The 24 state national parks in South Africa are as diverse as the country itself. The flora and fauna in this country are simply spectacular, and there is something new to discover in every national park and nature reserve.

Whether endless sandy beaches, stunningly beautiful bays, adventurous rivers, meter-high waterfalls, mighty mountain ranges, arid expanses, dusty sand deserts, or lush forests – nobody will get bored here in South Africa.

In the following article, we would like to introduce you to our favorite national parks in South Africa so far. Have fun browsing!

What you should know about South Africa

  • What you should know about South Africa
  • National Parks in South Africa
  • 1. Kruger National Park
  • 2. Addo Elephant National Park
  • 3. Garden Route National Park
  • 4. Augrabies Falls National Park
  • 5. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
  • 6. Namaqua National Park
  • 7. Table Mountain National Park
  • 8. West Coast National Park
  • 9. Royal Natal National Park
  • 10. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
  • Our nearest national parks in South Africa

National Parks in South Africa

Throughout the country you will find 24 state national parks, countless private game reserves and a host of nature reserves. If you’re planning your first trip to South Africa and aren’t sure which national park is right for you, then perhaps our overview today will help.

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1. Kruger National Park

You’ve probably heard of the Kruger National Park, right? It’s probably on almost every traveler’s list. Our first trips took us down the coast from Johannesburg via Durban to Cape Town. It was only on our third trip that we explored the park in the Mpumalanga province for almost a week.

At 19,485 km², the Kruger National Park is almost as big as Israel. Incredible! There are various gates through which you can reach the park with your own car. We took guided tours in the park, but also drove ourselves in our rental car.

We can recommend both options; more about that in our separate article. In the park itself, you can discover lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, various bird species, and many other animals.

It’s incredibly fun to track down these animals and then observe them at your leisure. You should definitely bring binoculars with you. We recommend at least 2 full days in the Kruger National Park in South Africa (the longer, the better).

krueger-national-park-suedafrika-loewe-safari

The Kruger Park – The most important facts:

  • Size: 19,485 km² (Comparison: almost as large as Israel)
  • Province: Mpumalanga (North)
  • Entrance: Adults R486 (approx. €24), children R243 (approx. €12)
  • Opening hours: usually from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (depending on the season)
  • Animal life: Lion, giraffe, zebra, rhino, elephant, buffalo, hyenas, wild dogs, and much more.
  • Best time to travel: May – October (more information here: Best time to travel to South Africa)
  • Activities: Bush walks, night safaris, sunset drives, self-drive tours
  • Accommodation: Yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

2. Addo Elephant National Park

The Addo Elephant National Park is located around 70 kilometers northeast of Port Elizabeth and is extremely popular with travelers to South Africa. With an area of 1,640 km², it is the fifth largest national park in the country and awaits you with more than 600 elephants, countless zebras, and over 400 buffalo.

In this national park, you can not only experience the Big 5, but with a bit of luck, whales and sharks as well (thanks to its coastal location). However, even these big cats are very rarely seen. You can easily drive through the park in your own car, but you should strictly adhere to the local traffic regulations.

In our separate article, you can learn more about the park, the animals, and overnight accommodation options. We recommend at least a full day for the Addo Elephant Park in South Africa. You can then continue your journey towards Durban or to the Garden Route and to Cape Town.

elephant-south-africa-round-trip-game-drive-addo-park

Addo Park – The most important facts:

  • Size: 1,640 km²
  • Region: Eastern Cape Province
  • Entry fee: Adults R397 (approx. 19€), children R199 (approx. 10 €)
  • Opening hours: usually from 7am to 6pm
  • Animal life: lion, zebra, rhino, elephant, buffalo, hyenas and much more.
  • Best time to visit: September – April (more information here: Best time to visit South Africa)
  • Activities: self-drive tours, horseback riding, 4×4 trails, hikes, marine eco tours, wellness, boat tours
  • Accommodation: yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

3. Garden Route National Park

The Garden Route National Park is definitely one of our top national parks in South Africa. The main reasons for this are the lush nature, the seaside location, the great hiking trails, the lagoons, the mountains, and much more. The national park stretches from Wilderness to Cape St. Francis and is divided into 4 sections. Each section is unique: Knysna, Tsitsikamma, Wilderness, and Nature’s Valley. We’ve explored all four parts of the park and highly recommend spending a few days in this national park.

