When visiting South Africa for a golf holiday, it’s not all about the golf. South Africa is home to the most incredible and diverse game reserves, where you can witness the Big 5 safari animals which consists of the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. The big five game animals name comes from game hunters naming the five hardest animals to hunt, so being able to go on a game drive within safari’s like Kruger, delivers a surreal experience being able to get up close to the Big 5 animals.
Kruger National Park is the absolute headline act for game drives in South Africa, with it’s phenomenal size matching the same area as countries like Wales, producing an incredible opportunity to match up a world class safari experience on top of a golf holiday. Leopard Creek is ranked one of the best courses in the country, and is located on the southern side of Kruger National Park.
Located adjacent to the Crocodile River on the fringes of the Kruger National Park, Leopard Creek is the realisation of an individual dream, that of Johann Rupert, who enlisted the help of national golfing icon Gary Player.
Located just outside of Kruger National Park, the White River Country Club consists of two contrasting nine-hole loops. The course has tall pines and gum trees that are plotted liberally to shape the course.
Established in 1972, the Skukuza Golf Course is located on the outskirts of Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. Surrounding the course is a sanctuary with a rich wildlife home to the Big 5 safari animals and more.
To reach the Kruger National Park, it’s best to take an indirect flight to Nelspruit Airport or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, both landing just west of the national park itself. Take a look at some key flight details, with tips of when the best time of year is to travel.
Flights & Weather
14 hrs (indirect)
Nelspruit Airport - NLP
October - March
24 - 30° C