Tiger on the Green? Incredible Scenes from Africa’s Wild Golf Courses

① A Common Sight at African Golf Courses

A video featuring wild animals appearing on an African golf course is gathering attention. People spotted elephants, cheetahs, tigers, and a cobra on the course.

The Skukuza Golf Club in the Republic of South Africa is situated right in the middle of Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park is the first national park in Africa and one of the world’s largest safari destinations. The national park, well-preserved for over 100 years, surrounds many wildlife conservation areas.

There are over 20 different types of large animals, including lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalos, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, and antelopes, totaling over 8,000 animals. Kruger National Park can be explored independently without needing a tour if you have your own vehicle.

Reviews from visitors to the golf course also confirmed the appearance of wild animals. Photos shared by visitors showed various types of animals. The golf course has warning signs posted on the fences about the presence of wild animals and advises not to cross the fences.

Crocodiles, hippos, leopards, and other wild animals frequently appear on the golf course, making it a known dangerous area. In the past, a crocodile bit and killed a man picking up a golf ball at Skukuza Golf Club. After entering a pond, a 4m (13-foot) crocodile attacked the man. The park authorities hunted down and killed the crocodile after the incident.

Elephants have also killed people at the Hans Merensky golf course located within the park. Even the highly venomous snake, the black mamba, has appeared, causing a stir. This golf course was previously selected as one of the “10 most dangerous golf courses in the world.”

② Wild Animals Running Around While Playing Golf

The Sun City Resort in the Republic of South Africa is a famous golf destination. The former Sun International Group created it in the Pilanesberg Wildlife Reserve. It was the first place on the African continent to have a casino and features safari, golf, and leisure facilities. If you go on a safari tour in the wildlife reserve early in the morning, you can see numerous wild animals.

The Sun City Resort also has a zoo where you can feed wild elephants. The golf course is situated in nature and offers a unique landscape. Two 18-hole golf design courses are Lost City and Gary Player.

The Gary Player course, located in the South African wildlife reserve, is famous for the various wild animals that appear on it. Established in the middle of the savannah in 1979, this golf course has animal safaris nearby.

Therefore, various wild animals often pop up while playing golf. The same goes for Lost City. Monkeys play on the clubhouse’s roof, and mongoose herds appear on the golf course.

It’s even known as a golf course where crocodiles appear. When it first opened, it created a crocodile hole for promotion. As time passed and raising crocodiles became difficult, they began to sell them off individually.

You can see a crocodile hole in Lost City, but there aren’t as many crocodiles as there used to be. The fact that crocodiles appear on the golf course is astonishing, but it has become a regular sight here.

③ The Increasing Trend of Traveling to Africa

South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia are popular destinations for travelers dreaming of an African adventure. These places offer the chance to experience the great outdoors of Africa and hold a sense of mystery. In Africa, you can go on a safari tour to see wild animals up close.

The main goal of most travelers planning a trip to Africa is probably the safari tour. You can ride a four-wheel-drive jeep, see endless grasslands, and freely roam wild animals. The safari is like a symbol of Africa.

The African travel market, which had shrunk due to COVID-19, is gradually recovering. Although the demand is smaller than other overseas travel destinations, the number of interested travelers is increasing. In addition to safari tours, you can get a glimpse of real Africa through national parks and city tours.

By. Kim Min Jae