Addo Elephant Park
Addo Elephant Park is located in the Eastern Cape- a delightful reserve near Port Elizabeth. The Garden Route is an area of great scenic beauty that stretches along the lush Indian Ocean coastline and inland to the semi-desert Little Karoo.
Mountain Zebra National Park
The rocky heights of Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys becoming an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain Zebra. The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved these animals from extinction, and currently their population stands at 350.
Other mammals found here include Eland, Black Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest and Gemsbok. Mountain Reedbuck and Grey Rhebok frequent the higher areas, whilst Caracal occupy the niche of primary predator.
Mountain Zebra National Park's climate comprses of warm summers, and winter nights are cold. Rainfall averages some 390mm per annum, with regular snowfall on high lying areas.
The highlight of the park's mammalian fauna is obviously the 350 or so Cape Mountain Zebra after which the park is named. These Zebra differ from the plains or Burchell's Zebra, by having narrower stripes, absence of shadow stripes and orange facial colouration.
Other noticeable species of the mountain plateau are the red Hartebeest, Eland and Springbok. In the more wooded valleys visitors should search for Kudu, and 2 of the park's more recent reintroductions, the African Buffalo and the Black Rhino.
Birds in Mountain Zebra N.P
Black and Martial Eagle and Jackal Buzzard soar impressively over this mountain habitat. Palewinged Starling is very conspicuous on the mountain plateau, where Ostrich, Secretary bird, Blue Crane and Ludwig's Bustard are the larger more visible species.
Grey winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Thick billed and Long billed Lark, Cape and Sentinel Rock Thrush, Mountain Chat and Orange breasted Rock jumper should also be searched for, while Pink billed Lark and Rock Pipit are less common.
Vegetation in Mountain Zebra National Park
The park contains a rich variety of plant species and in spring the Veld is covered with flowers. Fynbos and Rensoterveld bush flourish in the temperate climate where the rains come mainly during early summer and winter.Activities
Activities in Knysna include profound game viewing from your own vehicle, several short nature trails, hiking, horse riding, swimming - just to name a few.Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari Game Reserve is a 20 000 hectares (49 000 acres) private game reserve, situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This is the ultimate African adventure and conservation; it has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for 5 consecutive years.
It is situated in verdant bush along the Bushman's River, halfway between Port Elizabeth (45 minutes drive outside the city) and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town, forming a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. Game viewing - Big Five.
Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life and is the realisation of one man's dream, and the success of many people's passion. Steeped in Settler history, and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the 20 000 hectare reserve boasts 5 eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life.
Tsitsikamma National Park
The Tsitsikamma National Park (untouched natural landscape) is an 80Km long coastal strip between Nature's Valley and the mouth of the Storms River.
Africa's Oldest and Largest Marine Reserve
Tsitsikamma National Park is Africa's oldest and largest marine reserve, it plays a vital role in the preservation and conservation of marine fauna and flora. The Tsitsikamma National Park is internationally recognized for its forests, which harbour and conserve the giant Outeniqua yellowwood - one of the few true monarchs of the world's forests. This enormous tree is one of the most successful species in existence, having survived unchanged for millions of years.A Place of Many Waters
Tsitsikamma is the Khoi-San word for a place of many waters. It is the perfect description of this exquisite area but does not do justice to the overwhelming experience the Tsitsikamma provides for those fortunate enough to visit it and to indulge in its unique pleasures.Activities
Activities range from walking to Mountain bike in the heart of the tranquil Tsitsikamma. Hunting safaris on a farm and fishing excursions - to the best fishing spots in the area. Adventure activities in the area range from Black Water Tubing, Kloofing and many others.
Hiking
The popular Otter Trail of 48km (29.83 miles) and the Tsitsikamma Trail of 72km (44.7 miles), both offer the well-trained hiker an experience of a unique plant and animal world. Some indigenous Yellowwood trees still exist here, over 800 years old. Besides the diverse birdlife, one can also observe smaller mammal species, the cute Dassies for example, which often graze near the beach. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, remaining indelibly imprinted on your mind.
Walking
Short walking paths lead through the coastal rainforests, to the hanging bridge at the mouth of the Storms River and to the famous Schietklip, a rock in the sea which causes thundering giant waves.
Wilderness National Park
Wilderness National Park is situated in the heart of South Africa's famous Garden Route. It is a charming world of lakes, rivers, fens, estuaries and beaches gently unfolding against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains.Wilderness National Park is situated close to the N2 highway, 15km (9.3 miles) from George, 315km (195.7 miles) from Port Elizabeth and 415km (257.8 miles) from Cape Town. The closest airport is at George, where car hire facilities are available. Access and internal roads are gravelled.
Nature trails wind through densely wooded forest, Wilderness National Park, and along tranquil rivers, affording you the opportunity to encounter the brilliantly coloured Knysna Loerie, or one of the 5 Kingfisher species that occur here. During spring the lakes are surrounded by a carpet of flowers, further enhancing the verdant beauty of this wetland national park.
