The Greater Kruger and Kruger National Park provide 20 000 000 hectares of unrivalled, beautiful landscape packed with a plethora of wildlife living in their natural habitat. The sheer range of parks available, combined with accommodation to suit any budget, gives everyone the opportunity to experience a safari.

If you’re on a budget, then opting for one of the many national park rest camps is your best bet. You have the option of staying at camp-sites, guesthouses, safari tents on stilts; some of the rest camps even have family cottages for large groups. If you’re happy to splurge, there are a variety of luxury Southern African game lodges situated on private concessions on prime land.

While the famed Big 5 (lion; elephant; rhino; leopard and buffalo) must been seen, there are so many other fascinating animals such as the aardvark; meerkat; hippo; black-backed jackal and wildebeest that call this region their home.

Are you an avid bird watcher? You’re absolutely spoilt for choice; South Africa has over 850 species of bird.

Other than the Kruger, you can also visit:

1. Kalagadi Transfrontier Park (Northern Province)
2. Addo Elephant Park (Eastern Cape)
3. Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park (KwaZulu-Natal)
4. iSimangaliso Wetland Park (KwaZulu-Natal)
5. Mapungubwe National Park (Limpopo Province)

Pondoro Game Lodge: Your top luxury safari destination 

If you’re looking to enjoy the wonder of a safari in an exclusive, luxurious setting where you will receive 5-star service, look no further than Pondoro Game Lodge.

Owing to its prime location in the Balule Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park, the award-winning lodge offers guests private game drives; the expert guides will share with you their vast knowledge of the area to ensure that you’re able to set your eyes on the epic Big 5 – it’s a sight you’ll never forget.

After a sensational day of sight-seeing, sit down at the picturesque dining area situated on a wooden deck high up in the tree canopy overlooking the Olifants River, where your taste buds will be taken on an adventure with the unique cuisine: a traditional African and European fusion.

Pondoro boasts five opulent suites and three majestic chalets offering ultimate comfort. They’re also equipped with a private patio and views of the river.

Another enthralling safari experience is watching animals from a hide. Pondoro has built a treehouse that is effectively a private hide. It sits upon tall stilts, giving you an open view of a waterhole to which many different animals gather.

As mentioned above, South Africa has the pleasure of being home to the Big 5 as well as a variety of other glorious animal species. There is truly nothing else that is as magical as seeing these splendid creatures living in a sustainable ecosystem ruled by the laws of nature. It’s a marvel that will be ingrained in your memory forever.

There is no doubt that South Africa is the premier safari destination in the world giving you the chance to experience this phenomenon regardless of your budget. Get ready. A wild experience awaits.

Author bio:

Mark works for Pondoro Game Lodge, loves to travel and has been writing about his experiences across the globe for a few years now. He is passionate about sustainability and Eco-travel, working hard to educate and inform wherever possible along the way.