This blog was written by Koketso Barongwa Sekome, a Bushwise Professional Safari Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience. Across Africa’s open plains, the sound of a spotted hyena’s call cuts through the night. These animals are clever, complex, and highly adaptable, but even the most resourceful creatures need one thing to survive: water. In the bush, where dry seasons can stretch for months, water plays a surpri

Every so often, someone spots a bright green snake sliding across a wall or sunning itself in a tree and immediately sounds the alarm — “Boomslang!” It’s an understandable reaction, but more often than not, what they’ve actually seen is the spotted bush snake. And despite the confusion, this sleek little reptile couldn’t be more different from its venomous lookalike. The spotted bush snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus) is one of the most commonly seen snakes in southern Afric

Spend a little time around safari chatter and you’ll hear people use the words African buffalo and Cape buffalo like they mean the same thing. It’s an easy mix-up – after all, they look pretty similar, they’re both part of Africa’s famous Big Five, and they both have that same “don’t mess with me” stare. But there is a difference. Let’s start with the basics. The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is the umbrella species – the big picture term. Within that species, there are a

The Lowveld is the low-lying, subtropical region of north-eastern South Africa, mostly below 1 000 metres. It is known for its warm climate, open bushveld, and rich wildlife. Many people think of this area as the “classic African landscape” because of its broad valleys, rivers, and variety of plants and animals. The climate of the Lowveld is a key factor in shaping its vegetation and wildlife. Summers are hot and wet, with most rain falling between October and April. The rest