S Africa - Wetlands and Avoca

South Africa - Wetlands and the Avoca

Wetlands, wildlife and stories from the bush.

Our Journey

The journey begins among the wetlands of iSimangaliso before moving inland through the wildlife-rich landscapes of Kruger and the Timbavati. Along the way, each destination reveals a different side of South Africa, from thriving ecosystems and unforgettable wildlife encounters to the stories and struggles that shaped the modern nation.

Days 1-2 - iSimangaliso Wetlands — hippos in still water, crocodiles along the banks.
Days 3-4 - Kruger National Park — elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo, giraffes.
Days 5-9 - Timbavati — Avoca pride, leopards, owls, hyena, vultures, wild dogs.
Day 10 - Johannesburg — a reflective end at the Apartheid Museum.

iSimangaliso Wetlands

iSimangaliso Wetland Park brings together wetlands, grasslands, and waterways that support one of South Africa's richest wildlife ecosystems.

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Hippo at Dusk

A hippo rises from the wetlands at dusk. They sleep in the water during the day to protect their delicate skin. When they awaken, they often yawn to greet their new day.

Across the wetlands of iSimangaliso, hippos, crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife thrive within one of South Africa's most diverse ecosystems.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park offers one of Africa's premier safari experiences, where vast landscapes support an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.

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White Rhino

White rhinos aren't actually white. Their name came from the Dutch description of "wide" mouth which was "wijd". They are imposing as they stand quietly in the grassland, their heavy frames and twin horns reflecting the ancient presence of Kruger’s megafauna.

Along Kruger's roads and waterholes, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, and antelope turn every drive into a safari adventure.

The Timbavati - Greater Kruger

The Timbavati extends beyond Greater Kruger as a protected wilderness where wildlife moves freely across an unfenced landscape.

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Verreaux’s Eagle‑Owl

A Verreaux’s Eagle‑Owl rests at dusk, its pink eyelids and massive frame revealing Africa’s largest owl awakening for the night.

Throughout the Timbavati, predators and prey move through an untamed landscape where every sighting offers a glimpse into the rhythms of the bush.

Johannesburg - difficult history

Johannesburg provides a window into South Africa's modern history, where stories of struggle, resilience, and transformation continue to shape the nation.

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Apartheid Museum Tickets

Museum tickets labeled “WHITES” and “NON‑WHITES” recreate the enforced racial divisions that shaped everyday life under apartheid.

Within the Apartheid Museum, personal stories, photographs, and historical records reveal South Africa's journey from division toward democracy.

Tales from this journey

Meeting the Avocas

There were signs of them around our camp. Footprints, scat, roars at night. We knew they were here – this was their territory – but we had not had a chance to see them… yet.

A night drive changed everything. Because it was winter in South Africa, the temperature dropped quickly as dusk settled in — the air turning crisp, the kind of chill that makes you listen a little harder. Our tracker — Sam — had been working to get us this opportunity, and as dusk settled in we finally came upon them. The Land Rover eased past a patch of scrub, and suddenly the shapes in the shadows resolved into lions — all the females and young, stretching and yawning as they woke. Their jaws opened impossibly wide, exposing every tooth in a display that looked ferocious but wasn’t. It was simply how lions greet the night.

We were entranced.

They seemed unimpressed with us.

Selfie with a Lion

After several days in the Timbavati we were relaxing in the lodge chatting with one of the guides (Rolfe). After creating amazing memories in just a short time we asked what stood out for him after being a guide for fifteen years. He immediately said “the time a tourist hopped out of the rover to take a selfie with a lion in the background”.

We asked him what he did. Rolfe told the story with a dry, matter‑of‑fact calm — the same tone he might use to describe the weather. He said he grabbed his rifle and cocked it, a simple action delivered as if it were the obvious choice any normal person would make. That was enough to scare the tourist, who jumped back into the rover immediately.

We asked him what he would have done. He calmly said:

“Shoot the tourist. Can’t blame a lion for being a lion.”

We felt he meant it in his bones — not out of cruelty, but out of respect for the lion. We weren’t entirely sure he would have actually done it, but it seemed entirely possible that he would.