De Wets Wild

23/04/2024

Eurystomus glaucurus A bird of moist savannas, woodlands and forests, often found near large rivers and permanent water bodies, the Broad-billed Roller subsists on a diet that is mainly made up of termite and ant alates, beetles and other invertebrates caught in flight. They start breeding after good rains, nesting in holes in dead trees where clutches of 2-4 chicks are raised....

Eurystomus glaucurus A bird of moist savannas, woodlands and forests, often found near large rivers and permanent water bodies, the Broad-billed Roller subsists on a diet that is mainly made up of …

20/04/2024

Coracias naevius The Purple Roller occurs fairly widely in the woodland and savannah areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, and the IUCN considers it to be of least concern. Here in South Africa they're found from the north of Kwazulu-Natal through the Lowveld and Bushveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo to the North West Province and Kalahari regions of the Northern Cape…...

Coracias naevius The Purple Roller occurs fairly widely in the woodland and savannah areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, and the IUCN considers it to be of least concern. Here in South Africa they’r…

17/04/2024

Hydroprogne (Sterna) caspia While the IUCN considers the global population of the Caspian Tern as being of least concern, with the species being found on all the continents except South America and Antarctica, the South African population is considered to be vulnerable and is estimated at less than 1,000 adults birds with only about 300 breeding pairs in the country....

Hydroprogne (Sterna) caspia While the IUCN considers the global population of the Caspian Tern as being of least concern, with the species being found on all the continents except South America and…

14/04/2024

Phylloscopus trochilus The Willow Warbler is a bird that visits South Africa during our summer months, the first ones arriving towards the end of September and the last departing again by May. While they're here they may be found in all our provinces, though they rarely venture into the dry western parts of the country. Willow Warblers breed across…...

Phylloscopus trochilus The Willow Warbler is a bird that visits South Africa during our summer months, the first ones arriving towards the end of September and the last departing again by May. Whil…

11/04/2024

Lampides boeticus One of the most widespread butterflies in the world, being found in Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa, the Pea Blue, or Long-tailed Blue, occurs all over South Africa. They're quite catholic in their habitat requirements and very common in gardens. They can be a pest where peas and beans are farmed; the larvae feeding on plants from the legume family.

Lampides boeticus One of the most widespread butterflies in the world, being found in Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa, the Pea Blue, or Long-tailed Blue, occurs all over South Africa. They& #8217…

08/04/2024

Netta erythrophthalma The Southern Pochard is a species of duck found in both Africa and South America. They occur naturally in wetlands with deep water and lots of water plants but have also adapted to farm dams and sewage treatment works. They feed on seeds and leaves, usually taken from the water by diving and dabbling. Southern Pochards may breed throughout the year in response to favourable conditions....

Netta erythrophthalma The Southern Pochard is a species of duck found in both Africa and South America. They occur naturally in wetlands with deep water and lots of water plants but have also adapt…

07/04/2024

This video I took on De Wets Wild and Hannes Rossouw Photography's 2023 trip to Manyeleti is a reminder of one of the most incredible experiences we have ever had in the bush: four leopards - a male, female and two cubs - feeding on two carcasses hoisted into the trees above our heads in the same spot at the same time! Just listen to Hannes' camera working those shots!

I can't wait to find out what Manyeleti will dish up for us this year. Have a look in the comments where I will post some more information about our June 2024 trip (limited space still available to join us!) and links to the complete video and more photo's taken during our 2023 visit. Manyeleti is a special wilderness - come with us!

06/04/2024

https://idsw.darksky.org/pledge?recruiter_id=29489&fbclid=IwAR0PX05anZYpAPf5Rrmv21OpHb6BYj9H--TLM6_SoVxisdbAGNmG1pKFGH4_aem_AUDckhTokPKDW2wnMZTxMyrhOP04NCPtANyg7lKxyxcO7UxEia27ki5AyQdjS0UbJFsHmCkollnsuLFxePIRjVvc

This simple activity takes no time at all! Show the world your support for dark skies and the protection of nighttime environments by linking your name to the cause.

05/04/2024

Genus Spialia The Sandmen is a familiar and widespread genus of tiny butterflies, with some species occurring in almost every corner of South Africa in almost every habitat, from forests to semi-deserts, while others have extremely limited ranges and very specific habitat requirements. They all look very similar and are difficult to identify to species level in the field. Adults have a wingspan of only 2-3cm and fly low to the ground, settling often on fresh dung, flowers, leaves, rocks or on the bare ground and regularly returning to the same spot....

Genus Spialia The Sandmen is a familiar and widespread genus of tiny butterflies, with some species occurring in almost every corner of South Africa in almost every habitat, from forests to semi-de…

02/04/2024

Asio capensis The Marsh Owl inhabits wetlands, covered by reeds and sedges, and tall grasslands, occasionally venturing into areas of thorny savanna, and are quite nomadic. Where it occurs it is seen more easily than most other kinds of owls as they are often active from early dusk till well after first light, especially when feeding chicks. They're also much more social than others of their kind and may congregate in groups of more than 50 birds outside of the breeding season....

Asio capensis The Marsh Owl inhabits wetlands, covered by reeds and sedges, and tall grasslands, occasionally venturing into areas of thorny savanna, and are quite nomadic. Where it occurs it is se…

01/04/2024

This is going to be a most memorable trip! Don't miss your chance - time and space is running out! De Wets Wild and Hannes Rossouw Photography can't wait to show you the Manyeleti!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz9qKSCnJGc

30/03/2024

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 (...

