“Every breath you take, every move you make and every step you take, they’ll be watching you”. With their sharp eyes and heightened olfactory senses, the wild beings of our planet remind us of how fragile we actually are. We might hold them captive and make a mockery out of them, but when in their territory, we are the ones who need to tread lightly. Brave the elements, the rough terrain and the overabundance of foliage but do not exhibit your bravado while facing them. You are in the wild and peaceful co-existence is imperative, and South Africa is a brilliant illustration of this harmony. Apart from being a multi-ethnic society and a major seat of international politics, the country is also home to numerous species of wildlife and South Africans take a lot of pride in that fact.

The ‘Big 5’ is perhaps the most important attraction when it comes to wildlife in South Africa. This group is comprised of Cape buffalo, the African elephant, the lion, leopard and black rhino. Watching the wild in their natural habitat, reposing where they belong and preying upon their subordinates in the food chain is an unparalleled experience, and there are plenty of game reserves and national parks in the country that provide you with this wonderful opportunity. However, five of these reserves stand out for obvious reasons.