Big Five Animals In South Africa
Author: Francois L. Botha

The term 'Big Five' originated among the hunters of a bygone
era to describe not the largest of the animals that they
hunted, but the most dangerous.

These are lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros.
Every one of these animals has a reputation for pursuing its
attacker with intent to kill. Perhaps the most persistent is
the buffalo, which will ceaselessly pursue his aggressor,
making hunting a life-or-death experience for the hunted and
the hunter!

All of these mammals are to be found in South Africa, making
this country one of the most popular locations for safari style
holidays.

Indeed, South Africa has embraced this rich wildlife heritage
and welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to
experience close encounters with the magnificent beasts. Many
of our game lodges offer the most luxurious accommodation and
facilities available for 'bush' holidays in the world.

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Mpumalanga province, for
example, is arguably the most exclusive game reserve in the
country. With no fences existing between the Kruger Park and
Sabi Sands, the wildlife roams free between the two reserves.
Leopards are the main attraction here, and these awesome
creatures are so accustomed to humans that you can even follow
them while hunting, in an off-road vehicle. All of the Big Five
can be viewed at Sabi Sands.

Other well-known and excellent reserves around the country
where one can view the Big Five in South Africa include the
world-renowned Kruger Park in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces,
the Pilansberg Game Reserve in the North Western Province, the
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape and the
Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Visitors who are confined to the Cape Town area are often under
the impression that they will be unable to view the Big Five.
However there is a reserve only 90 minutes from the centre of
Cape Town, Aquila, where one can view four of the Big Five.
Self-drive or guided drive tours are available from Cape Town –
even one day tours are possible, although you may well wish to
stay overnight in the appealing accommodation set in 4500
hectares of pristine Karoo landscape. The terrain is varied –
from mountains and valleys to wetlands – ideal for game viewing
be it in a 4x4 safari vehicle, on horseback or even by
quad-bike. Aquila is home to four of the Big Five animals:
lion, buffalo, rhino and the rare Mountain Leopard. You may
also spot and giraffe and hippo, not to mention herds of
wildebeest, zebra, springbok and other bucks, plus baboon,
jackal and the bat-eared fox.

What with the wetlands, you can expect a wealth of bird-life
viewing to complete your safari experience – all so close to
Cape Town!

Those who can travel as far as the Eastern Cape – a pleasant
day's drive along the beautiful Garden Route – can also view
the Big Five and other species of game at the excellent Addo
Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve – both well-worth the
visit for game lovers.

A safari holiday to South Africa is often considered incomplete
without sightings of the Big Five. These days most people are
content to take home photographs of the living animals rather
than skins and hunting trophies. However there are legal
hunting reserves for those who feel the need.


About The Author: Francois has written many articles on
http://www.bloombergaccommodation.co.za/villas.html. He is
currently working on a new website: Book Cape Town