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…

26/03/2024

Acrocephalus baeticatus As its name suggests the African Reed Warbler is a small (∼10g in weight, ∼13cm in length) insectivorous bird closely associated with reedbeds and wetlands and even garden ponds, farm dams, sewage works and sugar-cane fields. African Reed Warblers are monogamous and territorial and breed during spring and summer. Their nest is a cup-shaped construction of grass and reed leaves attached to emergent vegetation or willow twigs drooping over the water....

Acrocephalus baeticatus As its name suggests the African Reed Warbler is a small (∼10g in weight, ∼13cm in length) insectivorous bird closely associated with reedbeds and wetlands and even garden p…

26/03/2024

Kgalagadi cancellation up for grabs for the winter holiday! Urikaruus and Nossob Riverview!

25/03/2024

Still struggling to find space in the Kruger National Park for the winter holidays?
De Wets Wild can help!

24/03/2024

De Wets Wild and Hannes Rossouw Photography will be visiting Manyeleti during the 2024 winter holidays - 27 June to 1 July. Who'll be joining us for this very special package? Hannes will help you get the most out of your photographic equipment and Dries will be sharing interesting facts about the wildlife we encounter and the history of the Lowveld. More here: https://fb.me/e/5GU2XlAiz

23/03/2024

Afrogecko porphyreus A nocturnal gecko that is endemic to South Africa and occurs only in pockets of our Eastern and Western Cape Provinces, the Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko is commonly found in rocky areas, fallen trees and in and around houses within the fynbos biome. It would appear that they're not territorial and are often found in close proximity to several other individuals of the same species where food is plentiful....

Afrogecko porphyreus A nocturnal gecko that is endemic to South Africa and occurs only in pockets of our Eastern and Western Cape Provinces, the Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko is commonly found in rocky a…

20/03/2024

Salicornia perennis The Perennial Glasswort is a creeping, low growing - up to only about 30cm high - succulent plant adapted to growing in soil with extreme salinity, occurring along coastlines of Africa, Europe and North and South America. It thrives in areas subject to calm tidal inundation, like the salt marshes of the Langebaan Lagoon in our West Coast National Park…

Salicornia perennis The Perennial Glasswort is a creeping, low growing – up to only about 30cm high – succulent plant adapted to growing in soil with extreme salinity, occurring along c…

17/03/2024

Spatula hottentota A shy bird that is easily overlooked, the Blue-billed Teal inhabits permanent freshwater wetlands with densely vegetated banks and lush emergent vegetation like rushes and reeds. They're omnivores and their diet includes a wide variety of aquatic plants and invertebrates and occasionally even frogs. Blue-billed Teals are usually encountered in pairs or small flocks. Blue-billed Teals breed mainly towards the end of summer and into early autumn....

Spatula hottentota A shy bird that is easily overlooked, the Blue-billed Teal inhabits permanent freshwater wetlands with densely vegetated banks and lush emergent vegetation like rushes and reeds.…

14/03/2024

Carissa macrocarpa The Natal Plum - also known as the Big Num-num - is an evergreen shrub species that thrives in coastal bush and forests stretching from the district of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape to southern Mozambique. Its usual growth form is a densely leafed, spiny shrub up to about 4m high. It is a popular garden plant in frost-free areas as it lends itself perfectly to being trimmed into a hedge, its pure white blossoms smell of citrus flowers and the large fruit are edible in their entirety - it is even used in jams - and extremely rich in vitamin C, magnesium and phosphorous.

Carissa macrocarpa The Natal Plum – also known as the Big Num-num – is an evergreen shrub species that thrives in coastal bush and forests stretching from the district of Gqeberha (form…

14/03/2024

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 ...

13/03/2024

Hannes Rossouw Photography
Hannes Rossouw
Dries De Wet
De Wets Wild

11/03/2024

Anas capensis An inhabitant of permanent and ephemeral wetlands of varying salinity, the Cape Teal feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates and tadpoles with plant material making up a smaller part of its diet. They have also adapted to using farm dams and sewage ponds and greatly expanded their range as a result. They're usually seen in pairs or small mixed flocks, though they may congregate in enormous numbers on deep water when moulting....

Anas capensis An inhabitant of permanent and ephemeral wetlands of varying salinity, the Cape Teal feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates and tadpoles with plant material making up a smaller part of…

11/03/2024

08/03/2024

Graphium antheus A big and striking butterfly, the Large Striped Swordtail inhabits moist savannas and coastal forests and in South Africa can be seen through most of Limpopo, low-lying parts of Mpumalanga and most of Kwazulu-Natal. Adults of both sexes, on the wing from spring to autumn and boasting a wingspan of around 7cm, can often be seen visiting flowers but the males - as depicted in some of the images below - are especially fond of muddy puddles as well and will often congregate there in large numbers. These butterflies are very strong fliers.

Graphium antheus A big and striking butterfly, the Large Striped Swordtail inhabits moist savannas and coastal forests and in South Africa can be seen through most of Limpopo, low-lying parts of Mp…

07/03/2024

05/03/2024

Cisticola juncidis The Zitting Cisticola - also known as the Streaked Fantail Warbler in parts of its range - is the most widely distributed of its family and occurs over much of Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia with most of these populations being resident year round. In South Africa it is found in all our provinces, being absent only from the driest parts in the west of the country. ...

Cisticola juncidis The Zitting Cisticola – also known as the Streaked Fantail Warbler in parts of its range – is the most widely distributed of its family and occurs over much of Africa…

02/03/2024

In celebration of World Wildlife Day we take a look back at the 75 species of South African wildlife we featured in detail here at DeWetsWild through the past twelve months.

In celebration of World Wildlife Day we take a look back at the 75 species of South African wildlife we featured in detail here at DeWetsWild through the past twelve months.

01/03/2024

Come discover the secrets of Manyeleti with De Wets Wild and Hannes Rossouw Photography with this wonderful package at an excellent rate!