Unusual golf and safari adventures
in South Africa
When travelling to South Africa
for a golf holiday, there are many options to choose from in the major
cities. However, for those with an adventurous soul, the country offers
everything from being held up in your game by the local wildlife, to the
longest and highest Par 3 in the world.
Skukuza Golf Course
This stunning golf course is
on the road to Paul Kruger Gate in Kruger National Park. The area where
Skukuza Golf Course is set was originally built to give employees of the
Skukuza Rest Camp somewhere to relax. These days it is open to the public
and anyone visiting Kruger National Park can enjoy a round of golf.
The beautifully manicured
golf course is on the outskirts of the rest camp and offers an exciting
game for even the most seasoned professional golfer. Situated where it
is, the Big Five and many other species of animals and birds can be seen,
making it a tad difficult to keep your eye on the ball. There is no fencing
to be found on the golf course, which means you are likely to be interrupted
by the odd baboon, warthog, impala and the occasional hippo wandering onto
the green.
Photo Chris Eason/Flickr
Sometimes things get exciting
on the course, as at one stage a honeymoon couple had their game disrupted
by a pack of wild dogs, hunting down an impala, right in front of them.
There are also stories of a lion killing a buffalo on the first green.
However there is no danger to visitors, as the park’s staff keep watch
for dangerous animals and will usually chase them away.
This par 72, 18-tee, 9-hole
course has no bunkers. However, according to the Bleacher
Report, golfers are surrounded by what they term “aerial bunkers,”
speaking of the many trees surrounding the course. There is a warning to
golfers that should their ball land in the water, they should leave it
there as they could have a close encounter with a hippo!
Hans Merensky Golf Course
The Hans Merensky Hotel &
Spa in nearby Phalaborwa offers an exciting game viewing experience while
on
a golf holiday in South Africa.
Designed by Bob Grimsdell, the Hans Merensky Golf Course is an 18-hole,
par 72 championship course which is famous worldwide for its unique and
stunning setting and the wildlife that visits from the surrounding bush.
This wildlife includes giraffe, hippo and even the occasional crocodile.
While the golf course has been voted as the best walking course in the
country, you just need to watch out for that croc! Find out more about
this impressive golf course in the video below.
Legend Golf and Safari Resort
This unique golf and safari
resort is located in the Entabeni Safari Conservancy and has one of 13
crazy golf holes in the entire world. 18 great golf players from around
the world designed the signature golf course, including Bernard Langer,
Justin Rose, Colin Montgomerie, Trevor Immelman and Padraig Harrington.
While the golf course is amazing, it is the Extreme
19th that attracts players from all over the world, as it is the highest
and longest par 3 in the world.
According to CNN, you'll
need a helicopter to get up there. The image below was taken during a swimsuit
promotional campaign, but it's easy to see how high up this golfer was.
Photo Authority2323/Wikimedia
Nestled as it is in the UNESCO
Waterberg Biosphere, the golf course is surrounded by bush, teeming with
wildlife. The resort itself hosts the Signature Clubhouse, which offers
barbecues, a restaurant and swimming pool, as well as an enjoyable sky
walkway taking visitors between the various venues, and offering beautiful
views over the golf course and surrounding mountains and bush.
When not teeing off on the
golf course, families and players can take advantage of safari tours, scenic
helicopter trips, quad and mountain biking, as well as many activities
for the children.
Enjoy a golfing holiday in
South Africa this year, where spotting the local wildlife is par for the
course!
