Dinokeng is a destination that has it all. Just west of Pretoria, it has a large Big 5 game reserve, it has authentic experiences in townships, rich birdlife, quaint villages like Cullinan and plenty of accommodation. Now it has another asset – its great feel-good factor thanks to its responsible tourism credentials. more

Close to Oudtshoorn you’ll find a farmstay that boasts rustic accommodation as well as luxury, that is ethically run and where you'll see plenty of birdlife. The most compelling attraction, though, is the famous habituated meerkats. Go and watch them wake up one morning. more

BirdLife South Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to conserving and protecting South Africa’s birds. Become a member online, read BirdLife’s own magazine, get the information and discover how you can help to protect the birds that are a crucial part of our world’s biodiversity. more

Kestrelling has become a popular activity among birders, simply because kestrels and falcons are such intriguing little raptors. There are five kestrel species in South Africa, but the long-distance travellers among them are quite awe-inspiring. Lesser kestrels, Amur falcons and red-footed falcons travel thousands of kilometres to summer in South Africa. more

Bontebok and blesbok are two similar but distinct antelope species that came close to extinction. These colourful beasts – especially the bontebok – owe their continued existence to a few stubborn landowners, some fences and one of the first examples of a South African conservation ethic. more

The grey rhebok, also known as the vaal rhebok, ribbok or rhebuck, is endemic, and found only in South Africa. It is fairly common, but its colouring and is shyness make it a challenge to see. Seek it in the high grasslands, especially the flanks of the Drakensberg mountains. more

The /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park's spectacular scenery spans two countries - South Africa and Namibia - and is home to extraordinary biodiversity, ranging from small succulents to giant aloes, from African wild cats to antelope and many rare bird species endemic to the region. more

Baboons are some of the most widespread primates in South Africa. Here you’ll mostly see the Chacma baboon. What is interesting about them is how very intelligent they are. They learn fast, and along the Cape coast, often eat seafood – or brain food. And they’re very entertaining to watch. more

Glen Afric – about 40 minutes from Johannesburg and 20 minutes from Pretoria – offers unusual wildlife encounters. You can go on game drives, guided walks and horse rides, or go walking with elephants. And the animals you meet are mostly famous – many have appeared in adverts, movies and TV series. more

The Ugly 5 is a whimsical listing of animals that includes the hyena, marabou stork, vulture, warthog and wildebeest. The list provides a fun alternative when the Big 5 are proving difficult to see. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many think the Ugly 5 are gorgeous. more

South African ground squirrels are knee-high rodents with fluffy tails and a pale racing stripe down their cinnamon-coloured flanks. At a glance, they’re easily mistaken for meerkats, since they also occur in the Karoo and Kalahari. But unlike meerkats, these little burrowers (which often live alongside meerkats) are mostly vegetarians. more

If you see a riverine rabbit, you will belong to a very tiny and exclusive group of people. It is thought to only number in the low hundreds and is found along dry riverbeds in the arid central Karoo. This critically endangered mammal is a flagship species for this semi-desert’s delicate ecology. more

There are many wildlife volunteer projects in South Africa, given its abundant game. Work through responsible wildlife voluntourism agents and be rewarded with highly gratifying programmes that include monitoring and tracking the Big 5, feeding and caring for abandoned animals, and working with endangered species. more

The Endangered Wildlife Trust is one of South Africa’s most respected conservation bodies. It works to save endangered wild animals of all kinds. This includes wildlife living in all kinds of ecosystems – in ponds, in the sea, in the air, on clifftops, in grasslands and along dry riverbeds. more