SANParks Blog

Having been an avid traveller, writer and photographer for some years, I like to think, perhaps presumptuously, that I have a fairly keen interest in and thus heightened awareness of the wider world around me; a good eye for detail and difference. Yet it seems that in constantly trying to explore and discover what is [...]

The plateau-topping Golden Gate National Park in the eastern Free State of South Africa is one of the smaller protected areas in the country – about 35 000 hectares, but it’s one of the most scenically beautiful, and one of the highest too. The park is located on the northern border of Lesotho, which is [...]

The name Marakele means “place of sanctuary” in Tswana, and after driving through the town of Thabazimbi to get here, I’d certainly agree with that moniker. In fact, looking back on my Year in the Wild, I don’t think I’ve seen such a contrast between industrial degradation and pristine nature. Anglo American’s iron ore mine [...]

It’s quite surprising that there are only two other national parks in South Africa which have the Big 5 of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Yip, it’s Marakele! The others are Kruger and Addo Elephant National Park. This relatively small national park of about 70 000 hectares is also the only one that features [...]

Mapungubwe offers so much more than just rich cultural history. Although the archaeological aspect certainly makes this national park famous, the scenery and wildlife is spectacular too. One of the very best views in all of South Africa is at the lookout decks on the high ridge above the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe [...]

When I say that I’m going to Mapungubwe National Park, most people have no idea what I’m talking about! “Mupp…what?!?” they ask me quizzically. Well, to be fair, I also had very little idea about Mapungubwe when I first heard about it a few years ago. But it’s one of the most interesting and beautiful of [...]

Saying goodbye to loved ones is never easy. I feel the same way about leaving Kruger. Pafuri and its beautiful camp was the perfect climax to an unforgettable month. I will always remember exploring South Africa’s largest and most famous nature reserve. This past month has only deepened my appreciation and gratitude for Africa’s natural heritage. [...]

Over the next two days at Pafuri Camp, Brian took us back to where the leopard had killed the bushbuck, and one evening we were rewarded with a fantastic sighting of her. She was in the same acacia albida tree where we had first spotted her, but this time she was fat and replete from [...]

My guide at Pafuri Camp was Brian Kelly, an American who came to South Africa originally to work as an archaeologist at the Cradle of Humankind near Sterkfontein, but ended up falling in love with the bush (who can blame him!). He now works as the lead trails guide at Pafuri. “I prefer studying live [...]

My time in Kruger National Park is coming to an end. I have now spent a month here, exploring the 2 million hectare reserve, and I’ve really only seen a small part of what it offers. It’s such a huge, diverse wilderness that it deserves to be explored slowly, again and again. It’s impossible to [...]