You have worked your fingers to the bone this year, plus you are tired and run down. What about a tour in South Africa to relax and revive your tired senses! You’ll have so much fun considering all the options. South Africa is such a beautiful, diverse country with so much to offer. Consider our wildlife; our famous ‘Big Five’ which consist of the buffalo, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard and of course the majestic lion. With this in mind, our game reserves and national parks are absolutely fantastic; therefore I have enlisted a few options for a safari in South Africa.

• Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve: This game reserve is situated in the picturesque Kwazulu-Natal. There are four lodges to choose from when staying there, namely: Gqoyeni, Hlathikhulu, Masinda and Nselweni. These lodges are truly luxurious and one can see that they really make the effort to ensure that you get the most out of your safari in South Africa. The activities available to you are both numerous and exciting. If you feel the need for a bit of tranquility, consider the boat tour that they offer twice daily. They have auto- and self-guided foot trails and even day walks if you love exploring and discovering all the fauna and flora in this reserve. Throughout the park, they have picnic sites where you are given the option to have a braai (BBQ), or just enjoy a sandwich. The most exciting is the game drives; as the open vehicle gives you more viewing space. You can choose to view the wildlife in the daylight, or during a lovely moonlight drive. Take note that this park is a malaria area, so be sure to take the necessary precautions.

• Marakele National Park: This park is located in Limpopo and is surrounded by the exquisite Waterberg Mountain Range. You will be bowled over by the scenery and majestic wildlife. There are comfortable open 4x4 vehicles for game viewing. For those fit as a fiddle, there is a mountain pass to be explored which has the most amazing views. Bird watchers will also appreciate this pass because they will get the chance to see the endangered Cape Griffin Vulture; so ensure that you have your binoculars nearby. Stay at the Tlopi Tented Camp, as it is furnished and overlooks the beautiful Apiesrivierpoort Dam. The camp is not surrounded by a fence, thus watch out for the chacma baboon and vervet monkey, they are known for their mischievousness.

• Madikwe Game Reserve: It is located roughly ninety kilometers from Zeerust in the North-western Province. It is one of the best preserved areas in South Africa. This reserve is home to the Big Five and game drives are available day and night. There are eleven lodges established within Madikwe Game Reserve. Marvel at the breathtaking vistas, the lavish suites and relax on the decks with their beautiful views of the Marico River. They offer bush walks and there is a vast amount of birdlife to view. This is an excellent option for a safari in South Africa.

You don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money for a trip overseas as you can experience so much more, for so much less. You can even make a fun road trip out of it and spend some quality time with your family as opposed to flying. Don’t hesitate to start planning for a tour in South Africa.