Tag Archives: picnic spots

July ’25 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

June and July was busy months for me and there wasn’t much opportunity to guide walks and drives at Rietvlei Nature Reserve the past two months. Still, on the few occasions I could, we had marvelous sightings even if the winter weather was bitterly cold!

Spotted-necked Otter

Malachite Kingfisher

African Darter

White-breasted Cormorants

Island View at Rietvlei in the early morning

Sacred Ibis

Dabchick

Sacred Ibis

White-breasted Cormorant

Grey-headed Gull

Reed Cormorant

Greater Flamingo

Egyptian Goose

Reed Cormorant

Lesser Swamp Warbler

Red-knobbed Coot

Reed Cormorant

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Malachite Kingfisher

Wattled Lapwing

Spotted Dikkop

African Stone-chat

Common Duiker

Cape Glossy Starling

Yellow-eyed Canary

Ring-necked Parakeet

Black Sparrowhawk with a dove it killed being mobbed by a Pied Crow

Black Sparrowhawk with a dove it killed

Young Buffalo

Red Hartebeest

Island View Hide

African Stone-chat

Reed Cormorant

Buffalo bull

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Frost covering a wooden railing

Blesbok

African Pipit

Ostriches

Buffalo bull

Young buffalo

Waterbuck bull

Black-chested Prinia

Arrow-marked Babbler

Blesbok

Buffalo bull

White Rhino’s ear

Yellow-billed Duck

Green-backed Heron

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 June & July 2025:

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 undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Ardeola ralloides	Ralreier	Squacco Heron
Astur melanoleucus	Swartsperwer	Black Sparrowhawk
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Butorides striata	Groenrugreier	Green-backed Heron
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Gryskopmeeu	Grey-headed Gull
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola fulvicapilla	Neddikkie	Neddicky
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dendrocygna viduata	Nonnetjie-eend	White-faced Whistling Duck
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
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 orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Megaceryle maxima	Reusevisvanger	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
Phoenicopterus roseus	Grootflamink	Greater Flamingo
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Platalea alba	Lepelaar	African Spoonbill
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
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
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
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 seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during June & July 2025:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
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
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Hydrictis maculicollis	Kleinotter	Spotted-necked Otter
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Sylvicapra grimmia	Grysduiker	Common Duiker
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

May ’25 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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With May drawing to a close I can reflect on the blessing of more chances to explore our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve with guests interested in learning more about this little piece of paradise right on our capital city’s doorstep. Winter’s definitely starting to bite, and sightings of of reptiles and butterflies are dwindling.

Eland, with Rietvlei Dam in the background

Painted Lady Butterfly

Puff Adder

Speckled Rock Skink

Juvenile Mole Snake

The migrant birds that spend the summer in our part of the world have disappeared, and the resident birds have exchanged their best summer breeding plumage for drabber colouration. Nevertheless, Rietvlei is still an amazing place for bird watchers and I ticked off 96 species in the past month.

African Darter

African Pipit

Arrow-marked Babbler

Bearded Woodpecker

Black-chested Snake Eagle

Blue-billed Teal

Brown-crowned Tchagra

Cape Glossy Starling

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Fiscal Flycatcher

Fork-tailed Drongo

Green-backed Heron

Green Woodhoopoe

Grey Go-away Bird

Northern Black Korhaan

Orange River Francolins

Reed Cormorant – feeding time!

Reed Cormorant

Streaky-headed Seed-eater

Swainson’s Spurfowl

White-breasted Cormorant

Zitting Cisticola

With the veld opening up as the grass starts drying the mammal viewing at Rietvlei is definitely getting easier, with the larger herbivorous animals starting to congregate near water and in areas with greener pastures.

