Ask the experts: South African safari

QI want to visit several South African parks this year but I've heard access is expensive — how can I keep costs down?

Sam Lewis, regular contributor: Little-known to international travellers, the Wild Card offers amazing value, giving access to most of Southern Africa's premier game parks, reserves and conservation areas. As it's an 'annual access' card, many people who are just going for a few weeks overlook it. The card allows free entrance into all South Africa's national parks with a tiered pricing system that depends on which group of parks you buy into.

You can expect to pay around R3,000 (£138) per year, per couple but you only have to spend around five days in Kgalagadi or Kruger to have paid for it. Plus membership comes with the chance to book discounted rates at participating game lodges and safari accommodation throughout the region. wildcard.co.za

Published in the Jul/Aug 2016 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)