About DeWetsWild

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. Have a look at the wildlife and wild places we’ve featured here at DeWetsWild. If you’d like us to help you plan and book a visit to one of our wonderfully wild South African destinations, head here. And 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 pleased to meet 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

South African Blog Awards

Category: Best Environmental Blog

> Proud winners in this category in 2017 and runners up in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018

Category: Best Travel Blog

> Proud winners in this category in 2017 and 2018 and runners up in 2015 and 2016

383 thoughts on “About DeWetsWild”

  2. Zest

    What a lovely life! My favourite parts of South Africa are the wild ones – not for me the madding crowds or city hype 😉 Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures.

    Like

    Reply ↓
  4. Myra- watercolor and lettering artist

    WOW lots of people dream of doing something like this and you are living it. Thank you for sharing this with all of us and for the reminder of the beauty found in nature-our nature. i paint it. Stay safe out there and keep having fun!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  18. Simple Joys

    Hi,
    Being out there in the wild, and with such a varied and interesting site I would like to nominate you for the Animal Series tag: http://vanessarosecooper.com/2016/11/20/king-of-inspiration/
    The Rules Are:
    1. Thank the person who nominated you
    2. Pick an animal and explain why they are a source of inspiration to you, and how their character can be used to motivate.
    3. Nominate at least 3 other bloggers, to share the positivity!

    I found it quite different for me, but fun. However, please don’t feel obligated in any way.
    Have a great week 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  19. Oh, the Places We See

    Thanks so much for following Oh, the Places We See. We’re so glad to meet you and see your gorgeous photography. Although we’ve only been to South Africa once, we would certainly love to go again. Our photos from our safari are treasures for us, but they’re nothing compared to what you have posted. Best wishes for using your good eyes and talents to share the beauty of the earth with so many! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  20. Simple Joys

    A glorious (the sun is shining brightly here in the UK) good morning to you all 🙂

    I am so pleased to be able to find your blog and connect with you after you liking some of my posts, and then very humbled to see you are now following! Thank you so much for that.
    We are not a well travelled family and we have, so far, never been to South Africa but I am looking forward to getting to know more about your beautiful country through your blog as your About page has already whetted the appetite somi will see you again very soon.
    Have a blessed Sunday x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  21. Penne Cole

    My partner and I are planning a trip to Africa next year. We would like to do a walking safari, but also want to see Cape Town and Victoria Falls. Would you be able to recommend any tours we can take / walking safari companies?

    Thanks!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Hi Penne!

      We are all for the self-drive, self-catering options when exploring South Africa’s wild places, and I’m certain you’ll find the country’s infrastructure and services organised enough to be able to do that too. Unfortunately I can’t recommend a tour outfitter for you, but if you want to experience a walking safari you can’t go wrong with any of the wilderness trails offered in the Kruger National Park: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/tourism/activities/wilderness/about.php

      Between Cape Town and Kruger (and Vic Falls thereafter), see if you can also fit in the Garden Route, Kgalagadi, Golden Gate / Drakensberg and iSimangaliso for a glimpse into SA’s enormous treasure chest of spectacular wild places – all these are easily accessible, and offers great self-catering options, and there are guided tours at each of these offered by either local operators or the conservation agencies that you can then join.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      2. de Wets Wild Post author

        Pleasure Penne! When you have a chance, also have a look around our blog for some more info on some of these places (see the Wild Places Featured menu) and give us another shoutout if need be!

        Like

  22. Osyth

    Thank you so much for following my blog – I’m flattered and hope not to disappoint. I love this blog – what it stands for, how it’s written and of course the pictures. I’ve followed you straight back as I actually would not want to miss anything that you post 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  30. Bart

    Wow…what a great blog! I just booked a trip to SA with my family. It’s not until August so our patience is tested 🙂 But we have a lot of time to prepare, to plan and to look forward to it. We will visit Panoramaroute, Kruger, Swaziland, Hluhluwe, Isimangaliso and Golden Gate. Your blog is very inspiring and informative. Keep the stories and great pictures coming!! Cheers, Bart

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
      2. de Wets Wild Post author

        Golden Gate’s one of our favourite places Bart! And so much to do! Brandwag, Echo Ravine and Mushroom Rocks are beautiful and easy walks for the family. You can go horse riding in the mountains, or swim in a rock pool (though August might still be too cold for that). You can experience Sotho culture and history at the Basotho Village (where the plains also abound with game). There’s the vulture restaurant and hide on Oribi Loop which usually has something interesting, and there are a few loop roads, and the gravel road to Kestell, for game viewing and to appreciate the scenery. Have a look at our Golden Gate category, I’m sure you’ll find something of interest! https://dewetswild.com/category/golden-gate-highlands-national-park/

        Like

  35. sandramytravelness

    Hello! I am so glad I’ve found your blog. I’ve lived in Africa for five years, not South Africa though, but in Angola and it’s such a joy to travel through your site! Congratulations and thank you for inspiring me so much!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  36. lisa@notesfromafrica

    Love your site – congrats on your blogging award! 🙂 We are planning a trip to Kruger next year. Willie and I haven’t been there since we were kids, so don’t know much about it. Am starting to read through all your Kruger posts and am getting very excited.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  41. clara@expatpartnersurvival.com

    Hi – We have just moved to SA and I was recommended your blog – turns out I was already following you anyway! But now I can take a closer look and be more appreciative 🙂 We’re so looking forward to all the wildlife viewing here, have already managed a trip to Pilanesberg and have booked Kruger for Dec/Jan 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Welcome to South Africa, Clara! And happy travels, there’s so much to see and experience here. Pilanesberg would have been a good introduction to what awaits you in Kruger at the end of the year, and you’re welcome to drop by our blog anytime if the wait should become too long!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

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