Often our clients would like to extend their hunting trips and see what South Africa has to offer.
This is especially true for husband and wife as well as family groups. Anyone who has been to South Africa before is always impressed with the cultural, wildlife and geographic diversity that the country offers. We find that if you would like to do some sightseeing before or after your safari that four days will be long enough to visit the many tourist sites. Our full-time guides will be available from March through to September to show you around our beautiful country.
In consultation with you, we will put together your trip, from when you leave all logistical arrangements will be taken care of. We do recommend that you use a guide as I am sure that you would like to see the real South Africa. Often when touring around a foreign country without a guide you will end up only seeing the tourist areas and not what the heartbeat of the country is all about. On the other hand, if you would rather see the country on your own and at your own pace we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction and make recommendations to you.
The following are places that South Africa has become well known for and that are regularly visited. Depending on your personal preferences and tastes, choosing some of these destinations to visit would be a good choice. All of the following tourist sites would need to be visited before or after the hunting safari as they are a fairly long ways from all our hunting camps and hunting areas.
Kruger National Park
The world famous Kruger National Park is situated in the north of South Africa, bigger than some countries this national park boasts some of the largest and most impressive numbers of animals to be seen anywhere in Africa and the world. The variety and volume of animals to be seen will truly astound you as will the beauty of the ‘bushveld’. The best time of year to visit Kruger is during the southern hemisphere winter months, that is May to September. The summer months are also good but the Bush is a little thicker which makes game viewing a little more difficult.
Shark Cage Diving
About two hours drive from Cape Town in the cold water of the Western Cape is where some of the world’s biggest Great White sharks can be found. The Gansbaai area is well known for some excellent shark cage diving. The sharks in the area are plentiful and can best be viewed up close and personal, out of an iron cage construction that is lowered into the water where the feeding sharks are. Being face to face with these huge animals is an adrenalin rush that is hard to beat. Shark cage diving is thrilling yet also 100% safe, the diving operators that we use on these excursions have been in the business for many years. There is a huge demand for these trips so we will need to book early.
The Garden Route
The scenic route along the Indian Ocean from our Baviaansriver camp to Cape Town is known as the garden route. This 8 hour drive through holiday and fishing villages on the edge of the sea is breathtakingly beautiful. The garden route is home to some of the worlds best golf courses, courses designed by both Garry Player and ‘the big easy’, Ernie Els. Taking a slow drive through the garden route with an overnight stay half way would be a good way to experience the sites of the Garden route on route to Cape Town.
Sun City
South Africa’s answer to Vegas, Sun City is a gambling and golf resort in the North of South Africa. The Nedbank open, a PGA sanctioned golf tournament is played on the course every year in December attracting the world’s top golfers. The golf course and resort are situated in the Pilanesberg national park, an old volcanic crater that is full of wildlife. Although the resort is remote and far from our hunting areas, it is fairly close to Johannesburg airport.
Traditional African Villages
Visiting traditional African villages, taking in their culture and beliefs is very interesting. When moving between our hunting camps we will at times pass through this tribal land where the locals still live like they always have. Old mud houses surrounded by crops, cattle, and goats all characterize the day to day existence of these subsistence farmers. Both Andrew and Chris and the trackers understand the local cultures well and are in a position to share their experiences with you. If you desire we can pass by the old home of ex-president Nelson Mandela, this famous man grew up as a cattle herder in the area before moving into politics, spending 28 years in prison then becoming the countries first black president and a Nobel peace prize winner.
