South Africa Safari
African Safaris - more regions > Botswana > Kenya > Namibia > South Africa > Tanzania > Serengeti > Zambia > ZimbabweWhat are the best bases for a South Africa Safari?
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A South Africa safari is an exceptional experience due to the varied locations and activities you can enjoy in this magnificent country. There are a variety of bases from which you can see the wildlife and take part in other excursions.
Cape Town is a popular base for visitors due to its vibrant cultural scene. Tours include visits to the winelands, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and the Malay Quarter. This city also provides a base for the always-popular ‘ Garden Route’ vacation. This region runs along a stretch of scenic coastline from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in the Southeast. The tour is highly demanded due to the abundance of remarkable landscape, including freshwater lakes, beaches, coves and indigenous forest. On this stretch of coastline is the famous wilderness area of Hermanus where visits from whales are common, as well as Plettenberg Bay with some of the finest swimming beaches. Nearby is the Tsitsikamma National Park with its unspoiled waterfalls and dense woodland. The Mediterranean climate of the Garden Route makes it ideal from watersports and similar activities.
A new tour has been recently introduced that allows visitors to see baboons in the wild near to Cape Town. A half-day guided tour through areas of the Southern Peninsula offers the amazing experience of seeing these rare primates in their natural habitat. At the Cape Point, where two oceans meet, you can also watch antelope.
For the ultimate big game safari, there is no better location in South Africa than the Kruger Nature Reserve. You can join ‘fly-in’ safaris from Cape Town or Johannesburg, but ensure that you plan a stay of at least three days to get the most out of your trip. This park is known as the best place to photograph lions and leopards, and there are various off-road safaris that will allow you to follow big game through the bush. The 'Big Five' are all present, of elephant, leopard, buffalo, lion and rhino.
It is also possible to do a self-drive safari in Kruger Park, which allows you the independence to track animals of your choice, although not off-road. This option is especially good for families, and should be conducted with Johannesburg as your base – Kruger is only a five-hour drive from there.
Johannesburg makes an ideal base for a safari in South Africa, and is situated in the Gold Reef region. This is indeed the global gold capital, and Johannesburg also has the main international airport. As a base, it allows you to visit the major shopping centre in Sandton, as well as Sun City with the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and the famous Palace Hotel. Those seeking a safari based mainly at Kruger tend to use Johannesburg as a base simply for convenience.
Safari Guide
