls and sparkling rock pools. Prime sites include Cathedral Peak, Monks Cowl, Champagne Castle, Giant’s Castle, Cathkin Peak and the geological phenomenon of the Drakensberg Ampitheatre, all of which are scattered across this majestic range. One of the most breath taking sights is Tugela Falls where the river rushes for over a mile over sheer cliffs and cascades through a dramatic gorge to the valley floor. Durban
Durban is a holiday makers paradise with a sub tropical climate and carnival atmosphere. The amusement area is known as the Golden Mile which actually stretches for 4 miles and offers endless attractions and entertainment. There is a rapidly expanding harbour-front area to explore as well as the vibrant Victoria Street Market at the centre of Durban’s Indian community. Garden Route
Whether approached from Cape Town or from Port Elizabeth, in the east, the Garden Route holds visitors spellbound with its abundance of rivers, spectacular mountain passes, lagoons, lakes, beaches and birdlife.The highlights of this amazing area are too numerous to mention but a few include Tsitskamma National Park- a area of ancient forest with hiking trails, and a long coastal plateau which stretches five kilometres out to sea. The park is alive with fynbos, wild orchids, otters, baboons small buck and over 280 bird species.
The Storms River area offers a host of activities from abseling, canopy walking, hiking and black water tubing. With its sucession of bays, white sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and tidal pools it is not suprising that some of the premier coastal resorts are along the Garden Route. Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
On the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal this massive park has recently been declared a World Heritage Site. Extending over 680 acres of wilderness there are at least five different ecosystems represented including a vast lake, coral reefs, a sub tropical wilderness, reed covered islands swamps and towering dunes. With such diverse ecology the park is home to all forms of wildlife including 6000 white pelicans, 800 hippos, 1200 crocodiles as well as turtles, flamingos, shark, whales and dolphins. The Greater St Lucia Wetlands lie 136 miles north of Durban. Hermanus
The local whale crier of Hermanus, rings his bell to alert people that the whales have arrived. From May/June through to November these massive and fascinating creatures come close to the shore offering an exhilarating sight. Highgate Ostrich farm
Highgate, established almost 100 years ago by the Hooper family, is a large Ostrich Farming concern producing primarily feathers and ostrich by-products. Highgate opened to the public in 1938 and since then many thousands of visitors from all over the world have been entertained on the establishment.
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
The Hluhluwe and Umfolozi reserves were founded in 1895 and are the oldest such sanctuaries in Africa. It was here that the world- acclaimed Operation Rhino was introduced during the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad. As a result, this country’s white rhino population is now 12 times the 1960 count of 500. Today a single park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is focusing its efforts on saving the endangered black rhino, whose number in Africa has dwindled from 14 000 to a pitiful 2 550 in the past decade. You’ll find at least a fifth of the world’s black and white rhino population here. Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a charming fishing village overlooked by majestic mountains, it combines the sophistication of the Riviera with the rugged beauty of Africa. As well as being a tranquil haven to relax or swim there are numerous restaurants & cosy pubs.Visit THE WORLD OF BIRDS or hop on to a cruise boat out of the harbour to see Seal Island & the bird life on offer. The famous Fish on the Rocks, English Fish & Chips, at the end of the harbour boasts the best calamari, Snoek & chips in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to promote & conserve the indigenous flora of southern Africa. Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the estate covers 528 hectares and includes both a cultivated garden and nature reserve. There are several trails through natural forests & access to Table Mountain is possible via marked routes up, Skeleton Gorge & Nursery ravine. The restaurant is open daily, as well as a book & curio shop to browse through. Every Sunday from December to March the Gardens host Summer Sunset Concerts, featuring a wide variety of music both local & classical. Take along a picnic as this is something no visitor to the Cape should miss. Kruger National Park