Eland

Waterbuck cow

Red Hartebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Plains Zebra drinking

Waterbuck bull

Hippopotamus

Black Wildebeest

Buffalo

Serval

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 May 2025:

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
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Ardea purpurea	Rooireier	Purple Heron
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Butorides striata	Groenrugreier	Green-backed Heron
Campethera bennettii	Bennettse speg	Bennett’s Woodpecker
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Gryskopmeeu	Grey-headed Gull
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
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 ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco biarmicus	Edelvalk	Lanner Falcon
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Hirundo rustica	Europese Swael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Indicator minor	Kleinheuningwyser	Lesser Honeyguide
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Micronisus gabar	Kleinsingvalk	Gabar Goshawk
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
Platalea alba	Lepelaar	African Spoonbill
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Porphyrio madagascariensis	Grootkoningriethaan	African Swamphen
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Riparia paludicola	Afrikaanse Oewerswael	Brown-throated Martin
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Scleroptila levaillantii	Rooivlerkpatrys	Red-winged Francolin
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spatula hottentota	Gevlekte Eend	Blue-billed Teal
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
Tchagra australis	Rooivlerktjagra	Brown-crowned Tchagra
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
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

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during May 2025:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
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
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Leptailurus serval	Tierboskat	Serval
Suricata suricatta	Meerkat	Suricate
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

Mid-week Bird Photography outing to Marievale

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Wednesday last week, in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography, we headed to the Marievale Bird Sanctuary for a wonderful morning of bird watching and photography in one of Gauteng Province’s prime locations for these pursuits. If you’d like to join Hannes and me on our next trip to Marievale, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Marievale’s entrance

Map of Marievale

Ruff and Reed Cormorant

Marievale is covered by wetlands

Reed Cormorant

Southern Masked Weaver

Lesser Swamp Warbler

Red-knobbed Coot

Blue-billed Teal

Red-knobbed Coot

Yellow-billed Duck

White-throated Swallow

White-throated Swallow with a feather ir collected

White-throated Swallow

Whiskered Tern

Goliath Heron

African Darter

Blacksmith Lapwing

Reed Cormorant

Black Heron

Yellow-billed Stork

Squacco Heron

Spur-winged Goose

Large, hairy caterpillar (exact identity not certain)

Red Bishop

White-faced Whistling Ducks

February ’25 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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We’ve been having loads of rain in Pretoria since mid-December and our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve has turned into a lush green paradise where even rhinos and buffalo can disappear among the tall grass, in striking contrast to the fire-ravaged veld in early spring. The reserve was even closed due to flooding for a few days in February! Nature’s resilience is remarkable! The month of February marks a year since I started guiding guests on drives and walks through this special reserve on a freelance basis, and in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography we presented another “introduction to wildlife photography” workshop for aspirant wildlife photographers from Gauteng at the reserve in February as well.

Early morning at Rietvlei, on my way to meet my guests for the morning drive

Sunrise at Rietvlei

Sooty Blue butterfly pair

Speckled Rock Skink

Mosquito Fish

Common Diadem butterfly

Swainson’s Spurfowl landing on a dead branch

Storm building over Rietvlei

Heading home in the evening

The young Black-chested Snake Eagle is venturing further afield of the nest in which it was raised, though still returning to it regularly. I haven’t seen its parents at the nest at all during January and February, and suspect they’re probably coaxing the youngster to roam more widely by feeding it at other places.

Adult Black-chested Snake Eagle

Juvenile Black-chested Snake Eagle

Aside from the Black-chested Snake Eagles, Rietvlei’s grasslands, thorny thickets and wetlands are positively bursting at the seams with a wide-variety of other birds, several of them in enormous numbers.

