A living archive of South Africa’s unique desert biome flora
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), together with South African National Parks (SANParks), celebrated the completion of the Richtersveld Desert Botanical Garden at Sendelingsdrif in the Richtersveld National Park, on 20 August 2024. The botanical garden was established through a partnership between SANBI and SANParks, in terms of which Continue Reading
Enjoy a week of free access to South Africa’s national parks
On 8 September 2024, South African National Parks (SANParks) will host a celebratory event at Marakele National Park (pictured) to kickstart the 19th annual SA National Parks Week, which will be held from 9 to 13 September 2024 and extended to 14 and 15 September at selected national parks. During Continue Reading
Interesting facts about four of SA’s biggest and oldest coastal marine protected areas
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are the ‘nature reserves’ of the sea, conserving marine biodiversity to protect threatened species and ocean health. South Africa is home to some 41 MPAs that play a vital role in ocean conservation, although currently only 5% of the country’s ocean space is protected by these Continue Reading
Bushwise and Sabi Sabi launch the Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy
Bushwise Field Guides and the Sabi Sabi Collection have announced a new initiative to train the next generation of field guides through the Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park. This initiative will sponsor students from local rural communities to complete field guide training, equipping them Continue Reading
VulPro and partners take major step in Egyptian vulture conservation in South Africa
In a significant move to restore Egyptian vultures as a breeding species in South Africa, VulPro – in collaboration with the World Bird Sanctuary and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – has successfully relocated two endangered Egyptian vultures to VulPro@Shamwari. The arrival of the pair at VulPro’s facility at Continue Reading
Panthera Africa scoops prestigious award for Most Dedicated Big Cat Rescue Sanctuary in South Africa
Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary has been awarded the prestigious title of “Most Dedicated Big Cat Rescue Sanctuary – South Africa 2024” by MEA Markets as part of the latter’s seventh annual African Excellence Awards. This esteemed recognition highlights Panthera Africa’s unwavering commitment to its 25 big cat rescues, and Continue Reading
Gondwana Collection Namibia: Continuous improvement in sustainable operations
Gondwana Collection Namibia maintains the highest eco-standards across its lodges and hotels, a commitment demonstrated since its inaugural participation in the Eco Awards back in 2011. Once again, this year Gondwana has excelled, marking continuous improvement in sustainable operations. Most recently, the Gondwana properties in the Kunene Region received notable recognition. Omarunga Continue Reading
New nature reserve in the breathtaking Northern Drakensberg
The 6 500-hectare Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve, which was formally gazetted on 18 April this year, adds to a conservation corridor connecting the adjacent uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal (declared a World Heritage Site in 2000) to the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve in the Free State. The new reserve is made up Continue Reading
Understanding the animal that changed his life
South African conservation organisation WILDTRUST has released Caleb: Beyond the Bite: a short film following award-winning actor, para-athlete and shark bite survivor Caleb Swanepoel, and his relationship with the ocean. In hopes to reconnect with his experience and better understand the animal that changed his life, the short film follows Continue Reading
The battle for our world’s last nature strongholds has begun
The mighty Zambezi River, the fourth largest river in Africa, plays host to an incredible four-part documentary series titled Wild Zambezi. Celebrating Environment Month in June, the docuseries will screen exclusively at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas around South Africa, with the first episode releasing on 9 and 11 June. And, the best part Continue Reading
Fast cats and fast cars
In May, the racing suit of one of F1’s brightest young stars, Oscar Piastri, went up for auction to raise much-needed funds for the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre near Hartbeespoort. The suit was worn during Piastri’s amazing rookie season in Qatar in 2023 where he scored his very first Continue Reading
Unique African luxury brand arrives in South Africa
Iconic international jewellery house Patrick Mavros has opened its first boutique in South Africa at Cape Town’s prestigious V&A Waterfront. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the family business, bringing together two icons: the timeless elegance of Patrick Mavros’ creations and the beauty of the V&A Waterfront. The eponymous brand was founded in 1978 when Continue Reading
Championing Africa’s conservation heroes
In an inspiring move to honour and support the unsung heroes of wildlife and marine conservation across Africa, African Secret Cream Liqueur has created “The Secret Hero of Africa” initiative. This campaign is dedicated to celebrating the courageous efforts of individuals and groups working tirelessly to ensure the preservation of Continue Reading
Cheetah Conservation Fund unveils new features and improvements to enrich the visitor experience
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) has experienced an unprecedented increase in visitor numbers to its Research & Education Centre, surpassing pre-pandemic visitation figures. This notable rise in interest highlights a growing commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, supporting wildlife conservation efforts and involving local communities. In response to this demand, Continue Reading
Crocworld’s rehabilitated tortoise needs a new name!
In the few months that the three-legged leopard tortoise has lived at Crocworld Conservation Centre, it has already befriended a fellow ‘tripod’ tortoise who is also being rehabilitated at the Scottburgh centre. To make the latest Crocworld resident really feel part of the family, the team at Crocworld is calling Continue Reading
Montego Pet Nutrition proud sponsor of canine heroes protecting Africa’s wildlife
Canine companions are our best friends in the quest to conserve Africa’s wildlife. Training dogs to work alongside human handlers has proven an indispensable strategy, especially in the realm of counter-wildlife trafficking efforts, where our furry friends’ superhuman sense of smell is deployed to assist across a wide range of Continue Reading
SANParks Honorary Rangers’ contribution grows to R80 million
South African National Parks (SANParks) congratulates the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) on their 2023 Integrated Report. The report showcases the amazing work of the volunteer members and the projects that have made a tangible difference in the country’s national parks. This year is also the 60th anniversary of the SHR. Continue Reading
Plight of Kruger rhinos to be spotlighted at exclusive launch of Saviours’ Army
Non-profit organisation Rhino Disharmony will be launching the Saviours’ Army, a brand-new rhino awareness initiative, on 12 February during an exclusive event at The Winchester Hotel in Sea Point, Cape Town. The Saviours’ Army calls for a united stance against rhino poaching, with the slogan: “Will you stand with us?” Continue Reading
Africa’s largest vulture relocation marks a conservation milestone
The first phase of a project to secure the future of wild vulture populations in southern Africa has been successfully completed, with 160 Cape and African white-backed vultures settled into their new home at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The birds are the vanguard of a two-year project to establish a Continue Reading
Launch of the new Solms-Delta Wine Company
Tommy Hall is not a man who leaves things to chance. As director of Global Operations for a Fortune 500 technology company, he is all about meticulous planning, managing risk and being prepared for the unexpected. And yet, fate must have played a hand in bringing Hall and his family Continue Reading
Holiday action at Crocworld Conservation Centre
The weather outside is delightful, which means it’s time to start making those holiday plans! For holidaymakers and residents on the mid-KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh has it covered with an epic festive season programme running from 13 December 2023 to 17 January 2024. “This is one of our Continue Reading
FALKE supports the fight against poaching
The special Olifants Reserve anti-poaching unit, established in 2018, forms an integral part of the fight against poaching in the Greater Kruger National Park/Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park under the leadership of security manager, Callan Hartman. The Olifants Reserve is prime rhino territory and home to populations of both white rhino Continue Reading
At last, their lives are worth living
Just two hours’ drive from Cape Town, one of only a handful of true sanctuaries in South Africa is home to rescued lions, tigers and other cats who narrowly escaped being slaughtered for their bones and body parts. They are lucky to be alive and owe their lives to two Continue Reading
Africa’s largest vulture relocation project gets the green light
The largest relocation of vultures ever undertaken reached a critical milestone, when approval was granted to move a first tranche of 155 birds to a new home in the Eastern Cape. Now that the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment has given the green light, work is underway on a Continue Reading
Take the watch to help protect against animal poaching in the South African bush
Coinciding with World Animal Day earlier this month, Samsung announced the expansion of its Wildlife Watch pilot, in partnership with Africam and The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, to protect against animal poaching in the South African bush. Launched in 2021, the programme uses Samsung technology as a live ‘surveillance system’ Continue Reading
This Heritage Month, throw your support behind SA’s green and gold parrot
With September being celebrated as Heritage Month to mark South Africa’s diverse culture and heritage, ponder the plight of the endangered Cape parrot whose green and gold plumage must surely remind us of our national sporting teams. Out in the wild, the beautiful bird may not be trained to scream Continue Reading
Ford Wildlife Foundation empowers Cape vulture conservation
2 September marked International Vulture Awareness Day, and the Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF) supported an innovative initiative to protect our region’s biodiversity through environmental education, research and conservation projects across sub-Saharan Africa. At the core of its mission is the locally assembled Ford Ranger Double Cab 4×4, a key mobility Continue Reading
