GVI SANParks Program March Visit

As SANParks Coordinator for GVI I get to travel to various South African National parks, where we have interns (for 6 months or 12 months) on the GVI SANParks Internship Program. Interns get to work along side the People and Conservation (P&C)supervisors at the various parks. The P&C department is involved in educationg the local communities surrounding the park about the history of the park, the local fauna and flora, and why it is important to have national parks in South Africa.

On this trip I visited 3 of my countries national parks: Mokala National Park, Augrabies Falls National Park and Tsitsikamma National Park, which forms part of the greater Garden Route National Park. Each one of these parks differ greatly in their special beauty and history.

Mokala National Park is situated in the Northern Cape, close to Kimberley (the capital city of the Northern Cape province). I have never been to Mokala NP and I was absolutely blown away by the amount of antelope species they have there. The first 15 min in the park was full of gasps, and me exclaiming “OSTRICH”, “GEMSBOK”, “RED HARTEBEEST”. All of these species, and more, could be seen on an open plain on the way to reception. Mokala NP was awarded with “The Best National Park of 2013”, and I was there to see the proud employees receive their special new shirts and caps. I also saw the most beautiful and spectacular sunset EVER at Mokala NP (see below).

Mokala National Park: Best Sunset EVER!!!

Augrabies Falls National Park is also situated in the Nothern Cape, close to the Namibian Border. Augrabies is known for its spectacular 53m waterfall. The reason for it being so special is the fact that it is in a semi-desert area. It is absolutely breath taking to walk in the semi-desert park and then to see the waterfall in all its glory. 

Augrabies Falls National Park: The Falls

While I was at Augrabies Falls NP, they were also running their yearly Kids In Parks program. Kids In Parks is a great program where local schools go into the national parks and stay over for 2 nights. During this time they learn about the different National Parks, the fauna and flora of the parks, and they play various educational games. It was very fun to be a part of this amazing program, even if just for two nights.

Augrabies Falls National Park: A Group of Kids Getting Ready to go Home

Tsitsikamma National Park forms part of the three Garden Route National parks. Tsitsikamma is situated near and in the small town of Stormsriver. What makes this park really special is the contrast between indigenous forest on the mountain slope, and the sheer drop to the ocean. You get the best of both worlds. If you are lucky you might even get to see the Knysna Turaco in the forest, or the dolphins playing in the waves. Tsitsikamma is also where the well-known “Otter trail” begins. The forests and areas that are in the Garden Route NP have a lot of history linked to it. Tales of elephants once roaming amongst the tall trees, people living in the depth of the forests, and gold being discovered in the heart of it all.

Tsistikamma National Park: Suspension Bridge over Stromsriver Mouth

My trip was truly amazing, and it made me realize what a privilege it is to live in a country with such vast differences in natural beauty. 

GVI SANParks Program March Visit