African Black Duck

African Darter

African Quail Finch

African Stonechat

Amur Falcon

Banded Martin

Black-chested Prinia

Bokmakierie

Cape Grassbird

Cape Longclaw

Cattle Egret

Crowned Lapwing

Diederik Cuckoo

Fan-tailed Widowbird

Giant Kingfisher

Hamerkop

Orange-breasted Waxbills

Ostriches dustbathing

Ostriches

Ostriches females in a tiff

Pin-tailed Whydah male displaying to the female

Pin-tailed Whydah

Red Bishop

Red-billed Quelea

Red-collared Widowbird

Red-throated Wryneck

Reed Cormorant

Rufous-naped Lark

Southern Masked weaver

Spotted Thick-knee

Wattled Lapwing

Willow Warbler

Yellow-billed Duck

Yellow-fronted Canary

Zitting Cisticola

List of birds seen at Rietvlei in January and February 2025:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Coturnix coturnix	Afrikaanse Kwartel	Common Quail
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Tricholaema leucomelas	Bonthoutkapper	Acacia Pied Barbet
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Buteo buteo	Bruinjakkalsvoel	Common Buzzard
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Chrysococcyx caprius	Diederikkie	Diederik Cuckoo
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Merops apiaster	Europese Byvreter	European Bee-eater
Hirundo rustica	Europese Swael	Barn Swallow
Muscicapa striata	Europese Vlieevanger	Spotted Flycatcher
Apus apus	Europese Windswael	Common Swift
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Neophedina cincta	Gebande Oewerswael	Banded Martin
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ortygospiza atricollis	Gewone Kwartelvinkie	African Quail Finch
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Tringa hypoleucos	Gewone Ruiter	Common Sandpiper
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Streptopelia capicola	Gewone Tortelduif	Cape Turtle Dove
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Plegadis falcinellus	Glansibis	Glossy Ibis
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
Streptopelia semitorquata	Grootringduif	Red-eyed Dove
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
Phylloscopus trochilus	Hofsanger	Willow Warbler
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kleindobbertjie	Little Grebe
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Alopochen aegyptiaca	Kolgans	Egyptian Goose
Vidua macroura	Koningrooibekkie	Pin-tailed Whydah
Euplectes axillaris	Kortstertflap	Fan-tailed Whydah
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Falco amurensis	Oostelike Rooipootvalk	Amur Falcon
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Cypsiurus parvus	Palmwindswael	African Palm Swift
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Amandava subflava	Rooiassie	Orange-breasted Waxbill
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Quelea quelea	Rooibekkwelea	Red-billed Quelea
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Euplectes ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Amadina erythrocephala	Rooikopvink	Red-headed Finch
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Chalcomitra amethystina	Swartsuikerbekkie	Amethyst Sunbird
Apus barbatus	Swartwindswael	African Black Swift
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Asio capensis	Vlei-uil	Marsh Owl
Struthio camelus	Volstruis	Common Ostrich
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Apus caffer	Witkruiswindswael	White-rumped Swift
Euplectes albonotatus	Witvlerkflap	White-winged Widowbird
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan

The tall grass and lush vegetation is making it very difficult to see most of the mammals and especially the smaller kinds. One exception is the zebras, seeming to now prefer the reserve’s roads for walking from one grazing area to the next and giving me and my guests wonderful up-close encounters with these beautiful animals.

Black-backed Jackal with a bullfrog

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Buffalo

Plains Zebras

Plains Zebra

Plains Zebra female and foal

Plains Zebra foal getting a tail in the face

Plains Zebra

Plains Zebras

Red Hartebeest calf

Eland running across the road

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei in January and February 2025:

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

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.

More snaps from our summer days in the Mountain Zebra National Park

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For the majority of local and international tourists the Mountain Zebra National Park is probably one of the country’s most underestimated protected areas. Conservationists and those visitors who have fell under its spell, however, can’t praise the place highly enough. But don’t give away the secret – we love Mountain Zebra National Park for its untrammeled wilderness feeling far from the madding crowds!

During our visit earlier in January I posted a few photographs on a daily basis to give those following along on our travels a glimpse of what we were experiencing. Let’s start this recap with those.

Kudu bull eating sweet-thorn blossoms

Gemsbok

Black Rhino

Springbok ewe (photo by Joubert)

Blesbok lamb (photo by Joubert)

Mountain Zebra (photo by Joubert)

Young Kudu bull (photo by Joubert)

Black Rhino (photo by Joubert)

Speckled Mousebird

Mountain Zebra National Park: Scenery along the Kranskop Loop

Mountain Zebra family squabble

Black Wildebeest

Black Rhino

Springbok

Black Rhino

Ostrich chick

Yellow Mongoose

Ground Squirrel

Marsh Terrapin

Mountain Zebra

Kudu calf

Scenery in Mountain Zebra National Park

Of course, pride of place goes to the population of Cape Mountain Zebra, as saving these beautiful creatures from extinction was the reason behind the Park’s proclamation almost 90 years ago.

