15 National Parks in South Africa: Wildlife Parks in South Africa

Wildlife Parks in South Africa

Kruger National Park, Augrabies Falls National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Garden Route National Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Table Mountain National Park, Namaqua National Park and many more.

If you are a wildlife buff hunting down places to capture the real essence of African wildlife, a visit to the national parks in South Africa is all that you need. An incredible destination blessed with diverse habitats and abundant natural scenes, South Africa draws a huge chunk of tourists throughout the year. This stunning country is home to Big Five and a plethora of wildlife creatures which form the bedrock of its popularity.

Popularly known as the Rainbow Nation, South Africa encompasses numerous national parks where you can spot exotic wildlife and delve into the charm of spectacular landscapes. With national parks such as the West Coast, Golden Gate Highlands, and the Karoo in its reserve, this country is a heaven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. So, if your South Africa trip is soon on the cards, don't forget to go through this compiled list of its wildlife parks in South Africa where you can soak in absolute peace with little to no human intervention.

Here are some of the best national parks in South Africa:

01

Kruger National Park

Boasting its unparalleled beauty and abounding wildlife, Kruger National Park welcomes you with a series of unforgettable experiences. Reckoned as the best of all the national parks in South Africa, it shelters about 150 animals including antelopes, zebras, lions, wild dogs, hornbills and many others.

While here, you can either indulge in enthralling safaris or enjoy big5 gaming sessions for hours at a stretch. This mesmerizing wildlife destination forms a haven for over 500 species of birds- a huge plus for bird lovers. The park is sprawled across 19,485 sq km area and is enveloped by several private reserves including Sabi Sand, where you take a much-needed break from the crowd and bustling streets.

Approx Safari Cost: 102 USD per night

Highlights:
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Wildlife Drives
Bush camping
Bull-backpack trail

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02

Augrabies Falls National Park

Serving as a beautiful shelter for a wide array of animal species since 1966, this national park intrigues the visitors with its thriving wildlife scenes and pristine waterfall that sits at an altitude of 90 m above sea level. Nestled at a distance of 120 Km from Upington, this picturesque park offers plenty of activities to keep the visitors entertained.

Whether you wish to admire the surreal Augrabies Falls, climb your way up to the Moon Shake, or simply escape to the Canyon House for an overnight stay, Augrabies has got something for everyone. If you are eager to immerse in its wildlife experiences, head for a drive to Hartmann's Circle where you will get to spot a myriad of species including giraffes, mountain zebras, weaver, and falcons.

Location: Augrabies, South Africa

Approx Safari Cost: 4 USD

Highlights:
Hartmann's Circle drives to spot animals such as zebras, giraffes, and falcons.
A trek to Moon Shake and Twin Falls
Augrabies Falls

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03

Camdeboo National Park

Regarded as one of the best national parks in South Africa, Cambedoo has nothing but the best to offer. Get a closer sneak peek into the flourishing ecosystem of Karoo at this African national park which is scattered across 14500 hectares of lush green space.

Also known as the Valley of Desolation, it forms an ideal spot to indulge in spiritual experiences, thanks to its unadulterated beauty and eerie silence which let you submit yourself to nature in entirety. The park features multiple walking trails and hiking paths which take you on a quick wildlife tour of this region. With around 43 mammal species and animals such as black wildebeest, steenbok, and blesbok, Cambedoo is every traveller's dream.

Location: Graaff-Reinet, South Africa

Highlights:
Wildlife sightings including ostrich, grey duiker, meerkat, and springbok.
Bird watching
Hike to the Valley of Desolation

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04

Garden Route National Park

A beautiful confluence of mesmerizing coastlines, dense woods, marine wildlife, and surreal towns, this national park is a tourist's jewel in its own right. In addition to its spectacular environs, it also stands out with its trunkful of adrenaline sports and scenic trails.

From eco-tours, whale watching tours, and scenic hikes to rock climbing and bungee jumping, the activities offered at this park will spoil you for choices. Tourists can relish a four-night long trek on its Otter trail, head for a wine tasting tour to Crags Mountains, or indulge in bird watching in Eden- the list goes on. If you are hunting for the best national parks in South Africa, a quick tour to the Garden Route might do the trick.

Approx Safari Cost: 2.7 USD

Highlights:
Spot animals like monkey, baboons, antelopes, and dassies on Otter Trail
Take a scenic stroll through the dense woods spotted with milkwood trees
Spot beautiful whales and dolphins on marine tours.

05

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Nestled in the rolling foothills of Maluti Mountains, Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a one-stop destination for loners and nature lovers. The park flaunts its exquisite habitat which houses plenty of mammals including oribi, blesbok, and black wildebeest.

