There are many off-the-track destinations and somewild-at-heart attractions for you to explore in Southern Africa.
Sabi Sabi - Game Reserve - Eastern Cape
The choral sounds of birds before morning light, hot 'boere'coffee and a muffin, and you'll be ready to embrace the wildlifeof SabiSabi. Land Rovers leave before dawn, and Rangers shareinformation via radio, ensuring the occupants of each Land Roverhave the best chance of a wide range of sightings. The Trackerwill watch the road for spoor, leaning forward intently to findany print left by a predator during its hunt in the dark.
Guests on guided walking trails can experience this naturalenvironment on foot; no two walks are ever remotely the same.Sabi Sabi boasts approximately 350 different species of birds,and their nests and calls are fascinating. There is an endlessdiversity of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, whatever thetime of year.
The dusk period tends to be quieter. There is a lull as theanimals sense the transition into a time of increased danger.The nocturnal hunters start stirring, and their prey needs to bealert for survival through the night. The Ranger will choose aspot where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a sundowneralongside the vehicle. If you are lucky, you may be able towatch a lion or his pride prepare for the evening hunt. With thehelp of the spotlight, a leopard's eyes may reflect back from atree. Other smaller predators that are often encountered atnight include the Genet, African Civet, and African Wild Cat.Bushbabies are nocturnal primates that feed on insects andfruits; their large eyes shine red in the light.
Each morning and evening, Safaris in open Land Rovers drivethrough a wide variety of habitats, allowing you to view thevast interactions of the wild. After breakfast, the dedicated,skilled, and passionate Rangers lead you to discover miracles ofNature you may never have dreamed existed.
Cango Ostrich Farm - Oudtshoorn - Western Cape
Would you ever ride an ostrich? Cango Ostrich Farm is locatedin the lush Cango Valley, 14km outside of Oudtshoorn on the mainroute towards the world famous Cango Caves. It offerscomprehensive and complete information regarding the ostrich -and ostrich industry. You get to see, the eggs, incubators andchicks (in season) and feed the ostriches by hand. Daring typesget to ride the ostriches (within weight limits) and to stand onthe eggs (no weight restrictions).
I There is a 45-minute farm tour, every 20 minutes.Multi-lingual guides are available (English, Afrikaans, Germanand French.) The farm delicatessen stocks Ostrich pate's andbiltong. Distinctive ostrich handbags and feather boas are alsoavailable and of course, an extensive variety of decorated andplain Ostrich eggshells.
St Lucia Crocodile Centre - St Lucia - Kwazulu Natal
Situated some 2 km north of St Lucia village on the road to CapeVidal, the Crocodile Centre offers an exciting and informativeouting for visitors who would like to know more about the lakesystem and one of the world's oldest and most fascinatinganimals - the crocodile.
The centre interprets the Lake St Lucia system and the habits ofthe crocodile and serves as a centre for crocodile monitoringand research. Crocodiles are a protected species in Natal, andall the African species of crocodile can be seen in the variousponds; the Nile, long-snouted, and dwarf crocodile plus Americanalligators. The crocodiles on display range in size fromhatchlings to specimens of up to four metres.
A series of informative displays on the Nile crocodile providedetails about the breeding, feeding, physical structure anddistribution of this prehistoric creature.
Butterfly World - Paarl - Western Cape
Butterfly World is the largest butterfly park in South Africa.The location of this park is set conveniently at the junction ofthe main Wine Routes of Stellenbosch and Paarl, on the Route 44near Klapmuts, just off the N1.
Butterflies fly freely in an exotic indoor garden. Tropicalplants abound and there are butterfly-friendly birds and waterfeatures that complete this idyllic picture. Enjoy a cup ofcoffee at the Schmetterling Coffee Garden and have a browse inthe craft shop. You can photograph or video these beautifulcreatures to your hearts content.
The park is open every day of the year except 25th December, andtrading hours are 9am to 5pm (except June, July and August) whenthe opening hours are 10am to 4pm.
About the author:If you're looking for a wild-at-heart experience, look nofurther than the Sabi SabiGame Reserve. The advantage of the Sabi Sabi Safaris stemsfrom the fact that animals on the Reserve have not been huntedfor over half a century. Because they have become habituated,they perceive the outline of a vehicle carrying humans asnon-threatening.
