It’s not very often people see a leopard defeated ... especially by a small porcupine.

South Africa has a long history of farming with ostriches, but as any ostrich farmer will tell you, it’s no easy business. Still, they are fascinating creatures, and not only because of their size.

Some people wait decades to sight an African wild dog, or painted wolf. We spotted 26 in a matter of minutes.

Singita private game reserve in the Sabi Sand area beside the Kruger National Park has turned to dogs to help fight the poachers who are after the region’s rhinos. K9, with its trained tracker dogs, is helping to guard these iconic members of the Big 5.

Wildlife photography is popular with both international and local visitors, and captures some of the most enduring images of this country.

A magnificent coffee table book on the king of the beasts, <em>In Search of the African Lion</em>, is a must-buy for any wildlife enthusiast or photographer. The photographs are superb, the information knowledgeable and interesting.

Dolphin ‘stampede’ off the coast of South Africa, captured by über-explorer Mike Horn and photographer/director Chase Jarvis

You have to marvel at how apt collective nouns often are. Never mind flock, herd or pack. There are dozens of exquisite descriptions that are far better. The mystery is, who came up with them?

There’s a special magic in spending a few hours watching a southern masked-weaver construct for a lady love. Weavers create intricate nests out of palm fronds, grass and reeds, ad-libbing where necessary.