Question about going on Safari in South Africa?

Question

Can anyone give me any information on a safari to take in South Africa? My priorities are:
1) experience - viewing lots of animals, closely, etc
2) price - budget, i.e., accomodations are not that important, 5 * hotel not needed.

I have been told to make sure that off road is allowed, and my understanding is that this does not happen in Kruger national park. I'm not sure whether it is better to do a private game reserve, or stick with the park, or even what the difference between these two options are. I would very much appreciate someone's personal recommendation.
Thanks.

Answer 1

Here's my favourite and least intimidating but totally has everything you will want - Pilansberg National Park (the last night drive we did we saw a cheeter kill a buck , 2 lions steal the buck from her and then a hyena who got chased away by the same lions when he looked for scraps !!!)

http://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za/pilanesberg/index.html

http://www.places.co.za/html/4680.html

Sun City is the best but not cheapest place to stay however if you want to do your own thing or be driven - you can do both from here and as often as you want - early morning and night time safaris as well as hire your own car at the hotel and do your own drives - the cheapest Sun City hotel is the cabanas - http://www.suninternational.com/resorts/suncity/ OR

http://www.south-african-hotels.com/sun-city-hotels/



This park is really cheap to get into and you can drive 10 mins back to your hotel and go back again in the same day - you can also ride elephants (they were rescued from Zimbabwe and are living on a sanctuary next to Sun city on the otherside of the Pilanesberg and because you are on the elephant you can be right next to a giraffe or rhino and they do not move as they think you are part of the elephant - unfortunately they do not have a website yet but you can check them out at this link and you can book from Sun city tour desk no problem http://www.4pilanesberg.co.za/elephantsafarisf.html

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

and just in case you think I am overzealous in my praise please go to the following link and see other people's views http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/South_Africa/Sun_City-2215950/Things_To_Do-Sun_City-BR-1.html

Answer 2

South Africa is a great place to go on holiday and safari and there are so many choices. Kruger is always a good option and is one of the most impressive reserve you could imagine.



Private reserves often tend to be more upmarket and expensive although what you get at these is out of this world in terms of experience.



South Africa is large so you might want to select an area and then look at your options. If you want to combine it with a city break try Cape Town and doing th game parks in the Eastern Cape.



There are plenty of sites you can use to do research.

Answer 3

Kruger is a wonderful park...but you're options are very limited. Private will defenitaly give you more options, but they are more expensive. However...i do think dishing out the extra bucks is totally worth it as it's an experience you'll never have again (mmost likely). and the best way to do safari is by camping, which should help keep the costs down a bit. Go speak to a global travel agent who should be able to provide you w/ 'references' for all places they recommend.

Answer 4

you can go to addo elephant park in port elizabeth thats a nice place, but leave belongings in tent if your tenting infact dont leave valubables alone anywhere. you can visit cango wildlife park (Zoo) and touch a cheetah, that was great i got lauched on by a cheetah(not the baby cheetahs) with scars to prove it, got out alive, scary but excellent. otherwise travel to chobe nature reserve in botswana, or mamilli in namibia also poppa falls in namibia lots of wild animals to see. all these places are great for animals. remember to go night searching even if its just for bugs they are hugh, look out for bush babies in the trees at night and small kangroo type rabbity things lerking around. reccomend taking lots of memory cards for camera and a sound recorder, the sound at night is amazing, one thing i didnt take and wished i had. take lip balm your need it. also etosha in namibia thats probably better than kruger. probably the best place to see big cats. also de hoop is a nice place its about 2 hours from cape town s africa wont see big cats there but plenty other animals including puff adders and the beach with pure white sand. its worth travelling out of s africa. Have a great time.