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Wildlife Locations

30 recommended locations. Please contact us for further suggestions.

Cederberg Wilderness Area

Covering 700 square kilometres, the Cederberg Wilderness Area is a haven for flowers, birds and other wildlife. The mountains and areas of San rock art are home to unique fynbos such as the endemic snow protea or rooibos, while mammal species include leopard, aardvark and the vulnerable Cape mountain zebra. Find Out More

  • Where: Western Cape
  • Ideal for viewing: Cape baboon, bat-eared fox, meerkat, oryx, Cape mountain zebra
  • Excellent for: Walking safaris, Wildlife for families, Self-drive

False Bay

False Bay is a favourite breaching location for South Africa’s great white sharks. Between August and September you can spot these fascinating predators leaping above the surface of the water to catch their favourite prey - the Cape fur seal. Nearby is Boulder beach and its penguin colony of over 3,000 pairs. Find Out More

  • Where: Cape Point
  • Ideal for viewing: great white shark, fur seal, broadnose sevengill shark, pyjama shark, brown shyshark
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Golden Gate is South Africa’s only grassland national park and has over 60 species of grasses, as well as tracts of Afromontane forest which are restricted to sheltered ravines and gorges. Special birds include southern bald ibis, while mammals such as oribi and blesbok roam the foothills. Find Out More

  • Where: Drakensberg
  • Ideal for viewing: blesbok, black wildebeest, oribi, lammergeier, southern bald ibis

Hermanus

Located on the southern coast of the Western Cape in South Africa, the seaside town of Hermanus is a must-visit destination, especially during the whale watching season between June and November. At Hermanus, you can head out on whale watching boat trips and observe cetaceans from the land. Find Out More

  • Where: Western Cape
  • Ideal for viewing: southern right whale, Cape fur seal, Bryde’s whale, bottlenose dolphin, kelp gull
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi is the oldest proclaimed natural park in Africa. Covering 96,000 hectares and supporting an exciting diversity of fauna, it is known for its conservation efforts, boasting the world’s largest population of white rhino. It is the only state-run park in KwaZulu Natal where all the major predators can be found. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu Natal
  • Ideal for viewing: black rhino, cheetah, lion, spotted hyena, klipspringer
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park) is the jewel in the Maputaland crown. It is one of Africa’s outstanding natural wetland and coastal sites, and includes a wide range of pristine marine, coastal and wetland environments which are naturally beautiful and untouched. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu Natal
  • Ideal for viewing: hippo, Nile crocodile, loggerhead turtle, leopard, white rhino
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

Kalahari Desert

Despite this giant arid region being a harsh environment, scored with the beds of dried up rivers and vast salt pans, it not only provides the setting for fine wildlife-viewing but also for encountering San bushmen, hunter gatherers who precariously cling to their traditional ways of life throughout this region. Find Out More

  • Where: Southern Africa
  • Ideal for viewing: blue wildebeest, cheetah, eland, ostrich, springbok
  • Excellent for: Rare mammal watching , Vehicle safaris

Kalahari Private Reserve

This private and exclusive reserve is a thriving example of healthy Kalahari landscape with rare and endangered species such as pangolin, aardwolf, brown hyena and wild dog living alongside Africa's iconic animals including elephant, cheetah and the black maned lion of the Kalahari. Find Out More

  • Where: Kalahari
  • Ideal for viewing: aardwolf, ground pangolin, wild dog, cheetah, brown hyena
  • Excellent for: Vehicle safaris, Conservation holidays

Kariega Reserve

Situated in South Africa's Eastern Cape along the Garden Route, the Kariega Reserve is a family-owned and private safari reserve with some excellent accommodation. The reserve is home to a variety of iconic African wildlife as well as more elusive species, such as aardvark and caracal. Find Out More

  • Where: Eastern Cape
  • Ideal for viewing: lion, black rhino, caracal, goliath heron, African flamingo
  • Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris, River safaris

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Easily reached from the town of Hoedspruit in north-east South Africa, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve covers more than 55,000 hectares of pristine wilderness and shares unfenced borders with the Great Kruger National Park and Timbavati Reserve, allowing the wildlife to roam freely. Find Out More

  • Where: Greater Kruger
  • Ideal for viewing: wild dog, leopard, ground hornbill, cheetah, lilac-breasted roller
  • Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris

Kosi Bay

Kosi Bay is located on the remote KwaZulu Natal north coast, and is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The bay is formed by four interconnected lakes and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its palm-fringed reed channels, beautiful beaches and lush vegetation; a pristine wealth of beauty. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu Natal
  • Ideal for viewing: loggerhead turtle, hippo, palmnut vulture, Nile crocodile, Cape clawless otter
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

