South African national parks, (Sanparks)

* Addo Elephant National Park Addo National Elephant park is close to Port Elizabeth. There’s probably every animal kind you can think of but mainly its a preservation for elephants. The park was opened in 1931 by Sydney Skaife, it was created as an sanctuary for the last 11 elephants remaining from that area. Today the park has grown too and the animal population is increasing. There are now 450 elephants, 400 cape buffalo round about 50 black rhino’s who is on the endangered list. There are also many antelope species roaming throughout the park. Recently they have reintroduced hyenas and lions into Addo Park.

There is also many small creatures unique to this area such as the flightless dung beetle. The reserve have expanded to such an extent that it includes a part of the ocean.

So if you get bored with elephants you can see whales (in season of course) shark diving and many more. Addo park is also home to guest houses, game lodges and even camping sites. But remember you should always pre-book they receive about 120 000 visitors a year. If you want more details of times and game rides, prices you can call Addo National Park reception from 07:00 to 19:00 hours at +27 (0)042 233 8600 We went there but only got photos of the outside since it was to late to drive through. Lesson learned next time we should be more prepared.

* Agulhas National Park

This is probably the most unconventional park in the world because it’s actually not a park but seven towns in Cape Agulhas area that has been claimed as an park. If I understand correctly it was a combined group of people who bought land that they would turned into a conservation area. The park is fairly new and most of it’s local animal life has been destroyed but their goal is to bring life back to Agulhas. In 2008 they started by reintroducing the Hippopotamus in the Seekoeivlei for the first time in 100 years since the last one was shot.

Cape Agulhas is also the most westerly point of Africa and is also were the Indian ocean and the Atlantic meet. The wild life in the ocean and inland is unique to this small part of the world. And for those who are more into long walks and bird watching with a great diversity of plant life this is where you will find it.

* Augrabies Falls National Park The Augrabies Falls National Park is situated around the Augrabies Falls it was originally named Ankoerebis what means Place of Big noises, by the local Hottentot people.

The Augrabies falls is in the Northern Cape about 120 km west of Upington. Augrabies falls is part of the Orange River and is about 60 meters high and runs for about 18 kilometers plus it is really deep as well right below the fall it’s about 240 deep. The surrounding environment consist mostly of rocks and Kokerboom, Quiver trees. It’s also got the most extreme weather in South Africa in winter it is very cold and in summer it’s like desert heat that you cannot escape. The local lodges and accommodation will keep you from the elements. There are also many wild life mainly little Klipspringers and most famously a light colored giraffe that is mainly found in that area.

There is also a diverse history in the area seen in rock writings and things found from the stone age. The Augrabies Falls is one of the largest in Africa and is a definitely a sight to behold.

* Bontebok National Park Bontebok National Park was originally established in 1961 to save the Bontebok. The bontebok is a rare antelope species that originates from the the western and eastern cape area’s. When the park was opened there was a measly 17 antelope left but today there are over three thousand. They are not all kept in the Bontebok national park because at the size of 27.86 it is the smallest park in Southern Africa. The population have been kept small to ensure that the local habitat does not become depleted by the antelope especially since it is part of the Cape Floristic Region which is also a world heritage site.

The park is situated in beautiful plains bordered on the Breede River and is located 6 kilometers from Swellendam. The local weather and tranqual sarroundings garantees hours of flower and bird watching. There are over 200 bird species and nearly 500 grass types and many other plant species that can only be found there. Except for the Bontebok there are also many other animals such as the clawless otter that is indigenous species and Rheboks, Duikers, Cape Grysboks, mountain Zebra plus red hartebeests.

Plus you would also be able to see the South African National Bird the Blue crane.

There’s also local accommodation in the park and a local swimming spot where you can take a dip right next to your tent for R130 for 2 people. And if you aren’t really the camping type they have chalets for R625 if you want more info you can call +27 28 514 2735 office hours are between 07:00 – 19:00.

* Camdeboo National Park * Golden Gate Highlands National Park * Karoo National Park * Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park * Knysna National Lake Area * Kruger National Park * Mapungubwe National Park * Marakele National Park * Mokala National Park * Mountain Zebra National Park * Namaqua National Park * Table Mountain National Park * Tankwa Karoo National Park * Tsitsikamma National Park * West Coast National Park * Wilderness National Park * |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

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