The Maloti Drakensberg region is a treasure trove of some of the most outstanding rock art found anywhere in the world. The unique style of the paintings is instantly recognisable by children and adults alike, and San’s techniques to achieve this visual distinctiveness are genuinely remarkable. Even if you have seen examples of some of this rock art in museums or photographs, nothing can quite prepare you for the wonder and excitement of seeing the real thing close-up.
Hippopotamus in Cape Town and it’s not an April Fool’s joke. We found this Big Boy happy in his safe little pond away from the crowds and the noisy City Life. Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious). Its name comes from the ancient Greek for “river horse”
From majestic raptors to exquisite little thrushes and pipits, the Maloti Drakensberg is home to over 350 bird species —some found nowhere else in the world. This spectacular mountain region and its dramatic escarpment contain a myriad of microhabitats – from high-altitude alpine sites to grassy ridges and forested rivers in the foothills
– giving rise to a great diversity of birdlife. There is a growing network of experienced local bird guides at many key sites who can assist you in finding them.
The Cape Vulture has one of the most limited distributions of any Old World vulture species, being restricted to southern Africa and predominantly South Africa and Lesotho (Mundy et al. 1992). The regional population is divided into three primary ‘nodes’, one each in the north-east (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Gauteng provinces), south-east (mainly in Lesotho and the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces, extending marginally into adjacent parts of Free State Province and Swaziland) and south-west (Western Cape Province) of the region.
During spring and summer, the austere, grandiose beauty is enhanced by nearly 2000 wildflower species, groves of proteas, and patches of lush Indigenous forest that reach from the Royal Natal National Park in the north and beyond Sani Pass in the south. Under the wings of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, this region—now the uKhahlamba World Heritage Park—has been protected for future generations. It is a heritage people from other parts of the world can only dream of.
This awe-inspiring scenery is characteristic of the Drakensberg, and in many places, it is still in the state an ingenious creator might have spawned it in. Poets have not yet discovered the Berg and its praises have yet to be sung. Still, more and more disciples recognise the therapeutic value of its solitary silence, only rarely interrupted by rolling thunder or spoilt by development.
According to the African Raptor Centre, there are estimated to be 100 breeding pairs and 320 birds remaining in the wild in the southern hemisphere. This makes it one of the most threatened vultures in South Africa. The decline in numbers has been caused by less food availability due to the expansion of human settlements, electrocution by overhead power lines, collisions with wind turbines, and farmers poisoning bait to kill Jackals. Bearded vulture body parts are also used for ceremonial and traditional medicine purposes.
Kruger National Park is often celebrated for its unspoiled wilderness, which offers a rare opportunity to experience natural landscapes in their most authentic form. Although human activity has shaped certain park areas (such as the creation of roads and tourist facilities), much of Kruger remains pristine, with limited interference in its ecological processes. This allows visitors to experience the dynamics of nature in a way that few other places on Earth can offer.
With its breathtaking spring flowers, enchanting Pixie Village, and rare wildlife, Jacobsbaai promises a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural charm. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, artistic inspiration, or simply a peaceful retreat, Jacobsbaai has something to offer every visitor. This hidden gem on the West Coast invites you to immerse yourself in its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, making it a must-visit destination in South Africa.
The False Bay Nature Reserve comprises six parts: the Rondevlei Section, the Zeekoevlei Section, the Strandfontein Birding Section, the Pelican Park Section, the Slangetjiebos Section, and the Zandw. The reserve is also part of the greater False Bay Ecology Park.
Centred on the False Bay Waste Water Works (the Strandfontein Sewage Works), the proclaimed False Bay Nature Reserve also includes Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei. It is situated on the Cape Flats between Muizenberg and Mitchell’s Plain, 20 km south of Cape Town. Like many wetlands around South Africa’s major cities, Strandfontein is almost entirely human-made. Before 1922, the only wetland habitats at the site were the minor and temporary Maccoavlei and Tamatievlei. A small sewage works was built in 1922, and additional water was channelled into the system from nearby Zeekoevlei. Over the years, the complex has been enlarged, and by 1976, the small waterbody known as Tamatievlei had been converted into 34 settling ponds covering more than 306 ha.