National Parks
South Africa is home to some 20 plus National parks. Spreading right across the country, they are as varied in size and makeup as they are in people and animals that inhabit them. Acting as sanctuary, learning centres, conservation areas, homelands and so much more, these vast tracts of land are where you will get into the heart of what makes this nation so unique.
To the east lies Kruger, one of the largest and most famous of the National parks in South Africa. Situated in the Lowveld (veld means ‘field’ in English) region it was originally established over 100 years ago to protect the land and the plethora of indigenous creatures, large and small that live there. And when you consider that the park covers in the region of 2 million hectares that’s a lot of room for a lot of animals! 
The park is home to marine life, fish and amphibians, reptiles, hundreds of birds and nearly 150 species of mammals. All of these wonderful creatures are visible at various times and all bring their own colour and flavour to the park.
As intriguing as watching the way in which all of these creatures interact is the fascinating evidence on display of how man has found his way in the world along side them. Kruger has fine examples of ancient rock paintings and fantastic archaeological
sites like Masorini and Thulamela where you can see evidence of how the people of eons past started to forge this most unique of nations.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park lies over the other side of South Africa on the border with Namibia. Situated under the baking sun it encompasses vast tracts (some 3.6 million hectares) of the Kalahari Desert and reveals some of the harshest landscapes in the whole of Africa. It is survival of the fittest here and as such it provides a fascinating backdrop to some of South Africa's most intriguing and impressive creatures. Here the migrating herds of Sringboks, Gemsboks (the park emblem is a Gembok, a large antelope) and wildebeest have to cope with the arid conditions, the often searing heat and the threats from a wide variety of predators. Black-maned Kalahari lions, leopards and cheetahs all lurk within the shelter of the camel thorn trees which scatter the land here and across South Africa. And it’s not only on land that predators are at work. In the air the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is home to some of the most spectacular birds of prey in the whole of Africa, drawn here by the rich pickings of the huge nests constructed by such birds as the sociable Weaver. All of this movement and interaction make this park a favourite for artists and photographers.
To the south, around Port Elizabeth lies another intriguing National Park. As the name suggests, the Addo Elephant National Park is home to one of Africa’s best loved creatures. The formation of the park was instrumental in saving and rejuvenating the elephant population in this part of the world and now the park aims to continue not only promoting the increase in elephant numbers but in other species population too. Here the emphasis is very much on protecting the wildlife and letting the park grow in sympathy with its local, its people and its animals. Black Rhino, Buffalo and many varieties of antelope and big cats. As the park spreads its wings it also aims to encompass marine life such as rare sea birds and African penguins. The park aims to provide as perfect an environment as possible for the creatures that live there and the people that want to see them and learn about them.
These are just three examples of the flavour, colour, splendour and diversity that it is possible to see and absorb whilst visiting the national parks of South Africa.