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There is a range of opportunities and areas for
viewing animals in South Africa. Kruger Park and the
surrounding private game reserves is an excellent area for South
African Safaris. This is a large area where the animals are free to
range from the Kruger National Park into the private game reserves.
The accommodations offer some of the most luxurious accommodations
in Africa. There are other game lodges we feature in close proximity
to Kruger that also offer prime game viewing and luxurious
accommodations. At these lodges you will see all types of animals
and be closer to them than you can ever imagine. A South African
safari is an unforgettable experience.
A confusing aspect for many people is the difference between Private
Game Reserves, private concessions in National Parks and
National Parks. This synopsis may not be 100% accurate but is
to give you an overview and basic understanding of the differences.
Private Game Reserves - examples:
Singita Boulders and Ebony, Leopard Hills, Lion Sands, Kings Camp,
Camp Jabulani, Royal Malewane.
This is private land where game camps and lodges can use their
land for the exclusive use of their guests. Often private reserves
are shared with reciprocal agreements between lodges. Without such
an agreement a game lodge cannot venture over to another
private reserve. Very frustrating if you are following an animal and
it goes over to another camps land. The benefit of a private
reserve is also the ability to go "off road" to follow an animal
that is spotted. This is of great importance to many people.
The private reserves are starting to limit their off road driving to
unique sightings or sightings of the big five, rhino, elephant,
lion, cape buffalo, and leopard.
Private Concession in a National
Park - examples: Singita Lebombo and Sweni
The rules here can vary between the concessions in different
national parks. Basically this is a private area for the exclusive
use of the lodge similar to a private reserve. The differences are
that they must abide by certain park rules. Whether they
go off road or not depends on the national park and how strict the
rules are in that park. The strictest area appears to be the private
concessions around Kruger National Park.
National Game Parks and Reserves -
Mateya and Madiwke Hills
The rules can vary here as well depending on the park. In
Madikwe in South Africa off road is allowed for unique sightings for
the big five. Kruger no off road driving is allowed. Some areas
allow night drives and other parks do not. You are definitely more
limited to rules in a National Game Park or Reserve.
Climate as it relates to the Game Parks in South Africa in the
interior
Kruger Park and surrounding areas
April
to October:
These are the winter months. This is good for game viewing as the
lack of water causes the animals to gather around the remaining
water pools making them easier to find. Also the shorter grass
and absence of thick foliage makes the animals easier to spot. This
is good time temperature wise as well and of course there is less
rain.
November to March
These are the summer months. More rain falls with late afternoon
thundershowers. The bush greens up with bright foliage and
lush vegetation. However, this makes the animals harder to
see.
Whale
Watching
The main season for viewing whales is between June and October when
the whales arrive to breed and calve in the bays providing some of the best
whale watching in the world.
September thru April is best for Cape
Town. During the rest of
the year, it is usually quite cool, often with rain/wind/fog
conditions (too cold to lie on the beach). In the coastal belt of
the Easter Cape (including the Cape Peniuding the Cape Peninsula and Garden Route),
summer days are dry and sunny with most of the rain falling in
winter.
A normal day at a luxury South African
Game Park
Morning
At 5.30am you will get the wake up
call to get ready for your morning drive. Yes it is early but the
anticipation of seeing the animals makes this easier than you would
anticipate. After breakfast you head out on your morning game
drive. The game drives can last for about two to three hours
depending on the passengers in the vehicle, what you see and how
long you wish to stay out.
Lunch and the afternoon
These are lazy times after lunch with normally a little nap in the
afternoon, or a splash in your private splash pool, read a book on
your verandah, or a visit to the
spa. Perhaps visit a local village or browse in the camps store.
Afternoon tea at 4.00 pm
Meet in the lodge and enjoy an English Tea complete with the
necessary snacks before heading out with your guide and jeep
companions for the afternoon drive.
Dinner
After freshening up you call and a guide comes to
escort you from your cottage to the lodge for dinner.
Although it is safe to walk around during the day the
animals are more active at night and they will not allow
you walk around after dark without a guide. A dinner in
the restaurant, or under the stars in the BOMA you will
be treated to a delectable relaxed dinner before
retiring to look forward to the next days adventures. |
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