Kruger National Park

Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Low Veld, Kruger is today unrivalled in the diversity of its wildlife and a world leader in environmental management techniques. Amongst its 147 mammal species, you can find lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, and both black, and white rhino. Find Out More

  • Where: Mpumalanga
  • Ideal for viewing: African elephant, white rhino, lion, wild dog, leopard
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve, located along the border with Botswana, is made up of vast plains of open woodland and grasslands, ideal for the abundant wildlife. It experienced one of the world's largest translocations in the 1990's and now hosts over 300 bird and 66 mammal species, including a good wild dog population. Find Out More

  • Where: Northwest South Africa
  • Ideal for viewing: African elephant, black rhino, brown hyena, cheetah, Cape buffalo
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching , Wildlife for families, Self-drive

MalaMala Game Reserve

Boasting a superb location between Sabi Sands Game Reserve and Kruger National Park, wildlife viewing here is consistent and prolific. A protected area for a century, it is home to the Big Five and much, much more. Venture out and explore this prestigious wilderness by vehicle and on foot. Find Out More

  • Where: Mpumalanga Province
  • Ideal for viewing: leopard, lion, African elephant, wild dog, white rhino
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching , Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Mlilwane is a pioneer conservation area in Estawini (formerly Swaziland); a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in the Ezulwini Valley. Home to some rare and wonderful species such as the vervet monkey, African wild cat and blue wildebeest, major predators here are few, making nature walks a good option. Find Out More

  • Where: Ezulwini Valley
  • Ideal for viewing: brown hyena, leopard, Cape clawless otter, black-backed jackal, greater galago
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

Namaqualand

The succulent spring flowers of Namaqualand blossom in August and September, covering the usually dry west coast and North Cape with beautiful colours. More than 4,000 plants species, including over 1,000 endemics, can be seen in Namaqua National Park, Goegap Nature Reserve or the Knersvlakte. Find Out More

  • Where: West Coast & North Cape
  • Ideal for viewing: Hartmann’s mountain zebra, speckled Cape tortoise, aardwolf, Cape eagle owl, honey badger
  • Excellent for: Botany tours

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Located along the coast of KwaZulu Natal, this award-winning reserve has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and community involvement. Home to giant leatherback and loggerhead turtles which lay their eggs on the pristine beaches, its lakes and river floodplains hold Nile crocodiles, hippos and flamingos. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu Natal
  • Ideal for viewing: black rhino, leopard, spotted hyena, African elephant, South African giraffe
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

Pilanesberg National Park

The fourth largest park in South Africa, Pilanesberg National Park is malaria-free and set in the crater of a long extinct volcano with a unique geological structure. Standing high above the surrounding bushveld plains, it hosts a healthy population of lion, elephant, both black and white rhino, buffalo, and leopard. Find Out More

  • Where: North West Province
  • Ideal for viewing: brown hyena, cheetah, black rhino, lion, meerkat
  • Excellent for: Wildlife for families, Self-drive

Royal Natal National Park

Royal Natal National Park’s main feature is the world-famous Drakensberg Amphitheatre, a rock wall 5 kilometres long and 500 metres high. Standing above the rock face is Mont-aux-Sources peak where the Orange River starts its incredible journey west across South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu-Natal; Drakensberg
  • Ideal for viewing: Drakensberg siskin, broad-tailed warbler, mocking cliff-chat, chorister robin-chat, Gurney’s sugarbird

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Sharing an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve is a Big Five safari destination well known for its high leopard population. With wild dog, cheetah, hyena, a variety of plains game and over 300 bird species too, its prestigious reputation is thoroughly justified. Find Out More

  • Where: Mpumalanga Province
  • Ideal for viewing: leopard, lion, African elephant, wild dog, white rhino
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching , Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris

Somkhanda Game Reserve

Somkhanda is one of the largest and most successful land restitution based community projects in KwaZulu Natal. The reserve forms part of an important conservation corridor for the endangered black rhino and wild dog, and it is also home to an extraordinarily high density of leopard. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu Natal
  • Ideal for viewing: white rhino, black rhino, leopard, wild dog, nyala
  • Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris, Conservation holidays

Table Mountain National Park

The vast Table Mountain National Park, a UNESCO Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site, stretches from north of Cape Town down the Cape Peninsula to Africa’s south-western extremity, the Cape of Good Hope. It is home to Silvermine Nature Reserve, Boulders beach penguin colony and Table Mountain. Find Out More

