Tag Archives: Guided Tours

July ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

As I was away on other tours for most of June I didn’t spend enough time at our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve to warrant a month-end update from there at the end of last month, but having now spent quite a bit more time guiding guests on drives and walks through Rietvlei this past month there’s lots to share since the previous update at the end of May. Winter’s cold has really gotten its claws into Rietvlei now – we measured a minimum temperature of -10°C (14°F) at one of the river crossings at sunrise one morning! It was therefore really surprising to see the cold blooded Nile Monitor Lizards still out and about and not hibernating. The deciduous trees have lost their leaves and the grass is now dry and brown and much thinner, making game-viewing a lot easier.

Nile Monitor

Buffaloes striding through the shallow water of Marais Dam

Rietvlei’s birds are always a treat, even when some of them sport frosty plumage in the early mornings – check the back of the wattled lapwing in this gallery! The count of bird species seen during our July drives and walks tallied to 79 (there’s a complete list at the end of this post) but, with the male Long-tailed Widowbirds starting to cultivate their summer finery already, that list should start expanding in the next month of two as the summer visitors arrive.

Arrow-marked Babbler

Reed Cormorant

White-breasted Cormorant colony

White-breasted Cormorant

Red-knobbed Coots

Black Crake

Red-eyed Dove

African Black Duck (photo by Joubert)

Yellow-billed Duck

Yellow-billed Duck at sunrise

African Fish Eagle

Bokmakierie

Common Fiscal

Egyptian Goose

Little Grebe (photo by Joubert)

Pied Kingfisher

Helmeted Guineafowl

Sacred Ibis

Black-winged Kite (photo by Joubert)

Black-winged Kite

Northern Black Korhaan male

Northern Black Korhaan female

African Wattled Lapwing covered in frost

Cape Longclaw

Common Moorhens

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen (photo by Joubert)

Neddicky

Ostrich head

Ostrich feathers (female)(photo by Joubert)

Ostrich foot

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard

South African Shelducks

Cape Sparrow (female)

Cape Robin-Chat

Swainson’s Spurfowl

African Swamphen

Spotted Thick-knee

Cape Wagtail

African Reed Warbler (photo by Joubert)

African Reed Warbler

Long-tailed Widowbird

Male Long-tailed Widowbird starting to sprout his summer plumage

These Pied Starlings using a White Rhino bull as a catwalk for showing off was a rather amusing sighting!

Pied Starlings on their Rhino catwalk

As per usual Rietvlei was not going to disappoint us when it comes to the game-viewing experience!

Cape Buffalo

Curious Buffalo

Cape Buffalo

Eland

Red Hartebeest at sunrise

Hippo

Black-backed Jackal

Black-backed Jackal soaking up the first rays of the morning

Slender Mongoose

Yellow Mongoose

Serval walking away

Springbok

Waterbuck

Black Wildebeest

Black Wildebeest carcass – perhaps fell prey to the cheetah?

Plains Zebra

List of birds I’ve seen at Rietvlei during June and July 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan
Alopochen aegyptiaca	Kolgans	Egyptian Goose
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas capensis	Teeleend	Cape Teal
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Gryskopmeeu	Grey-headed Gull
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola fulvicapilla	Neddikkie	Neddicky
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Dryoscopus cubla	Sneeubal	Black-backed Puffback
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco peregrinus	Swerfvalk	Peregrine Falcon
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Klein Glansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Netta erythrophthalma	Bruineend	Southern Pochard
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Oena capensis	Namakwaduifie	Namaqua Dove
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Porphyrio madagascariensis	Grootkoningriethaan	African Swamphen
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spatula hottentota	Gevlekte Eend	Blue-billed Teal
Spatula smithii	Kaapse Slopeend	Cape Shoveler
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Streptopelia capicola	Gewone Tortelduif	Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia semitorquata	Grootringduif	Red-eyed Dove
Struthio camelus	Volstruis	Common Ostrich
Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kleindobbertjie	Little Grebe
Tadorna cana	Kopereend	South African Shelduck
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Zapornia flavirostra	Swartriethaan	Black Crake
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

