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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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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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Fast Cats on Red Sands: a must-read for Kalahari lovers

19/4/2023

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By Roxanne Reid
If you love wildlife and the Kalahari in general and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in particular, you’ll really love reading the recently published book Fast Cats on Red Sands: The lives of Kalahari Cheetahs and their researchers by Gus and Margie Mills. Read on to find out why.

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Tankwa Karoo National Park: everything you need to know

25/1/2023

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Tankwa Karoo National Park: Elandsberg wilderness camp

By Roxanne Reid
There’s a matchless sense of place here in the Tankwa Karoo. If wide open spaces, big skies and silence appeal to you, you’ll love the Tankwa Karoo National Park. Although the peace and serenity you can find at the cottages and campsites may lull you into lethargy, there’s plenty to do and see. Here’s everything you need to know, from things to do and accommodation to roads and tips for making the most of your experience.

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World Heritage Sites in South Africa and why to visit them

8/6/2022

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By Roxanne Reid
[Updated July 2024]
Some places have exceptional universal value, whether in terms of their cultural or natural significance. Giving them protection status is a way to foster their preservation for generations to come. On the tip of Africa is a country rich in places that deserve such safeguards. Here are 12 sites that have been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa.

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Best South African holiday destinations and places to visit

26/3/2021

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Best South African holiday destinations: Cape Town

By Roxanne Reid
If you were to compile a bucket list of places in South Africa you have to visit at least once in your life, what would you include? For me they’d need to offer something special in the way of nature, wildlife, beaches, culture and heritage, activities and experiences. Here’s a roundup of 20 of the best South African holiday destinations including a bucket list of places to visit if you haven’t already.

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15 things to do in Sutherland in the Karoo

14/10/2020

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By Roxanne Reid
You might come to Sutherland in the Karoo, South Africa, for the stars or the snow, but there are lots of other things to do and see in this little town 110km north of Matjiesfontein on the R354. We found ourselves enjoying it as much for the history and people as for the clear night skies that make it famous. Here’s my pick of 15 things to do in Sutherland.

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Namaqua National Park guide: everything you need to know

2/9/2020

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Namaqua National Park: everything you need to know

By Roxanne Reid
Think carpets of spring flowers, giant rock formations, star-filled night skies and the pounding of the Atlantic Ocean. This is the Namaqua National Park south-west of Springbok in South Africa’s Northern Cape. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know.

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20 reasons why you shouldn’t visit the Kalahari

13/5/2020

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Kalahari lion brothers, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

By Roxanne Reid
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of South Africa’s most popular game reserves, especially with more adventurous visitors who don’t mind a bit of rough and tumble, some dust with their morning eggs. Who knows why, when there are at least 20 reasons why you shouldn’t visit the Kalahari.

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