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Narina Exelby
ZA
Visited:
November 2012
Reviewed: Dec 28, 2012
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A beautiful country which offers visitors a wide variety of bush experiences.
The province of KwaZulu-Natal, for example, has outstanding parks in its northern regions. Up here, in the land that once was ruled over by Shaka Zulu, it is classic rhino country and there are a number of parks, such as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Phinda, where you’re likely to see the Big Five. Many parks up here also offer the chance to go on walking safaris – guaranteed to give you a totally different perspective of life in the
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bush.The landscape varies vastly across the country, and if you’re a keen photographer, parks like Golden Gate, Camdeboo, Pilanesburg, Karoo and the Kgalagadi will be an absolute delight. In these parks, the sheer scale of vast open spaces will almost dwarf the wildlife, and shooting during the golden hours will be an absolute treat.
It is very easy to self-drive in South Africa – in fact, it’s recommended. The quality of the roads is good, especially between the major cities, and taking a road trip through this country will reveal some of its quirks and hidden corners. If you are going to do the classic Kruger/Cape Town holiday, consider taking a week or so to drive between the two, and stop off at parks like Golden Gate, Addo Elephant Park, Mountain Zebra National Park. You’ll be so glad you did.
A GENUINELY DIFFERENT SAFARI:WOLHUTER
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of the evening. Every member of the team seems to want to ensure you see all that is to be seen and that you enjoy it. Toilet facilities are ample and straightforward but don't go expecting things to be at a 5* level. The tents and beds are comfortable, the food is delicious and the whole atmosphere jovial and convivial.
John Bragg of Oregon
Visited:
September 2014
Reviewed: May 16, 2015
I began planning my trip to Africa months ahead of time and picked dates in September, which put me in South Africa after the European tourists had gone home but before the South Africans began their summer Christmas holiday season. September means taking a chance on rain now and then, but it also means low prices for food and lodging, and usually no crowds. I travelled alone. I'm a photographer by profession and enjoy travelling solo that I may practice my craft. I love travelling through wild, unknown places and having the countryside almost completely to yourself.
I flew to
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Johannesburg via Amsterdam, then spent several days in Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands private game reserve. I returned to Joburg for a few days more and visited Soweto, Nelson Mandela's familly home with the stone memorials, went to see Sterkfontein Cave and Maropeng, then flew to Cape Town for a few days of walkabouts, music, day bus tours, and wonderful food. I stayed in Bo Kaap. Finally I rented a car and drove the Garden Route to Hermanus, then on to Knyssna, Addo and Port Elizabeth, then back to Amsterdam and on to home.If I start listing highlights I will have to detail the entire trip, but I will always remember: Sterkfontein Cave; Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, Kliptown/Walter Sisulu Square, and the Freedom Charter; Nelson Mandela's final home in Joburg; Cape Town, Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Aghuilas, the Tsitsikamma coast, whales, the upside-down Moon, driving on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road, and so much more...
Water safety: I took my cue from the locals. Most places the tap water is fine.
Food safety: I ate everything everywhere, including at street markets in Soweto, with no ill repercussions, although I avoided bush meat.
Personal safety: Be smart, keep your eyes open, do NOT leave anything in your car!!!
Remember to tip: Eighty five percent of South Africans make their living on tips for services rendered. Tips may range from a few Rands ($1US or less) for a personal service, like getting driving directions from a traffic assistant, or for fueling your car, to R200 to R300 per day for professional services (a safari guide or driver, or city day-tour guide).
I also visited Tsitstikamma National Park and Table Mountain National Park.
John A Forbes
ZA
Visited:
September 2011
Reviewed: Oct 5, 2011
65+ years of age
A world in one country - from berg to bush to beach to battlefields - with friendly people.
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the bushveld of the Kruger National Park with its flanking upmarket private parks of Sabi Sand, Londolozi, MalaMala, Thornybush, etc., to the grasslands set amongst the yellow sandstone crags of the Golden Gate National Park, to the grassland of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Trans-frontier Park straddling KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho and with its Yellowwood scarp forests on its steep south facing slope valleys.The scenery of the country ranges from the pristine white sand beaches and knarred, twisted and buckled mountains of the Western Cape, dating from when the Falklands were torn from the African continent (then Gondwanaland), to the stark and serene beauty of the Karoo with it unique vegetation and iselbergs, to the majestic basalt topped mountains of the high Drakensberg (+- 3000 metres)with their deep valleys with crystal clear waters, to the subtropical forests of KwaZulu-Natal coastal belt, to the bushveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo which stretches the length of the Kruger National Park – a reserve larger than many countries. And yet this is not even half of it!
The climate, in Northern hemisphere terms, is nearly always pleasant. A winter’s day is generally warmer than a summer’s day in Europe. Rainfall generally occurs in winter in southern Cape with the rest of the country experiencing the majority of its rainfall in summer, and then it is often short and sharp where after the sun comes out again. It is not for nothing that South Africans generally prefer a braai (barbeque) any day to a formal inside meal.
A variety of accommodation is available for tourist from the most luxurious (and expensive) to the good clean but reasonably priced; be this within the national parks, along the highways and byways, or in the international cities of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Food to suit most, if not all tastes, is available throughout the country. To many locals eating out is a national pastime so finding a suitable restaurant should not be a problem! Many of the parks however require the tourist to bring in their own food as only limited food is available in the park. Best to check beforehand! With the odd exception, the local water may be drunk without any fear of after affects. Bottled water is however available for those who would rather not take the chance.