Cape Mountain Zebras

Cape Mountain Zebra

Cape Mountain Zebra foal

Cape Mountain Zebra foal being shy

Cape Mountain Zebra

Cape Mountain Zebra mare and foal

But of course, Mountain Zebra National Park is also home to an amazing variety of other wildlife that also finds a home in this beautiful landscape.

Ludwig’s Bustard

Chat Flycatcher

Blesbok

Warthog (photo by Joubert)

Southern African Ground Squirrel

Yellow Mongoose

Yellow Canary

Ammocharis lily

Brown-hooded Kingfisher

Four-striped Grass Mouse

Blesbok

Springbok herd on the move

Meerkat

Cape Longclaw

Familiar Chat

I suspect this is Cotyledon campanulata

Common River Frogs

Blue Cranes

Southern Ground Agama

Namaqua Sand Lizard

Springbok (photo by Joubert)

Eastern Clapper Lark

Blesbok lamb

Spike-heeled Lark

Black Wildebeest herd

Scaly-feathered Finch

Bar-throated Apalis

Red Hartebeest

Poynton’s River Frog

Southern African Ground Squirrels

Male Ostrich sunbathing

Blesbok Ram standing proud

Malachite Kingfisher (photo by Joubert)

Grey Rhebok

Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow

Nile Monitor

Male Buff-streaked Chat (photo by Joubert)

Common Brown Water Snake

Female Sentinel Rock Thrush

One of the most exciting sightings of our entire trip occurred early morning on our last full day in the Park, when we came across a herd of buffalo anxiously milling on the road at a precarious downhill stretch on the Kranskop Loop, just where it crosses a small stream. Only after some of the herd passed us, nerve-wreckingly due to the steep slope next to us parked off to the side of the very narrow roadway, we could go around the corner and saw the reason for the buffaloes’ distress – they were being stalked by two lionesses! The cats never went into a full blown attack while we were watching but seemed content to keep following the buffaloes and working on their nerves.

Buffalo roadblock

Buffalo herd on the move – photo by Joubert

Buffalo herd almost forcing their way past our vehicle on a narrow, steep road!

Buffalo close-up (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo

Very nervous buffalo cow – photo by Joubert

Nervous buffalo cow

Buffalo herd continuing over the stream and up the hill to get distance between them and the lions

Lioness

Lioness eyeing us and the buffaloes from the grass (photo by Joubert)

Lioness

Seen high from the Kranskop Loop Road the buffaloes are still trying to put distance between them and the lions

But the lionesses are following patiently behind

We ended our visit to Mountain Zebra National Park with a night drive. The Park is renowned for the quality sightings of otherwise rarely seen nocturnal creatures and our drive certainly did not disappoint!

Scrub Hare (photo by Joubert)

Bat-eared Fox (photo by Joubert)

Aardwolf (photo by Joubert)

DeWetsWild is proud to be a contracted reservations agent for the Mountain Zebra National Park, so whether you’d like us to assist you with a reservation to visit on your own or would like us to include the Park in a guided tour arranged specifically for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

More snaps from our summer days in the Addo Elephant National Park

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The Addo Elephant National Park is one of South Africa’s most visited wild places, and not without reason. The Park has a wealth of habitats and a wonderful array of wildlife, not least of which is the elephants that were the original reason for Addo’s proclamation. Furthermore it is such an easy destination to visit, with an excellent network of roads, conveniences like a shop and restaurant, and comfortable accommodation options for visitors.

Baby Elephant walking away with mom

Spekboom blossoms

Lots of activity at Rooidam

Bokmakierie

Elephant Bull

How’s the weather up there?

