SA: SANParks: Addo Elephant Park

Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Gqeberha in South Africa and is one of the country's 20 national parks. It currently ranks third in size after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. I was born in Port Elizabeth and this is one of the trips we use to do with my dad. When he died it all got a bit much and after his funeral and this haven was the perfect respite ...

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SA: Gansbaai – Shark Diving

Gansbaai is a fishing town and popular tourist destination in the Overberg District Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa. It is known for its dense population of great white sharks (15 / day on average) and as a whale-watching location. A noticeable decline in great white shark sightings was observed from the beginning of 2017. The first half of that year saw multiple extended periods completely void of great white shark sightings in the area, something that was not recorded in the 15 years that the team has been collecting near-daily observational data on this species. There are two prominent theories. One is the recent appearance of a pod of orcas, or killer whales, in Gansbaai and False Bay, which specialises in hunting large, coastal sharks like white sharks. This has scared off the great whites. The other is the decline of white shark food from intensified fishing of small shark species, such as smooth-hound and soupfin sharks. Sightings in 2022 are sporadic.

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SA: Kruger National Park – Skukuza

Skukuza, located 57 km east of Hazyview at the confluence of the N'waswitshaka and Sabie Rivers in Mpumalanga, is the administrative headquarters of the Kruger National Park. It is also the largest rest camp of the park. There is a lovely restaurant on the deck overlooking the river and it has a huge shop stocking food and beverages and trinkets. A spot of golf is always welcome too...

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SA: The Cape – Wine Tasting

Wine tasting in Cape Town includes visits to centuries-old wineries, rich with folklore and historic artifacts, as well as tastefully modern establishments catering to a young, yet discerning, international crowd. You can self drive (not recommended!), take the hop on and off trolley or take guided tasting tours. A wonderful way to enjoy a day!

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SA: Kruger National Park – Berg en Dal Camp

Berg en Dal Rest Camp in Kruger National Park is one of the 'new generation' camps. It is situated on the bank of Matjulu Spruit and is surrounded by rocky hillsides. This was always our 'go to' camp - it has a great swimming pool, a shop and a little museum. There is a nice walk around the parameter with various skulls. The accommodation is comfortable and spacious with a large braai area. We have had elephants and hyenas at the fence. Leopard and wild dog are often seen in the area.

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SA: Kruger National Park – Lake Panic

Lake Panic bird hide is situated less than 7Km from Skukuza Camp. An earthen dam was built across the Mafunyana Creek in 1975 and the lake is the resultant flood water. The curious name comes from the panic that ensued not long after the dam's completion when a huge downpour created significant concern that the dam was at breaking point. The hide is ideal for photography and large mammals like African Elephants are seen on a daily basis. There is a high incidence of Leopard sightings at Lake Panic, even during daytime! It is also a birdwatcher’s haven, with regular sightings of Grey, Purple, Striated and Goliath Heron, Malachite, Woodland and Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Thick-billed and Southern Masked Weaver and of course African Jacana. Such rarities like Western Osprey, Lesser Moorhen and African Openbill also turn up at Lake Panic every now and then.

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SA: Kruger National Park – Lower Sabie Camp

Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. Visitors cannot but feel soothed by the view towards the river and the Lebombo Mountains beyond. It is one of Kruger National Park's Main rest camps and is situated on the southern bank of the Sabie River, in the southeastern section of the park. It is connected to the main Skukuza camp by the H4-1 tarred road, which is often considered to be the busiest road in the park.

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