South Africa trips: As the only park under a formal conservation effort in KwaZulu Natal where you can see the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinoceros – the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve offers visitors wildlife viewing opportunities second to none. Wildlife enthusiasts may enjoy the vast expanses of native plants and native animals during guided walks, self-guided drives, or opt for a thrilling viewing experience by boat along the Hluhluwe dam.
How about a day out learning all about the history of beer? Sounds like thirsty work! A tour of Newlands Brewery illustrates the brewing process from start to refreshing finish. The beer, first brewed here by Pieter Visagie in 1658, grew from strength to strength. The tour takes in the whole production line, including the speedy bottling method and how the brewery makes sure its beers are produced following stringent quality practices. Best of all, you get the chance to enjoy two beers to try for yourself! The tour includes two drinks and a tasting.
A merger of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest wilderness areas in the world. Established in 2000, it is Africa’s first officially declared transfrontier park and lies in a remote region of South Africa’s Northern Cape. Gnarled camel thorn trees, red sands, golden grasslands, and deep blue skies provide a bold backdrop for photographs and game viewing. Among the huge diversity of wildlife, this vast conservation area is home to the famous black-maned Kalahari lion, stately gemsbok with their V-shaped horns, the sprawling nests of sociable weavers, meerkats, and many birds of prey. Other predators such as leopard, cheetah, and hyenas are also found here. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for some of the minor rugged roads or for those venturing into Botswana.
Our boat launches from Kleinbaai, only 12km from the coastal fishing village of Gansbaai, on an exhilarating 20-minute boat ride to where we will start looking for our first sharks. During the summer months, the sharks keep closer to shore and during winter they move to Shark Alley, a nearby channel created by two islands. Dyer Island with its endangered African Penguins and migrating bird colonies and Geyser Rock with its resident colony of 60 000 Cape Fur Seals. This is great white shark diving with added value! Depending on the weather, our boat departs every day of the year and offers amazing value for money shark cage diving and surface viewing adventure trips. When looking for shark cage diving trips in South Africa, book with a licensed shark cage operator and you will be sure to create memories to last a lifetime! Read a few extra info on Gansbaai Shark Cage Diving.
Situated west of Hartbeesport Dam, in the Magaliesberg mountain range, is Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary. A guided walking tour awaits, to take you through elevated wooden walkways through natural forest to encounters with a range of exotic monkeys that will captivate you. It provides the perfect environment for monkeys and is one of several sanctuaries that specialise in providing rehabilitation for abused and orphaned animals, enabling them to remain in their natural environment. Learn all about the sanctuary and its work while enjoying the incredible bushveld views.