List of mammals I’ve seen at Rietvlei during June and July 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
Antidorcas marsupialis	Springbok	Springbuck
Canis mesomelas	Rooijakkals	Black-backed Jackal
Ceratotherium simum	Witrenoster	White Rhinoceros
Connochaetes gnou	Swartwildebees	Black Wildebeest
Cynictis penicillata	Witkwasmuishond	Yellow Mongoose
Damaliscus pygargus	Blesbok	Blesbuck
Equus quagga	Bontsebra	Plains Zebra
Herpestes sanguineus	Swartkwasmuishond	Slender Mongoose
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Leptailurus serval	Tierboskat	Serval
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

If you’d like to join me on a guided tour of Rietvlei – on a hike or on an open vehicle drive – you can book through melanie@rietvleicoffee.co.za / +27(0)74-820-9926.

Back from Manyeleti Magic

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I am fresh back from our Manyeleti Magic Photo-Safari & Workshop hosted in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography out of Buffelshoek Tented Camp, and what a trip it was – without a question one of the best I have ever had, and with 40+ years of visiting South Africa’s wild places that takes some doing! Of course I will be telling you all about it in good time, but here’s a little taste of what you can look forward to.

Red-billed Oxpecker diving into a White Rhino’s ear

Spotted Hyena

Bateleur pair

Lilac-breasted Roller

Cheetah

Young male Lion

Magpie Shrike

One buffalo from a herd several hundred strong

Pearl-spotted Owlet

The head of a Southern African Rock Python encountered on our Manyeleti Magic Photographic Safari

Spotted Hyena

African Wild Dogs in playful mood before starting their hunt

A Buffalo standing on a dam wall gives an unusual perspective

White Rhino

Leopard

Hippo eyeing us from the waterhole

Cheetah

Lions after dark

One of the males from the Kambula Breakaway pride

Two of the Kambula Lions at Manyeleti

Buffalo taking a little longer to chew this prickly grasshead

Old Buffalo bull

Plains Zebras

Lilac-breasted Roller showing off its colours

Three new Lodges added to DeWetsWild’s portfolio: Cliffhanger, Leopard Rock and Recce

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DeWetsWild is pleased to announce that we’ve added three more wonderful lodges to the portfolio of destinations to which we offer a reservation service, can use on guided tours or for hosting photographic safaris and workshops. The lodges are located on a private game reserve just outside of Bela-Bela in the Limpopo Province, about 160km north of Pretoria. All three are ideally suited for groups of family and friends looking for a comfortable self-catered breakaway within easy reach of the Gauteng metros. The Kritzinger Family, the lodges’ owners who have decorated them very tastefully and furnished the houses with all the modern conveniences, very graciously hosted us there last week to experience it first hand.

Recce Lodge

Recce sleeps up to 12 guests in four air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed. Two of the rooms also have a loft with two single beds each, suitable only for children.

Recce Lodge

Leopard Rock Lodge

Leopard Rock boasts 3 en-suite bedrooms with a queen-size bed each, two bedrooms also having a loft suitable for 2 children on single beds with a third separate loft providing three single beds, thus accommodating a total of 13 guests.

Leopard Rock Lodge

Cliffhanger Lodge

Cliffhanger has a lovely setting overlooking a dam and the expansive bushveld beyond. Three en-suite bedrooms are furnished with a queen-size bed below and a loft with 2 single beds above (accessed with a ladder and only suitable for children), while a fourth bedroom with a queen-size bed, perfect as a honeymoon suite, perches below the main lodge.

Cliffhanger Lodge

The most direct route to Recce Lodge entails a drive of 18km gravel roads, while that to Cliffhanger and Leopard Rock is about 8km of gravel. Cliffhanger and Leopard Rock Lodges are located in an exclusive-use area of the reserve where private vehicles are not allowed on the game-viewing routes. Guests can however rent an open safari vehicle for self-guided traversing over this part of the reserve, or can book to join guided walks and drives. These options are also available to guests staying at Recce Lodge but guests who overnight there may also access the wider reserve road network which is open to all visitors in their own vehicles, though a vehicle with high ground clearance would be recommended. Aside from the attractions on the game reserve itself guests staying at Recce, Cliffhanger and Leopard Rock can use them as bases from which to explore other attractions in the Waterberg, not least of which is some terrific golf courses located nearby.

