{"id":19257,"date":"2024-02-08T12:00:27","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T10:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/?p=19257"},"modified":"2024-02-08T08:32:44","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T06:32:44","slug":"game-drive-tips-to-see-more-animals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/blog\/2024\/02\/08\/game-drive-tips-to-see-more-animals\/","title":{"rendered":"Game drive tips to see more animals"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><strong>With more than 20 parks in the South African National Parks group, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice. And one of the best ways to explore our national parks is with a self-drive trip.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>South Africa\u2019s beautiful national parks and game reserves are a treasure trove of wildlife and natural beauty, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAside from the main deciding factor of which area you\u2019d like to visit, you\u2019ll also need to choose the type of experience you\u2019re after,\u201d advises Barend Smit, avid bush lover and marketing director of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorhappy.co.za\/ppc\/service_plan_a?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_CampaignSource=MotorHappy%20PPC&amp;utm_CampaignMedium=Google%20Adwords%20Search&amp;utm_CampaignTerm=Brand&amp;utm_CampaignDesc=%2Fppc%2Fservice_plan_a&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA8YyuBhBSEiwA5R3-Ey6c1SGFO3QhdbLQGmEwjtba_HZN6jqp7nqy2abYle72egVGkW3OChoCWsgQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MotorHappy<\/a>, a supplier of motor management solutions.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s spotting the Big Five, or hiking, the national parks include savanna parks, arid semi-desert parks, coastal parks, Cape floral kingdom parks, and parks with forests and grasslands. While large African game is a feature of many of the parks, others are more focused on aquatic ecosystems, vegetation, cultural or scenic landscapes. \u201cWhen choosing your destination, remember to make sure you have the right type of car. Some areas might require a 4&#215;4 or SUV,\u201d says Smit.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure your car is insured and that your services are up to date. You don\u2019t want to break down in the middle of a park just before the gates are about to close! If you have a service plan through MotorHappy, for example, in the event of a car breakdown, free roadside assistance and other benefits are included.<\/p>\n<p>Before starting your game drive, check that all the lights and indicators are working, windscreen wipers are operational, and brakes are in good shape. Check that all fluids are at their recommended levels. Inspect your spare tyre and make sure you have the correct tools to change a tyre if necessary.<\/p>\n<p>When packing for your game drive, remember to bring essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, a first aid kit, and plenty of water. Summer days can be scorching, so staying hydrated is critical.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t forget to pack good quality binoculars&#8230; these are essential for game viewing!\u201d comments Smit.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re in the park, safety should always be a top priority. Observe the park\u2019s speed limits and rules for approaching and viewing wildlife. Respect the animals\u2019 personal space and maintain a safe distance; it\u2019s for your safety and theirs. If you\u2019re unsure about anything, ask park rangers for assistance.<\/p>\n<p>Wildlife viewing requires patience. Animals might not always be immediately visible, so take your time, stop your engine, and listen. Keep noise to a minimum to avoid scaring off animals, and you\u2019ll be rewarded with more sightings.<\/p>\n<p>Smit reminds us that one of the magical aspects of a self-drive safari is that you never know what you\u2019ll encounter. \u201cBe open to surprises and enjoy the unpredictability of nature,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Animals are often more active during the cooler times of the day, so plan your game drives around sunrise and sunset. These are the best times to witness predators on the hunt and other fascinating animal behaviours.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, leave no trace, says Smit. Dispose of your trash in designated areas and do not disturb the natural environment. Stick to marked roads and trails to minimise your impact on the ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>A self-drive game drive is an exciting and cost-effective way to experience our country\u2019s incredible wildlife and natural landscapes. With careful planning, respect for nature, and a reliable car, you\u2019re sure to have a safe and unforgettable adventure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With more than 20 parks in the South African National Parks group, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice. And one of the best ways to explore our national parks is with a self-drive trip. South Africa\u2019s beautiful national parks and game reserves are a treasure trove of wildlife and natural beauty, attracting visitors from across the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":19258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,19],"tags":[4905,3377,7963,7964,4953],"class_list":{"0":"post-19257","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leisure","8":"category-lifestyle-travel","9":"tag-animals","10":"tag-game-drive","11":"tag-national-parks","12":"tag-self-game-drive","13":"tag-wildlife"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Game drive tips to see more animals - Get it Pretoria<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/blog\/2024\/02\/08\/game-drive-tips-to-see-more-animals\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Game drive tips to see more animals - Get it Pretoria\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With more than 20 parks in the South African National Parks group, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice. 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