South Africa is served by an excellent infrastructural network with freeways or motorways in and beyond all the major cities; high class roads link them and offer the opportunity for those that would prefer to self drive with hire cars from Avis, Budget, Tempest and others. Major and International Airports serve the country and is by far the easiest and quickest way to travel around a country as large as South Africa. Apart from South African Airways and British Airways, there are budget airlines such as Kulula, Mango and One Time where a considerable saving may be made. While there are Greyhound and other bus services, this is perhaps the least favoured means of travel. There are however many tour bus company, both large and small, which the tourist may utilise if they are less adventurous and would prefer to leave their direction and choice of accommodation to others.
I was in the bush for 5 days, and saw large amounts of wildlife every time we went out. Leopards in trees, elephants, rhinos, impala, lions, giraffe, zebra, hippos, etc etc.. even had a rare siting of 4 male cheetah.... truly amazing. The scenic beauty was amazing. It is a majestic feeling. You are a million miles from anywhere and you truly feel as if you are witnessing something spectacular. You get a feeling of being a part of something that is extremely secretive. Hard to explain, its just simply an amazing experience. You are in the back yard of these animals home. The colors of so many of the birds were just amazing too. I don't recall the name of the bird, but this one bird was a deep blue color and was just beautiful. Some of the birds are just huge too.
South Africa is so amazing, I ended up never wanting to leave... so I haven't!
My experiences vary -
I initially did a short trip through the country: Game Drives, cultural tours, (a bit of partying), visiting the sites. I visited most of the National Parks on the East side of the country and would say my highlights were Addo, Cintsa (Buckanners Backpackers) and Cape Town.
My next trip started in South Africa but was an overland trip through Southern and Eastern Africa, South Africa didn't feature too heavily but I did manage to get to The Cape of Good Hope which, even in bad weather, is still definately worth the trip. My advice for Tabe Mountain - get there as EARLY as possible, the crowds alone is the main reason but if the wind is high enough, the close the cable cars. (Take the double decker bus too - it's cheap and you get a tour all over the city
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and surrounds)Since I've been back I've now experienced a variety of volunteer programmes. You'll find these vary in facilities, organisation, tasks, activities and what's included. I can say I've gotten a mix of everything. I have specifically vounteered in the wildlife area but some of this will be relevant for any area.
If you're interested in volunteering, ask what facilities the place has, we have so many people now that "expect" things and you simply have to say that you're in the bush, you're lucky to get a lot of what we do provide! Some places might vary in terms of hot water, electricty, how many people to a room, food situation (very important for me being a vegetarian!), vehicles.
In terms of what you'll be doing, don't volunteer if you're just looking for a cheap safari - volunteering means that although you get so much more of an experience than a lodge guest (you'll learn more, spend more time, get to know specific animals and not be as stressed to "tick off your list") you do need to give a bit in return. Enjoy what you're doing though - you'll learn so much more by being enthusiasic about helping out (and usually get better opportunities out of it as well - staff are always more willing to help out a great volunteer rather than one who's not)
Some places will say what's included but be aware, some may still "forget" to mention that the price only partially covers extras like excursions. Kruger trips would be a big example. Many don't mention that you will have to pay the conservation fee out of your pocket in addition to whatever they have said.
Most importantly though, have fun when you're volunteering - meet new people and get to know the locals more than you would normally.
Nita Lee Starr
US
Visited:
April 2025
Reviewed: May 8, 2025
Email Nita Lee Starr | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great trip!
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Private Nature Reserve. The highlight of the trip was staying in places that have many wild animals that we could see as soon as we drove into the camps. On our safari drives we were able to see all the animals we wanted to see and learned so much about other animals we encountered. This was a fabulous experience and I recommend it to any traveler who loves animals and nature.
Tammy de Weerd
US
Visited:
March 2025
Reviewed: Apr 1, 2025
Email Tammy de Weerd | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible experience, tremendous value
No sooner had we arrived to our Viva safari experience than we were off on our first game drive. It was immediate immersion. We witnessed the raw power of a leopard—his impala meal draped high in a tree, a stunning display of strength and survival. Not far off, we found him again, lounging in the branches, regal and relaxed, as if granting us a rare, personal audience. It was unforgettable.
As the sun dipped low, we were gifted one of the most breathtaking sunsets we’ve ever seen. The sky painted itself in warm, fiery hues—nature’s backdrop to the untamed beauty of the bush. Later that evening, we encountered a pride of lions intently watching a herd of water buffalo just beyond a game fence. The
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stare-down was intense. The buffalo, visibly agitated, held their ground. It was nature’s drama, unfolding before us.Our days were filled with both game drives and bush walks—each one a masterclass in ecology. We learned so much, not only about the Big Five, but about the entire ecosystem, from industrious termites to vibrant birdlife. Every creature plays a role, and every moment taught us something new.
Jacob van der Westhuizen
GB
Visited:
May 2025
Reviewed: May 19, 2025
Email Jacob van der Westhuizen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great as always.... enjoyed it very much.....
Kruger national park delivered as always. Wild life ans scenery was excellent. And we love every minute we where there. And Raddison hotel in Hoedspruit was the best....
Silvia Knauber
MU
Visited:
May 2025
Reviewed: May 16, 2025
Email Silvia Knauber | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great friendly and helpful people, affordable and beautiful
I love South Africa
It’s a colorful country, most places are very safe, because of all the security organizations around.
The food and restaurants are very good and and affordable.
People are helpful and very friendly. They look like they enjoy life.
We went to the Kruger park for 3 days and had a great time.
We live in Mauritius and we were just surprised that early in the morning and evening the weather is much colder than in the country we live, but during the day it was very nice weather.