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South Africa has firmly established itself as one of the premier production locations on the planet primarily because of its fine blend of first world infrastructure, awe-inspiring natural beauty and a fortuitous climate. There is virtually no natural landscape out there that cannot be accommodated by one of the nine versatile regions of this Southern African nation, so if you are looking for startling seascapes, majestic mountain vistas or pristine bushveld savannah, there is an amazing array of choice. Johannesburg – modern and first world The city of Johannesburg, colloquially known as ‘Egoli’ or place of gold, is the uber-urbanised industrial hub of this richly endowed country and is quite spectacular in its own right. Gleaming skyscrapers stand cheek-to-jowl with disused mine dumps and abandoned shafts, whilst colonial mansions with carefully manicured gardens remind one of bygone days of the British and Dutch rule. It is now a modern and vibrant African city that can rival its European counterparts without too much effort and is the location of the largest stock exchange on the continent. Kruger National Park – wildlife Mecca A few hours’ drive from Johannesburg in the province of Mpumalanga is the internationally acclaimed Kruger National Park, one of the largest conservation areas in Africa. This area, rich in wildlife, is an ideal location for photographic productions. Apart from the vast selection of wild animals and birds in their own habitats, there is a range of upmarket guest houses and bush lodges to accommodate a production team’s every whim. Mpumalanga – dramatic canyons and tales of nuggets The province itself boasts a sumptuous array of dramatic canyons, riverine pot holes fabled to hold remnants of gold nuggets, imperious waterfalls and hectares of indigenous forest. The village of Pilgrim’s Rest, the focal point of an early alluvial gold rush, remains in all its glory, telling the tale of the 1873 discovery of the precious metal by a character known as ‘Wheelbarrow’ Patterson. Free State – tones and textures A preferred location for stills photography is the land-locked Free State, an area defined by rich earthy colours and textures. It is a region dominated by extensive fields of wheat and maize with the occasional plot of sunflowers to break the tonal tranquillity. The generally flat landscape evolves into the Maluti Mountains that form the natural boundary to the Kingdom of Lesotho and one of the natural highlights of the region is the famed Golden Gate National Park, formed to protect the wonderfully eroded sandstone highlands. Cape Town – professional support and unsurpassed beauty Cape Town lies at the tip of South Africa and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city has an exciting cosmopolitan feel but with a marked African influence, making it totally unique to the continent. Her natural beauty is quite unsurpassed with the iconic Table Mountain acting as a backdrop to the small yet vibey city. Cape Town has long been a chosen destination for both international motion pictures and still productions and offers a consummate team of professionals to take care of the finer points of production. The term ‘Big Five’ originated among the hunters of a bygone era to describe not the largest of the animals that they hunted, but the most dangerous. These are lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. Every one of these animals has a reputation for pursuing its attacker with intent to kill. Perhaps the most persistent is the buffalo, which will ceaselessly pursue his aggressor, making hunting a life-or-death experience for the hunted and the hunter! All of these mammals are to be found in South Africa, making this country one of the most popular locations for safari style holidays. Indeed, South Africa has embraced this rich wildlife heritage and welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to experience close encounters with the magnificent beasts. Many of our game lodges offer the most luxurious accommodation and facilities available for ‘bush’ holidays in the world. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Mpumalanga province, for example, is arguably the most exclusive game reserve in the country. With no fences existing between the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands, the wildlife roams free between the two reserves. Leopards are the main attraction here, and these awesome creatures are so accustomed to humans that you can even follow them while hunting, in an off-road vehicle. All of the Big Five can be viewed at Sabi Sands. Other well-known and excellent reserves around the country where one can view the Big Five in South Africa include the world-renowned Kruger Park in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, the Pilansberg Game Reserve in the North Western Province, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape and the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Visitors who are confined to the Cape Town area are often under the impression that they will be unable to view the Big Five. However there is a reserve only 90 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, Aquila, where one can view four of the Big Five. Self-drive or guided drive tours are available from Cape Town – even one day tours are possible, although you may well wish to stay overnight in the appealing accommodation set in 4500 hectares of pristine Karoo landscape. The terrain is varied – from mountains and valleys to wetlands – ideal for game viewing be it in a 4×4 safari vehicle, on horseback or even by quad-bike. Aquila is home to four of the Big Five animals: lion, buffalo, rhino and the rare Mountain Leopard. You may also spot and giraffe and hippo, not to mention herds of wildebeest, zebra, springbok and other bucks, plus baboon, jackal and the bat-eared fox. What with the wetlands, you can expect a wealth of bird-life viewing to complete your safari experience – all so close to Cape Town! Those who can travel as far as the Eastern Cape – a pleasant day’s drive along the beautiful Garden Route – can also view the Big Five and other species of game at the excellent Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve – both well-worth the visit for game lovers. A safari holiday to South Africa is often considered incomplete without sightings of the Big Five. These days most people are content to take home photographs of the living animals rather than skins and hunting trophies. However there are legal hunting reserves for those who feel the need. South Africa Elephant Back Safaris – following in the footsteps of the Ancients: Elephants, the largest land animals in the world, inspire a feeling of awe and respect in most people. Weighing up to 6 tons (11 000lb) and reaching speeds of up to 40km/hr, this monster of the animal kingdom has an impressive presence. Whilst the majority of people will never have the opportunity to come close or even touch these animals, many South African game reserves (SEE: www.sa-venues.com) offer the once in a lifetime chance to do an Elephant Back Safari. Imagine yourself, perched 6ft in the air on the back of a 6 ton elephant, slowly making your way through open velds or dense forests. It’s a safari like no other. As such, Elephant Back Safari’s in South Africa are growing in popularity. Game viewing on elephant back provides you with the unique opportunity of getting really close to wildlife (SEE: www.sa-venues.com/wildlife) that you could normally only view from far off. The smell of the elephants overpowers that of people so that other animals like rhino, giraffe and buck etc will not be scared off by the scent of people nearby. As such you’re able to get close up to extraordinary wildlife. An elephant back safari at most game reserves is usually a well catered for event including meals and of course, the elephant ride. The elephants are prepared with a comfortable saddle and you’ll be seated behind an experienced elephant handler. An elephant back safari will usually last around an hour and 30 minutes. Granted, your initial few minutes on the back of this monstrous animal will be endured with more than a little apprehension, but rest assured that as the safari begins and you become accustomed to the rhythmic and calm movements of the elephant, the experience that follows will be incredible. Many game reserves in South Africa also provide the unique and enjoyable opportunity to walk along with the elephants as you move through the velds and forests. Being surrounded by these enormous animals and moving along with them during the safari is a sobering experience and one that is not easily forgotten. The elephant sanctuary near the Magaliesberg Mountains offers the opportunity of spending an entire day out with these animals and taking part in activities like elephant walks, elephant back safari rides, feeding and brushing the elephants and much more. A South African elephant back safari is a truly wonderful experience. Being immersed so deeply in nature and interacting with such powerful creatures is deeply rewarding and satisfying and is an opportunity that should not be missed. Kenya is a country that has long held an important place in the British imagination. A country of great geographical diversity, the land ranges from the icy glaciers and snowy mountains of the Kenyan highlands, to tropical rainforest and attractive coastline, with beautiful beaches and reefs offering some superb diving spots.
It was perhaps Kenya’s part in British colonial history that explains why it has become the subject and setting of so many renowned films and books; Born Free by Joy Adamson, a book which was later made into a movie in 1966 and then a 13 episode TV series, detailed the story of Adamson’s life in Kenya, focusing around the raising of an orphaned lioness cub, which Adamson and her husband (who was a game warden) brought up together.
Another very popular book set in the country is Out of Africa, a memoir by Isak Dinesen (the pen name of Karen von Blixen-Finecke) which was first published in 1937 and focused on the lives of European settlers and local tribesman in Kenya during 1914 to 1931. The story is largely based in and around Dinesen’s farm, during the twilight years of European colonialism and she draws an alluring landscape of Kenya that focuses on a utopian ideal where she lives in unity with the natives, many of the animals and other white settlers.
These two books refer to a romantic, colonial period of Kenya’s history that has long since passed, but Kenya remains one of the most popular African destinations for safari holidays, a status that is strengthened by the numerous wildlife documentary teams that visit the country to study the habits of creatures the make Kenya’s game reserves their home.
The BBC’s recent documentary series, Big Cat Diary, which follows some of Kenya’s most magnificent felines such as lions, leopards and cheetahs around the Masai Mara serves as an ongoing inspiration for wildlife lovers. The show closely follows the daily habits of animals, such as the Marsh Pride, where we learn of the intricacies of lion life, both the joys, for example the birth of new cubs, and the harsh realties, for example territoriality, the murder of rival cubs and the hardships of trying to find enough food to survive.
With such a rich history that is closely tied with Britain and particularly rich wildlife, it’s perhaps not surprising that Kenya remains the most popular country for an African safari. With sun backed plains, lush forested mountains and idyllic soft white sands which disappear into the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, Kenya is the perfect place to combine an incredible wildlife trip with a relaxing beach break and offers an ideal combination of luxury and adventure. |
johannesburg
September 9, 2010, 1:06 pm
 Mostly sunny 17°Creal feel: 20°C
current pressure: 1011 mb
humidity: 36%
wind speed: 4 m/s WNW
wind gusts: 6 m/s
sunrise: 6:29
sunset: 19:07
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