Safaris and wildlife
Kruger camps, game reserves and the Big Five.
2016 is THE Year to Visit South Africa
If you're traveling with American Dollars in your pocket, there has never been a better time to visit South Africa.
The Big 5 (+ 17): 22 Amazing Animals of South Africa
Before any trip to South Africa, or anywhere else on a continent known for its safaris, you'll inevitably hear about "The Big Five." These are, you'll come to learn, the five game animals hunters…
Safaris for Every Budget
Thumb through most safari travel brochures and you'll quickly begin to assume there's no way you can afford one. Luxurious rooms, or often permanent tented structures, sit above the jungle plains.
The World Cup, the Peace Parks and an old travel dog
Two towering institutions of South African travel met in the cause of conservation and the promotion of tourism this week at the official launch of the Boundless Southern Africa Expedition held in…
Mpumulanga – The Wild Frontier of South Africa
Mpumulanga in the local Swazi language means Land of the Rising Sun! True to the name this is definitely the wild heart of South Africa.
South African Eco-travel: There is something for everyone
Thanks to Genie Retief for this piece... The Big Five! Leopards and lions. Elephants and giraffes. These bring visions of Africa at its best. Hot sunny days.
Safari South Africa: WhyGo?
Check out our Featured South African Tours South Africa stands alone in Africa for many reasons.
Mozambique's Gorongosa - A Resurging Paradise
Thanks for this piece to Nicole Apelian . Nicole is a guide and African safari specialist, you may join her this year on an interactive safari in Botswana Gorongosa National Park, located in central…
Leopard Savaging a Crocodile Caught On Film
This amazing phographic sequence was recently captured at Kruger National Park by American Wildlife Photographer Hal Brindley while he was concentrating on a unrelated subject.
Tours In South Africa
Rarely does a country suffer and enjoy such striking contrasts as South Africa. On the surface it is barely recognizable as a developing country, with such iconic international cities as Cape Town,…
Surfing hippo shot dead
By Sean Ross Nonkululeko, KwaZulu-Natal’s surfing hippo, has been shot dead by authorities this week.
The Sardines Arrive
Another great contribution from South African industry pro and travel writer Sean Ross .
Shootout at Sodwana Bay
Sodwana Shootout You will be forgiven for thinking that the Shootout at Sodwana Bay is yet another cowboy style cash-in-transit heist gone wrong in this country with its voracious appetite for exotic…
The Surfing Hippo of KwaZulu/Natal
A curious story of a surfing hippo has been doing the rounds in South Africa recently.
Pigs, Warthog, Monkeys and Elephant
Not You Again! Some things change, and some things don’t. Robert Mugabe, after almost five weeks of political hiatus, remains in power, while galloping inflation – touted now at about 355 000% –…
Vulture Restaurants: Dining with Vultures
An Empty Place At The Table At one time the vulture was one of the most ubiquitous species of the African plains, the harbinger of death, the clean up man of the veld, but most visible these days, it…
Dunes, Delta & Falls, Boots n'all in the Bush
Dunes, Delta and Falls Discoverer Boots n’all Adventure Travel Shop has launched its Dunes Delta and Falls Discoverer , which, as the name implies, is a journey through the western quadrant of…
Drakensberg: Giant's Castle Game Reserve
Giant's Castle Game Reserve Continuing on with the theme of gracious accommodation and civilized pursuits, I am returning to the Drakensberg, and this time to Giants Castle Game Reserve .
The Peace Parks Foundation: The Next Great Step in African Conservation
The Global Crisis When I was a child, picking up a National Geographic magazine at the school library was a journey into a larger than life, multi-chromatic kaleidoscope of mankind and nature.
Drakensberg - Cathedral Peak
As with the Royal Natal National Park , the area of Cathedral Peak is dominated by the Drakensberg escarpment, and similarly offers the two distinct walking zones of hill country above, and ridges…
Drakensberg: The Royal Natal National Park
The Drakensberg Mountains, or uKhahlamba (Barrier or Spears) in Zulu, is a place of profound practical and symbolic importance to South Africa.
Conservation fees and the "Wild Card" grrrr.
With South Africa's rising popularity as a tourism destination, the government is quickly wising up to international fee structures for national parks.
Sleep with the lions, 30 Minutes from Cape Town.
