South Africa

It is the most important animal reserve in Southern Africa and the world. With 18,989 square kilometers, extending 350 kilometers from north to south and 60 from east to west. Its canyons have been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, for example, the Blyde River, the third largest canyon in the world, which has cliffs that rise 800 meters from the river bed. Evidence of early humans dating back to 1.5 million years BC has been found in this area. The Bushmen people also resided in the area about 100,000 years ago BC. In the year 200, the first Nguni-speaking people, in search of better land for their livestock, migrated south, settling in the area and displacing the Bushmen. In this park there are 5,000 white rhinos, 350 black rhinos, 4,900 water antelopes, 150 reddish antelopes, 37,000 buffaloes, 28,000 zebras, 120 cheetahs, 2,000 lions, 8,000 giraffes, 3,000 hippos, 1,000 leopards. os, 13,000 elephants, 9,000 wildebeests, 4,000 wild boars, 2,000 hyenas and 150,000 impalas, among many other species that make it one of the most impressive places in South Africa. Among these, the Big Five stand out, the name by which the African elephant, the lion, the leopard, the rhinoceros and the buffalo are known. It is home to 80% of the world's rhino population, a species in danger of extinction due to the constant threat of poachers.

It is part of the Garden Route. It extends for 70 kilometers and is delimited to the north by the Tsitsikamma Mountains and to the south by the Indian Ocean. Tsitsikamma means “place of much water” and “where the waters begin.” It stands out for its impressive stretch of coast and numerous rivers that form deep gorges at their mouth to the sea. Its pleasant climate most of the year invites travelers from all over the world to live an unmissable adventure. It was proclaimed a National Park in 1964 and its 60 kilometers of rocky coasts are considered the oldest and largest marine protected area in Africa. It is the largest marine reserve in the country and is covered by extensive areas of forest, commercial plantations and Fynbos. A perfect destination that includes activities such as hiking trails, with most of the circuits available and that can be undertaken without a guide, diving, snorkeling in natural pools, rafting, whale watching, kayaking, tubing, being one of the most exciting. the highest bungee jump in the world, from the Bloukrans Bridge, guided intertidal excursions on the Storms River, rafting, mountain biking, bungee jumping, horseback riding and more, in full contact with nature. It protects an ancient rainforest that has 116 species of enormous trees. One of the park's trails leads to a palo de Amarillo that is estimated to be more than 800 years old. Its impressive 36 meters in height and its circumference of almost nine meters give it the name “big tree”. It provides protection for threatened and endangered coastal bird and fish species, such as the red roman, red and white steenbras, and black mussel cracker. Currently, 11 of South Africa's 17 most endangered fish species can be found in this protected area. Fishing is strictly prohibited within the park.

This wildlife reserve is surrounded by three concentric ridges or rings of hills, which rise above the surrounding plains. It is named after a Tswana chief, Pilane. The "Pilanesberg Alkaline Ring Complex" is its main geological feature, this is ancient, even by geological standards, as it is the crater of a long-extinct volcano and the result of eruptions that occurred about 1.2 billion years ago. It is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world, the rare rock types and formations make it a unique geological element. A number of rare minerals and several sites are found in the park indicating human activity dating back to the Iron Age and Stone Age. Because it is located in a transition zone, there is some overlap between the species of mammals, birds and vegetation that inhabit it. It is home to a rich variety of southern African flora and fauna, including the “Big Five”.