Recommended activities include a hike in the Tsitsikamma National Park to the waterfall, exploring the Knysna Lagoon, taking a walk on the beautiful Nature’s Valley beach, jumping from the Bloukrans Bridge, and a kayaking on the Touw River in Wilderness. You could probably spend several weeks in this region alone, but plan at least 5 days if you want to explore each section a little.

Tsitsikamma-nationalpark-suspension-bridge-haengebruecke

Garden Route – The Most Important Facts:

  • Size: 1,210 km²
  • Region: Western and Eastern Cape
  • Entry fees vary depending on the section: View rates here
  • Wildlife: especially many bird species, whales, sharks, dolphins, elephants, caracals, and much more.
  • Best time to visit: October – April (More on this here: Best time to travel to South Africa)
  • Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, river rafting, bungee jumping, wildlife viewing, diving, snorkeling, etc.
  • Accommodation: Yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

4. Augrabies Falls National Park

During our last trip through the fascinating Northern Cape, we also visited Augrabies Falls National Park. The park’s main highlight is the waterfalls, but also the game area, where, with a bit of luck, you might even spot some animals. The Orange River has carved a deep gorge into the rock here and plunges almost 60 meters into the depths.

The word “Augrabies” comes from the Khoisan (Bushmen) and means “place of roaring noise.” This fits the scenery quite well, as the masses of water are truly impossible to miss. You can reach various viewpoints via wooden walkways (the viewpoint from George Cottage is also very beautiful), allowing you to enjoy the view of the waterfalls.

During severe droughts, very little water flows there, of course. The night drive with an experienced ranger is also highly recommended. We not only saw animals there, but also learned more about the South African starry sky. This starry sky was overwhelming and still makes us rave today. Plan at least 2 full days.

augrabies-falls-wasserfall-suedafrika-northern-cape

Augrabies Park – The most important facts:

  • Size: 820 km²
  • Region: Northern Cape
  • Entrance: Adults R266 (approx. 13€), Children R133 (approx. 7€)
  • Opening hours: usually from 7am to 6pm
  • Best time to visit: March – October (more here: Best time to travel to South Africa)
  • Wildlife: Giraffes, zebras, antelopes, leopards, caracals, bird species
  • Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, river rafting
  • Accommodation: Yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

5. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Another highlight of the Northern Cape tour was definitely our time in the unique Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. We’ve never traveled further north in the country, right on the border with Botswana and Namibia. The Kalahari has always held a special attraction for us, and finally being there was the greatest thing for us.

The landscapes in the Northern Cape are completely different from the rest of the country. Here you’ll find mainly dry savannahs and semi-deserts, as well as plenty of red sand from the Kalahari. We drove through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in our SUV and spotted foxes, lions, leopards, giraffes, antelopes, jackals, owls, vultures, and a host of other animals.

We also recommend a stay at the !Xaus Lodge. We stayed in incredibly beautiful cottages in the middle of the Kalahari, far from civilization. We also learned more about the animals and desert life with our ranger. It was one of the most beautiful South African experiences we’ve ever had. Plan at least 3 full days for the park.

Kgalagadi-Transfrontier-National-Park-Loewen

Kgalagadi Park – The most important facts:

  • Size: 38,000 km²
  • Region: Northern Cape
  • Entrance: Adults R465 (approx. €24), children R233 (approx. €12)
  • Opening hours: usually from 5:30 a.m. to 6/7:30 p.m.
  • Wildlife: Giraffes, antelopes, leopards, lions, Jackals, cheetahs…
  • Best time to travel: March – May (more here: Best time to travel South Africa)
  • Activities: Game drives (morning, sunset, night), self-drive, 4×4 trails
  • Accommodation: Yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

6. Namaqua National Park

During our tour through the Northern Cape, we also made a detour to Namaqua National Park. This park is especially known for its wildflower blooms between July and September. Then the entire landscape transforms into a colorful sea of flowers. There’s even a flower hotline where you can inquire about the status and the best spots (+27 – (0) 21 – 4183705).

