South Africa is a nation blessed with a rich tapestry of natural wonders, and its 19 national parks stand as a testament to this diverse beauty. From the untamed bushveld and rugged mountains to pristine coastlines and lush forests, each park offers a unique experience. In this blog, we’ll take you on a journey through the South African National Parks bucket list, highlighting must-see attractions and activities within each park.
Limpopo
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, a must-visit on any South African national parks list, is the ultimate safari destination, boasting the Big Five and a plethora of other species across its vast 20 000 square kilometres. Ngwenya Lodge, located on the park’s southern border, offers guests prime wildlife viewing without leaving the resort.
Mapungubwe National Park
Mapungubwe National Park offers a blend of history, wildlife, and scenic beauty. Positioned at the meeting of two rivers and three countries, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with attractions like The Lost City of Mapungubwe and diverse wildlife including elephants and leopards.
Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park, nestled in the Waterberg Mountains of Limpopo, provides sanctuary to a rich array of wildlife and plants. Visitors can enjoy game drives amidst stunning landscapes, birdwatching, and exploring iron-age sites, with highlights including the world’s largest colony of Cape vultures and sightings of the Big Five.
Golden Rhinoceros of Mapungubwe
Free State
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Golden Gate Highlands National Park, located in the Maluti Mountains, offers stunning wildlife and lush vegetation. Located in the north-eastern Free State of South Africa, it’s renowned for its golden sandstone cliffs, vibrant scenery, and diverse accommodations. The park, established in 1963 to preserve ancient Bushmen shelters, features well-preserved cave paintings and rare flora like arum lilies and red-hot pokers. It’s a sanctuary for endangered species like the bearded vulture and bald ibis, with a rich diversity of mammals and over 140 bird species, making it a must-visit destination in the Free State.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Eastern Cape
Addo Elephant National Park
The Addo Elephant National Park covers an area of 686 000 hectares, comprising 164 000 hectares of land and a marine reserve spanning 120 000 hectares. It stands as the third-largest national park in South Africa and holds the distinction of being the only park globally that accommodates not just the Big 5, but also Africa’s “Big 7,” including elephants, rhinoceroses, lions, buffaloes, leopards, whales, and great white sharks.
Camdeboo National Park
Camdeboo National Park offers game viewing, birding, hiking, and stargazing, notably at the Valley of Desolation. With around 250 bird species, it’s a go-to for birders, featuring African goshawks, rock kestrels, and verreaux’s eagles. Wildlife like buffalo and black wildebeest roam the plains, with 4×4 trails like Koedoeskloof and Driekoppe to explore, and the Nqweba Dam for water activities.
Mountain Zebra National Park
Mountain Zebra National Park, near Cradock, protects Cape mountain zebras and other wildlife in a variety of biomes. It offers sightings of buffalo, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, and diverse birdlife, with predators like hyenas, lions, and cheetahs introduced in recent years, offering guided tracking tours for visitors.
Addo Elephant National Park
CHAT WITH US
Have you visited any of the above places? Share your adventures with us on our Facebook Page or tag us on Instagram.
Click on any of the links below to learn more about your ‘Jewel of the Kruger’: