"I am pretty short sighted - my mother would say as blind as a bat. But it was only when I was out on safari when I got proof that, like a rhino, my smell was possibly better than my sight.

It was a hot December and we'd been out all day, soaking up game in the grasslands. We'd seen villagers extract an enormous python from a hut (where it had eaten a goat - to our delight and their dismay) and watched the satiated creature try slowly to haul the weight of its lunch across a road. We'd spotted a leopard lurking in the undergrowth, and marvelled at a rare Pel's fishing owl staring down from a tree. We'd feasted on roasted kudu round a fire. When at last it was bedtime, I collapsed exhaustedly and was soon dreaming of wild creatures - until I felt the canvas walls move behind my heads. Nervously reaching out for my torch on my bedside table, I stared out into the darkness through the netting that doubles as a window in the bush. Without any contact lenses, all I could see was black. So I pressed my face harder against the canvas and peered again. The reason I couldn't see anything but black soon became clear when the canvas netting moved against my face. I could see only black because my eyes were about a centimetre from the dark hide of an elephant, which was scratching itself on my tent pole..."

Addo Elephant Park
by Stuart Bowden

Any visit to Port Elizabeth would be incomplete without a day at Addo. Not just for the incredible experience of being so close to wild elephant, but also for the wonderfully rich range of other wildlife that can be observed at close quarters. It was an experience that will always remain very close to me.
Mabalingwe
by Rita Brown

I have fallen in love with Africa. I love the people and the wonderful place's One would need a life time to see all the what Aouth Africa has to Offer. Love it. I want to live there, but hubby wont go with me. Once been never forgotton. I will remember till the day I part this earth. Love Mabalingwe. have to go back again.
BIG 5
by ROGER HARRIS

We were fortunate enough to see the Big 5 plus an awful lot more in our trip through Kruger Safari Park, also the hotels we stayed at were very good and friendly,too. An absolutely splendid 17 day tour of South Afria.
Close Encounters of the wild, African kind!
by James Watson

I spent a month driving from Cape Town to Pretoria, back in early 2006.

Along the way, I saw some absolutely incredible sights that will stay with me for the rest of my days. The highlights of which all involved animals, of course:

- Seeing baboons crossing the road in front of the car (imagine THAT on the M25, outside London!)

- Watching surfers and dolphins ride the same waves at Mossel Bai

- Seeing a family of elephants drinking & playing at a waterhole in Addo Elephant Park (so special)

- Marvelling at a bull elephant coming right up to the car to 'say hello'

- Watching thousands upon thousands of tiny shellfish emerging from the sand as the tide rolled in at Wilderness (and then digging back in as it went out again)

- Seeing two lionesses and two cubs simply strolling down the road towards my car, minutes before sunrise, at the amazing Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park (in KwaZulu Natal) - which I self-drove and would recommend others to do the same

- Being challenged by a massive bull elephant in musth and experiencing the feeling of total and complete awe (fear didn't have the chance to surface until later on!)

- Seeing hippos and crocs roam the streets of St Lucia at night, from the 'comfort' of a battered old Toyota minivan (we also jumped out to hold chameleons that night)


To cut a long story short, GO to South Africa and experience the most magical animal encounters you could possibly imagine. The people are also very special and so welcoming.
hot air balooning
by Tony Kendrick

As the gigantic baloon slowly lifted us into the stillnes of the early morning air over the Masai Mara we saw a different vision of this vast plane.This was a safari with a difference.The animals below took no heed of us as we drifted effortlesly towards the rising sun.We landed exilerated and happy to find a champagne breakfast set out on a sandy river bank, away in the distance a small group of elephants lazed under the trees.
Life gets no better than this.
I just HAVE to go back.
Singita
by Jason Evans

Imagine the four seasons on steroids in the middle of the south africa bush... well that's singita. Waking up to find a leopard on the plunge pool deck, playing chicken in a landrover with a bull rhino and having a lantern lit dinner in the middle of the bush are but some of the experiences... unparalleled and life changing....
Leopard Sighting
by Peter Sarson

We went to Umfolozi Game Reserve in kwaZulu Natal and after a day of seeing the amazing African wildlife on our way out of the game reserve was a Leopard sat under a branch of a fallen tree watching the tourists go by. To see a leopard is a rare event as they are such shy creatures, to see one sat relaxing at the side of the road was a truly unique experience.
Exhiliration
by Peter Burke

We were driving in Kruger National when we saw the grass ahead part. An enormous bull elephant appeared, ears spread wide, trunk raised and making the most enormous noise. Our driver slammed the vehicle into reverse and we careened backwards down the road to get away! Frightening but also wonderfully exhilirating!
Kariega
by Paula Christie

We spent two nights on this lovely reserve in November - saw elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffe, cheetah, hippo, zebra and nearly every kind of "bok" there is. The accomodation was excellent and the chef very good. Weather not as hot as expected - December probably a better choice.
Motswari
by John Green

I spent a wonderful week during the late 1980’s staying at the Motswari game reserve. I was able to see at close quarters many wonderful animals, including three of the “big five”. Motswari at that time was home to the White Lions and on one occasion we sat in a truck as the evening light faded, in the midst of the pride, watching 2 males feasting on a buffalo. We saw the white female with two of her white cubs. Absolutely unforgettable!
Shamwari
by Steve Price

Breathtaking experience - must go back soon
Down to Earth
by Roma Frost

My family & I were lucky to go on a Safari to the Serengeti 2 years ago, we camped in tents with animals all around, no food or even flavoured tooth paste allowed in tents. One evening returning from a cold shower we were followed by a buffalo only about 10ft away, what an experience. To see these magnificent animals in their own habitat and not behind bars, would recommend it to anyone. Our guides were so knowlegeable and I as amazed at what fantastic meals could be cooked in the bush around a camp fire - what an experience.
Kruger National Park
by Robert Jones

Having spent three days traversing the lovely K.N.P. and having seen four of the "big five"
we were dispairing of ever seeing a Leopard in the wild.
On our last day, travelling between Skukuza and the Phabeni Gate we happened to meet a Ranger and mentioned the problem to him--he said "if you go around the next bend there is one resting in a tree"
Needless to say we spent our last two hours gazing in wonder at this beautiful animal.
Game Parks
by Loraine Botha

My most memorable experiences have been a trip to Sabi Sabi and Pinda when I saw the big five. The leopard and lions with their cubs were so close. I also saw a baby rhino.

Day and night drives accompanied by your own personal ranger.

The accommodation, food and facilities were of such a high standard.

I will never forget my experiences at these two places.
Addo Elephant Park
by MARION ROBINSON

We spent the day at the Addo Elephant Park. It was a truly wonderful experience. We were picked up from our Hotel in Port Elizabeth - by Ezethu Tours - There was only the 2 of us, and the guide for the whole day of 8 hours. With dinner included we considered 1200 rand (£86)to be very reasonable. Although we didn't see any lions, We saw Elephants, Red Hartebeeste, Warthog, Zebra and African buffalo. I would certainly go again if I am ever able to visit South Africa again. Recommended!