ASafari Tour Through the Big Five Region

Safaris,game drives and tours are a much sought after experience, especiallywhen the Kruger National Park and the “Big Five” are involved.For centuries, the big game in Africa has intrigued visitors andlocals alike. The term safari was used originally to describe anoverland trip involving a hunt for game. Today the term refers to anoverland trip to observe and learn about the game and their habitats.When hunting of animals such as lions and buffalo was still legal,the term “Big 5” was created to describe the five most difficultanimals to hunt on foot: the lion, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard andAfrican buffalo. These five animals form one of the greatest touristattractions in Africa today. Game drives are carried out withexperienced rangers who are trained in how to track the animals inorder to view them in their natural habitat. Some Game drives includea picnic or stop for drinks and snacks to cool off from the hotAfrican sun. Taking a game drive at night is also a favourite amongstvisitors as the nocturnal activities of the animals can be seen, aswell as the animals which shy away from the day time sun.

Perhapsit is the extreme vulnerability which humans face when alone with biggame, or perhaps it is the rarity and unfamiliarity of experiencingsuch impressive creatures up close which attracts visitors from allover the Globe. Whatever the reason, taking an African Safari in oneof South Africa’s many game parks is an unforgettable experience. Aroad trip through the area is the perfect way to explore thesewonderful creatures and their habitats.

FunIn The Sun

Tobegin with, the tour starts with three days in Sun City, a two hourdrive from Johannesburg. Sun City is an enormous resort filled withaction and intrigue and is situated adjacent to the malaria-freePilanesberg National Game Park, which is home to South Africa’s Big5. Apart from taking a short drive to the park to enjoy a game drive,you can swim at Sun City’s beach replica, gamble in the top classcasino, play golf on the exquisite golf courses or dance the nightaway in one of the nightclubs. The accommodation in Sun City rangesfrom camping to five star hotels, so there is an option for anybudget. There are also many lodges at the Pilanesberg National parkranging from luxury to basic comfort. After having explored Sun Cityand the adjacent National Park, the tour moves on to its nextdestination to spend a night in Parys.

The town of Parys is well regarded for its extreme sports such as rockclimbing, 4x4ing, quad biking and river rafting. Despite these modernsports, the town began its history many years ago. Parys is situatedalong the outer areas of a dome which is the remnants of a craterfrom a meteorite which struck 2000 million years ago. The dome iscalled the Vredefort Dome, and is the oldest and largest meteoriteimpactsite on earth, measuring about 200km in diameter. The accommodation available in Parys ranges from bed and breakfasts, guest lodges andeven a game lodge situated in the Vredefort Dome. The town hasmuseums and is well known for its antique shops and eateries whereone can experience true South African delicacies.

After spending the night in Parys, the tour moves on to Dullstroom, a quietvillage enroute to the Kruger National park, famed for its peaceful atmosphereand fresh air. The town has accommodation ranging from basic toluxury and has guest houses, bed and breakfasts and even a luxuryhotel. The main activities Dullstroom has to offer are fly-fishingand clay pigeon shooting. The village also has horse riding, artgalleries, fine restaurants and a variety of interesting drives.There are also hiking and 4x4 trails to be explored.

TheKruger National Park

After spending the night in Dullstroom, the tour leaves for Skukuza, a restcamp in the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park serves asthe largest and most impressive park in South Africa and is worldfamous. The park has the Big 5, yet is of such a size that theelement of being in “deepest Africa” is not lost. Skukuza is thelargest camp in the park and is situated on the banks of the SabieRiver. Game drives, game viewing, bird walks and wildlife filmsscreened every evening are the main activities of the camp. A bushbreakfast and braai (South African barbeque) is also available andthere is a golf course for those missing a bit of city life. Theaccommodation ranges from safari tents, camp sites and bungalows toluxury bungalows and guest houses. The tour takes three days todiscover this part of the Kruger National Park, after which it moveson to Hazyview for the last four days and three nights of the tour.

Hazyview is situated near the Paul Kruger Gate of the Kruger National Park andis in close proximity to the Blyde River Canyon and the Sabi Sandnature reserve. Hazyview offers a lot of accommodation and isfavoured by those who prefer to stay outside of the Kruger Park. The accommodation offered is a range from basic to the most luxurious andthe Sabi Sand nature reserve offers luxury accommodation too. TheSabi Nature reserve has an excellent record of big five sightings asthe reserve is adjacent to the Kruger Park yet there is no fenceseparating them. Apart from the obvious game drives, walks andsafari activities, the town offers health spas, restaurants and evenballooning to spot game from above. After spending the final fourdays and three nights in Hazyview, the tour comes to a close and allshould have a great safari tale to tell for the rest of their lives.

AboutThe Author:

Toureagle is a revolutionary tour company that enables travelers to choose their accommodation and research tours themselves on the site, including exploring the main attractions of South Africa such as a safaritour.