Covering an area of nearly five million acres, the Kruger National Park is the largest reserve in South Africa and home to an amazing variety of animals including the ‘big five’- lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Whether staying in the park in a private reserve or just close by, the best way to explore is on a dawn or dusk game drive with an experienced ranger who impart their knowledge and experience. Safaris in an open topped jeep, or on foot can afford amazing close up views of the worlds greatest variety of wildlife. The park is approximately 220 miles from Johannesburg and can be reached by scheduled flights, chartered planes into the private reserves or by road. Madikwe Game Reserve
As South Africa’s fourth largest game reserve, Madikwe is home to 31 species of some 10,000 animals including the ‘big five’, wild dog, white and black rhino, hyena and cheetah. The area comprises rocky ravines, mountain plateaux, open grassland, savannas and riverine forests. The malaria free reserve is just 4 miles south of the Botswana boarder and about a four hour drive north of Johannesburg. Marakele National Park
The Marakele National Park lies in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains and has an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa. The park is characterised by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass clad rolling hills and deep valleys. Rare finds of yellow wood and cedar trees, 16 foot high cycads and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here. All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds, including the endangered Cape vultures are to be found in the park. The malaria free reserve is 155 miles north of Johannesberg. Midlands Meander
Only an hours drive west of Durban is the well sign posted arts and crafts route known as the Midlands Meander. With over 100 places to visit, ranging art studios to rustic pubs. Visit the Natal Railway Museum, a magnet for steam enthusiasts, Midmar Dam a centre for watersports or the area of Dargle, for super flyfishing. Namaqualand
Every Spring (August to September), the Northern Cape comes alive with vast fields of daisies in a natural splash of vivid colour. Fed by winter rains, the flower grounds of Namaqualand are a photographer’s delight. Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe
The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa and runs daily between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route Lake District.
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Addo Elephant Park
The Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931, the park was formed to protect the remaining elephants in the Addo area, there were less than 15. At one time the Addo herd was one of the largest in the Eastern Cape with some 140 elephants, but hunting decimated these numbers over the space of around 200 years.
Not only were the elephants hunted but also black rhino and lions where made extinct in the area. The remaining elephants were ‘rescued’ by a land owner at Barkly Bridge – Mr J T Harvey, who allowed the elephants onto his land, preventing them from being hunted.
Elephants had to be chased to the area which had been set aside for the Addo Elephant National Park, but the fence was not strong enough to contain elephants, and they escaped and continued to be killed by farmers and by trains which travelled along the nearby line. In 1933 the manager of the park started to feed the elephants in an attempt to contain them.
In 1954 an elephant proof fence was developed by Graham Armstrong, tram rails and lift cable were used and an area of 2270 hectares was fenced off. The fence proved successful and can still be seen in the park today. Flood light were erected around the feeding areas and visitors would come to see the elephants, however the feeding caused more problems as the elephants came to expect the food and would stay in the feeding area. The plant life in the area was destroyed and the elephants became aggressive to the feeding truck and to each other, many elephants were injured, so this feeding was stopped in 1979.
The park was first opened to tourists in 1981, when they entered the park they could view the elephants easily as the numbers had grown significantly. Disease free Cape Buffalos were also protected bt the Addo Elephant National Park as were the flightless Dung Beetle. Eland, zebras, warthogs, black rhino and hippos were all introduced to the park over the following years.
Lions were reintroduced to the area in 2003 as well as spotted hyenas in 2003/2004. These are only some of the animals which can be seen jackals, kudu, red hartebeest and duikers are also found in the Addo Elephant National Park .
The Addo Elephant National Park itself has no natural waterholes; the water is supplied from boreholes. These manmade waterholes have the advantage that they are by the roads and can produce some excellent photo opportunities, with many different animals going to the waterholes at any one time.