Warthog

Plains Zebra stallion

Black-backed Jackal

Cape Sparrows

Hyenas occupying a stretch of mud at Hapoor Dam

Buffaloes drinking at Hapoor

Black-backed Jackal

Red Hartebeest

Warthog

Elephant Bull

Elephant Bulls

Elephant Cows begging for a chance at the waterhole

Elephants enjoying the water and mud

Elephant youngster

Elephant rough-and-tumble

Zuurkop viewpoint

Spotted Hyena portrait

Plains Zebras

Elephant herd in a rush to water

Scrub Hare

Ndlovu Valley view

Juvenile Pale Chanting Goshawk

Elephant Bull at Hapoor Dam

Cattle Egrets

Buffaloes

Three little warthogs and an Elephant

Spotted Hyena

Ludwig’s Bustard

Black-backed Jackal

Warthog

Yellow Mongoose

The tip of an elephant’s trunk

Meerkats

Kudu bull

Common Duiker

Bushbuck

There’s no denying that Addo’s Elephants are the stars of the show – rightly so, considering how close the population were to being wiped out when the Park was proclaimed – but national parks like Addo conserve so much more than just the big, charismatic African fauna. Addo is richly endowed with various kinds of smaller, often less noticeable, plants and wildlife, and visitors who take care to look for them will find their visits endless enriched.

Wild Asparagus in bloom

Spekboom blooming

Bush Karoo Rat

Addo Flightless Dung Beetle

Brown-veined White butterflies congregating on wet dung

Bush Karoo Rat female with young

Tasman’s Girdled Lizard

Buquet’s Vagrant

Karoo Boer-bean

Crassula perforata

Snake Plant blooming

Robber Fly

Angulate Tortoise

Addo is also a haven for a wide variety of birds – we managed to identify 81 species during our four day visit.

Immature Fiscal Flycatcher

Red-necked Spurfowl

Malachite Sunbird

Black-headed Heron

Cattle Egret

Karoo Scrub-Robin

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron chick

African Spoonbill

Southern Boubou

Speckled Mousebird

Red-faced Mousebird

Forest Buzzard

Fiscal Shrike

Ant-eating Chat

Cape Crow

Pied Crow

Pale Chanting Goshawk

Southern Black Korhaan male

Helmeted Guineafowl

Bokmakierie

Red-billed Oxpeckers

Male Ostrich

Streaky-headed Seed-eater

Ludwig’s Bustard

Red-knobbed Coot chicks at the nest

Brimstone Canary

Female Southern Double-collared Sunbird

Cardinal Woodpecker (photo by Joubert)

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard (photo by Joubert)

Red-capped Lark (photo by Joubert)

Of course a national park on this continent will never grow famous if it isn’t home to a wide variety of charismatic mammals, and here Addo certainly ranks among the best of the best. Lions, hyenas, jackals, zebras, antelope, buffaloes and warthogs can pop out around any corner and are usually quite comfortable around humans in their vehicles, making for great photographic opportunities.

Plains Zebra

Plains Zebra smile

Plains Zebras

Warthog

Kudu bull in thick bush

Spotted Hyena

Black-backed Jackals

Plains Zebra foal

Buffaloes

Plains Zebra stallion

This warthog family almost ran straight into the jackal!

Warthog babies

Spotted Hyena

Black-backed Jackal

Lions on a distant hillside

And then, of course, there’s the elephants. Addo’s elephants are more relaxed than most other populations in the country and, if you are as enthralled with these beautiful animals as we are, you will enjoy the many up-close encounters Addo delivers with the giant pachyderms.

Elephants playing in the water

Elephant calf

Tiny Elephant calf

Elephant bull taking a drink of water

Two elephant bulls greeting each other

Elephant cows in Addo seldom have well developed tusks

Elephant cow and calf

Elephant herd in a rush to the waterhole

Close-up detail of an elephant’s tail

Elephant feeding on a Plumbago

DeWetsWild is proud to be a contracted reservations agent for the Addo Elephant National Park, so whether you’d like us to assist you with a reservation to visit on your own or would like us to include the Park in a guided tour arranged specifically for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

More snaps from our summer days in the Karoo National Park

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The Karoo National Park, a perennial favourite of ours, was the first major destination on our recent “summer trek” through the national parks and nature reserves of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces. The Karoo’s landscapes may be harsh, and its inhabitants equally tough, but there’s no denying that having so much open space around you has a very special allure.