Nyala ewe

Plains Zebra

Giraffe and Impala

South African Tree Squirrels

Kudu cows

Kudu bull

Blue Wildebeest

White-backed Duck

Waterbuck bull

Guinea-fowl Butterfly

African Black Ducks

Nile Monitor

Waterberg Bushveld Scenery

If you’d like more information or would like to make a booking at Cliffhanger, Leopard Rock or Recce Lodge, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You are welcome to email us on dries@dewetswild.com with your request or alternatively complete the following form if you would like DeWetsWild to take care of your next reservation in the bushveld (the more detail you provide us, the better service we can provide to you):

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Name & Surname

Please give us the email address we should use for correspondence related to this reservation only.

Please tell us which of the three lodges - Cliffhanger, Leopard Rock or Recce - you'd want to stay at?

Please tell us how many adults and children the required reservation is for (and please provide the ages of the children at the time of the visit)

Please tell us the dates of your intended visit, and please be as specific as possible about your first night, last night and number of nights you're hoping for at the destination, etc.

Any other information you'd want us to be aware of? Give us as much information as possible so that we can provide you with the best possible service.

April ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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Isn’t it amazing how quickly the things we enjoy doing fly past!? I can’t believe another month of guiding drives at our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve is behind me already. Time then to take a look at what Rietvlei dished up in the month of April. Autumn is most definitely here and it is noticeable not only in the changing colours of the grass and leaves but also in the absence of most of the birds that visit our part of the world during summer.

Sunrise at Rietvlei

Julia Skimmer Dragonfly

Nile Monitor trying to swallow a huge crab

Reed seed

Black-chested Snake Eagle – with prey – in silhouette

Sharp-tooth Catfish at Marais Dam

Yellow-billed Duck in silhouette

Nile Monitor

Leopard Tortoise (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo in the wetland

Island View

I ticked 93 species of birds while guiding guests through the reserve this April.

Blacksmith Lapwing (photo by Joubert)

Immature Little Bittern

Bokmakierie

Red-knobbed Coot

Reed Cormorant (photo by Joubert)

White-breasted Cormorant

Pied Crow (photo by Joubert)

Cape Turtle Dove

Fork-tailed Drongo

African Black Duck

Yellow-billed Duck

African Fish Eagle

Immature Black-chested Snake Eagle

Cattle Egret

Peregrine Falcon

Black-necked Grebe

Little Grebe

Helmeted Guineafowl

Hadedas

Hamerkop

Black-headed Heron

Sacred Ibis

Giant Kingfisher (photo by Joubert)

Black-winged Kite

Wattled Lapwing

Rufous-naped Lark

Common Moorhen

Female ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Male ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Southern Pochard

Tawny-flanked Prinia

Streaky-headed Seed-eater

African Snipe

Cape Glossy Starling

African Stonechat

African Swamphen

Red-billed Teal

Cape Wagtail

Southern Masked Weaver

Long-tailed Widowbird male in transitional plumage

Red-throated Wryneck

One of the highlights of the month was watching this pair of Pied Starlings sharing tiny red berries.

African Pied Starlings

African Pied Starlings (photo by Joubert)

African Pied Starlings

African Pied Starlings (photo by Joubert)

African Pied Starlings

Fifteen species of mammal showed themselves during our drives in April.

African Buffalo

Blesbok (photo by Joubert)

Eland

Hippo

Black-backed Jackal

Black-backed Jackal (photo by Joubert)

Yellow Mongoose

Waterbuck

Waterbuck (photo by Joubert)

Black Wildebeest

Plains Zebras

Plains Zebra

Plains Zebras

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in April 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
Antidorcas marsupialis	Springbok	Springbuck
Canis mesomelas	Rooijakkals	Black-backed Jackal
Ceratotherium simum	Witrenoster	White Rhinoceros
Connochaetes gnou	Swartwildebees	Black Wildebeest
Cynictis penicillata	Witkwasmuishond	Yellow Mongoose
Damaliscus pygargus	Blesbok	Blesbuck
Equus quagga	Bontsebra	Plains Zebra
Herpestes sanguineus	Swartkwasmuishond	Slender Mongoose
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Hydrictis maculicollis	Kleinotter	Spotted-necked Otter
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland
Microchiroptera	Insekvretende vlermuis (spesie onbekend)	Insect-eating bat (species unknown)

