MZANZI TRAVEL - ISSUE 1

Karoo National Park,
Western Cape
The great Karoo is a vast and unforgiving landscape of which
the Karoo National Park is but a small portion. Towards late
afternoon, the great, unyielding canopy slowly softens its
fierceness, and from pastel shades of pink and blue, the colours
deepen, setting the endless Karoo canvas ablaze with glorious
hues of orange and red. The area is mostly semi-desert and
is well known for its isolation. Being the largest ecosystem in
South Africa, the Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life,
all having adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. Karoo
National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld Mountains
and rolling plains, where many species that originally occurred
here now once again occupy their former ranges.
The Karoo National Park has a wide variety of endemic wildlife.
Many species have been relocated to their former ranges
- such as brown hyena, lion and Cape mountain zebra. Over
20 breeding pairs of Verreaux’s eagle find sanctuary within the
park. There is also a wide diversity of succulent plants and small
reptiles.
This national park is home to several desert mammals primarily
the Verreaux’s Eagle and various species of tortoise. You can
also spot endangered species such as the Black Rhino and
Riverine Rabbit that have been successfully resettled here. Best
for spotting the Black Rhino.
Kruger National Park, Limpopo –
Mpumalanga
The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in
South Africa where all of nature’s drama is played out. Covering
an area of nearly 2 million hectares, the Kruger National Park
stretches over the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in
north-eastern South Africa. This South African national park
boasts of being home to the famous Big Five (lion, elephant,
buffalo, leopard and rhino). The Kruger National Park also
has the largest rhino population that can be spotted in the
grasslands and riverine forests. Best for wildlife watching.
Marakele National Park,
Limpopo
Part of the Waterburg Biosphere in the Limpopo province,
Marakele is one of South Africa’s most stunning national parks.
The park features majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad
hills and deep valleys. All the large game species from elephant
and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds,
including what’s probably the largest colony of endangered
Cape vultures in the world, have settled here. Contrasting
majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep
valleys characterize the park. Rare finds of yellowwood and
cedar trees, five metre high cycads and tree ferns, are some
of the plant species found here. All the large game species
from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing
variety of birds including what’s probably the largest colony of
endangered Cape vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in
the world, have settled here. Best for close encounters with the
endangered Cape Vulture.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park,
KwaZulu-Natal – South Africa’s
very first Heritage Site
iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as the Greater St.
Lucia Wetland Park) is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-
Natal, about 275 kilometres north of Durban.
The 332 000 hectare Park contains three major lake systems,
eight interlinking ecosystems, 700 year old fishing traditions,
most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s
largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25 000 year-old
vegetated coastal dunes – among the highest in the world. The
name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly
describes this unique place.
From coral reefs and sandy beaches to subtropical dune forests,
savannahs, and wetlands, this national park offers immense
diversity. Animals occurring in the park include elephant,
leopard, black and white rhino, buffalo and in the ocean,
whales, dolphins, and marine turtles including the leatherback
and loggerhead turtle.
Namaqua National Park,
Western Cape
Namaqua National Park is a South African national park
situated approximately 495 km north of Cape Town and 22
km northwest of Kamieskroon. This picturesque South African
national park is renowned for its floral displays and has valleys
filled with Namaqualand daisies and other spring flowers and
conserves the world’s richest succulent flora. The park is part
of the semi-desert Succulent Karoo biome, one of the most
unusual biomes in the world. You can spot a myriad of wildlife
that has adapted to the rigorous climate of this area and it
is also home to the world’s smallest tortoise, the Namaqua
Speckled Padloper. Best for the most spectacular Spring flower
displays.
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