SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI HOLIDAYS

Where to start?! The Cape or the Kruger are probably the two most popular destinations for those heading off on a safari holiday.

Although you are not likely to see too much game around Cape Town!, venture further along the "Garden Route" coast and you will find some small private game reserves. It is not until you reach beyond Port Elizabeth that the number of wildlife lodges increases together with national parks and reserves. There is a wide choice here from Addo's National Park up into the plains and hills of the Great Karoo. These options are malarial free and are suited to those on a first-time safari or enjoying a holiday in the Cape.

A long way further north on the borders of Botswana and Namibia is Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a protected region in the Kalahari desert. Within driving distance of this park is the largest private reserve in Africa, Tswalu Kalahari, covering 1000sqkm. With a limited number of guest rooms and an incredibly strong conservation ethos, this semi-arid wilderness is an exciting safari destination. Large black-maned lions are the top predator and cheetah are often seen. The prey species are both the common and more unusual with springbok, buffalo and giraffe as well as oryx, Hartmann's mountain zebra, sable and roan antelope. There are also 2 meerkat colonies that are habituated to human presence. Those elusive creatures on many tick-lists, pangolins and aardvarks can also be found on the grasslands.

A long way east from Tswalu, yet just a short flight from Johannesburg is Madikwe Game Reserve. This malaria-free reserve has a number of high-end lodges and camps and supports a wide variety of game. Short stay safaris are ideal here and you might consider moving on to the Waterberg where a number of private nature reserves cater for those travelling out from Johannesburg. More likely you will safari onwards to the Kruger.

Kruger National Park has a border zone of private concessions in which you will find a wide range of safari lodges and camps. Now that the fences have come down between the park and those concessions on the outside wildlife is wandering free again along ancient routes. However, the park is huge and one of our favourite destinations is right inside the park at Rhino Post Safari Lodge. Here you can enjoy walking safaris as well as game drives and night drives. The wildlife here is excellent as you would expect. Rhino Walking Safaris is a separate camp for just 8 guests and runs on a fixed departure basis for walks with highly qualified guides. For the more adventurous there are sleep-out platforms in the bush.

If you are seeking some relaxation after a safari or holiday through South Africa then you could choose Cape Town or places such as Plettenberg Bay, near Port Elizabeth. Alternatively, the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast north of Durban offers extensive beaches running right up into Mozambique. Turtles nest along this coast and snorkelling, diving and fishing are good. The beaches of Mozambique can be easily reached from the Kruger of flights from Johannesburg.