It took a trip to a farm in the Karoo to reconnect with frogs. It seems strange to find frogs in such a dry place as this semi-desert. But here they survive, thanks in part to an unpolluted environment.

From the moment you walk into the Letaba Elephant Hall, a unique museum in the Kruger National Park, it’s clear that here, size does matter.

Mokala National Park south of Kimberley was only proclaimed 5 years ago. It’s a baby compared to parks like Kruger and Tsitsikamma. But already it’s proving to be ecologically valuable, and is a real hit with visitors.

Walk deep into the wilderness adjacent to Kruger National Park, sleep under the stars and experience wildlife right up close.

Last week I had the pleasure of joining the crew from Walker Bay Adventures for a sea kayaking experience in Hermanus. This involved getting within 40 metres of a Bryde’s whale and even closer to seals and dolphins.

Camel thorn trees are the ultimate desert survivors. Their roots tapped into unseen water-sources far beneath the sands, they grow tall and proud where other plants can hardly get through a season without wilting.

Wary, somewhat hairy, and thoroughly addicted to kikuyu lawn, these burrow-dwelling swine are rather charming. You’ll start off thinking only a mother could love a face like that. But in the end, you’ll find they kind of grow on you. Like warts.

See that stump over there? Look again. It could be a lion. Never mind. In a day or so, game spotting will be so much easier when your eyes focus more easily on wildlife shapes.

Away from civilisation, on the trail of bee-eaters … ludicrously gorgeous birds in a festive mood.