The Spekboom waterhole and hide is fantastic for photographers. Hapoor waterhole is named after a bull elephant that was the dominant bull of the Addo herd for some 24 years, after being ousted from his herd by Lanky – an upcoming bull – Hapoor escaped through the fence developed by Graham Armstrong, he was the only elephant ever to do so. He was found grazing by Coerney Station and had to be shot as he was an aggressive animal – a cast of this giant elephants head can be seen in the restaurant at the main rest camp in Addo Elephant Park .
The main camp offers good quality accommodation from chalets to camp sites, there are also safari tents which look out directly over the park and it is not unusual to have an elephant or a herd of buffalo pass you by! Horse riding safaris are available, these tours go through the game area and can be quite nerve raking, a bit of experience is required.
Mornings, sunset and night drives are also offered from the main camp and are good value for money as well as very informative. Prior booking is essential, especially during the holidays. The park is relatively small and can be driven around comfortably in a day..
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Visit the Addo region in the Eastern Cape. It is world famous for offering a wide array of many differing and exciting opportunities and adventures.
Your local Addo guest house accommodation and Addo B&B accommodation hosts will serve as competent guides in respect of local attractions and the best ways to access these.
The beautiful and aptly named Sunshine Coast offers warm and unspoilt Indian ocean waters, perfectly suited to the discerning traveler, holiday makers, lovers and families alike.
Wildlife is in abundance with several offerings of extensive wild animals, including the famous Big 5. In addition, your animal experience will be extended to enjoying and participating in the wild sea life.
The Eastern Cape houses the traditional South African Xhosa people and you will find the locals both very friendly and extremely helpful.
Your stay will be further improved by not having to take any malaria precautions.
Finding your Addo accommodation – either in an Addo guest house or Addo B&B near the world famous elephant park will make your stay that much more special. You will find yourself in awe at the large gathering of elephants at this park.
It is no wonder the province is considered a whole world in just one province. What more could one want to experience than wildlife in abundance, beautiful warm beaches, friendly people and a local and dynamic special South African culture.
A visit to the Eastern Cape is a must and will leave you a more experienced and worldy person thereafter.
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Accommodation in Addo – Eastern Cape
We make use, for the first time, of the new entry and exit point into the south section of the Addo Elephant National Park … and this is a wonderfully scenic route that runs close to the Sundays River on which as new facility called Matyholweni Rest Camp has been built. The view of the very significant dune fields as the approach to the N2 is neared is a spectacular sight.
For an amazing and fulfilling day’s drive in the Eastern Cape then consider the R72 Sunshine Coast drive via Paterson to the Addo Elephant National park then back out of the new southern gate onto the N2 then R72. However instead of taking the main R72 to the N10 and N2 junction rather go cross country to Paterson through the Amakhala and Shamwari Game Reserves that bound this cross country road for quite a distance. The route, although a bit slower, since you drive on gravel roads is also about 15 kms shorter.
The Greater Addo National Park will be home to the Big 7 and Lions have been re-introduced ready. These Lions that came from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park have successfully raised Lion cubs inside Addo.
Botanical Reserves within Addo
Keep an eye open for two botanical reserves inside Addo …
1. A 500 Hectare Botanical Reserve was created to monitor the impact of large herbivores-particularly elephants-on the subtropical thicket vegetation. No elephants had access to this area before it was fenced off, meaning it has not seen the effects of elephants for over 100 years. Plant species and vegetation structure within this reserve are compared with similar areas outside this reserve to monitor effects of browsing
2. Monitoring Plot … This second monitoring plot was created in the 1960s. It is used to monitor the impact of herbivores, particularly elephants-on the vegetation type that occurs here, namely bontveld. Plant species and vegetation structure in this plot are compared with similar areas outside the plot to determine impacts of grazing
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The map shown here is a detailed one showing all the drives within the Addo National Park available at the time of writing in December 2006. You can complete all these drives at a leisurely pace in a single day and still enjoy time at the underground hide close to the floodlit waterhole a few metres from the main restaurant area. There is also a bird hide overlooking a wetland some 100 metres or so from the reception area.
