South Africa is home to national parks and game reserves of incredible natural splendour, teeming with not only the 'Big Five' - elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard - but thousands of enthralling smaller species and one of the greatest diversities of bird species in the world. Because the game reserves in each region are so unique, combining them makes for an incredible safari. The Kruger National Park, one of the world's greatest game sanctuaries with a hugely diverse eco-system within its two million hectares, is vastly different from the desert beauty, red earth of the Northern Province reserves. Game drives are undertaken in specially modified open 4x4 vehicles, usually in the early morning and late afternoon when the animals are most active. In some areas, you can walk through the bush on foot, accompanied by armed guides.