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Addo
Elephant National Park
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The Addo Elephant National Park is renowned for its impressive
herds of elephant as well as the large variety of plants,
birds and animals that have adapted to the climate of the
Eastern Cape. There are numerous game drives within the Park,
as well as a bird hide overlooking an active water hole. The
main waterhole, which can be seen from the chalets, is flood-lit
at night, giving you the opportunity to watch the game and
enjoy a glass of good red wine at the same time.
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Augrabies
Falls National Park
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The Orange River cascades into the deep and spectacular gorge
at the Augrabies Falls National Park. The semi-arid vegetation
of the area is home to many mammal and bird species.
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Cape
Town
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Over the centuries, visitors have marvelled not only at Cape
Town's natural splendour, but also at the cultural diversity
of the Mother City - the blending of African, Western and
Eastern ways of life which are evident in architecture, food
and local customs. Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical
Gardens, the Cape Peninsula and Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary are
a few of the many attractions not to be missed.
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Cederberg
Mountains and Clanwilliam
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The Cederberg Mountains, with their dramatic red sandstone
formations, were once the hunting grounds of the San people,
and many of their exploits are recorded in the form of remarkable
rock paintings.
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Drakensberg
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The Royal Natal National Park is situated below the sheer
face of the Drakensberg ecarpment. There are many hiking trails
of varying length and gradient that wil take you to the Amphitheatre,
the most awe-inspiring of all the Drakensberg scenery. The
deep valleys, mountain grasslands and rugged peaks support
stands of protea and a host of birds and mammals.
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Garden
Route
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On the Garden Route you will find gorgeous sweeping white
sand beaches, inland lakes, and large estuarine mud flats,
the final destination of many migrating birds from Western
Asia and Europe. The Wilderness and Tsitsikamma forests encompass
great tracts of indigenous forest, a dramatic coastline and
beautiful mountains that offer hiking trails of ever-changing
scenery.
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Hermanus
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During our spring months the Southern Right Whales come to
the southern cape coastline to calve in safety. There are
also a number of Botanical Gardens and Nature Reserves in
the Hermanus area which play host to the endemic flora of
the Western Cape.
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The
Kalahari National Park (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)
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The Kalahari National Park, recently re-named the Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park, is a chance to see one of the last true
wilderness reserves in the world. The park is spread across
three countries,(South Africa, Botswana and Namibia) with
no border or boundary fences. Kalahari Lion, Cheetah, Gemsbok
and many other species can be seen in the park. It is characterised
by its red sand dunes and the dry riverbeds of the Nossub
and Auob rivers where camel thorn, raisin bush and black thorn
attract over 215 bird species to their welcoming cool shade.
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The
Kruger National Park
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The Kruger Park is one of the most famous National Parks in
the world and the oldest one in Africa. It is 350km long and
covers an area of almost 2 million hectares. It is home to
an unparalled diversity of flora and fauna : 507 species of
bird, 147 species of mammals (including the Big Five), 300
types of trees, 49 fish species, 114 reptile species and 33
types of amphibians.
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The
Karoo National Park
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The Karoo National Park has 64 species of mammals, over 200
bird species (including birds of prey such as the magnificent
Verreaux’s Eagle)
and 59 species of reptile. It is renowned for its impressive
landscapes, and the wide variety of plants and animals that
have adapted to the harsh climate of the Karoo.
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Langebaan
Lagoon
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The beautifully tranquil Langebaan Lagoon is a must for any
keen birder, with over 250 bird species recorded here to date.
During the spring months of August and September you will
be able to visit the vibrant fields of flowers in the West
Coast Flower Reserve.
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The
Little Karoo
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The Little Karoo is situated between the Great Karoo and the
Garden Route and is overlooked by the spectacular Witberg,
Langeberg and Swartberg Mountains. Oudtshoorn is the Ostrich
capital of the world and the Cango Caves with their interesting
limestone formations are worthy of a visit. The fascinating
vegetation of the Little Karoo is well-adapted to drought
and the diversity of bird species is surprisingly high.
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Springbok is a large town in the heart of Namaqualand. In
early August and September the dry landscape is transformed
by fields of Spring flowers. The kaleidoscope of colours and
diversity of species provide excellent photographic opportunities.
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Stellenbosch
and the Cape Winelands
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With its dramatic backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains
and many fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture, the university
town of Stellenbosch is a rewarding place to visit. Surrounded
by many wine estates, it also provides the opportunity for
wine-tasting and gourmet meals.
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Swaziland
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Swaziland, the Enchanted Kingdom, has a number of excellent
Nature Reserves and National Parks. The Malolotja Nature Reserve
is highly recommended. Primarily a walking reserve, it gives
you the opportunity to spot some of the 280 bird species that
have been recorded there.
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Upington
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Upington is a large town on the banks of the Orange River
with an airport and all modern amenities. It is a useful stepping
stone to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
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Wakkerstroom
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Wakkerstroom is an excellent area for birdwatching and is
steeped in history from the Anglo-Boer and Zulu Wars. The
wetlands and rolling montane grasslands surrounding this small
town have been managed as a bird reserve for over a decade.
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