10 Must-Visit National Parks in South Africa for wildlife, adventure and scenery.

Imagine yourself completely immersed in nature, listening to the roaring of lions, chirping of birds, and breathing fresh air in the bush with green vegetation surrounding.

Whether you are a photographer, hiker, wildlife lover or traveller looking for adventure and natural beauty, these must-visit national parks are a perfect addition to your itinerary.

You’ve heard of the big five, but in some of the national parks you will spot the big 7: lion, elephant, rhino, cape buffalo, leopard, whale and great white shark.

Read the entire piece to understand what you will find in the national parks and the activities you can enjoy.

1. Kruger National Park. Best Big Five Safari Park.

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. You will get excellent safari drives, bird watching and luxurious budget-friendly accommodations.

Why should you visit Kruger Safari Park?

1. It’s a home to the big five: the cape buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard, and rhino.
2. It holds over 500 bird species. 
3. You will enjoy memorable sunset safaris
4. Guided game safaris are readily available

The best time to visit Kruger safari park is between May and September due to cooler temperatures and better wildlife visibility.

2. Table Mountain National Park: A Blend of Nature and City Life.

At the iconic Table Mountain, it’s where urban meets nature. There are several activities you will experience here, from hiking, panoramic views and cable car rides.

At Table Mountain National Park, you will enjoy the rich floral diversity and don’t forget to explore Cape Point and Boulders Beach, a home to African penguins.

What can you do at Table Mountain Park?

1. Visit Cape Point for ocean vistas
2. Take a cable car ride for sweeping views
3. Hiking to a rich floral diversity 
4. Walk beside penguins at Boulders Beach 

Visit this park for perfect Instagram photos with friends and family.

3. Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Best for Scenic Photography.

The Golden Gate Highlands is known for its golden sandstone cliffs. If you are a photographer, hiker or a lover of calm environments, this is the perfect place for you.

Why do you need to visit Golden Gate Highlands Park?

1. It’s a quiet place to adventure and recharge 
2. It’s less crowded, giving you some privacy 
3. Gives you a good hiking experience and clean air
4. Gets an opportunity to take photos of sandstone formations

Need time to recharge after long working hours and months visit Golden Gate safari park for a perfect experience. 

4. Addo Elephant National Park: A Home to Big 7.

Addo Elephant National Park was declared a national park in 1931, and it hosted only 11 elephants. Today, when you explore the park, it’s obvious that you will not miss an elephant. Today, it is home to more than 500 elephants.

Besides elephants, you will also find rhinos, lions, cape buffalo, myriad birds and hyenas. At the coastal section of the park, you will also enjoy seeing white sharks and whales, thus the best park to see the big 7.

Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa’s largest national park, a home to huge elephant herds.

• Things to do at Addo Elephant Safari Park:
• Whale watching.
• Watching hyenas roam at night 
• Fun game drives with friends and family 

This is not just a home to elephants but a large group of wildlife.

5. Mapungubwe National Park: Where History Wraps Around Nature.

At Mapungubwe National Park, you will not only enjoy wild beauty but also rich history. Mapunguwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the junction of Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. It’s a home to the most important Iron Age archaeological site.

While exploring the park’s stocky terrain, you will enjoy seeing black and white rhinos, playful meerkats, leopards, lions and elephants. If you are a bird watcher, you will have a glimpse of the rare Pel’s fishing owl.

What is Mapungubwe National Park famous for?

• Stunning river points 
• Iron Age ruins 
• Rare birds and Big Five 

Come have an overflow of peace, nature and culture at Mapungubwe Park.

6. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Wildlife Lovers’ Perfect Spot.

If you are a wildlife lover, Kgalgadi Transfrontier Park is the true soul of Africa. You will spot spotted hyenas, black maned lions and wild cats, particularly cheetahs.

This park is known to have at least 1700 predators, so you will have to enjoy the act of balancing the ecosystem.

What to expect at Kgalagadi Park:

• Black maned lions 
• Epic desert sunsets
• Clear night skies  

End your day watching the blazing orange sunsets and the black velvet night skies with countless stars.

7. West Coast National Park: Where Coastal Fun take Charge.

West Coast National Park is a perfect park for birding, water sports and wildflowers. You will spot birds such as pelicans, migratory birds and flamingos. 

Some of the activities you can do with your friend are:

• Biking 
• Kayaking 
• A quiet picnic at the beach 

If you visit the park between August and September, you will see spring wildflowers in full bloom. 

8. Cederberg Wilderness Area: Best for Rock Climbers and Hikers.

If you love hiking and rock climbing, the Cederberg Wilderness is the best national park for you. You will see weird rock formations, rock art and clear mountain streams. 

At Cederberg you will most likely find plants such as wild flowers, cedar stands, mountain fynbos and red bush.

Wildlife lover, you are not left behind; you may spot some wildlife such as baboons, antelopes, leopards, and bat-eared foxes.

Besides wildlife, you can indulge in activities such as:

• Climbing sandstone cliffs 
• Swimming in clear mountain streams
• Hiking on rock formations.

End your day with a cup of rooibos tea 

9. Gemsbok National Park: Where Desert Wildlife live.

Gemsbok National Park is the home to herds of Gemsbok, gazelles and Springboks.

At the park, you will spot vegetation such as dwarf shrubs, succulents, white barked shepherd trees, camel thorn trees and grasses.

The park is covered by a semidesert; therefore, the animals are provided water from wind mills that draw water from the water tables.

When it rains, you will spot flowers and green grass that the wildlife feed on. Gemsboks feed on mature grasses along the river bends and enjoy shade from the tall camel thorn trees. The impala, springbok, bok and antelopes feed on the short grass found along the river bends.

As a real safari adventurer, you will enjoy:

• Massive herds of wildlife 
• Windmills that supply water to the wildlife 
• Semi-desert landscapes 

To balance the ecosystem, you will spot black maned lions, cheetahs and bat-eared foxes.

10. Isimangaliso Wetland Park 

Isimanaglios Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a variety of landscapes such as wetlands, lakes, forests and beaches.

On the coast region, you will spot leatherback and turtles on the beaches, while whales and dolphins can be spotted on the off shores.

Inland, you will find crocodiles, hippos, antelopes and zebras. The park holds around 800 hippos, so you won’t miss spotting at least one during your tour.

Some of the activities you can enjoy doing at Isimangaliso Wetland Park include:

•  Diving
• Fishing
• Snorkelling
•  Adventuring.

Come and explore both sea and land in one setting.

Bottomline. 

You need a break from work and a vacation to 10 must-visit national parks in South Africa. Add these national parks to your bucket list, and be sure to go back to work refreshed and ready to perform.

You will not only enjoy game drives but also rock climbing, hiking, snorkelling, swimming and photography. Enjoy not only the big five but also the big 7 in one package.

Now that you have an idea of the national parks to visit, a trustworthy guide will bring more peace and joy to your vacation. Cape Destination Discoveries is the best option for you. Book with us today for an amazing sightseeing experience.