South Africa, while its history of apartheid may not be the most pleasant, the country bursts with pride. Known to some as the rainbow nation, this stunning country has a way of grasping your mind and soul with no intention of release. As one of Africa’s best safari destinations, it offers the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), and in this beautiful country, you have a few options of what to do on the days when you aren’t saving the animals! See what you could get up to on your days off, particularly when visiting the White Lion Conservation Project in the Timbavati region.
(Picture courtesy of africandreamhorsessafari.co.za)
Kruger National Park is a stunning game reserve that is exploding with biodiversity. Spot the majestic white lion prowling in the wild, with South Africa being he only place in the world with free white lions. The reserve is protected, providing a safe home for endangered wildlife. In 1993, the fences between the park and the Timbavati Reserve were taken down, to allow natural species migration. The density of wildlife here is almost unparalleled: in one direction, there will be a zebra taking a dust bath in the sand, and in another a towering giraffe sprinting across bushy grasslands. Observing exotic animals such as lions, leopards, hippos and impala in their natural habitat is truly breath taking, and an experience made all the more heartfelt knowing that here, the animals face no threat from humans, and are free to live their lives in mother nature.
One piece of advice when travelling is to always immerse yourself within the local culture to get a genuine feel for the country. Take a relaxed trip into town and visit local bars and restaurants, where you can be adventurous and taste the fine cuisine of South Africa. Truly embrace how this happy, and kind-natured culture live by exploring shops, markets and other parts of the local community. By taking in the everyday life of South Africa, your mind and memories will broaden with extraordinary experiences and a deeper understanding of the world.
Visit the world’s third largest canyon by taking a trip to this astounding reserve. Once more, you have the opportunity to witness a fantastically diverse range of wildlife such as the rare bald ibis, across kilometres beyond kilometres of rich red sand stone. The dare-devils among us can even participate in ziplining or bungee jumping to see the canyon from a fresh perspective! An iconic site within the reserve, God’s Window, gives you the opportunity to experience some of the most astonishing views in South Africa: on a clear day, you can see as far as Kruger Park and Mozambique.
South Africa is the perfect place to visit if you want to witness majestic animals in their natural habitat, experience hugely biodiverse ecosystems and encounter truly inconceivable scenery. In this stunning country, you will make unique memories that will never leave you.
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Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation. As a volunteer, not only will you get the incredible opportunity to dive with sharks, but you will also assist the team in raising awareness of the great white as you work alongside tourists and local school children to provide them with knowledge of the local environment and the importance of living in harmony with South Africa’s marine life.
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