Port Elizabeth & Addo Elephant National Park
Hobie Beach is a popular beach amongst the locals, positioned near Shark Rock Pier and the Boardwalk. It is the best beach for swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball and body surfing. Each year, Hobie Beach hosts the “Splash Festival”, as well as the Beach Volleyball and World Boardsailing Championships. It also boasts a number of sheltered rock pools which are great for the kids.
Less than thirty minutes drive from Port Elizabeth is the Addo Elephant National Park – the third largest park in South Africa. The park encompasses five of South Africa’s nine biomes and is home to over 600 elephants and 400 Cape buffalo.
Reintroduced in 2003 were six lions and spotted hyena as a means of restoring balance to the ecosystems in the park. Lions are mostly seen in the early mornings and evenings. Leopard are very seldom seen as they are elusive creatures. Antelope are abundant in the park and include red hartebeest, eland, kudu and bushbuck. Other incredible animals include the Burchell’s zebra, warthogs,bat-eared foxes, blackbacked jackal & African wildcats. Birds such as Karoo Scrub Robin, Cape Robin-Chat, Bokmakierie, Southern Tchagra, Bar-throated Apalis and Cape Bunting are prominent in the area.
Cape Vidal & iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a true South Africa gem and the first to be named a World Heritage Site.The park was recognized for its rich biological diversity, boasting unique ecosystems that support a variety of flora and fauna species, including the endangered black rhino. For birders, there are a total of 521 species of birds recorded in the park. From hippo in the Pan and Veli Loops to giraffe and elephant on the Western Shores, it is very possible to see all of the Big Five. There are a total of 32 marine mammals that can be seen in the Wetland Park, including southern right whales, humpback whales and various dolphin species.
Within the park is Cape Vidal – a protected bay that offers the most incredible snorkeling opportunities. Here one is able to go swimming, enjoy rock and surf fishing, or even get a permit and launch one’s boat for a deep sea fishing expedition. The accommodation at Cape Vidal is rustic but comfortable and offers the choice between self-catering log cabins and campsites.
Night drives in the area provide the opportunity to see the endemic Setaro Dwarf chameleon and nocturnal species such as leopard and hyena.
Kruger & Mozambique
The Kruger is a top favorite when it comes to a safari, encompassing two million hectares of pristine wilderness and as many as 147 mammal species, including the famous Big 5. The park has a number of self-catering rest camps that nestle in prime game viewing areas, as well as luxury lodges that sit within private reserves that surround the Kruger Park.
The Kruger offers flexibility, particularly for families who are traveling with smaller kids. One is able to self drive the park or book guided game drives & bush walks that are led by highly skilled rangers.
From all of the Kruger Park gates, one can travel outside of South Africa to the neighbouring country of Mozambique. The most convenient route is to travel through the Lebombo border at Komatipoort and continue driving for approximately 1.5 hours to Maputo, where one can then travel north or south. Popular tropical beaches include Inhaca Island, Bazaruto Island, Vilanculos, Inhambane and Pemba. Some of these destinations are just a short flight away from Maputo. Mozambique is well-known for its great climate, warm waters, white sand beaches, and incredible water-based activities.
