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Kalahari’s small wonders: look beyond the big cats

21/7/2026

Flowers on Kalahari sand, Kgagadi Transfrontier Park

By Roxanne Reid
There’s a special magic in the red sands of the Kalahari that you miss if you fixate exclusively on its superstars – lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Yes, these big cats are fascinating to watch, especially when they interact with each other or with prey. But if you’re screeching from one big cat sighting to another, you’ll miss some of the deeper satisfaction that comes from slowing down and tuning into a quieter world – the realm of small animals, tracks, plants, or a flash of butterfly wings.

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18 things to do at Mokala National Park

16/6/2026

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Buffaloes at waterhole, Mokala National Park

By Roxanne Reid
Tucked away off the N12, about 75km southwest of Kimberley in the Northern Cape, Mokala is a malaria-free protected area that makes an ideal stopover on a road trip between Cape Town and Joburg. But don’t rush your visit; stay at least two or three nights to surrender to its magic and explore some of these things to do in Mokala National Park.

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How to stay safe while watching elephants in the wild

27/5/2026

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By Roxanne Reid
I’ll bet you’ve seen more than one news report about humans behaving badly around wild animals, especially elephants. Unfortunately for the humans, their transgressions are often captured on video for the rest of us to shake our heads at in disbelief. Here are some practical tips on how to stay safe while watching elephants in the wild.

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Why you’ll love Afsaal Cottage in the Karoo National Park

17/3/2026

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By Roxanne Reid
We’re sitting on our stoep in the middle of a wildlife area, watching mountain zebras and red hartebeest shuffle through the dust to drink at our own private waterhole. A black-backed jackal is calling in the distance as the sun sinks below the horizon and sets the clouds on fire. Read on to discover why you’ll love Afsaal Cottage in the Karoo National Park.

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CapeNature reserves: Cederberg to Kogelberg and more

19/8/2025

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Cape Nature reserves: Stadsaal caves, Cederberg

By Roxanne Reid
What I love about CapeNature reserves is how they balance looking after nature with letting people actually experience it. Conservation is the top priority (as it should be), but they understand that ecotourism is a brilliant way to get people excited about nature – and also help fund the work that keeps these places protected. Here are some of my favourite spots, stretching from the rugged Cederberg all the way to the wild beauty of Kogelberg and beyond.

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17 things to do in the Karoo National Park

21/7/2025

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By Roxanne Reid
Out in South Africa’s dry, rugged heartland lies a wealth of wild animals, fossils and geology, a profusion of soaring cliffs and sweeping landscapes that beg to be explored. You’ll spot the entrance to this special place just off the N1, about 6km south of Beaufort West in the Karoo. Ready for an adventure? Here are my top 17 things to do in the Karoo National Park.

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Best things to do at Etosha National Park, Namibia

22/4/2025

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By Roxanne Reid
Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is one of my favourite places for a wildlife safari. The huge white salt flats of Etosha Pan and the wide open spaces make it very different to the bushveld of many other national parks in southern Africa. Fairly easy to spot game too. Here’s my pick of the best things to do at Etosha.

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17 things to do at Augrabies Falls National Park

18/3/2025

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By Roxanne Reid
Augrabies. About 120km west of Upington in the Northern Cape, it’s a place that feels like another world. While the Augrabies Falls are understandably the centrepiece, there’s way more to the national park than that. For instance, think arid-adapted plants and animals, interesting rocks, hikes, and more. Here’s my pick of 17 things to do at Augrabies Falls National Park.

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Why everyone should visit Okaukuejo, Etosha

8/1/2025

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Okaukuejo waterhole, Etosha National Park, Namibia

By Roxanne Reid
Namibia Wildlife Resorts upped its prices by monstrous amounts in 2007, and they’ve gone up every year since then. For a long time after the huge upgrade, we avoided Etosha National Park’s Okaukuejo camp. But we made a comeback to the campsite a few years later, which reminded us of how fabulous that floodlit waterhole at camp really is.

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15 things to do in the Cederberg mountains

19/11/2024

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Things to do in the Cederberg mountains: Truitjisekraal

By Roxanne Reid
About 220km from Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness Area makes a great weekend getaway. Whether you’re all about hiking and mountain biking or more of a heritage and culture buff, there’s something for everyone. And if you just want to kick back with a glass of wine and soak in the view of the mountains as the clouds drift by, that’s fine too. Here’s my pick of things to do in the Cederberg.

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