Sweet-thorn Acasia with their yellow powder-puff type flowers were still in bloom along the roadsides. Raptors sat patiently on the trees looking for another unsuspecting meal and the grey-headed herons were all over the place foraging in the long grass close to the road edges.
Visit the Addo Elephant National park via Amakhala, Shamwari and Paterson
The waypoints marked on this map indicate the locations of waterholes where you can get superb close up views of Elephants and other game including Red Harteebeest, Eland, Black-backed Jackal, Lions, Buffalo, Rhino, Warthogs and Zebra. Many Ostriches also patrol the open grasslands of Addo and to see then with a batch of chicks is a wonderful sight.
Today’s visit was no exception. After watching a herd of some 25 or so approach Woodlands Pan and take a communal mud bath it was possible to see the direction they intended to take to continue with the day’s feeding. Observing the youngsters frolic in the mudbath was a real pleasure and to see the ink-black jets of muddy water spray everything in sight was quite comical.
The mudbath quickly turned typical brown Addo Elephants into black ones.
The sides of Woodlands waterhole are very slippery and the small elephants have difficult getting up the slippery banks. Mother’s stand close by and lend a helping hand by hooking their trunk under the rear end of the small animal and lifting it out.
The herd moved off to cross the road close to the Hapoor turn off … and we were there waiting for them as they paraded across the sand road … mothers, cousins, nieces and aunts with the latest babies in tow. A remarkable sight we never tire of seeing whenever we visit the Addo Elephant National park.
Today we also managed to get a good shot of a Cape Cobra crossing the Harpoor road. It’s not often we see snakes although I would say at Addo we see one every third visit. This Cape Cobra was more orange than a previous one seen which was a brilliant yellow. The snake is known to come in a variety of colours depending upon location and breeding condition. Its colour makes it no less deadly although like most snakes it just wants to get on with its daily life and harm nothing except its next meal which it injects with a seriously deadly neurotoxin.
The Addo is in the process of becoming the Greater Addo National Park … many of the surrounding farms have been bought to enable the boundaries to be considerably expanded as far south as the Indian Ocean and to include the Bird Islands of Algoa Bay. The new entry exit point I mentioned above is the first obvious major change that has occurred although lesser noticed changes have also taken effect already.
A wild combination of unrivalled splendour and stark contrasts – very few places in the world can rival the magic of the Eastern Cape. Whether you choose to bask in the longest hours of sunshine on the 800km’s of sub-tropical coastline, enjoy malaria-free Big 7 game-viewing, bungee jump off a 216m bridge or experience the warmth of ubuntu in the townships – the Eastern Cape is bound to fulfil your wildest expectations of South Africa.
10 Reasons why the Eastern Cape is great:
- The people -warm, generous, forgiving, hospitable, driven and hard working.Diversity – a world in one province.
- The province’s nine tour routes offer experiences from lush wilderness, semi-arid plains, unspoilt beaches to snow covered mountains, bushveld and wildlife, to the splendour of rural Wild Coast.
- Lifestyle – we successfully balance career and recreation, living close to the workplace, beaches and game reserves and within easy accessibility of great cities like Cape Town.
- Massive investment opportunities – The Eastern Cape is the only South African province boasting two industrial development zones. We are also building a deep water harbour that is set to take new generation container vessels.
- Beaches – from Plettenberg Bay’s doorstep to Port Edward,kilometres of unspoilt, golden beaches, rocky stretches and protected bays are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
- History – the stories of those incarcerated on Robben Island who fought for human rights are now world icons spreading the true meaning of forgiveness. The living legend of Nelson Mandela,the story of Black Consciousness leader and freedom fighter, Steve Biko, the arrival of the European settlers and the Frontier Wars-these are some of the stories that have shaped the history of the Eastern Cape.
