You’ve worked yourself to the bone this year, plus you’re tired and exhausted. How about a South Africa tour to relax and revive your weary senses? You will have a lot of fun considering all the options. South Africa is such a beautiful and diverse country with so much to offer. Consider our wildlife; our famous ‘Big Five’ consisting of the buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard and of course the majestic lion. With this in mind, our game reserves and national parks are absolutely fantastic; therefore, I have listed a few options for a safari in South Africa.

o Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve: This game reserve is located in picturesque Kwazulu-Natal. There are four hostels to choose from when staying there namely Gqoyeni, Hlathikhulu, Masinda and Nselweni. These lodges are truly luxurious and one can see that they really go to the effort to make sure you get the most out of your South Africa safari. The activities available to you are numerous and exciting. If you feel the need for a little quiet, consider the boat tour they offer twice a day. They have self guided trails and even day hikes if you love to explore and discover all the fauna and flora of this reserve. Throughout the park, they have picnic sites where you are given the option of eating a braai (barbecue) or just enjoying a sandwich. The most exciting are the safaris; since the open vehicle gives you more room to see. You can choose to view wildlife in daylight or during a beautiful moonlight drive. Please note that this park is a malarial area, so be sure to take the necessary precautions.

o Marakele National Park: This park is located in Limpopo and is surrounded by the exquisite Waterberg Range. You will be amazed by the landscape and the majestic wildlife. There are comfortable open 4×4 vehicles for game viewing. For those fit as a fiddle, there is a mountain pass to explore that has the most amazing views. Bird watchers will also appreciate this pass because they will have the opportunity to see the endangered Cape gryphon vulture; so make sure you have your binoculars nearby. Stay at Tlopi Tented Camp as it is furnished and overlooks the beautiful Apiesrivierpoort dam. The camp is not surrounded by a fence, so beware of the chacma baboon and vervet monkey, they are known for their mischief.

o Madikwe Game Reserve: It is located approximately ninety kilometers from Zeerust, in the northwestern province. It is one of the best preserved areas in South Africa. This reserve is home to the Big Five and game drives are available day and night. There are eleven established lodges within the Madikwe Game Reserve. Marvel at the breathtaking views, the luxurious suites and relax on the terraces with their beautiful views of the Marico River. They offer bush walks and there are a lot of birds to see. This is an excellent option for a safari in South Africa.

You don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money for a trip abroad as you can experience so much more for so much less. You can even take a fun road trip and have a good time with your family instead of flying. Feel free to start planning a tour in South Africa.