The Entrance to SANCCOB On a day dedicated to penguins, it feels important to talk not only about why we love them, but why they need our help more than ever. There is something about penguins that makes people soften instantly. Maybe it is the wobble, maybe it is the tiny bursts of attitude, maybe it is simply the fact that they seem so full of character. People see them and smile. Cameras come out. Voices get softer. It feels like such a joyful wildlife experience. But perh

It never really starts with the moment you think it will. Not in the bush. It always starts slower. Quieter. Almost ordinary. And I have realised that some of the most meaningful encounters I have had were not the ones I was looking for, but the ones I almost overlooked. Here are some of the most meaningful encounters I have had, that might not always mean alot, but changed something within me. The Elephant That Wasn’t the Main Event A particular moment in January when we wer

Frogs and toads are often regarded as one, but this is in fact very wrong. Both fall under the order Anura, true toads, however, are separated into the family Bufonidae. The rest, called frogs, are separated into 53 families. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish a frog from a toad for the untrained eye. For example, in South Africa, the Sand Frogs, genus Tomopterna can look very similar to a species of toad, and the Rain Frogs, in the genus Breviceps can also look qui

Entering Pringle Bay On the last night of our December/January Cape Town trip, we decided to try and see the resident Cape Eagle Owls in Pringle Bay. This was our final attempt at a target bird after what had been an absolutely incredible trip that had exceeded expectations, and I had even managed to crack the 600 mark on my life list with the vagrant Wilson's Phalarope. The Cape Eagle Owl had been a dream of mine to see but had always felt a little out of reach, especially l

How a four-day field trip turned 25 students into a research family. The rain had already soaked us when our course coordinator asked the question for the third time. “Are you sure you don’t want to turn around?” Twenty-five Honours students stood on a muddy path somewhere along a 2.5 km hike to a waterfall. Our answer had been the same every time he asked. “No.” We were determined. Curious. Maybe a little stubborn. And that was exactl y when the hail started. Within minutes

Here is picture showing a typical reptile photography session Reptile photography is an increasingly popular hobby shared by some nature enthusiasts. Some just want to catalog the reptiles they see, others travel hundreds of kilometers, spend thousands on photography gear and hours to get the perfect picture! Either way there are tips and tricks to this hobby, unlike bird photography you get up close, and unlike insect photography the subjects can be dangerous. So, here are t

A Journey from Jeffrey's Bay to Addo's Wild Heart In July of 2024, my mom and I embarked on an unforgettable adventure along the Eastern Cape coastline of South Africa, exploring the treasures of Jeffrey’s Bay, Addo Elephant Park, and everything in between. From the breathtaking beaches to the hidden wildlife of Addo, this journey was a beautiful blend of nature, culture, and tranquillity. From left to right: 1. The famous "Supertubes" beach; 2. Dolphin beach; 3. The Tasty Ta

Arriving at West Coast National Park On our recent trip to Cape Town, a trip up to the West Coast National Park was a non-negotiable, not only to experience this beautiful park for the first time but also because of the great assemblage of rarities on offer in the area. We had a long target list for the day, and knew it would probably be one of our best birding days by far.On the way there, Jaime recommended a spot to stop and try for Cape Clapper Lark and Black Harrier. From

Some stories begin with a camera. Others begin long before that, with dust roads, dawn calls, and a childhood steeped in the rhythm of the bush. For Yehuda “Hudi” Hirschowitz, one of Pilanesberg's most passionate young photographers, it all started with those early trips into the wild. The bush wasn’t a place he visited; it was the backdrop of his growing up. “From just a few months old, I was already going into nature,” he says. “It’s all I’ve ever known.” That deep connecti

If there’s one thing, we’ve learned from our recent camping trip to Magoebaskloof and Punda Maria, it’s that no matter how much you plan,...

It was our last day in Kruger and we were staying at Satara. We woke up at 4am to make the early gate opening time and hopefully get...

Some time ago, I wrote about convincing my parents that a trip to the northern part of Kruger would be far more fun than having a party...

By Samantha Marais Walking through Somkhanda Game Reserve in Pongola was an incredible experience, filled with unforgettable sightings...

While staying in Plettenberg Bay for the December holidays, my eagerness grew as the posts kept coming on the Cape Rare Bird Alert of...

The Plan As my 16th birthday approaches, I got wind of my parents planning a surprise party. They had the details already sketched out –...

The details of our homeward journey were somewhat sketchy, with much of our conversation dedicated to numerous 'What if we did this?' or...

The next leg of our incredible trip exploring the Garden Route led us to the Tsitsikamma National Park on New Year's Day. Departing from...

The time had come to bid farewell to the Karoo, and we had prepared for an early departure the next morning. The drive out of Beaufort...

With an early 3am start, we embarked on our road trip, leaving the urban bustle behind. Dropping off to sleep again for a short while and...

All birders know what a holiday in a different area means - it means chasing lifers! This December, Gabby and I came down to Umhlanga...