During our visit I posted a few photographs on a daily basis to give those following along on our travels a glimpse of what we were experiencing. Let’s start this recap with those.

Camping at Karoo National Park, December 2024

Karoo Scenery

Gemsbok

Steenbok

Springbok

Amegilla Bee and Swartstorm bloom

Red Hartebeest

Sunset glow over the Rest Camp at Karoo National Park

Klipspringer Pass

Karoo Scenery

Pririt Batis

Klipspringer pair on Klipspringer Pass

Red Hartebeest Calf

Springbok youngsters

Fairy Flycatcher

Four-striped Grass Mouse

Karoo Prinia

The Karoo National Park has two major game-viewing loops accessible to visitors without a 4×4. The shortest of those is the route through the Lammertjiesleegte between the rest camp and the entrance gate. Along the way, the Bulkraal Picnic Site is a nice place to stretch your legs and look for habituated birds to photograph.

Bokmakierie (photo by Joubert)

Double-banded Courser

Karoo Long-billed Lark

Ludwig’s Bustard

Dusky Sunbird

Familiar Chat

Steenbok

Grey Rhebok

Karoo National Park’s Rest Camp is a delightful oasis in this thirstland, and besides being a safe and comfortable place for humans to spend the night it is also a magnet for a range of wildlife!

Small-spotted Genet visiting our campsite after dark

This kudu cow, obviously used to being fed by visitors, was a regular visitor to our tents

Rock Martin

Chestnut-vented Warbler

“Dikvoet” plant

Unidentified species of Robber Fly

Leopard Tortoise

Karoo Toad

Lesser Swamp Warbler

Marsh Terrapin at the waterhole next to the camp’s entrance

Platanna tadpole leaping like a fish from the water!

Western Rock Skink (female)

Southern Rock Agama

Karoo Num-num

Cape Skink

Leopard Tortoise seeking respite from the heat in the shade beneath our car

Cape Serotine Bat (photo by Joubert)

Southern Masked Weaver (photo by Joubert)

Four-striped Grass Mouse

Poison Bulb

The longer of the Karoo National Park’s all-access game-viewing loops is called Potlekkertjie, and incorporates the ingeniously constructed Klipspringer Pass. This beautiful drive has something to offer driven at any time of day, but is best enjoyed slowly early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sunlight catches the surrounding mountains and glades so beautifully. Halfway along visitors can have a picnic at secluded Doornhoek.

Klipspringer

Steenbok

Kudu calf

Bokmakierie

Red Hartebeest cow and calf

Karoo Korhaan

Spike-heeled Lark

Sickle-winged Chat

Ludwig’s Bustards

Grey Rhebok

Southern Rock Agama

Mountain Wheatear

Gemsbok

White-throated Canary

Rock Kestrel

Grey Rhebok

Mountain Zebra

Karoo Chat

Grey Rhebok

Western Rock Skink

Steenbok

Eland

Karoo Girdled Lizard

Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko

Baboons

Ground Agama in a tree

Klipspringer on the ledge! (photo by Joubert)

Klipspringer (photo by Joubert)

Gemsbok calves

Short-toed Rock Thrushes

Dassie family

Mountain Zebra

Red Hartebeest Calf

Karoo Long-billed Lark

Eland

Pale-winged Starling

Cape Clapper Lark

Leopard Tortoise

DeWetsWild is proud to be a contracted reservations agent for the Karoo National Park, so whether you’d like us to assist you with a reservation to visit on your own or would like us to include the Park in a guided tour arranged specifically for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Summer Trek – Mountain Zebra, 9 January 2025

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Our final full day at Mountain Zebra National Park started with great excitement when we found two lionesses following a very nervous herd of buffalo. As per usual the Park delivered the goods all day long. We’re undertaking a guided night drive later tonight and looking forward to even more special encounters to conclude our visits to the national parks and nature reserves of the Western and Eastern Cape. Thank you to all those who joined us on our travels – I promise to respond to all your kind comments in the next few days.