The Drakenstein Lion Park was recently brought to my attention as offering close contact with lions only 50km from CT.
Robyn goes Shark Diving!
So I arrive at work on a Tuesday afternoon after a hectic weekend, where Billy's opened on a rare Sunday afternoon to host a Red bull function which featured an awesome South African duo called…
West Coast Flowers have a spring in thier step
Every Spring, tourists and local nature lovers come from all over to pay homage to one of the most spectacular flower shows in the world.
Buffalos battle lions at Kruger National Park
If you're thinking about heading on a Kruger safari in South Africa, you might see something like this if you're lucky.
The Durban July, and Durban in July.
So Durban and the whole of South Africa are well into winter. For us Durbanites it comes as a welcome relief from the heat, but it’s still warm enough for people to go water skiing, enjoy the beach…
Kruger park game footage of a lifetime!
For those of you looking forward to your Kruger Park trip, you may as well leave your camera's at home since this footage below was taken. It has all been done now and we might as well just give up :)
Robyn's Durbs update.
I think it’s safe to come out of hiding now that the dust has settled after the Super 14 final where the Sharks were robbed of the trophy by the Bulls (I’m not a bitter loser at all)!
Most Dangerous Animals in South Africa (and the world)
I was reading some info on the 10 most dangerous animals in the world and it struck me that 8 of them were found mainly in Africa! That's pretty good going.
Dive Spots in Durban: Kwazulu-Natal
I hope everyone in Cape Town is loving the cold, windy and wet weather you’re experiencing at the moment!
Durban's "The Golden Mile" Kwazulu-Natal
Durban itself is probably best known for its “Golden Mile” , a 6km walk along the golden sands, that stretches from the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in the north to uShaka Marine World in…
God's Window and Bourke's luck pot holes.
A trip to the area would not be complete without a peek at Gods Window and Bourke's luck Potholes.
Back from the Kruger: 1st batch of photo's
Back in sunny Cape Town after a glorious 2 weeks in the bush. It feels more like a month!
Hazyview Town: Mapumalanga
The Hazyview shopping centre which 5 years ago was reminiscent of Sierra Leone is now an edifice of gleaming marble and boutiques (relatively). I even found limes in the Pick 'n Pay!.
Leaving for the Bush---->
OK, hitting the road, looking forward to the trip! It 10:00pm and ETA Hazyview is 20:00 tomorrow night...
Crystal pools in Gordons Bay: Get a permit or the rangers will eat your liver.
The Crystal pools are a beautiful place to visit and relax, please do not let my experience, (or the smell of the rangers) put you off visiting and enjoying them. With a permit!
South African webcams: With streaming psychotic crickets
www.africam.com has been running for a long time in web-years, over 8 to be precise, back when mice were real mice.
110+ Fires in Cape Town within 24 hours. Fire Fighters get Buff.
The last few days have been real swelterers. Today being the worst by far, Hitting at least 39 degrees in Capt Town CBD and the mid 40’s inland.
New Orchid Discovered high in the Cape Cederberg Mountains.
Disa Linderiana is the name given to the brand new orchid found near the summit of Sneeuberg (Snow Mountain) at 2000m above sea level. It has been named after orchid expert, Professor Peter Linder.
Jeff's South Africa trip '07-email discussion- #4
Reply>> Hi Jeff I think your itinerary looks great. The private game reserves are fantastic (have you chosen one yet?) One thing I always re-realize when I go there (The bush) is that you tire…
Jeff's South Africa trip '07-email discussion- #3
Reply>> Philip, Thank you so much for all of this information. I think that we are actually going to fly to Cape Town in lieu of driving.
Dead wildlife safari on Cape Towns beaches.
Every time I take a walk on the beach in Cape Town, I am always amazed at the amount of, for lack of a better word, Biomass .
Two Oceans Aquarium: Shark Diving Cape Town, no cage, no fuss.
Shark diving and in particular shark cage diving has become very popular in South Africa in the last few years.
Shingwedzi, Kruger National Park: Camp Review
SA Logue brings you the lowdown on the camps of the Kruger National Park. See our Kruger Camps tag for more. Shingwedzi Camp Where is it?
Giant Game Park Comes into Being at Last
Alert! The Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility (GTAF - ?), an international border crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe, was officially opened by the two countries' heads of state last week.
Crocodile Bridge, Kruger National Park: Camp Review
SA Logue brings you the lowdown on the camps of the Kruger National Park . See our Kruger Camps tag for more.
Top Weekend Getaway This Week, IMHO
If I had my druthers, I'd be packing today for a weekend trip up the West Coast and into the Northern Cape , where the farmers say the wildflowers have begun to bloom, and are carpeting vast swathes…
Taking Safari Pictures: Tips for Getting the Best Wildlife Snaps
SA Logue asked the University of the Witwatersrand ’s Prof. David Bunn - one of the country’s top experts on the Kruger National Park - for some advice on how to take pictures in the bush.
Head to Cape Point for Baboon Hijinks
While it's not guaranteed that you'll see baboons during your visit to Cape Town, you can increase your chances by hanging around the Cape Point Nature Reserve , where they preponderate.
CC Africa's Safari Specials Start Soon
The Conservation Corporation Africa is advertising new safari specials valid from 1 Aug to 30 Nov in the local papers.
Taking Safari Pictures: Expert Advice (3/3) - For the Professional
SA Logue asked the University of the Witwatersrand ’s Prof. David Bunn - one of the country’s top experts on the Kruger National Park - for some advice on which camera to pack when going to a game…
2007 Kruger Park Birding Weekend Dates Named
The dates for next year's "Birding Weekend" at the Kruger National Park have been set: it starts on Friday, 26 January, and ends the following Sunday afternoon.
Blyde River Canyon is a Kruger Self-Drive Must
If you've decided to tackle the Kruger Park on your own - a decidedly do-able proposition (see SA Logue's Make Your Own Way to Kruger for more) - then ensure your do-it-yourself-safari ends at…
Safari Advice for First-Timers
The Seattle Post Intelligencer has published a piece on a safari trip to Botswana - with a day's excursion to Johannesburg and Soweto - that should be of interest to all who've ever wanted to get up…
Taking Safari Pictures: Expert Advice (2/3) - For the Serious Amateur
SA Logue asked the University of the Witwatersrand ’s Prof. David Bunn - one of the country’s top experts on the Kruger National Park - for some advice on which camera to pack when going to a game…
Taking Safari Pictures: Expert Advice (1/3) - For the Casual Photographer
SA Logue asked the University of the Witwatersrand 's Prof. David Bunn - one of the country's top experts on the Kruger National Park - for some advice on which camera to pack when going to a game…
A Walk To Dias Beach, Cape Point
The Cape Point Nature Reserve offers walks short and long - and one of the best is the pleasant trail that connects the Cape Point promontory with the Cape of Good Hope promontory - via the…
Whales Have Begun to Arrive in Hermanus
Alert! According to SA Logue's widely-flung network of marine mammal informants, the annual trek of the southern right whales from the Antarctic to the inlets of Africa's southwest coast has begun.
For the Birds
Spotted! A contender for the best South African sign, ever: .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size:…
Glencairn Whale Watching Viewpoint
On the lovely road that runs from Fish Hoek to Simonstown (a.k.a. Main Road, a.k.a.
Letaba, Kruger National Park: Camp Review
SA Logue brings you the lowdown on the camps of the Kruger National Park. See our Kruger Camps tag for more.
Kruger Get-Out Point: Ratelpan River Hide
The area between the Satara and Olifants camps in the Kruger National Park is known for its rhino, cheetah and lion - and it also has one of the best river hides in the enitre park.
Thulamela Iron Age Ruins: Kruger Park Day Walk
It's a given that the wildlife in the Kruger National Park will take your breath away - but a walk up into the reconstructed Iron Age ruins of a mountain kingdom in the park's far north gives the Big…
Punda Maria, Kruger National Park: Camp Review
SA Logue brings you the lowdown on the camps of the Kruger National Park. See our Kruger Camps tag for more. Punda Maria Camp Kruger Giraffe Where is it?
Kruger Get-Out Point: Hippo Pool
One of the best places to enter the Kruger National Park is the Crocodile Bridge gate in the park's extreme southeast.
Where to Watch Game in Kruger: Best Park Guidebook
My photograph of it is lousy, but the book itself is a gem: Where to Watch Game in the Kruger National Park by Nigel Dennis is a must-have for anyone planning a self-driving tour to SA's finest…
Make Your Own Way to Kruger
Judith asks , is it OK for three women to take two children to the Kruger National Park by themselves , as it were?
