Without doubt, best place to see wildlife, especially "big five" is Kruger National Park. This is flagship of South Africa's national parks. The Kruger was created in 1898 and owes its existence to vision of Paul Kruger at one time president of Transvaal Republic that later became part of Union of South Africa. He was ahead of his time in recognizing need to create a sanctuary to preserve and protect wildlife. Even at that time it was clear that hunter with his rifle would soon annihilate all animals.

Kruger offers a diversity of animals unrivalled anywhere else in South Africa. In addition to big five, some of interesting game you find here include - hippo, jackal, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, numerous antelope species, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. The park is home to more than 140 mammal and 500 bird species. Kruger spreads over nearly 20, 000 sq km of unspoilt scrubland punctuated by acacia and mopane trees. The botanic biodiversity is vast and over 336 tree species are found here.

Accommodation within Kruger is provided at self-catering rest camps that offer good but basic lodging. There are also some smaller bush lodges and bushveld camps offering more luxurious stay. Accommodation ranges from rondavel huts and safari tents to family bungalows and cottages and luxury guesthouses. In addition, there are caravan and tent camping sites at some of rest camps. Most of camps are supplied with electric power and telephone. Other facilities include shops, kitchen facilities, restaurants and petrol stations.

Kruger has 3,000 kilometers of a well-maintained road network and is ideal for those seeking a self-drive experience. The park is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. It is therefore hugely popular and draws over 600,000 visitors annually. It in particular gets very crowded over school holidays in July and December. Since there are a maximum number of vehicles allowed into park daily, you are well advised to make advance arrangements if you plan to visit then. Game viewing is good year round, but best time will be from April to September when bush is sparse.

Kruger is located 330 km to northeast of Johannesburg. If you have no stomach for a long drive, take one of daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport or Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport. Towards western and southern sides of Kruger National Park, there are a number of highly rated private game reserves. This includes Sabi Sand, Mala Mala, Londolozi and Timbavati game reserves. Here you will find some of finest game lodges in Africa.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is another unique game sanctuary. This huge park is a combination of two parks -the former Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. Covering over 36,000 sq km, it is one of biggest wildlife conservation areas anywhere in world. The landscape is marked by red sand dunes and sparse thornbush vegetation. The environment of this park provides outstanding opportunities for unforgettable wildlife photos.

This park is host to famous black-maned Kalahari lions. You will also see gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards. Birding is also excellent and of 297 species recorded, 96 are resident. The Kgalagadi is not for fainthearted -it is far from anywhere and getting there is a slog. It is located 904 km to west of Johannesburg. All accommodation in park is managed by SANParks. You will get best experience if you visit between June and July when weather is coolest.

On a South Africa safari, remember to carry a pair of binoculars to help you spot animals. Also carry a camera and other equipment as a means of recording your safari. It is only way to shut up those who doubt story of your encounter with African wildlife. Carry along a decent pair sunglasses to shield you from glare, especially if you travel to semi desert Kgalagadi. Dressing well means cool clothing (such as light cottons and linen) for summer and warm for winter.

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For an all-in view of Zanzibar, a "Spice Tour" is recommended. This will include ruins of palaces and ancient mosques', a Sultans harem, Mangapwani slave caves and of course spice plantations after which Zanzibar takes its trade name. Nature lovers may also want to take in Jozani Forest located 35 km from city. This area of thick forest is one of few remaining sanctuaries of red colobus monkey.

Zanzibar is after all an island and usual delights of a beach destination are available. Break your sight seeing by relaxing at brilliant white beaches and soak in warm waters of Indian Ocean. The choice for Zanzibar hotels and resorts is wide ranging. There are also plenty of opportunities for fishing and watersports. Pemba Island has its own unique attractions and snorkeling and scuba diving are particularly good here. The Pemba channel across from main island is reputed to have some of best game fishing anywhere in world.

Mnemba Island, off north coast of main island is very exclusive. Condé Nast Traveller has picked it as one of three most romantic ocean destinations in world. That super model Naomi Campbell and her beautiful friends have been here is proof enough for me. I also think earlier Sultan's would be much pleased to know that Sultan of Software, Bill Gates has been on holiday in this very island.

To further enhance your experience in this part of world consider making Zanzibar your base to partake of a Tanzania safari or scale mighty Kilimanjaro. You will be following in footsteps of David Livingstone and earlier explorers who used Zanzibar as their base for expeditions to African mainland.

Zanzibar has two main festivals of interest to visitors: Zanzibar Cultural Festival and The Zanzibar International Film Festival. The cultural festival is held in July-August period and is marked with taarab traditional music and dance and display of arts and crafts. It also includes street carnivals, canoe races, bull fighting and fairs. Participants come from as far away as Germany and China though most are from Zanzibar itself and nearby countries.

The film festival celebrates culture of "Dhow Countries" and is staged in first week of July. I can inform curious that countries enjoined here include those on eastern seaboard of African continent, India, Pakistan, Gulf states, Iran and Indian Ocean. Participants come from world over. The heart of event is screening of competition and non-competition events. Other activities associated with festival are dance and music performance, workshops and exhibitions on culture of Dhow countries. Zanzibar is a hot and humid place, tempered only by sea breezes. The wettest period is April and May with a shorter and lighter wet season in November. The mean minimum and maximum temperatures are between 30 and 33 degrees centigrade. December to March is hot and dry while June to October is period when it is coolest and driest.

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