South Africa continues to enjoy tremendous goodwill of holidaymakers worldwide. While travel to most long haul destinations declined in 2003, this country experienced an enviable 6.5% growth, according to World Tourism Organisation. The growth was jump started by transformation heralded by demise of apartheid and onset of democratic rule in 1994. Apartheid polices of racial discrimination protected by law greatly offended enlightened opinion in many parts of world. And enemies of these policies launched a very effective campaign against visiting South Africa. So it came to be that South Africa, a truly superior destination by any standards, remained hidden to many until dark cloud of apartheid blew over. The wildlife safari is a key item on South Africa tourist menu. Those who chose to see Africa's wildlife here will not be disappointed. The game viewing experience is excellent at top rated Kruger National Park and at other well-regarded game parks in country. Wildlife is protected in over 300 public and private game and nature reserves. SANParks (South African National Parks) manages 20 national parks spread throughout country.
Kruger is place to see big game particularly "big five" - buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros. Most of other parks have specialised in conserving particular species or are identified with specific animals. The Greater Addo National Park, for example, is only place you find elephants in Cape region. Some of parks along 3000 km coastline host whales and dolphins.
South Africa's wildlife conservation policies are advanced and highly successful. An initiative targeting wildlife sanctuaries cutting across international boundaries hopes to replicate this success elsewhere. This is in recognition of fact that wildlife is no respecter of territorial lines covenanted between men. Transfrontier conservation areas have been identified in six regions along boundaries with Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
In South Africa, best places to see wildlife is at private game reserves and national parks. Private game reserves are not as expansive as publicly owned national parks. Their key selling point is superior accommodation and ranger escorted personalized tours. The national parks on other hand are popular with self-drive tourists. They offer accommodation in a limited number of enclosed rest-camps, in thatched rondavels, bungalows and chalets. Tour companies also offer South Africa safari packages, including transport and guide in national parks.
South Africa is home to numerous species of land animals, including celebrated "big five" - rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. Most members of big five league are undoubtedly charismatic. But this is not reason they are so named - otherwise I would petition that buffalo be ejected. The reason is that these are animals early safari hunters found most challenging. The idea of viewing game without killing had not gained widespread acceptance then. The arrogant practice of killing animals as a sport is very unpopular today with those who value right to life and dignity of animals as full members of our planet.
In addition to disagreeable aesthetics, hunting brings about a bad relationship between man and animals. I will illustrate this with an incident narrated to me by a guide on a recent visit to a country that allows hunting. The guide recalled an occasion when he was taken by surprise to see an elephant charging at his vehicle. This was contrary to his experience with elephants in that region. This unusual behaviour arose because hunters had wounded elephant. The elephant hereafter dealt with vehicles and humans as enemies. It is regrettable that South Africa's otherwise stellar conservation policies, allow practice of hunting in certain areas.
Game viewing is usually done from comfort of a vehicle but walking, horseback, camel and canoeing safaris are increasingly becoming popular. If you wish to view game in any of these modes, it is required that you be accompanied by an armed ranger. Full blood adventure types think that watching game aboard a vehicle is for wimps. Walking safaris are designed for such hardy souls. And it is reason that thoughtful folks at SANParks maintain a network of wilderness trails in parks. The typical walking safari will have a maximum of eight persons with ages ranging from 12 to 60 years and last for 2 nights and 3 days. Participants must obviously be physically fit.