We visited outside of these times and experienced a dry and rather dusty landscape, which nevertheless had a certain appeal for us. Namaqua National Park is home to many animals, such as cliff divers, baboons, ibex, jackals, leopards, spoonbills, turtles, meerkats, oystercatchers, dolphins, oryx antelopes, porcupines, and 150 different bird species (e.g., the black harrier).

In addition, more than 3,500 plant species occur here, of which more than 1,000 are endemic and found only in this park. Keep an eye out for the quiver trees, which are characteristic of the Northern Cape. You can find out more in our separate article.

northern-cape-suedafrika-namaqua-national-park-oryx-antilopen

Namaqua Park – The most important facts:

  • Size: 1,047 km²
  • Region: Northern Cape
  • Entry fee: Adults R110 (approx. €5.30), children R55 (approx. €2.70)
  • Opening times: Skilpad Rest Camp 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Groenriver Coastal Section 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Wildlife: Antelopes, bucks, zebras, whales, dolphins, jackals, leopards, spoon-fetched foxes, turtles, meerkats…
  • Best time to visit: All year round (more information here: Best time to visit South Africa)
  • Activities: Game drives (morning, sunset, night), self-drive, 4×4 trails, hiking trails, mountain biking
  • Accommodation: Yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

7. Table Mountain National Park

If you’re traveling in and around Cape Town, you can’t miss Table Mountain National Park. When you climb Table Mountain, you’ll be right in the thick of it, not just by the sidelines. The park encompasses the mountain scenery from Signal Hill in Cape Town to Cape Point on the Cape Peninsula.

Here, you’ll find stunningly beautiful beaches and bays, rugged cliffs, steep rock faces, natural pools, a diverse fauna, and much more. Not only the climb up Table Mountain is recommended, but also a road trip to the Cape Peninsula, past the legendary Chapmans Peak Drive.

Or how about a trip to see the cute penguins at Boulders Beach (or Betty’s Bay) and a hike in the Silvermine Nature Reserve? Also, don’t miss Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. We think it’s one of the most beautiful botanical gardens we’ve ever seen. The plant diversity is astonishing, and there are some beautiful walking trails.

From there, you can even start your hike up to the Table Mountain plateau. In general, you should plan at least 5 full days for Cape Town and the surrounding area (the longer, the better).

Lions-head-kapstadt-wanderung-highlights

Table Mountain – The most important facts:

  • Size: 221 km²
  • Region: Western Cape
  • Entry fee: varies depending on the section; View rates here
  • Opening hours: usually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Wildlife: antelopes, ibexes, elands, duikers, snakes, sharks, whales…
  • Best time to visit: October – March (more information here: Best time to visit South Africa)
  • Activities: hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, abseiling, swimming, diving, snorkeling, game drives, climbing…
  • Accommodation: yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

8. West Coast National Park

The West Coast National Park is just 80 kilometers from Cape Town and awaits you with truly fascinating landscapes. It is one of the largest nature reserves on the South African coast, and you will be amazed by the diversity, both in flora and fauna. More than 250 species of birds live here, and even migratory birds from Northern Europe are said to rest here.

A trip to the beautiful Langebaan Lagoon, with its numerous flamingos in the turquoise water, is very popular. Many visitors flock to the park from August to October, as the landscape here transforms into a colorful sea of flowers. In the park itself, you can go hiking, mountain biking, bird and whale watching, or have a picnic.

The park is home to animals such as the Cape Cobra, kudus, elands, ibexes, flamingos, ostriches, pelicans, zebras, turtles, and many others. If you park your car at the Geelbek Visitors Center, you can walk to the wooden boardwalk, from where you can observe countless flamingos. A truly amazing experience. There are many other great viewpoints in the park.

