First Car Rental's Top 10 South African National Parks

Every traveller knows that South Africa’s National Parks are a must see on a trip to South Africa. These parks give you up close and personal encounters with the country’s amazing wildlife and also offers stunning views of awe-inspiringly diverse landscape. First Car Rental has put together a list of the top 10 South African National Parks across the country to help you plan your next African adventure with ease.

1.Golden Gate National Park, North-Eastern Free State

This National Park got its name from the brilliant shades of gold that are cast by the sun on the Park’s sandstone cliffs especially on the imposing Brandwag rock which overlooks the main rest camp. The Golden Gate National Park rests at the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State. You can spot antelopes bound across the wide open spaces and enjoy the most spectacular African sunsets here.

2. Karoo, Western Cape

The Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life. The area is mostly semi-desert and is well known for its isolation. This national park is home to several desert mammals primarily the Verreaux’s Eagle and various species of tortoise. You can also spot endangered species such as the Black Rhino and Riverine Rabbit that have been successfully resettled here.

3. Kruger, Limpopo – Mpumalanga

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa where all of nature’s drama is played out. Covering an area of nearly 2 million hectares, the Kruger National Park stretches over the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in north-eastern South Africa. The park boasts of being home to 336 types of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 kinds of amphibians, 114 species of reptile, 507 species of birds and 147 mammals as well as the famous Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino). The Park also has the largest rhino population that can be spotted in the grasslands and riverine forests. The park has tarred roads and offers guided tours. The best time to visit the Park would be in winter from June to September.

4. Marakele National Park, Limpopo

Part of the Waterburg Biosphere in the Limpopo province, Marakele is one of South Africa’s most stunning national parks. The park features majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys. Yellowwood, cedar trees, cycads and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here. All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds, including what’s probably the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures in the world, have settled here.

5. Garden Route National Park, Western Cape

The Park encompasses the world renowned Tsitsikamma and Wilderness sections; the Knysna Lake section; a variety of mountain catchment, Southern Cape indigenous forest and associated Fynbos areas; and is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. This stretch of pristine land offers a variety of accommodation facilities and a number of activities including hiking, birding, canoeing, river tubing, scuba diving, forest excursions, mountain biking and more.

6. iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal

iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park) is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, about 275 kilometres north of Durban. It is South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastline, from the Mozambican border in the north to Mapelane, south of the Lake St. Lucia estuary, and made up of around 3,280 km² of natural ecosystems. From coral reefs and sandy beaches to subtropical dune forests, savannahs, and wetlands, this national park offers immense diversity. Animals occurring on the park include elephant, leopard, black and white rhino, buffalo; and in the ocean, whales, dolphins, and marine turtles including the leatherback and loggerhead turtle.

7.Namaqua National Park, Western Cape

Namaqua is a South African national park situated approximately 495 km north of Cape Town and 22 km northwest of Kamieskroon. This picturesque South African national park is renowned for its floral displays and has valleys filled with Namaqualand daisies and other spring flowers. The park is part of the semi-desert Succulent Karoo biome, one of the most unusual biomes in the world. You can spot a myriad of wildlife that has adapted to the rigorous climate of this area.

8. Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo

This Park is located by the Kolope River, south of the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers and about 15 km to the north east of the Venetia Diamond Mine. Rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty the park holds archaeological treasures of Mapungubwe. You can spot predators like lions, leopards and hyenas here. The National park is home to 400 species of birds including Kori Bustard, tropical Boubou and Pel’s Fishing Owl. Visitors can take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the sandstone formations, Mopane woodlands and unique riverine forest and Baobab trees. Elephant, giraffe, white rhino, eland, gemsbok and numerous other antelope species can be spotted in the area.

9. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is an amalgamation of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. The Park stretches across 3.6 million hectares of land and is home the striking desert antelope – the Gemsbok; the black-maned Kalahari Lions; weaver birds; the pygmy falcon; and the meerkat. Red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob make spotting wildlife easier and provide excellent photographic opportunities.

10. Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape

Addo is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth and ranks third in size after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The Park is home to more than 450 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo, over 48 endangered black rhino as well as a variety of antelope species. Lion and spotted hyena have also recently been re-introduced to the area. The largest remaining population of the flightless dung beetle, part of the Little Five of South Africa, is located within the park.

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