Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa—stretching from the lions of the Kruger National Park to the iconic Table Mountain in the Cape—offers an exceptional range of experiences. Explore the sweeping valleys of the Winelands, Cape Town’s vibrant nightlife, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, or KwaZulu-Natal’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which boasts five distinct ecosystems and attracts everything from zebras to dolphins. There is truly something to captivate travellers of all interests and ages. Although the country has its fair share of challenges, South Africans remain some of the most upbeat, welcoming and humorous people you’ll ever meet—from farmers in the rural north who remind you to drive safely on dusty roads, to Khayelitsha children who greet you with a cheerful molo (“good morning” in Xhosa).
The Madikwe Game Reserve is the newest of South Africa's prime safari destinations. A public-private partnership resulted in the creation of this Big Five game reserve on almost worthless cattle farms and today it is home to 66 mammal species. Madikwe is a haven of amazing diversities. The landscape has mountainous areas, plateaux, rocky hills, a perennial river, seasonal wetlands, a variety of sandy and clay areas, bushveld, Kalahari veld and savanna areas. The rich diversity of vegetation ensures a wide range of game and the topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities in a malaria-free environment. There is a good chance of seeing the Magnificent Seven which comprises the Big Five as well as the rare and endangered wild dog and cheetah. The reserve is home to the largest elephant population outside the Kruger National Park, black and white rhino, and the biggest disease-free herd of buffalo in the country. In addition to these, one may see brown and spotted hyena and all other South African predators. A multitude of plains game includes giraffe, zebra, springbok and sable. There are also large populations of wildebeest, impala and warthogs. For bird watchers Madikwe is an unmissable destination with the latest official bird list boasting an incredible 340 species.