  • Where: Western Cape
  • Ideal for viewing: African penguin, southern right whale, Verreaux’s eagle, rock hyrax, Cape baboon
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Penguin watching , Walking safaris, Wildlife for families, Self-drive

Tembe Elephant Park

The remote Tembe Elephant Park lies in Northern Tongaland, on the border of Mozambique, deep in an area of sand forests, pans and wetlands. The park has a great diversity of habitat and spectacular wildlife density; it is home to the last remaining indigenous elephant herd in KwaZulu Natal. Find Out More

  • Where: Northern Tongaland
  • Ideal for viewing: African elephant, lion, white rhino, Cape buffalo, suni
  • Excellent for: Self-drive

Timbavati Private Game Reserve

Timbavati is home to a myriad of wildlife and more than 360 species of bird. With no fences between Timbavati and neighbouring Kruger National Park, wildlife is free to roam across a vast tract of wilderness, with herds of elephant, buffalo and wildebeest, along with their attendant predators. Find Out More

  • Where: Limpopo Province
  • Ideal for viewing: lion, African elephant, black rhino, greater kudu, Cape buffalo

Tswalu Private Game Reserve

Located in the foothills of the Korannaberg, one of the few mountain ranges that run through the Southern Kalahari, Tswalu is a landscape of rolling dunes and expansive grasslands broken sporadically by patches of thicker vegetation. It is also a haven for some of Africa’s rarest mammals. Find Out More

  • Where: Kalahari Desert
  • Ideal for viewing: aardvark, aardwolf, cheetah, ground pangolin, wild dog
  • Excellent for: Rare mammal watching , Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris

Wakkerstroom

The town of Wakkerstroom and its wetland reserve is on the KwaZulu-Natal border, 27 kilometres east of Volksrust. Surrounded by mountains with springs, vleis (irregular wetlands), dams, and numerous conservation and heritage sites, it has become internationally renowned as a birders' paradise. Find Out More

  • Where: Mpumalanga Province
  • Ideal for viewing: southern bald ibis, blue korhaan, yellow-breasted pipit, Rudd’s lark, Botha’s lark
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching ,

Welgevonden Game Reserve

Welgevonden, meaning ‘well-found’, is a private game reserve, lying on the vast plains of the Waterberg plateau and hosting the largest population of white rhino in Africa. The number of visitors to the reserve is limited, resulting in a truly intimate wildlife experience in a premier sanctuary. Find Out More

  • Where: Limpopo Province
  • Ideal for viewing: white rhino, aardwolf, African elephant, leopard, blue crane
  • Excellent for: Wildlife for families, Self-drive

Zimanga Private Game Reserve

Situated in KwaZulu Natal in Northeast South Africa, the Zimanga Private Game Reserve protects a swathe of pristine Zululand bushveld. Bisected by the Mkuze River, Zimanga covers an area of just over 70 square kilometres and features a network of specially-designed photographic hides. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu-Natal
  • Ideal for viewing: leopard, white rhino, white-fronted bee-eater, brown-hooded kingfisher, cheetah
  • Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris

Durban

Durban is South Africa’s most multicultural city, with strong Indian and colonial influences. The Golden Mile is a stretch of some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, ideal for watersport enthusiasts. Nearby Umdloti offers good diving and snorkelling opportunities, and whales and dolphins are frequently seen there. Find Out More

  • Where: KwaZulu Natal
  • Excellent for: Beach stay, City stopover

Johannesburg

Established after the discovery of gold in the late 1800s, Johannesburg is now South Africa’s business, financial and cultural centre, and its most populated city. A vibrant and energetic metropolis, there’s plenty to see here for anyone interested in history, art, anthropology and wildlife. Find Out More

  • Where: Gauteng Province
  • Excellent for: City stopover, History & culture

View trips to these locations

Wildlife trips

Thanks to the foresight of conservationists past and present, South Africa remains blessed with abundant wildlife.  The bushveld and savannah areas remain home to large numbers of iconic African mammals, and the coastline attracts a spectacular array of marine species including migratory whales.