Kraalbaai Lagoon

West Coast Park – The most important facts:

  • Size: 363 km²
  • Region: Western Cape
  • Entrance: Adults R116 (approx. €6), Children R58 (approx. €3)
  • Opening hours: usually from 7 a.m. to 6/7 p.m.
  • Animal life: Snakes, flamingos, zebras, antelopes, ostriches, pelicans…
  • Best time to visit: September – April (more here: Best time to travel to South Africa)
  • Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, whale watching
  • Accommodation: Yes, directly in the park (book online via SANParks) and also outside

9. Royal Natal National Park

Are you planning a trip north to the Drakensberg? Perhaps a trip to the former Royal Natal National Park (now part of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park) might be of interest to you. This approximately 80 km² national park is located at the foot of the 3,282-meter-high Mont-aux-Sources mountain.

The highlight of this region is the mighty amphitheater, a 5 km long and approximately 500-meter-high rock face. Here, the Tugela River plunges some 947 meters into the depths (Tugela Waterfall), a truly spectacular sight. Only the Angel Falls in the Venezuelan jungle is slightly higher at 979 meters.

We went on a hike through the Royal Natal National Park, among other things, and were deeply impressed by the beautiful landscape surrounded by high mountain ranges. Here, in the flat plains, baboons, wildebeest, and other deer antelopes live. The park has various hiking trails of varying lengths.

Climbing and horseback riding are also among the top activities here, as are balloon rides with spectacular and unique views. Tours to Lesotho via the Sani Pass also start from here.

Amphietheater Drakensberge

Royal Natal Park – The most important facts:

  • Size: 80 km²
  • Region: KwaZulu-Natal
  • Admission: Adults R55 (approx. €2.70)
  • Opening times: Oct. – March 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. | April – September 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wildlife: Snakes, baboons, wildebeest, roe deer…
  • Best time to travel: March – May (more information here: Best time to travel to South Africa)
  • Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, balloon rides, climbing, horseback riding, etc.
  • Accommodation: see article about the Drakensberg

10. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Although not an official national park, we don’t want to withhold this region from you, and it shouldn’t be missed on your trip to the northeast. The Panorama Route in South Africa is one of the most beautiful and spectacular regions in the country.

Along the almost 100 km, you’ll find numerous waterfalls, beautiful viewpoints, and the green and lush Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. When we reached the viewpoint, we could hardly believe our eyes. Tears welled up in our eyes as we felt pure gratitude and humility.

We recommend at least 3 full days in this region. The weather doesn’t always cooperate at these altitudes, and you may occasionally have to contend with thick fog and rain. In good weather, however, you will be rewarded with spectacular views.

Don’t miss the Mac Mac Falls, Lisbon Falls, and Berlin Falls. You should also plan a detour to God’s Window and Pinnacle Rock. Passing Bourke’s Luck Potholes, you’ll finally reach the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels Viewpoint. UNIQUE!

Blyde-River-Caynon-Aussicht-Panorama-Route-Suedafrika

Blyde River – The most important facts:

  • Size: 290 km²
  • Region: Mpumalanga
  • Entry: Adults R90 (approx. €4.40), Children R45 (approx. €2.20)
  • Opening hours: usually from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Wildlife: Kudus, ibex, cliff divers, baboons, etc.
  • Best time to travel: February – October (more information here: Best time to travel to South Africa)
  • Activities: Hiking, river rafting, balloon rides, boat trips, mountain biking, helicopter flights, climbing, horseback riding, etc.
  • Accommodation: private rooms and guesthouses

Our next national parks in South Africa

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we unfortunately had to cancel our trips to South Africa and thus some adventurous plans. But we’ll make up for it all as soon as we’re all allowed to travel freely again. Among other things, we were planning an intensive trip along the R62 and through the Karoo National Park.

We would also really like to take a longer trip through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (Drakensberg) and visit the Ai-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. For another trip to the east coast, the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park are also on our itinerary. As you can see, we still have a lot planned and are looking forward to all the great adventures in South Africa.

Update 04/2024: From November 2022 to February 2023, we were back in South Africa and experienced and saw a lot. Here are some highlights: