Thank you for joining us here at DeWetsWild!
We are the de Wets: Dad Dries, Mom Marilize and our son Joubert.
We have always had a great affinity for the wild outdoors and we’ve built our careers and family life around protecting, enjoying and showcasing the diverse natural heritage of the beautiful country we were blessed to be born in. We can put together a custom-made guided tour of South Africa for you, or you could join one of the tours we’ve already scheduled. Even if you just need us to help you plan and book your own trip to visit to one or more of our wonderfully wild South African destinations, we’d be thrilled to assist! DeWetsWild is a proud member of SATSA – The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association – giving you peace of mind that your well deserved holiday in South Africa’s wild places is in capable hands.

Have a look at the wildlife and wild places we’ve featured here at DeWetsWild. If you are looking for photographs of beautiful South African scenery and wildlife to use in a project, please have a look at what we have to offer.
We’re really looking forward to meeting you and hope we’ll see you around here often. Come share our love for, and experiences in, South Africa’s spectacular wild places, from the smallest nature reserves to the biggest national parks, with us. You can follow along via e-mail subscription, Facebook or your WordPress account, and please feel free to join in and share your thoughts with us!

3 Years old: May 2013. Following an elephant at Tembe
5 Years old: May 2015. Kamberg tranquility with Mom.
6 Years old: June 2016. Antlions are so interesting! Satara, Kruger Park.
Catching ants to feed to the ant lions
Campfire in Dinokeng
Close to Mom at Golden Gate
Close to Mom at Golden Gate
Echo Ravine
Fun and games at Golden Gate
Fun and games at Golden Gate
Fun and games at Golden Gate
Royal Natal
Photographers in action at Royal Natal
Royal Natal
Giant’s Castle
7 Years old: April 2017. Low with the flow at Giant’s Castle
Joubert Cape Vidal July 2017
Happy family: Napi Wilderness Trail with my mother, sister and brother
Southern Tip of Africa
8 Years old: December 2017. Sunset over the Atlantic
De Wets at the Cape of Good Hope
Rowing on the Touw River at Ebb-and-Flow
In deep conversation on the suspension bridge at the Storms River Mouth
A flower among the flowers at the Cape of Good Hope – these white flowers are known as Cape Snow (Syncarpha vestita)
Making sense of the toposcope at the Valley of Desolation
Taking in the scenery at the Valley of Desolation
8 Years old: April 2018. Opening the gate at Haak-en-Steek Cottage in Mokala National Park
The Birthday Boy and his friends ready to go visit the lions
The Birthday Boy and his proud mom
Having fun at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
9 years old: March 2019. Joubert photographing guineafowl at Thendele
Walking in Royal Natal
At the Cascades in Royal Natal National Park
Walking in the Mountains
9 years old: March 2019. Walking in the Mountains
Golden Gate Photographer
Joubert at Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
9 years old: May 2019. Joubert at Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
Joubert with good friends at Mahai in the Royal Natal National Park
Joubert interacting with an elephant at African Hills Safari Lodge, June 2022
Joubert eyeing a bull elephant at Tlopi Tented Camp in Marakele National Park
National Women’s Memorial in Bloemfontein
Tietiesbaai
West Coast Fossil Park
Just north of Bloubergstrand
Seal Tour, Hout Bay
Seal Tour, Hout Bay
Cape Point
Cape Point
Kirstenbosch
It s a blessing! Bravo
Thank you Hopeje! And welcome!
I don’t think I told you what a great family photo this is! Your son looks just like you! 🙂
Thanks very much Linda! Joubert’s growing up so fast, we have to update our photo from time to time 😉
Your photos are absolutely awesome 😊
Thank you so much! Nice to have you visit with us again!
Lovely family picture!
Thanks Maurice!
Love your new family picture. You’re such a handsome family. You know Marks and I always love all your posts and try our best to keep up with your adventures 😉 Have a beautiful week ahead 🙂
Thank you dear Joey and Marks, you”re always so kind and always so very welcome here!
Thank you stopping by and liking my very first photo-blog. I write and only just scrounged up some courage to post photos. I love everything about your blog and super excited to follow! Thanks for finding me.
We’re so happy to have you join us, Sam!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience and this pic is looking a perfect happy family
Welcome to de Wets Wild, Chintan, and thank you for the kind words!
you people inspire me i really want to thank you for sharing all your thoughts and experiences
i really like them ^_^
and i have to mention your son HE IS SO CUTE may god bless you all ❤
and i need some help too if you could spare a moment it will be more than enough ^-^
Thank you very much for visiting us and for your kind words and beautiful blessings Alya! We wish you God’s richest blessings also, and every success with your blog; we’ve already subscribed and look forward to learning more about you!
Hi, thank you for “liking” my photo, I am South African as well! Good to meet you 🙂
Welcome to de Wets Wild, Ali!
Thanks so much for following my blog. You have a wonderful blog that I enjoy following.
Thanks very much Iris!
My comment may get lost in all these, but I wanted to ask you why you chose to take a family to a place like this. Are you near a city? Do you have good facilities?
Hi Beth, thanks for dropping by again!
It’s difficult to explain “how” we decided on the lifestyle we share as a family, as it actually chose us I believe by being born in this beautiful country. Enjoying the National Parks and nature reserves, and outdoor living in general, is a way of life for many South Africans. Marilize and I were brought up that way, and now we’re raising our son with the same love for nature; in fact he turned 8 weeks old on his first visit to the Kruger National Park.
So while we may be earning a living in the city, we long to be out in the wilds every chance we get. South Africa has good infrastructure, making a trip to any of the big national parks and most of the other reserves a breeze. Accommodation options ranges from camping to 5-star, so whatever budget we’re on, we’ll be catered for.
Hope that answers your question?
It does make sense and it answers my question. I can appreciate your choice. A totally different concept is the great plains of central USA. I grew up in the Panhandle of Texas and saw stars and planets with the naked eye like nobody has seen anywhere else. The sky was clear and free of pollution and of course seeing long distances on the ground was great too.
Experiences like that can’t be explained to a city person- it’s something they have to experience for themselves to appreciate!
Hello ! I have nominated you for ‘One Lovely Blog’ award, your blogs have inspired me and I love reading your stories. Please do not be obliged to write down an acceptance post, I can understand if time does not permit you to do so. Consider this as as appreciation.
http://travelfunfoodpictures.com/2014/09/01/one-lovely-blog-award/
Love
Aanchal
Thank you very much for doing us such a great honour Aanchal!
:):)
Xx
hello there de Wets Wild! 🙂 Your photos should be featured in National Geographic. So amazing captures 🙂 Keep it up. Thanks for following my blog as well. 🙂
Thank you for the very kind introduction Karen, and welcome here at de Wets Wild!
That looks like the Clarens area?
Spot on! Our much-loved Golden Gate Highlands National Park is less than 20km out of Clarens 😉
Hello de Wits Wild-
I feel honored that you stopped by and gave Just Another Nature Enthusiast a “follow.”
Your blog and the spirit in which you write are beautiful and informative. I suspect we are kindred spirits in some ways when it comes to appreciating the natural world. My next stop is to head to the top of your blog to begin “following” your nature thoughts as well.
Jane
Thank you for joining us here at de Wets Wild Jane! As you’ve said, it seems we have many shared interests 😀
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and looking at my blog! If you have any suggestions, requests or travel questions just let me know! I’m on my way over to your blog to see what you are up to! CadyLuckLeedy
Thank you to you too CadyLuck Leedy, and welcome here!
Thank you so much for visitng and following my blog. Your blog looks very interesting…looking forward to getting to know more about the South African ‘wild’!
Thank you very much for joining us here at de Wets Wild, MiaMusings!
I am so pleased to have found your inspirational blog. My oldest daughter is an animal rights activist who has recently quit using straws and gone vegetarian to support animals. She has a special affinity for big cats and is currently making a book on them. I will be showing all of your stunning photos and reading your posts with her. All good things to you!
We’re so glad to have you join us here at de Wets Wild, Lisa; Welcome! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes, we hope the same for you.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, it led to be an adventurous blog of yours. Totally loved it. Just want you to know you have a new follower now 🙂
xx
Aanchal
We’re thrilled to have you join us here at de Wets Wild, Aanchal!
Show us something wild !!!!!
We’ll definitely do our best Kathryn 😉
Have a look at our recent posts about the African Buffalo, and Ranger Harry Wolhuter’s harrowing tale about being caught by a lion, in the meantime:
and
Oh, I love the idea that all the members can share the same life purpose like we are on the same boat. I wish your boat have great life trips and good fortunes 🙂
We’re blessed indeed to share all this beauty and experiences as a family.
Welcome here, Khanh Hoa
Yes, I follow all the people who love nature. I love peace and lovely wild-life creatures (not crocodiles, sharks or kind like those, I’m so scared…)
Hi de Wets Wild! i’ve nominated you for the VERY INSPIRING BLOG AWARD! Please do accept it coz I think you guys deserve it. Click on the link below for details http://duniyaku.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/another-award-nomination-yay/
You’ve done us a great honour Raja, thank you very very much!
You’re most welcome 🙂
Always a pleasure to arrive at your blog, seeing all the beautiful pictures. Much like reading a NatGeo mag!
Hello Dries, just noticed the new layout of your site. Gotta say I like it very much, well done. Also like the categories of wildlife. Where’s the Pangolin btw? 😉
Hi Maurice, nice to hear from you again, and thanks for the kind comment about our new look 😀
But ah, those pangolin photos still eludes us, and at the pace the poor things are being poached these days…
Better not wearing horn or scales these days…
Sickening situation, isn’t it Maurice?
Thanks and you are welcome! you are very kind 🙂
I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. Please, see my blogpost titled ‘Liebster Award’ to find more information about this. Congrats! =D
Thank you so much Lobke for the support and encouragement!
I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award
Thank you so much for thinking of us Barbara! We really appreciate the kind words and glowing recommendation!
For some reason, I keep getting knocked off as a follower 😦 Try, try again!
You’re showing as a follower on this end of the line Stacy – thanks for persevering!
Happy to hear that!
P.S. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
I think … GOODONYER ! Anyone who dedicates him/herself to caring for animals deserves many pats on the back and compliments. I give ’em both ! 🙂
Thank you so much for the endorsement Margaret Rose! And welcome here at de Wets Wild!
Lovely thing your doing!Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂
Thanks for the vote of confidence Jessannseq, and welcome!
🙂
Lovely post and blog
Thank you very much!
Thank you for popping over to my fledgling blog and “liking” my posts. I look forward to learning more about South Africa through you. One of my favorite books is “The Power of One.” And that is just about the extent of my knowledge of your country. I’m sure I will be learning more and more!
Thanks for joining us Barbara, you’re very welcome to visit with us as often as you’d like!
I have nominated you for a Liebster Award. Come check it out! http://lifeonthegoldenrock.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/the-liebster-award/
Thanks very much Fraukje for thinking of us while sharing your well deserved recognition!
These are amazing photographs!
Thank you very much Vee DC, and thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for following my blog “Eyes to Heart.” I’ve heard lovely things about South Africa so am looking forward to learning more from your blog. Be well, Dorothy 🙂
Thank you Dorothy, and welcome here!
Love the sentiments on this page, just popped over following a like you put down om my own wee blog. Thank you. MM 🍀
Thank you very much for joining us at de Wets Wild, MM!
Glad to meet you. Strength to your arm in fighting poachers and the others who without your kind of dedication would ruin our wildlife.
Thank you Wilf for dropping by de Wets Wild!
Unfortunately I haven’t been working out in the field for a long time, but we like to think that we can still do our part in other ways, and hopefully this blog is a small piece of that.
I am new to WordPress. Thank you for your encouragement. I’m just an amateur, but I love photos, and I love yours and your family adventures. I’m now following you on FB, too.
Thank you so very much for your kind words Carolyn, and thank you for joining us here at de Wets Wild! We hope to see you around here often!
Thank you so much for liking my ‘object’ challenge. Most appreciated.
And thank you for visiting us here at de Wets Wild, Loisajay!
Ek weet nou nie hoe het my oorspronklike volg van jou blog af weggeraak nie, ek hou nog altyd daarvan om dit te lees en skielik pop dit uit as ‘n suggested blog…
Ons is baie bly dat jy weer by ons aangesluit het Vosperdruiter! Altyd lekker om jou hier rond raak te loop.
I have nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. You can view the post at http://khanasweb.com/2014/01/22/wonderful-team-member-readership-award/
Please feel free to decline if you don’t do awards, otherwise I will look forward to your post 🙂
Thank you very much for thinking of us Khana! The awards don’t really fit with our theme, but we nevertheless appreciate your very kind gesture immensely and it’s wonderful to have you join us!
No problem, I love your blog & it’s just a good way to let you know 🙂
Thanks again Khana!
Wonderful post. Thanks.
http://monsoontreasures.wordpress.com
Thank you Ruth, and welcome here!
Thank you for liking my latest post of Family on the Weekly Photo Challenge. I came to visit and enjoy a few more of your posts, this time of Golden Gate Park. Your shots of the clouds and the greening of the mountainous land gave my joy. This earth is a beautiful and marvelous place, and it cheers me to find your website celebrating and protecting South Africa. Best wishes to you and your family in 2014.
ps You visited the Curiosity Cafe for the WPC, but I have to comment using my rainbowspinnaker site, haven’t figured out how to use CC to comment yet.
Thank you very much, and welcome here at de Wets Wild, Nikk and Jan!
Very best to you for the new year as well!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and liking my photo post. I love your photos of the wild and nature of South Africa, so looking forward to seeing more of your posts!
Welcome, and thank you for joining us here at de Wets Wild 🙂 !
Thank you so much for checking out my blog. I am so glad because it led me to yours. What a great blog you have!! Happy traveling and hope to see you soon. All the best, Irene 🙂
We’re very glad to have you join us here at de Wets Wild Irene. Welcome!
Thanks a lot for visiting my blog. You have an amazing blog here with lot of splendid wildlife shots…
Have a nice day.
Thank you very much Sreejith, and welcome here at de Wets Wild!
Amazing and Thank you for writing which is quite good and best wishes always, and greetings. Kindness blossoms in your heart
Thank you very much, Gede Prama
You’ve been nominated for Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award – go to my site http://kanzensakura.wordpress.com for info! Congratulations – it was my pleasure.
Thank you very much Toni for thinking of de Wets Wild and sharing your well deserved recognition with us! Unfortunately the awards often don’t fit with our theme here, but we’ll think of another way to return the favour!
it’s okay. many people do not accept awards, for whatever reason. But I like passing them along and it points people to look at perhaps, a blog they normally would not. It gives them new possiblilities, new topics to learn from, a new perspective. To me, that is more important than just the award – it’s meeting new people and making this huge world a little smaller.
And we thank you again!
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed my contribution to this week’s photo challenge: let there be light. I have had a little look at your spot here – I love the green landscape in the beautiful photo of Addo Elephant National Park. I send kind regards and good wishes to your lovely selves.
Thank you for joining us here at de Wets Wild Patricia!
Thanks so much for stopping by Little Dogs Laughed- we appreciate you taking the time to look- your photographs are wonderful and I look forward to seeing more of them-
Thank you for the warm introduction Meg, and welcome here at de Wets Wild!
Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my post “Layers”. I am now following your blog because I love nature and think must be fascinating to live in South Africa, where you can see species in their natural environment that we (in USA) can only see in zoos! I admire your efforts to advertise the beauty of nature, so that we may not destroy it.
Thank you for the kind words and glowing endorsement Amoralegria! We’re very happy to welcome you to de Wets Wild!