List of birds seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in April 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan
Alopochen aegyptiaca	Kolgans	Egyptian Goose
Amandava subflava	Rooiassie	Orange-breasted Waxbill
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Apus caffer	Witkruiswindswael	White-rumped Swift
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Batis molitor	Witliesbosbontrokkie	Chinspot Batis
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Butorides striata	Groenrugreier	Green-backed Heron
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chalcomitra amethystina	Swartsuikerbekkie	Amethyst Sunbird
Chrysococcyx caprius	Diederikkie	Diederik Cuckoo
Cinnyris talatala	Witpenssuikerbekkie	White-belled Sunbird
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Columba arquatrix	Geelbekbosduif	African Olive Pigeon
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra gularis	Streepkopkanarie	Streaky-headed Seedeater
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Euplectes albonotatus	Witvlerkflap	White-winged Widowbird
Euplectes ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco biarmicus	Edelvalk	Lanner Falcon
Falco peregrinus	Swerfvalk	Peregrine Falcon
Falco rupicolus	Kransvalk	Rock Kestrel
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Hirundo rustica	Huisswael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Ixobrychus minutus	Klein Rietreier	Little Bittern
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Klein Glansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Megaceryle maxima	Reuse Visvanger	Giant Kingfisher
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Netta erythrophthalma	Bruineend	Southern Pochard
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Podiceps nigricollis	Swrtnekdobbertjie	Black-necked Grebe
Porphyrio madagascariensis	Grootkoningriethaan	African Swamphen
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparakiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Quelea quelea	Rooibekkwelea	Red-billed Quelea
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Streptopelia capicola	Gewone Tortelduif	Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia semitorquata	Grootringduif	Red-eyed Dove
Struthio camelus	Volstruis	Common Ostrich
Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kleindobbertjie	Little Grebe
Tadorna cana	Kopereend	South African Shelduck
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

If you’d like to join me on a guided tour of Rietvlei – on a hike or on an open vehicle drive – you can book through melanie@rietvleicoffee.co.za / +27(0)74-820-9926.

March ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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Since late February I’ve been guiding hiking groups and game drives in our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve on a freelance basis. Regular readers of our blog will know that we are rather fond of Rietvlei, so it is especially rewarding to be showcasing this special reserve in this way. I thought I might start doing a monthly round-up of what Rietvlei revealed while I explored it with my guests (assisted by Joubert who accompanied me on several of the trips).

Storm clouds building up over Rietvlei

A quiet corner of Rietvlei Dam

Doll’s Protea is in fact a member of the daisy family, despite its resemblance to protea flowers

An exotic fruit tree with a very pronounced browsing line!

Black Wildebeest, Plains Zebra and Eland share a hillside in Rietvlei

Black Wildebeest, Plains Zebra and Blesbok share a hillside in Rietvlei

Big herd of Eland

Green Milkweed Locust nymphs

Green Milkweed Locust

Red-veined Dropwing Dragonfly

Blue Pansy Butterfly

Broad-bordered Grass Yellow

African Leopard Butterfly

Black-tipped Acraea

Sandman Butterfly

Natal Acraea

Spotted Joker

Sooty Blue / African Grass Blue butterfly

Common Hottentot Skipper (male)

Long-tailed Blue Butterfly

Honey Bee on a Verbena flower

Sharptooth Catfish feeding on duckweed (photo by Joubert)

Nile Monitor

Speckled Rock Skink

Baby Speckled Rock Skink

Leopard Tortoise

All counted I managed to see and identify 111 species of birds at Rietvlei in the month of March, including a couple of summer visitors that will soon depart for warmer climes. You can find the complete list at the end of this post.

