Fauna & Flora

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest and heaviest terrestrial mammal in Africa and has an extensive range from south of the Sahara Desert to South Africa. 

Ingwelala is a beautiful bushveld retreat situated in the middle of a vast wilderness. Together with the Timbavati Reserve, Klaserie Reserve and the Umbabat Reserve it comprises of 180,000 hectares.

The fever tree (Acacia xanthophloea) is one of the easiest thorn trees to identify. A distinctive identifying characteristic is the green to yellow bark. It tends to be a greener yellow in its early years, turning more yellow as it ages.

In some of the “know your places” the summer evenings produce a stunning spectacle in the form of fireflies as they go flashing about, advertising their whereabouts. 

Visitors to the Reserve post the onset of rains will have noticed the multitude of fireflies visible after dusk, some interesting facts about these phenomenal little insects are worth mentioning here:

It is a very special moment each morning to be woken by the call of the African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), especially given the fact that at this time of the year the Ingwelala water courses are usually bone dry. 

The Flame Creeper (Combretum microphyllum) when in flower is a brightly coloured creeper to look out for on your travels around Ingwelala.

At this time of the year, the fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), is notably active, especially at last light.

A widespread and common resident of Southern Africa, the Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) is an incredibly intelligent bird species.

These banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) have really cashed in on a protein supply of freshwater mussels, located in stagnant water pools along the Nhlaralumi River. The feeding behaviour and skill set of the mongooses is fascinating and the biology of the freshwater mussel is intriguing.

Where there is water there are frogs. Members in Bungalow # 197 brought to my attention these tiny Marbled Snout-burrower frogs (Hemisus marmoratus) occasionally found in the swimming pool.

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an animal that has always fascinated me, its shape and size unmistakable in the African savanna with its intriguing physiological adaptations.

The Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) is highly nomadic and partially migratory.

Grey Herons are commonly found in South Africa, and it may be confused with the Black-Headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala).

The cool winter mornings in the bushveld are currently being greeted by the somewhat mournful call of the Grey-headed Bush-Shrike (Malaconotus blanchoti).

The Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri is a conservation icon of South Africas savannas. Once widespread and fairly common, a recent analysis of the species status in South Africa has revealed that both its range and numbers decreased

A definitive sound in the dawn chorus at this time of the year is the enthusiastic contribution from the Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris).

Retz’s Helmet-Shrike (Prionops retzii) occurs widely through Africa, south of the equator. Preferred habitat is riverine woodland, mopani woodland and deciduous. Sexes are alike in appearances.

An adult hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) that died from fighting injuries at Buffels Hide revealed some interesting intra species behaviour.

When travelling around the Reserve, keep a look out for what seems like “clay balls” as depicted in this picture.