Cape Town's Big Six: Cape Point (3/6)
As a city, Cape Town's known for its "Big Six" attractions - meet them all through SA Logue's Cape Town Big Six tag!
Maps for the Kruger National Park
Here are the top three maps for the Kruger National Park: SA National Parks (official map) Routes.co.za (searchable via Google) SA Venues (two sections, north and south; very basic)
Meet Africa's Little Five: the Leopard Tortoise (1/5)
Africa's "Little Five" animals are so-called because they share their names with the Big Five !
Elephant Overturns Car in Kruger
Alert! News just in to SA Blog: an angry bull elephant overturned a tourist vehicle in the Kruger National Park, between the Phalaborwa Gate and the Letaba Camp ( KNP map | KNP Big 5 sightings ),…
Meet Africa's Big Five: the Buffalo (5/5)
Africa's "Big Five" animals are so-named because they're the most dangerous to bump into in the bush!
Meet Africa's Big Five: the Rhinoceros (4/5)
Africa's "Big Five" animals are so-named because they're the most dangerous to bump into in the bush! Rhinocerouses or Rhinoceri?
Meet Africa's Big Five: the Leopard (3/5)
Africa's "Big Five" animals are so-named because they're the most dangerous to bump into in the bush!
Meet Africa's Big Five: the Lion (2/5)
Africa's "Big Five" animals are so-named because they're the most dangerous to bump into in the bush!
Meet Africa's Big Five: the Elephant (1/5)
Africa's "Big Five" animals are so-named because they're the most dangerous to bump into in the bush!
Malaria in South Africa: Introduction and Advice
Disclaimer: this post is not meant to replace medical advice from a medical doctor. If you're planning a trip to Africa, please consult with your medical doctor on malaria and other diseases.
Fair Trade Tourism in South Africa
South Africa is the first country in the world to have a "Fair Trade" label for its domestic tourism industry.
Wildlife Film Festival for Durban
Alert! South Africa's first International Wildlife Film Festival will take place next month in Durban.
Birding in the Northern Cape: an Overview
Did you know? The world's largest flock of lesser flamingoes can be found at Kamfers Dam , outside Kimberley , in South Africa's Northern Cape Province .
South Africa's Hibiscus Coast
South Africa's coastline is almost 3,000 km long, offering a wonderful variety of experiences. In this series , SA Blog dips a toe in the country's major destination coasts.
New Kruger Park Webcam: Satara
The Kruger National Park has introduced a second webcam , at Satara camp ( map ), just a few kilometers down the road from its original webcam at Orpen gate ( map ).
South Africa's West Coast
South Africa's coastline is almost 3,000 km long, offering a wonderful variety of experiences. In this series , SA Blog dips a toe in the country's major destination coasts.
Kruger Park Elephant Cull Halted
The Kruger National Park has an elephant-sized problem : its elephant herds have grown too large, and are beginning to overrun the park, threatening to homogenize its many different and delicate…
Hot Air Balloon Safaris in the Magaliesberg
Though Your Correspondent has never had the pleasure, he can't imagine anything more spectacular than a hot-air balloon ride over a game reserve .
South Africa's Elephant Coast
South Africa's coastline is almost 3,000 km long, offering a wonderful variety of experiences. In this series , SA Blog dips a toe in the country's major destination coasts.
Crocodile Bridge Re-Opens at Kruger National Park
Heavy rains during the past week in Mpumalanga, South Africa's northeasternmost province, forced the closure of the Kruger National Park's Crocodile Bridge entrance.
World Wetlands Day in Wakkerstroom
Happy World Wetlands Day! Spare a thought for birdlife around the world today, under threat not just from avian flu, but also from shrinking wetlands.
Fynbos: Wretched Links
SA Blog challenges local botany enthusiasts to build a good info site on fynbos, which avoids Latin, hideous background graphics, etc., and does the beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom a modicum of…
Link of the Week: Kruger National Park Webcam
Live beasts are currently prowling through the Silicon Jungle, and one of the best places to spot them is the Kruger National Park OrpenCam , which looks down on a water hole.
Hiring a Land Rover in South Africa
Hired a 4X4 in South Africa? Tell us where, when and how it went! SA Blog links follow.