European Bee-eaters

Red Bishop male

Red Bishop female

Bokmakierie

Dark-capped Bulbul

Zitting Cisticola

Reed Cormorant

Diederik Cuckoo

African Black Duck

Carolina Wood Duck male in eclipse plumage

Carolina Wood Duck female (photo by Joubert)

Yellow-billed Duck

Yellow-billed Ducks

Black-chested Snake Eagle

Long-crested Eagle

Cattle Egret

Peregrine Falcon

Cuckoo Finch male

Spotted Flycatcher

Cape Grassbird

Helmeted Guineafowl chick (photo by Joubert)

Black-headed Heron

Green-backed Heron

Giant Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

Northern Black Korhaan male

Eastern Long-billed Lark

Rufous-naped Lark

Blacksmith Lapwing

Crowned Lapwing

African Wattled Lapwing

Cape Longclaws

Cape Longclaw

Common Moorhen

Speckled Mousebird

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

Ostrich face

Ostriches

Marsh Owl

Southern Pochard female

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard (photo by Joubert)

Common Fiscal

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Swainson’s Spurfowl

Pied Starlings pecking flies from the back of a rhino

Pied Starling

African Stonechat female

African Stonechat

White-throated Swallow

Red-billed Teals

Spotted Thick-knee

Cape Wagtail

Willow Warbler

Common Waxbills

Pin-tailed Whydah

Red-throated Wryneck

A recently independent Black-chested Snake Eagle has put on some amazing displays.

Immature Black-chested Snake Eagle

The males of various kinds of widow-birds were still displaying in their feathery finery early in the month, desperately trying to mate with as many females as possible before the end of the summer breeding season. By the end of the month they were rapidly transitioning into their drabber winter garb.

White-winged Widowbird

Long-tailed Widowbird

Long-tailed Widowbird female

Long-tailed Widowbird

Long-tailed Widowbird having lost much of its breeding plumage (photo by Joubert)

The biggest birding highlight of the month for me was my first ever sighting of an Orange River Francolin, taking my tally to 611 species of bird seen in South Africa.

At the end of the summer season Rietvlei’s mammals are in excellent condition and during the month of March I recorded 16 species. The tall grass made it difficult to spot the smaller species though and the list might grow as we progress through autumn and winter.

Black-backed Jackal

Black-backed Jackals

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Buffalo calf

Buffalo family

Buffalo calf

Buffalo bull

Buffalo cows and calf

Buffalo bull

Buffalo cow

Buffalo bull

Cheetah

Eland

For their size eland are remarkable jumpers!

Hippopotamus

Red Hartebeest

Waterbuck

Plains Zebra

If you’d like to join me on a guided tour of Rietvlei – on a hike or on an open vehicle drive – you can book through melanie@rietvleicoffee.co.za / +27(0)74-820-9926.

