The Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock was formed to conserve the last remaining population of the Cape mountain zebra. Its success means the park's focus has shifted beyond a ‘species park’ to conserving the biodiversity of the region. As such, the park offers a unique African Karoo wildlife experience. more

Go to the Agulhas National Park and you can instantly accomplish a whole lot of must-dos. See the southernmost lighthouse in Africa. Explore the true wonder of fynbos in spring. Hear about strange shipwrecks. Watch whales slap their tails as you explore a talcum-white beach. more

The Kruger National Park is renowned not only for its diversity of wildlife, but also for its conservation record. You can see the famed Big Five, but you'll also be dazzled by hundreds of birds, ancient trees, mighty rivers and much, much more. more

Table Mountain National Park protects the botanical and wild treasures that surround and interweave through Cape Town’s urban sprawl. Cape Point and Table Mountain are the icons, but you’ll find green protected areas dappled all over the city – and most have free or inexpensive access. more

The Augrabies Falls National Park capitalises on the desolate semi-arid landscape of the northern reaches of the Northern Cape. Punctuated by solitary quiver trees, rocky outcrops and the mighty Orange River, it has an other-worldly feel to it, which makes exploring the park all the more exciting. more

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is South Africa’s only grasslands national park. Famed for its golden-hued sandstone sentinels, Golden Gate offers nature lovers some unusual outdoor pursuits on foot, bike or horse back in archetypal north-eastern Free State scenery. more

The Camdeboo National Park is a beautiful reserve in the Karoo. It is situated around the picturesque town of Graaff-Reinet, the oldest settlement in the Eastern Cape. As well as being home to rare plants and wildlife, it boasts the towering dolerite rock formation known as the Valley of Desolation. more

Just south of Kimberley lies the delightful Mokala National Park, studded with camelthorn trees. Its open Kalahari plains offer easy sightings of rare beasts like tsessebe and roan antelope. It is especially rich in raptors – you’ll easily see the pale chanting goshawk and half-a-dozen others. more

In spring the Namaqua National Park is painted orange by exuberant daisies. The distant mountains, the roads, the rocks, the trees and straggly shrubs of the succulent Karoo are completely transformed by a lively array of spring flowers. more

The West Coast National Park is much loved by bikers, hikers, birders, whale-watchers, plant-lovers, kite-boarders, kayakers and anglers. But if you’re not into all that action, just spend a little time following a tortoise around. Or sit and gaze at the antelope picking their way through spring flowers. more

You’ll arrive at Marakele National Park in the Waterberg expecting a normal bushveld experience – looking out for elephant, rhino and lion. It’s malaria-free too, but the scenery is an unexpected extra. A rosy mountain dominates the sweetveld below and extraordinary camelthorn trees rise up to meet it. more

You may come to Mapungubwe National Park to discover its fascinating ancient history. But you will be struck to your soul by its scenery – the majestic Limpopo River winding past, and the low, mesmerising sandstone hills. Here, you are at the very top of South Africa, in more ways than one. more

The Karoo National Park is a convenient stopover for those heading along the N1 between Johannesburg and Cape Town. But it is addictive. The silence and the far horizons clear your head. Then you start noticing the little creatures all about you, and the eagles that soar above. more

The Bontebok National Park was proclaimed specifically to save the elegant antelope of its name from imminent extinction. Today, thanks to careful conservation, bontebok numbers have increased to healthy levels. And this pretty park has become a popular place to visit or stay in the Overberg region. more