To enjoy the bird's eye view of the surrounding region, move to Generaal Shop-the highest point in the park from where you can witness the hues of purple, red and yellow mixing up with mountain shades creating a sight to behold. Zuluhoek lookout point, Drakensberg view, and Oribi Basin are some other key attractions within the park. For all those nature buffs who want to experience the beauty of national parks in South Africa, Golden Gate Highland is an ideal place to begin their expedition.

Location: Clarens, South Africa

Highlights:
A plethora of mammal species such as black wildebeest, oribi, springbok, and zebra
Bird species including bald ibis, and vultures
Zuluhoek lookout point
Oribi basin

06

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Spreading across a whopping area of 14,668 square miles, this beautiful conservation area was originally built to safeguard the migratory animals. The entire park is covered with reddish dunes with acacia plantations adorning the riverbeds.

Visitors at Kgalagadi would be enthralled to witness a wide array of species including red hartebeest, springbok, lions, smaller cats, and wild dogs, to name a few. Formed by the merger of Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Park in South Africa, this wildlife gem also forms an ideal spot for nature and wildlife photography. If you want to make the most of your trip, plan your stay in one of its upmarket lodges which offer great opportunities to immerse in the surreal landscapes of this place.

Location: Upington, South Africa

Approx Safari Cost: 6.5 USD

Highlights:
Wildlife viewing with animals such as wild dogs, small cats, springbok, and lions.
Optimal birding experience
Spellbinding desert landscapes perfect for nature photography.

07

Table Mountain National Park

Are you hunting for the unique national parks in South Africa? Make your way to Table Mountain where nature and adventure come together to give you a once in a lifetime experience. Boasting its majestic hills, pristine beaches, and seashores, this African Park looks forward to serving you with one of its kind experiences.

Extending from the North Cape Town to Southwest Africa, it encompasses a wide array of sightseeing spots such as Signal Hill, Lion's Head, and the Cape Floral Kingdom. Whether you wish to enthral your senses with a quick hiking tour in Silvermine Nature Reserve or go for scenic forest walks, you will never have a dull moment at Table Mountain Park. With a plethora of adventure activities to offer including surfing, mountain biking, scuba diving, and paragliding, this splendid park is a preferred vacation spot among adventure junkies too.

Location: Tafelberg Road, Cape Town, South Africa

Highlights:
Signal Hill and Lions Head
Hike to the Table Mountain
Forest walks
Boulder's Beach

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08

Namaqua National Park

Located 495 Km away from Cape Town, Namaqua is an enchanting wildlife reserve which is known to house a myriad of flora and fauna. It is home to around 3500 plant species as well as Namaqua Speckled Padloper- the smallest tortoise in the world

Its landscape not only boasts of bright-coloured daisies but it also features quartz patches, quiver trees, and granite outcrops. In addition to its diverse flora, the park also surprises you with its abundant wildlife scenes complete with animals such as leopard, baboon, jackal, and duiker.

Highlights:
Wildlife species such as leopard, porcupine, baboon, steenbok, and duiker.
Succulent plant species
A bed of spring flowers with over 1000 colourful flowers on display.

09

Addo Elephant National Park

Find yourself surrounded by large herds of elephants at one of the most surreal wildlife parks in South Africa located 70 Km north of Port Elizabeth. In addition to about 600 elephants, this park also offers other wildlife sightings including black rhinos, zebras, and lions.

With natural attractions such as Sundays River Valley and Zuuberg within its confines, Addo forms an ideal spot to laze amidst the picture-postcard landscapes. If you are willing to spend some amidst its thick bushes, plan your stay in one of its plush lodges or tented camps and let nature rejuvenate you in magical ways.

Approx Safari Cost: 5.86 USD

Highlights:
Self-drive safaris through the dense forests
Game drives to spot herds of elephants as well as other wildlife species
Birdwatching

10

Mapungubwe National Park

Are you searching for wildlife parks in South Africa where you could spike adrenaline with action-packed adventures? If yes, Mapungubwe is your go-to destination. Sitting at the convergence point of Shashe and Limpopo Rivers, Mapungubwe National Park intrigues the travellers with its vast bed of savannah landscape brimming with ancient floodplains, mopane woodlands, and sandstone formations.

The park is a breeding ground for a vast range of species ranging from animals such as elephants, giraffe, and buffalo to mammals like leopards, and hyenas. While here, head for the popular Treetop Walk where you will get to witness the abundant birdlife of the region, enthral yourself with a short hiking tour to Mabudashango, or simply delve deeper into the history of this place at Zoutpansberg route.

Location: Musina, South Africa

Approx Safari Cost: 4.02 USD

Highlights:
Birdwatching
Wildlife tours to spot animals such as leopards and elephants.
Trekking tour to the Mabudashango

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11

Marakele National Park

Nestled right in the centre of Waterberg Hills, this captivating wildlife destination is all that you might need for a laidback vacation. The park welcomes you with a startling variety of wildlife, thanks to its transitional zone location which puts it between eastern regions and dry western regions of South Africa.