List of birds seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during March 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan
Aix sponsa	Carolina Eend	Wood Duck
Alopochen aegyptiaca	Kolgans	Egyptian Goose
Amandava subflava	Rooiassie	Orange-breasted Waxbill
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anomalospiza imberbis	Koekoekvink	Cuckoo-Finch
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Apus apus	Europese Windswael	Common Swift
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Asio capensis	Vlei-uil	Marsh Owl
Batis molitor	Witliesbosbontrokkie	Chinspot Batis
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Butorides striata	Groenrugreier	Green-backed Heron
Calendulauda sabota	Sabota Lewerik	Sabota Lark
Caprimulgus pectoralis	Afrikaanse Naguil	Fiery-necked Nightjar
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vlieloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Certhilauda semitorquata	Grasveldlangbeklewerik	Eastern Long-billed Lark
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chalcomitra amethystina	Swartsuikerbekkie	Amethyst Sunbird
Chrysococcyx caprius	Diederikkie	Diederik Cuckoo
Cinnyris talatala	Witpenssuikerbekkie	White-belled Sunbird
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Coturnix coturnix	Afrikaanse Kwartel	Common Quail
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra gularis	Streepkopkanarie	Streaky-headed Seedeater
Cypsiurus parvus	Palmwindswael	African Palm Swift
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Euplectes afer	Goudgeelvink	Yellow-crowned Bishop
Euplectes albonotatus	Witvlerkflap	White-winged Widowbird
Euplectes ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco biarmicus	Edelvalk	Lanner Falcon
Falco peregrinus	Swerfvalk	Peregrine Falcon
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Glaucidium perlatum	Witkoluiltjie	Pearl-spotted Owlet
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Hirundo rustica	Huisswael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Klein Glansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lanius minor	Gryslaksman	Lesser Grey Shrike
Lophaetus occipitalis	Langkuifarend	Long-crested Eagle
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Megaceryle maxima	Reuse Visvanger	Giant Kingfisher
Merops apiaster	Europese Byvreter	European Bee-eater
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Muscicapa striata	Europese Vlieevanger	Spotted Flycatcher
Netta erythrophthalma	Bruineend	Southern Pochard
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Nycticorax nycticorax	Gewone Nagreier	Black-crowned Night Heron
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Phylloscopus trochilus	Hofsanger	Willow Warbler
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparakiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Streptopelia capicola	Gewone Tortelduif	Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia semitorquata	Grootringduif	Red-eyed Dove
Struthio camelus	Volstruis	Common Ostrich
Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kleindobbertjie	Little Grebe
Tadorna cana	Kopereend	South African Shelduck
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Terpsiphone viridis	Paradysvlieevanger	African Paradise Flycatcher
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Vidua macroura	Koningrooibekkie	Pin-tailed Whydah
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during March 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acinonyx jubatus	Jagluiperd	Cheetah
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
Antidorcas marsupialis	Springbok	Springbuck
Canis mesomelas	Rooijakkals	Black-backed Jackal
Ceratotherium simum	Witrenoster	White Rhinoceros
Chlorocebus pygerythrus	Blouaap	Vervet Monkey
Connochaetes gnou	Swartwildebees	Black Wildebeest
Cynictis penicillata	Witkwasmuishond	Yellow Mongoose
Damaliscus pygargus	Blesbok	Blesbuck
Equus quagga	Bontsebra	Plains Zebra
Herpestes sanguineus	Swartkwasmuishond	Slender Mongoose
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Hydrictis maculicollis	Kleinotter	Spotted-necked Otter
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

Manyeleti Magic, 27 June to 1 July 2024

8 Replies

DeWetsWild and Hannes Rossouw Photography invite you to Manyeleti Magic, 27 June to 1 July 2024. A one-of-a-kind photographic safari in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve, an integral part of the Greater Kruger National Park.

Serene Sirheni, 1 to 5 May 2024

6 Replies

DeWetsWild, Hannes Rossouw Photography and Irving Knight Safaris invite you to a one-of-a-kind photographic safari in the Kruger National Park. Serene Sirheni, 1 to 5 May 2024.

Picture Balule, 26 April to 1 May 2024

2 Replies

DeWetsWild, Hannes Rossouw Photography and Irving Knight Safaris invite you to a one-of-a-kind photographic safari in the Kruger National Park. Picture Balule, 26 April to 1 May 2024.

DeWetsWild and Tembe Elephant Park!

11 Replies

DeWetsWild is proud to announce that we can now assist with reservations for and guided tours of what is unquestionably one of South Africa’s diamonds – the Tembe Elephant Park!

Visitors can look forward to spending time with some of the country’s biggest tuskers, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes and rare species like African wild dogs and sunis, while staying in the comfortable accommodation offered by one of the continent’s most affordable full service lodges in a “Big 5” reserve and being looked after by the most hospitable people.

If you feel like treating yourself to a bush retreat, have a read here and then chat to me about Tembe Elephant Park!

The school is on the move!

15 Replies

During a visit in November to Rietvlei Nature Reserve on Pretoria’s outskirts, along with friend and colleague Hannes Rossouw, we were treated to the show of hundreds of Sharptooth Catfish trying to move upstream following a good downpour the day before. What an amazing spectacle it was!

Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve

The reason why they’re moving upstream is to mate and lay eggs in newly inundated areas. These catfish were videoed at the Marais Dam in the reserve, vying for mating rights and the best spots to lay and fertilise their eggs.

Remember that I am available to escort you on a guided tour of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve when you visit Pretoria, and that Hannes will gladly accompany us if you’re looking for tips from an expert wildlife photography tutor!