- Food – fresh braaied seafood, succulent beef, sweet mielies, lamb bredie, samp and beans, biltong, Nanaga Pies, Bushy Park yoghurt and cream, Sunshine Juice, Mrs Balls Chutney, Springbok Carpaccio, Calamari……. there are tasted to suit every palette and you won’t pay an arm and a leg for these scrumptious delicacies.
- Culture – The Eastern Cape population of over 6 millionis made up of a host of different cultural groups, all of whom have contributed to the diversity of the province.
- Sport – Eastern Cape people are great sports lovers. Some of the big names we have nurturedinclude World Champion boxer Vuyani Bungu, Springbok cricket legend Graeme Pollock and present cricket heroes Makaya Ntini, Mark Boucher, Hildton Ackerman, Tony Grieg, rugby’s Brent Russell, Gcobani Bobo and HO de Villiers.
- No traffic jams and queues – although we boast a sound infrastructure and boundless economic opportunities, we enjoy a relaxed lifestyle.
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Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Addo
The Alexandria Hiking Trail runs through the Woody Cape coastal area of the Addo Elephant National Park.
This two-day and 36-kilometre circular hiking trail is perfect for a weekend getaway and boasts desert-like dunes, lush indigenous forest, dune cliffs crumbling into the sea and spectacular untouched beaches.
The first day is approximately 19.5km, while the second day is about 16.5 km. Hikers will require a moderate to good level of fitness, especially for the dune crossing on the second day.
Day One
The first section of the hike travels through magical forest where ancient yellowwoods and spectacular coral trees can be seen. The “Waterboom” – a gigantic yellowwood named for the reservoir of water held at the base of its trunk – provides an interesting stop. After crossing the open fields of Perdekloof, the trail moves onto the beach where the stark sandy beach ecosystem and dramatic dune cliffs provide breathtaking scenery.
Six kilometres of untouched coastline stretches out in front of the hiker before a climb up a wooden ladder to reach the dune fields. Southern right whales can be seen just off shore in certain months and dolphins are often spotted in the waves. The wreck of the Nidaros, an old steamer, can be investigated at low tide.
After a walk through aromatic coastal fynbos, hikers will find the Woody Cape hut nestled in thick coastal forest with a view of Bird Island – home to the largest Cape gannet breeding colony in the world – in the distance.
Day Two
On the second day the trail traverses sand dunes of the largest coastal dune field in the Southern Hemisphere. Early morning provides hikers an opportunity to investigate the signs of animals, such as jackals, duikers and the endemic hairy-footed gerbil, left on the dunes from the previous night.
Tall posts guide hikers through the shifting dune fields. Fascinating ancient middens sites, evidence of the strandloper people who wandered these shores in early days, can also be seen. The last five kilometres of the trail winds once again through indigenous forest.
Huts
The Langebos Huts, situated within the forest, are the base huts for the trail and it is recommended that hikers stay at these huts the night before leaving for the first day. The huts are equipped with 12 beds with mattresses (six each in of two huts), a hot water shower, toilet and a braai area. Hikers are welcome to spend the night at the Langebos huts at the end of the second day’s hike and the huts are also available for hiring
separate to the trail experience.
The Woody Cape hut is situated at the end of the first day’s hike, overlooking the sea and Bird Island. This hut is equipped with 12 beds with mattresses in two bedrooms. It has a rainwater tank for drinking and cooking water only and toilets. No shower is available. A gas two-plate stove and basic utensils, cutlery and crockery are provided. No fires may be made at this hut. A minimum of three hikers (for safety reasons) and a maximum of twelve hikers are allowed on the trail per day. The trail will not be booked exclusively for one group, unless they are twelve in number.
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Valleyview bed and breakfast
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South Africa Tour travel gives you the chance to visit some of the most extensive national parks and nature reserves in the world. There are over 500 bird species, 300 animal species and more than 100 reptile species. You will get to see the animals in their natural habitat and also enjoy the magnificent scenery. There are several tours and guided safaris through some of the country’s most popular national parks.
