National parks of South Africa - one of the main and attractive attractions of South Africa. South Africa is characterized by a serious approach to preserving the ecological balance and protecting endangered species. The country has more than 20 parks with a total area of 37 thousand square kilometers, while the list of protected areas is constantly expanding. Some national parks in South Africa, such as the Kruger Park and the Mapungubwe Park, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
National Parks of the West of South Africa
Almost half of all national parks are concentrated in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces in the south-west of South Africa . Mediterranean climate in the region of the Cape mountains contributes to the diversity of the animal and plant world.
National Park Table Mountain
In the Cape Town area and the Cape of Good Hope, there are several parks that are sure to please admirers of the most beautiful nature. The National Park " Stolovaya Gora " is popular all over the world due to the magnificent view of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula from a height of more than 1000 m.
Bontibok Park
It is worth visiting the small park Bontobe, representing the real African province. Bontobe - an ideal place for a picnic, because there are practically no predatory animals in it. The park owes its name to the sight of wild antelopes, found only on its territory.
Garden Route Park
On the very border of the Western and Eastern Cape, on the picturesque oceanfront, Garden Ruth Park was created. In 2009, the park Tsitsikamma , which occupies 80 miles of the coastal strip, is connected to this park. Especially popular Garden Route acquired among fans of trekking - hiking.
Karoo National Park
To the north of the Cape mountains, closer to the Karu plateau, is the national park of the same name. The peculiarity of the Karu National Park is a unique ecosystem and an amazing variety of reptiles, including Tortoises, snakes, lizards, chameleons. The territory of the park is dominated by the ridges of the Newvelds system, smoothly descending to the valley of the Orange River.
National parks "Eddo" and "Mountain Zebra"
In the province of Eastern Cape there are three national parks, in close proximity to each other. Next to Port Elizabeth is the third largest Eddo National Park , which boasts the largest African elephant population in South Africa . The reserve includes the continental and marine parts. Only in this park you can see the "African Seven", which also includes a southern whale and a large white shark.
To the north of Eddo Park is a small national park "Mountain Zebra". The main task of taking land under state protection was to save the endangered species of Cape mountain zebra. In the late 30-ies.20. there were about 40 animals. Currently, 350 mountain zebras live in the park.
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North of South Africa - unique landscapes that you will not see anywhere else!
As many as 6 parks are located in the largest South African province - the Northern Cape. On the border with Botswana, in the Kalahari desert, one of the largest national parks of the continent is located - the Kgalagadi-Gembok Transboundary National Park. After the creation of the park in 1931, poaching in the desert was discontinued and nowadays the park is the best place to observe the lions.
Richerssweld National Park
Another national park Ritchersveld , along which the border of South Africa and Namibia, will surprise the traveler with landscapes similar to the surface of the Moon and a unique collection of succulents. The Richerssweld Park is part of the Ai-Ais Ritchirsveld Transboundary Park. The second park, rocky Ogrebiz Falls ("Where there is a terrible noise"), is famous for the 92-meter waterfall and the gorge of the Orange River with a length of 18 km.
Pilanesberg National Park
In the central part of the country, next to Pretoria , in the province of Free State, there is one of the unique projects, Pilanesberg National Park. Here, the project of moving wild animals from one part of the country to another was successfully implemented. In the park you can make beautiful photos, because it is located on the volcanic crater territory.
National parks in the eastern part of the country
280 km to the north of Durban , on the former Zulu land, one of the largest parks in South Africa - Shushluwe-Umfolozi - is located. The park was created in 1985 to save endangered species of rhinos. Now on the hilly African plain of 964 square kilometers. lives more than one-fifth of the world population of white and black rhinos.
Golden Gate National Park
If we follow east from Durban , then in a few hours we will get to the Golden Gate National Park, amazing imagination with spectacular panoramas. During the seasonal migration of ungulates, wide expanses become "living rivers" - a very spectacular sight! By its name - "Golden Gate" the park is obliged to the rocks of the massif of the Drakensberg Mountains , which at sunset are painted with rays of the sun in a characteristic color. The park is inhabited by various species of zebras and antelopes, more than 140 species of birds.
Province Limpopo - a paradise for lovers of wildlife
The most famous and profitable park of South Africa - Kruger is a part of the Transboundary Park of Big Limpopo. On the territory of almost 20 thousand square kilometers in abundance there are wild animals, the bird and water world is extremely diverse. In this hunting paradise there is a "big five" of African animals: an elephant, a hippopotamus, a buffalo, a lion and a leopard.
Almost all national parks in South Africa have conditions for accommodation, accommodation and recreation for tourists.