Tailor-made South Africa: Highlights

Come face-to-face with a cheetah

I was on safari in the Eastern Cape when our guide stopped the vehicle and told us to follow him so we could see the cheetah more clearly. At first I thought he was joking, but he was serious and we got out the vehicle and walked with him until we were no more than 10m from her. The feeling of intense excitement mixed with a little bit of fear is something I will never forget, and though I did not feel threatened at any time I was glad the ranger had his gun with him.

 
Join the big cats in tracking impala

Impala are commonly found in game reserves and park throughout South Africa and are the most common food source for predators in reserves – they have a ‘M’ shape of white on their rump which is jokingly know as a McDonald’s sign. Impalas are found at grassland and woodland edges, usually very close by water. They will probably be one of the first animals you will see when you start your safari, and are as good an indicator as you will find that a big cat is nearby.

 
See the majestic kudu

Both the greater kudu and its close cousin the lesser kudu have stripes and spots on their bodies, and most have a chevron of white hair between the eyes. Males have long, spiral horns: the greater kudu's horns are spectacular and can grow as long as 72 inches, making 2 1/2 graceful twists. These beautifully shaped horns have long been prized in Africa for use as musical instruments, honey containers and symbolic ritual objects. Kudus normally restrict their movements to a small home range, but the scarcity of food in dry season may prompt them to roam more widely.

 
See the top predator in South Africa

The lion is a magnificent animal that appears as a symbol of power, courage and nobility on family crests, coats of arms and national flags in many civilizations. Lions at one time were found from Greece through the Middle East to northern India. In the past lions lived in most parts of Africa, but are now confined to the sub-Saharan region. Mature male lions are unique among the cat species for the thick mane of brown or black hair encircling the head and neck. Both male and female lions roar, a sound which can be heard as far as 8km away.

 
Take a bush walk

Most safari lodges offer the option of a bush walk between the morning and afternoon game drives, and it really is a great experience that can also be delightfully nerve-racking, depending on what you come across! The ranger will take you out for a couple of hours to teach you about the bush and the animals, and being on foot offers a whole new dimension to a normal safari in which you generally sit in the safety of a Land Rover. You are able to view animals from up close as well as learn about certain plants and their remedial values - a fantastic way to fully experience the bush while you are there.

 
See South Africa's rare white lions

Timbavati, Kruger National Park and Pumba have White Lion which is a rare colour mutation of the Kruger subspecies of lion. White lions are not albino lions. Instead, the white color is caused by a recessive gene known as chinchilla or colour inhibitor. They vary from blonde through to near white, although some can also be red. Because the gene is recessive and is masked by the normal tawny colour, white lions remain rare in the wild and only occur when two lions carrying the mutant gene are mated together. This coloration gives white lions a distinct disadvantage in nature because they are highly visible but it does make them popular for show pieces in zoos.

Read more about: The Kruger Park
 
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