14 recommended trips. Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Kalahari Conservation Experience

Explore the exclusive and wildlife rich reserve in the Kalahari bushveld whilst supporting its preservation with a range of conservation-based activities. Learn about the intricate ecosystem whilst enjoying sightings of wild dog, cheetah, and rare species such as caracal, pangolin, and brown hyena. Find out more about Kalahari Conservation Experience

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £3,895
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • S
    • O

South Africa & Mozambique - Safari & Beach

Perhaps the perfect safari and beach holiday, start with the Big Five in a famous South African reserve renowned for its leopard population, followed by a Mozambique beach break in picture perfect surrounds. With the chance of marine mammal encounters too, this is a simply wonderful combination. Find out more about South Africa & Mozambique - Safari & Beach

  • Price (inc. flights): 14 days from £5,395
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • A
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O
    • N
    • D

South Africa’s Rare Mammals in Style

Join us on this exclusive small group safari as we explore South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Tswalu. This pristine swathe of the Kalahari is famed as one of the best sites in Africa for encountering rare mammals including ground pangolin, aardvark, aardwolf, Cape fox and brown hyena. Find out more about South Africa’s Rare Mammals in Style

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £10,595
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • A
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A

Rare Mammals of the Eastern Cape

Exploring Kariega Reserve, we aim to encounter and hopefully photograph some of the elusive mammals amongst South Africa’s wildlife, such as caracal and aardvark. Accompanied by wildlife photographer and photojournalist Neil Aldridge, we will spend eight nights in this pristine swathe of the Eastern Cape. Find out more about Rare Mammals of the Eastern Cape

  • Price (inc. flights): 11 days from £7,695
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • S
    • O
    • N

Kalahari Conservation Experience in Green Season

Following our popular conservation holiday to South Africa, we're delighted to offer a departure in the green season. Participating in several conservation activities, we enjoy morning and sunset game drives in search of wildlife and may also be fortunate enough to participate in pangolin monitoring. Find out more about Kalahari Conservation Experience in Green Season

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £3,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • M

Natural Highlights of South Africa

This tour offers a perfect introduction to South Africa’s rich natural history. You start by exploring the Cape and the Little Karoo before joining the Garden Route. After flying to Johannesburg, you visit Blyde River Canyon and the Drakensberg en route to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Find out more about Natural Highlights of South Africa

  • Price (inc. flights): 16 days from £5,595
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • A
    • S

South Africa’s Wildlife of Land & Sea

From the southern right whales of Hermanus on the Western Cape to the iconic mammals roaming the bushveld, this itinerary offers the perfect combination for experiencing South Africa's incredible wealth of wildlife in the company of Wildlife Worldwide team member Helen Bryon. Find out more about Z) South Africa’s Wildlife of Land & Sea

  • Price (inc. flights): 11 days from £5,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O
    • N

South Africa’s Rare Mammals Photo Safari

Accompanied by award-winning photographer Bret Charman, this small group photo safari ventures to Tswalu Private Game Reserve in South Africa. This reserve is arguably the best destination in Africa to photograph several elusive mammals including ground pangolin, brown hyena and aardvark. Find out more about Z) South Africa’s Rare Mammals Photo Safari

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £10,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A

Flora & Fauna of the Drakensberg & Zululand

This is a botanical safari to South Africa’s Drakensberg, Zululand & Kruger National Park. After exploring the superb Drakensberg Mountains, you spend the next few days watching wildlife in the Kruger. The tour culminates with time botanising and birding in a private game reserve in Zululand. Find out more about Flora & Fauna of the Drakensberg & Zululand

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £5,395
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J

Spring Flowers from the Cape to the Kalahari

From the flowers, birds and stunning scenery of the Cape, to wonderful flower-rich Namaqualand, this trip visits an astoundingly beautiful and varied land, rich in wildlife. All this at a time of year when the flowers and birds here are at their best, and when whales are displaying close inshore. Find out more about Spring Flowers from the Cape to the Kalahari

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £7,295
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • A
    • S

Treasures of Limpopo

Limpopo is one of South Africa’s less travelled destinations, and offers an incredible diversity of wildlife opportunities and cultural experiences, especially for families. This trip is perfect for a first time safari, staying in comfortable family friendly lodges located in malaria-free wildlife reserves. Find out more about Treasures of Limpopo

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £4,545
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • A
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O
    • N
    • D

Classic Africa Explorer

This 37-day comprehensive itinerary, which visits no less than seven countries, delivers the ultimate African safari experience and a wealth of contrasts. Travel to some of Africa’s best National Parks and stay in a range of classic lodges, hotels and tented camps on this wildlife trip of a lifetime. Find out more about Classic Africa Explorer

  • Price (inc. flights): 37 days from £16,495
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • A
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O
    • N
    • D

When to go

Seasons

  • Cool season

    Apr to Sep: The winter months see a drop in temperatures, particularly around Cape Town
  • Warm season

    Oct to Mar: Summer brings warmer sea temperatures to Atlantic areas, but greater rainfall

Wildlife events

  • Jun to Oct: Humpback whales migration along KwaZulu-Natal coast