Treat your eyes to the spellbinding views of its diverse landscapes which encompass deep valleys, lush green hills, and majestic hills. Begin your wildlife excursion at this park with sightings of animal species such as big cats, rhino, African elephant, and Cape Vulture. If you are lucky, you might also get to see some uncommon species such as eland, reedbuck, and antelope.

Location: Chris Hani Street, Modimolle, South Africa

Approx Safari Cost: 4.02 USD

Highlights:
Spot species such as elephants, rhino, vulture, and kudu on your wildlife excursion.
Sunset bushwalk in the morning hours
Stay at safari camps

12

West Coast National Park

With its raw natural surroundings, a string of pristine beaches, and bountiful animal species to spot on the wildlife excursion, West Coast National Park is a treasure trove of best travel experiences. Visitors can either choose to stay low key at its secluded beaches or exhilarate their senses by indulging in outdoor adventures at Kraalbaai.

If you happen to visit here between August and September months, don't miss out on visiting Postberg- a place that bewitches you with its colourful flower beds and game viewing experiences. Wildlife enthusiasts can amuse themselves by activities such as whale watching and wildlife safari at these national parks which shelters over 250 bird species. For all those travel junkies who want to explore the best wildlife parks in South Africa, West Coast National Park is just the right spot to unwind.

Location: West Coast DC, South Africa

Approx Safari Cost: 6.81 USD

Highlights:
Spot herds of zebra, gemsbok, and bontebok.
Witness a diverse variety of birds and whales.
Enjoy houseboat tour in the evening hours
Head to Langebaan Lagoon for laidback adventures.

Also Read: Famous Places To Visit In South Africa

13

Mountain Zebra National Park

Indulge in-game viewing like never before at this surreal park which houses a vast population of Mountain zebras, cats and wild cheetahs. With choices for morning walks, sunset game drives, and evening drives, one can explore the thick forests on foot at their preferred time.

If you are ready for some action-packed adventure, hike your way to Salpeterkop which offers a bird's eye view of the entire region. Mountain Zebra National Park also encompasses some off-beaten tracks where you can relish a few moments of solitude amidst the mixed landscapes of grassy plains, rocky gorges, and bushy hills. If you are hunting for the best wildlife parks in South Africa, Mountain Zebra Park certainly deserves a place in your itinerary.

Approx Safari Cost: 63 USD

Highlights:
Spot the endangered mountain zebras
Take guided walks to track cheetahs and wildcats
Soak in the beautiful scenery of the park

14

Agulhas National Park

Agulhas forms an ideal retreat for all those wildlife buffs on a lookout for best national parks in South Africa. Known as the convergence point of Indian and Atlantic Ocean, this wildlife site puts you at the southern tip of Africa, i.e, the Cape of Storms.

The entire park is dotted with numerous accommodations including rest camps, chalets, and cottages where you can rest while soaking in the picturesque surroundings. From its panoramic landscapes and cultural heritage to rich wildlife scenes, this place has everything to serve you with a dream holiday. The park is also known for its wetlands which shelters a myriad of flora and fauna including micro frog, Cape Plantana, and African Oystercatcher.

Location: Agulhas, Bredasdorp, South Africa

Approx Safari Cost: 3.27 USD

Highlights:
Bird watching
Spotting animals including African Oystercatcher, and Micro Frogs.
Boat trips
Whale watching
Fishing

15

Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park

Considered to be the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park is widely famous due to its rich wildlife and conservation techniques. Being a home to more than 1200 plant species and around 500 animal and bird species, this national park covers a sprawling area of 960 KM square.

The major attractions of this park include rhino safaris and birdwatching tours. Other than this, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park also offers accommodation facilities in which you can spend a night with the wild animals in a protected area.

Highlights:
Rhino safaris
Birdwatching tours

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Garden Route Game Lodge

Nestled within the picturesque Garden Route in South Africa, the Garden Route Game Lodge spans 2,000 hectares of pristine wilderness. This captivating lodge presents an enchanting wildlife encounter, featuring safaris that reveal the majesty of the Big Five and a myriad of bird species. Guests are treated to not only thrilling game drives but also luxurious accommodations, seamlessly blending nature and comfort. Committed to conservation, the lodge actively contributes to preserving the rich biodiversity of the region. The Garden Route Game Lodge thus stands as a harmonious haven, providing an unforgettable blend of untamed beauty, adventure, and sustainable tourism.

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South Africa Reviews

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Arnesh Gandhi Stunning 5 Days Cape Town Holiday

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Devagya Jain South Africa Family Tour 12 Days

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Varalakshmi Bharadwaj 6 Days South Africa Honeymoon Package

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Sanjay Mehrotra Stunning 5 Days Cape Town Holiday

Excellent

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